EP1494510A1 - Ignition apparatus with intelligent disconnection - Google Patents

Abstract

The controlled high voltage generator (11) connected to the lamp (1), supplies start- or ignition impulses. A control circuit (12) connected to it (11) controls it in different modes. The cold start detection unit is connected to or forms part of the control circuit. A re-settable extinction counter is also connected to or forms part of this circuit. It counts extinctions and/or start pulses. It is designed to prevent further starting attempts until the next cold start, when a given number is reached. A timer (38) is triggered on starting of the gas discharge lamp and is connected to an extinction counter. This resets the counter on expiry of its triggering time.

Description

The invention relates to an ignitor for gas discharge lamps, in particular with electromagnetic ballast and a method for igniting and re-igniting gas discharge lamps.

Gas discharge lamps, such as sodium vapor lamps, Metallic vapor halide lamps, especially when used as high-pressure gas discharge lamps are trained, are usually sensitive to mains voltage fluctuations. The mains voltage superimposed interference voltages can high pressure gas discharge lamps to extinguish. The reignition needs in the Rule of a lamp type dependent time which is in the range of a few seconds to several minutes. This applies in particular if the igniter emits ignition voltage, the Although not to ignite a cold but to ignite a hot Lamp is sufficient.

If network disturbances accumulate, this leads to the extinction of individual ones High-pressure gas discharge lamps, which then reignited Need to become.

A fundamentally different process takes place when the gas discharge lamp approaches its end of life. The Firing voltage then increases to values that are stochastic Extinguish the gas discharge lamp can lead. Also in this Case, an ignitor repeats the lamp, However, the gas discharge lamp usually goes out again, as soon as it burns and increases its burning voltage heated. Because of the lamps aged with the operation associated dangers and because of the annoying flashing of such Lamps it is therefore known, the number of ignition attempts capture. For this purpose, EP 0 847 680 B1 discloses a method for the operation or ignition of high-pressure gas discharge lamps, in which after an unintentional shutdown of the Lamp the number of lamp firings is counted and the Ignition circuit is switched off when the lamp after a predetermined number of lamp ignitions again unintentionally off.

This is also known from US-PS 4,853,599. These too Document discloses a ballast or ignitor, the Number of reclosures recorded and when reached a predetermined number off.

Although such igniters can the unwanted flashing prevent high-pressure gas discharge lamps. But they tend on the other hand, to completely intact high-pressure gas discharge lamps shut down, although this is their end of life not yet reached. This effect depends on the Network quality. Occasional, to extinguish lamps leading network malfunctions, causing them an unintentional Shutdown, i. Extinguishing the high-pressure gas discharge lamp these deletion or shutdown operations are counted. For networks with high levels of interference, this can cause a shutdown of intact lamps, which is not intended. This is especially in continuous lighting, such. Road tunnels undesirable.

On this basis, it is an object of the invention, a Zündgerät for high-pressure gas discharge lamps and corresponding methods to provide for operation of high-pressure gas discharge lamps, with the shutdown of intact gas discharge lamps after prevent accidental shutdown largely.

This object is achieved with the ignitor according to claim 1 and solved with the ignition method according to claim 4 or 5:

The solution to the problem lies in the definition of a critical Burning time and monitoring whether the high-pressure gas discharge lamp burns longer than this time. Fills the high-pressure gas discharge lamp this condition, it will be considered operational classified and operated. Turn it off, however within the critical burning time, this is registered. Follow several such registrations, these registrations are counted. Exceeds the count a predetermined or alternatively also specifiable value is the lamp classified as worn and shut down. This For example, value is set to three events. He can however, if necessary, be set larger or smaller. The critical burning time is set so that on the one hand so great is that a occurring at the end of life Periodic extinction takes place at intervals, the shorter are the critical burning time, whereas the other Probability of several consecutive network disturbances, which can lead to lamp extinction within the critical burning time is very low. For example, the critical firing time can be set to one or more hours.

With the supervision of keeping the critical burning time or not multiple successive undershoot same, becomes a practically very safe distinction of lamp extinctions that occur at the end of life, and lamp extinguishing due to network disturbances occur, reached.

The ignitor contains a discriminator for differentiation from cold and warm start. This also as cold-start detection device designated discriminator sets the resettable Erase counter upon detection of a cold start preferably to its initial value, so even gone in advance Firing cycle as defect switched off high-pressure gas discharge lamps be ignited first. Is the counter at the value 3? set, they remain after the third unintentional extinguishing permanently switched off until the next cold start. Become, for example, business situations, other public Rooms or other rooms that are permanently lit. require, such as tunnels and the like, serviced, At the next start of operation all lamps are ignited and even those that are unlikely in consequence but possible in the short term consecutive Power failures have shut off. After a short wait the ignitors then shut off the really broken lights. They can then be replaced. For business expenses and similar lights that periodically shut off daily be and only shine at night, for example by the distinction between cold and warm start as well ensured that during cold start (switching on the lamps for example in the evening) all lamps are started and after a settling time for switching off the defective lamps no Lamp more flashing.

Further details of advantageous embodiments of Invention are the subject of the drawing, the description or of dependent claims.

