EP1442635B1 - Evg units which may be wired in parallel due to lamp type - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a suitable connection between a lamp and an electronic ballast, which provides a suitable power supply for the lamp, wherein before switching on the power of the lamp from the ballast from a signal is transmitted by means of the lamp due to transmitted signal is generated for the luminaire type specific response signal in the ballast, the response signal for detecting the switched-type luminaire is evaluated and the supply power is turned on only after detection of a suitable type of connection for the connection.

The invention further relates to an arrangement of electronic ballasts, each having a power supply for generating a power supply for the operation of a connected light, a connection cable for establishing an electrical connection to the light for transmitting the supply power, a control device by which a signal is emitted to the luminaire before switching on the supply power, an evaluation device for evaluating a response signal of the luminaire for detecting the luminaire type and evaluation of the recognized luminaire type as suitable for connection to the power supply and a switching device for switching on the supply power Ver if the recognized luminaire type is suitable for connection to the supply power.

To illuminate exhibition stands, exhibition rooms, film scenes, etc., numerous lamps provided with discharge lamps are regularly used. For this purpose, scaffold-like racks are often used on which the lights are mounted and connected to a connecting cable. The connection cable connects the lights with an associated electronic ballast. Because of the frequently used high number of luminaires, the electronic ballasts are often used in several standardized plug-in housings. To reduce the number of sometimes laid over a longer distance cable, the connecting lines of the electronic ballasts are increasingly connected to a single, multi-core cable with which the distance between the electronic ballasts and the lights is largely bridged. At the light-side end of the multi-core cable, a distributor is attached, to which the individual lights can then be connected.

For the fulfillment of the respective lighting tasks lamps of different powers are generally used. It is known to provide the lights of different performance with different plugs, for example, to avoid the connection of a lamp lower power to an electronic ballast with a higher output power or vice versa, which may cause damage to the discharge lamp or the electronic ballast. The disadvantage of this, however, is that the connected to the multi-core cable distributor with correspondingly mechanically coded mating connectors must be equipped so that the distributor for the particular lighting task must be specially configured. This is cumbersome and requires, for example, major retooling when it turns out in the creation of the lighting that at one or more locations a luminaire of a pre-planned power level should be replaced by a luminaire of a different performance. It has therefore been proposed to dispense with the mechanical coding of the plug and to demand increased attention from the installation staff to avoid incorrect connection of lights to electronic ballasts. This requires a careful assignment and marking of the connections of the lighter side distributor to the individual electronic ballasts at the other end of the multi-core cable and also a high level of attention of the installation personnel.

An earlier, not pre-published proposal is based on the assumption that due to the often confined installation conditions in the distributor, for example, on a narrow lamp scaffold and because of the problematic lighting conditions there regularly error-free operation of the operating personnel can not be expected. Bad installations and the associated damage to lamps and / or electronic ballasts therefore seem unavoidable. The aim was therefore, without substantial additional effort to avoid harmful consequences of incorrect installations due to no longer existing mechanical coding of connectors. Accordingly, in order to establish a suitable connection between a luminaire and an electronic ballast, which provides an appropriate supply power for the luminaire, it is provided that before switching on the supply power the lamp is transmitted from the ballast a signal that by means of the lamp due to the transmitted signal, a response signal specific to the light type is generated, that the response signal is evaluated in the ballast for detecting the switched light type and that only after detection of a suitable type of light connection Supply power is turned on.

This method thus provides for electronic checking of the luminaire connected to the electronic ballast in question before the supply power is switched on by the electronic ballast. In this way, a connection of a non-matching lamp to an electronic ballast is not prevented, but the lamp is not put into operation by the electronic ballast.

The review of the type of luminaire, so in particular the review of the rated power of the lamp, can be done without additional wires through the example designed as a two-conductor cable connection cable. The circuitry required for the electronic ballast and for the lamp is low, since the transmission of information about the type of light can be done in a very simple manner, for example by pulses generated in the lamp whose number per unit time contains the information about the type of light. In this case, for example, only one pulse generator in the form of an astable multivibrator is suitable, whose switching frequency can be determined by a circuit with a capacitor.

In principle, it is conceivable to supply the response signal generator by its own battery in the luminaire. However, a solution is preferred in which the response signal is generated from the energy of the received signal in the luminaire, so that the luminaire continues to operate without any separate current source. For this purpose, for example, as a signal, a low DC voltage can be transmitted as the response signal from the signal generator in the lamp Switched low impedance and high impedance switching, so that, depending on Beschaltungsart, voltage pulses occur or current pulses are detectable in the electronic ballast with a constant voltage.

Another embodiment is that a time-limited pulse signal is sent as a signal of the electronic ballast, from the energy content of a response signal is formed by means of the lamp. The pulse signal can be used in the lamp, for example, to charge a capacitor, from the energy of the time-limited response signal is formed. Appropriately, it is provided that the means for forming the response signal in the lamp is self-disconnecting, so that it is turned off when the supply power is passed to the lamp.

An electronic ballast suitable for carrying out the described method is characterized by a control device, by which a signal is emitted to the lamp before the supply power is switched on, by an evaluation device for evaluating a response signal of the luminaire for detecting the luminaire type and evaluating the recognized luminaire type as the Suitable for connection to the power supply, and by a switching device for switching on the power supply, if the recognized luminaire type is suitable for connection to the power supply.

In this case, at the output of the control device with respect to the voltage of the supply power much lower DC voltage for transmission to the light are pending. According to the above-described operation, it may be sufficient if there is a time-limited pulse of low DC voltage for transmission to the light at the output of the control device.

The output of the controller can be connected to the connection cable, so that the transmission of the low DC voltage is done with the same cable, with which later the supply power is passed to the lamp.

The evaluation device can be designed in a simple manner for detecting the number of pulses per unit of time.

Of course, the evaluation device may be designed differently within the scope of the invention, for example for the detection of pulse widths, for the detection of zero crossings of a harmonic oscillation o. Ä.

A luminaire for carrying out the method described is characterized by a signal generator triggered by an externally supplied signal for transmitting a response signal characterizing the luminaire type to the ballast. In this case, the signal generator can be suitably fed by the externally supplied signal, so receive its supply voltage.

Preferably, the signal generator is connected to the connecting cable, so receives both the externally supplied signal and the power supply via the same line.

The signal generator is preferably self-disconnecting after delivery of the response signal. Its renewed activation takes place by a renewed externally supplied signal, which differs clearly from the supply performance and is recognizable from the signal generator.

For the reasons described above, it is advantageous if the signal generator has an energy storage device for forming its supply voltage from a received signal.

Alternatively, the signal generator can be supplied by a received DC voltage and switch the DC voltage clocked.

In particular, for the connection of a large number of lights that have different lighting tasks and therefore have different power consumption, there is a problem in providing different ballasts for the different types of lights and set up, for example, in a drawer-shelf housing. Since the electronic ballasts could be downsized in the meantime that several can be accommodated side by side in a 19-inch slot, it is extremely tedious to replace, for example, a ballast of one type of performance against a ballast of another type of performance, as they regularly have different widths ,

The invention is therefore based on the problem to simplify the handling and the arrangement of numerous ballasts for the operation of luminaires of different luminaire type.

Based on this problem, a method of the type mentioned in the invention is characterized in that for supplying lamps of at least two different types of luminaires, one of which has a first power consumption, which is up to an integral multiple of the power consumption of a second type of luminaire, same ballasts are used , which are designed for the direct supply of the second type of luminaire and are operated in parallel to supply the first type of luminaire.

A corresponding arrangement of electronic ballasts of the type mentioned above is inventively characterized in that in the arrangement for the supply of luminaires of at least two different types of luminaires, of which a first luminaire type a power consumption has, which is up to an integral multiple of the power consumption of a second type of luminaire, the same ballasts are provided which are designed to directly supply luminaires of the second type of luminaire and which are connected in parallel for the supply of luminaires of the first type of luminaire.

The present invention makes use of the fact that although often different types of luminaires are used, the number of luminaire types used is limited to two or three. A commonly used combination of luminaires uses three types of luminaires with power consumption of 200 W, 575 W and 1200 W. According to the invention, the same ballasts are used to drive the luminaire with 575 W and 1200 W, which are designed to directly supply the luminaires with 575 W.

To control the lamp with 1200 W, two ballasts are connected in parallel. In this way, the usual variety of electronic ballasts can be avoided. In this specific case, electronic ballasts are used, which are internally switchable for the low power outputs between the power output of 200 W and 575 W, whereby the correct switching position for the connection of a specific lamp is checked according to the method of the main patent or an automatic switchover is carried out according to this method becomes.

By using the same ballasts, these can advantageously be arranged next to one another in a standard plug-in housing, with the arrangement of six ballasts in a 19-inch plug-in housing next to one another being advantageous for the described application.

Since the ballasts are designed by default in their output power adjustable, it is also possible according to the present invention, for example, a lamp with a power consumption of 800 W with two parallel operated ballasts with a power output of up to 600 W, for example, if both ballasts have been set to 400 W by the controller.

Figur 1

ein Prinzipschaltbild eines elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts und einer über ein Anschlusskabel angeschlossenen Leuchte

Figur 2

eine Kurvendarstellung für die Ausgangsspannung des elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts während des Prüfvorganges für den Leuchtentyp und für das anschließende Einschalten der Versorgungsleistung

Figur 3

einen Signalverlauf für ein vom elektronischen Vorschaltgerät erzeugtes und übertragenes Signal in Form eines Gleichspannungsimpulses und eines darauf erzeugten Antwortsignals.

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung von sechs gleichen Vorschaltgeräten zur Ansteuerung von Leuchten verschiedener Typen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the method according to the main patent, Figure 4 illustrates the modular arrangement according to the invention with the same ballasts. In detail show:

FIG. 1

a schematic diagram of an electronic ballast and connected via a connecting cable light

FIG. 2

a graph of the output voltage of the electronic ballast during the test process for the type of luminaire and for the subsequent switching on the power supply

FIG. 3

a waveform for a generated and transmitted by the electronic ballast signal in the form of a DC pulse and a response signal generated thereon.

FIG. 4

a schematic representation of six identical ballasts for controlling lights of various types.

FIG. 1 shows schematically an electronic ballast 1, which in the usual way has a power part 2, with which a supply power is generated and provided to output terminals 3.

The electronic ballast further comprises a control and evaluation device 4, whose output terminals via a switch 5 alternatively to the power supply to the output terminals 3 are switchable. About a two-core cable 6 a connection to terminals 7 of a lamp 8 is made. An ignition device 9 and a discharge lamp 10 are conventionally connected to the connection terminals 7 in the luminaire 8.

Parallel to the ignitor 9, a signal generator 11 is connected to the terminals 7, which may be formed as a pulse generator.

The connection cable 6 shown schematically is often part of a multi-core cable, in which numerous connection cables 6 are combined to form a cable. Accordingly, the connection of the lamp 8 via a distributor, through which the numerous summarized connection cable 6 are separated again and individual lights 8 can be assigned.

Figure 2 illustrates the voltage curve on the connecting line 6. After connecting the lamp 8 to the connection cable 6 connected to the electronic ballast 1, first communication signals 12 are transmitted with a low voltage of about 10 V for checking the connected light type. If in this transmission a correctly connected light 8 has been detected, the switch 5 is switched in the electronic ballast 1, so that the power supply of the power unit 2 is transmitted via the connecting cable 6. This leads to the ignition of the lamp 10 via the ignitor 9, whereby the supply voltage of about 300 V breaks and then goes into the stable combustion state of the discharge lamp 10, as illustrated by the curve 13 in Figure 2.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the test signals 12, which in this case consist of a DC pulse 14 with the pulse width ta-ta 'emitted by the control / evaluation device 4 and of a subsequent response signal 15 generated by the signal generator 11 in the form of voltage pulses or There are current pulses that is completed by the time tb. The signal generator 11 draws its supply voltage from the energy of the DC pulse 14. The number of pulses 14 emitted in FIG. 3a up to the instant tb is higher than that according to FIG. 3b and therefore characterizes another type of luminaire.

As mentioned, alternatively, the DC voltage 14 can be transmitted continuously until the time tb when the pulse generator then switches this DC voltage clocked low-impedance and high-impedance, whereby detected in the control / evaluation device 4 current pulses and encode, for example, in terms of their number until the time tb the light type ,

In the illustrated embodiments, a very simple arrangement of a lamp 8 is shown, with a very simple communication in the form of the test signals 12 is possible. Of course, the method described is also suitable for lights 8, which are the subject of more complicated control tasks, for example, have servomotors, by which they are pivotable in a specific position, are effectively switched by the different color filter, etc. In this case, the communication with the test signals 12 beyond the detection of the type of luminaire and also serve for the transmission of control signals for the servomotors, controls for color filters, etc.

It is readily apparent that the method described makes it possible to dispense with a mechanical plug coding, without the risk that due to a wrong connection of a lamp 8 to an electronic ballast 1 damage to the electronic ballast 1 or to the discharge lamp 10th to be produced.

Figure 4 shows an arrangement of six ballasts 1, in a rack housing 16, which may be a standard 19 inch rack. The ballasts 1 are each for the direct supply of two types of luminaires 8 ', 8 "switchable with the power of 200 W and 575 W.

The six ballasts 1 are supplied in groups to two ballasts 1 each having a phase L1, L2, L3 of a three-phase connection with respect to a neutral conductor N with voltage.

The ballast 1 shown in Figure 4 above is switched to the operation 200 W and directly supplied a lamp 8 'with the power consumption 200 W.

The ballast 1 shown below, on the other hand, is switched to the output 575 W and directly supplies a luminaire 8 "with 575 W power.

By the above-described review of the appropriate connection between the ballast 1 and the lamp 8 ', 8 "ensures that the supply power of the ballast 1 only to a matching lamp 8', 8" passes.

The lamp 8 '' 'shown continues to have a power consumption of 1200 W and is therefore controlled by two parallel ballasts 1, so that for the supply of the lamp 8' '' two ballasts 1 are required. With the input terminals 7 of the lamp 8 '' 'thus the output terminals 3 of two ballasts 1 are connected in parallel.

Thus it is shown that the lights 8 "and 8 '' 'with the same type of ballasts 1 with the output power of about 575 W are controlled, namely the lamp 8" directly by a ballast 1 and the lamp 8' '' means of two parallel switched ballasts 1.

The supply of the other type luminaire 8 'succeeds in addition, if the ballast used, as often realized, is switchable in the lower power range, so that after switching and the light 8' with the low power consumption can be supplied directly from the ballast 1.

In the case of the parallel connection of the ballasts 1 to supply the lamp 8 '' 'is possible for the detection of a suitable connection of the lamp 8' '' to the ballast 1, a power consumption "1200 W" characterizing response signal to produce 15. In this case, the ballast 1 detects that the supply of the lamp 8 '' 'only by two ballasts 1 connected in parallel is possible, but that it must be switched in the position "600 W" itself.

It is also possible to send a response signal "600 W" from the luminaire 8 '' 'since the ballast 1 only needs the information as to whether a luminaire 8' '' with a power input suitable for the high output power is connected.

Should accidentally the parallel connection of two ballasts 1 not be done, but only a single ballast with the lamp 8 '' 'be connected, this leads to a recognizable worse function or a malfunction of the lamp 8' '', by the parallel connection of two ballasts 1 is fixed. Damage to the lamp 8 '' 'is not possible in this case.

Of course, it is also possible to detect the proper parallel connection of two ballasts 1. The effort for this will not be useful regularly because any missing parallel connection to the function of the lamp 8 '' 'is immediately recognizable.

The advantageous, modular arrangement of the ballasts 1 according to the invention in a housing 16 can also be utilized for the supply of luminaires with higher power consumption, for example 1800 W, in which several, For example, three ballasts 1 are connected in parallel. In practice, however, the parallel connection of two ballasts 1 is generally sufficient.

Claims (5)

1. A method for producing a suitable connection between a luminaire (8, 8', 8'', 8''') and an electronic ballast (1) which provides a suitable power supply for the luminaire (8, 8', 8", 8'''), in which, prior to the power supply to the luminaire (8, 8', 8'', 8''') being connected, a signal (14) is transmitted from the ballast (1), a response signal (15) which is specific to the type of luminaire is generated by means of the luminaire (8, 8', 8'', 8''') on the basis of the transmitted signal (14), the response signal (15) is evaluated in the ballast (1) for the purpose of detecting the type of luminaire connected, and only after a type of luminaire has been detected which is suitable for connection is the power supply connected, characterized in that identical ballasts (1) are used for supplying power to luminaires (8', 8'', 8''') of at least two different types, of which a first type of luminaire (8''') has a power consumption which is up to an integral multiple of the power consumption of a second type of luminaire (8''), these ballasts (1) being designed to supply power directly to the second type of luminaire (8'') and being operated, connected in parallel, for the purpose of supplying power to the first type of luminaire (8''').
2. An arrangement of electronic ballasts (1) which each have a power supply unit (2) for generating a power supply for operating a connected luminaire (8, 8', 8'', 8'''), a connection cable (6) for producing an electrical connection with the luminaire (8, 8', 8'', 8''') for transmitting the power supply, a control device (in 4) by means of which, prior to the power supply being connected, a signal (14) is transmitted to the luminaire (8, 8', 8'', 8'''), an evaluation device (in 4) for evaluating a response signal (15) from the luminaire (8, 8, 8, 8) for the purpose of detecting the type of luminaire and evaluating the type of luminaire detected as being suitable for connection to the power supply, and a switching device (5) for connecting the power supply if the type of luminaire detected is suitable for connection to the power supply, characterized in that identical ballasts (1) are used in the arrangement for supplying power to luminaires (8, 8, 8) of at least two different types, of which a first type of luminaire (8) has a power consumption which is up to an integral multiple of the power consumption of a second type of luminaire (8), these ballasts (1) which are designed to supply power directly to luminaires (8) of the second type and can be connected in parallel for the purpose of supplying power to luminaires (8) of the first type.
3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the ballasts (1) can be switched over for the purpose of supplying power directly to different types of luminaire (8, 8).
4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a number of ballasts (1) are arranged next to one another in a standard withdrawable part housing (16).
5. The arrangement as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that six ballasts (1) are arranged next to one another in a 19-inch withdrawable part housing (16).

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