Figur 1 bis 3

Gasentladungslampen mit Vorschalt- und Zündgerat in unterschiedlichen Ausführungsformen in schematisierten Schaltbildern,

Figur 3a

eine Steuerschaltung für die Vorschaltgeräte nach Figur 1 bis 3 in vereinfachter Darstellung,

Figur 4

eine andere Steuerschaltung für die Vorschaltgeräte nach Figur 1 bis 3 in vereinfachter Darstellung,

Figur 4a, 4b

Schaltungsvarianten für eine Erkennungseinrichtung,

Figur 5

einen Teil der Steuerschaltung nach Figur 4 als Blockschaltbild und

Figur 6

ein Zeitdiagramm zur Veranschaulichung der Betriebsweise des Zündgeräts.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated. Show it:

Figure 1 to 3

Gas discharge lamps with ballast and Zündgerat in different embodiments in schematized circuit diagrams,

FIG. 3a

a control circuit for the ballasts of Figure 1 to 3 in a simplified representation,

FIG. 4

another control circuit for the ballasts of Figure 1 to 3 in a simplified representation,

Figure 4a, 4b

Circuit variants for a detection device,

FIG. 5

a part of the control circuit of Figure 4 as a block diagram and

FIG. 6

a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the igniter.

FIG. 1 shows the circuit diagram of a gas discharge lamp 1 and an associated ballast 2 and an ignitor 3 illustrates. The gas discharge lamp 1 is, for example a sodium vapor lamp, a metal halide lamp or another gas discharge lamp. While you have a connection is connected to a reference potential N is her another connection via a Zündimpulstransformator 4 and the Ballast 2 to an AC voltage leading line L. connected. The reference potential N and the line L can be interchanged with each other. The ballast 2 is in simplest case of a choke which serves to limit the lamp current of the gas discharge lamp 1 and the Stabilize gas discharge. The ignition pulse transformer 4 has a secondary winding between the ballast 2 and the gas discharge lamp 1 is connected. His primary winding is connected to the ignitor 3. This contains a firing capacitor 5, with one end to the primary winding the Zündimpulstransformators 4 and at the same time to a End of the secondary winding and connected to the ballast 2 is. With its other end, it is at an intermediate potential 6 connected. The other end of the primary winding the Zündimpulstransformators 4 is over a Break-through switch device, such as the Sidac 7, connected, the other end with the intermediate potential 6 is connected. The latter is via a current limiting resistor 8 and a capacitor 9 with the reference potential N. connected. The Zündimpulstransformator 4 forms together with the ignitor 3 is a high voltage generator 11. This is a control circuit 12 associated with its terminals 13, 14th Connected to the Sidac 7 in the sense of a parallel connection are. The control circuit 12 can also be parallel to the capacitor 5 are switched. The control circuit 12 is out of sight 7 sidacs a switch 15 shorting the sidac 7 can to prevent the generation of ignition pulses.

The control circuit 12 includes an electronic circuit 16 for driving the switch 15. The control circuit monitors the voltage applied to the terminals 13, 14 voltage and evaluate these. It is through in the preferred case a microcontroller 17 is formed, which corresponds to that of FIG. 4 is provided schematically apparent external circuit. Of the Switch 15 is connected through a thyristor with upstream Graetz Bridge 18 formed. The thyristor is a working resistor 19 connected in series. The microcontroller 17 controls the thyristor at its gate.

From the voltage supplied by the Graetz bridge 18 A resistor 21 branches in conjunction with a Zener diode 22 the operating voltage for the microcontroller 17 from. The zener diode 22, a buffer capacitor 23 may be connected in parallel. The Zener diode 22 can also be replaced by a voltage regulator become.

The microcontroller 17 is a recognition device 24th assigned to short-term operating voltage dips that too cause an unintentional extinguishing of the gas discharge lamp or can lead to recognize. This recognition device 24 supplies at operating voltage interruptions from the buffer capacitor 23 are bridged, a short signal pulse to a corresponding input of the microcontroller 17, to signal that now a re-ignition pending. The recognizer 24 is included in the embodiment According to Figure 4, 4a or Figure 4b one with the Graetz bridge 18 and thus the unfiltered operating voltage connected Zener diode 25 whose other electrode (anode) with the associated input of the microcontroller 17 is connected (dashed components are optional). With this are as well a resistor 27 and optionally a capacitor 26 connected the two switched to ground and thus turn connected to the other end of the Graetz bridge 18. The Zener diode 25 can also be replaced by a resistor.

The microcontroller 17 is program-controlled. His programming takes place in the appropriate for the specific type Language for performing the function described below.

The circuit of Figure 1 and the control circuit 12th according to Figure 4 work as follows:

Was the circuit for a long time disconnected from the network, for example by applying no mains voltage to line L. was, the control circuit 12 is at rest and the switch 15 is open (not current conducting). Will now be operating voltage applied (e.g., 220V, 50Hz sin) is this via the ballast 2 and the Zündimpulstransformator 4 the high-resistance gas discharge lamp 1 at. About the resistance 8 and the capacitor 9, moreover, the capacitor 5 is charged until the breakdown voltage of Sidacs 7 is reached. With This will break low resistance, leaving the capacitor 5 is at the primary winding of Zündimpulstransformators. 4 discharges. If the current falls below a holding value, it will the Sidac 7 again high impedance and the capacitor 5 will turn recharged via the resistor 8 and the capacitor 9. This game can occur several times at each power half-wave to repeat. The Zündimpulstransformator therefore generates a Sequence of ignition pulses. With a cold lamp these lead in the Usually immediately to ignite the gas discharge lamp 1. This ignites thus at the first half-wave or shortly thereafter. burns the gas discharge lamp 1 decreases the voltage between the ballast 2 and the gas discharge lamp 1 so far that the Capacitor 5 the breakdown voltage of the Sidacs 7 no longer reached. There are thus no more ignition pulses generated.

It may happen that the operating voltage is short-lived is interrupted or that you superimposed a glitch which is like a very short-lived power interruption acts and the gas discharge lamp 1 to extinguish brings. During the time of the power supply interruption the microcontroller 17 remains active. Although at the terminals 13, 14 the supply of the control circuit 12 for a short time This can be omitted by the buffer capacitor 23 bridged. The Zener diode 25 indicates the operational breakdown or However, other interference pulse directly to the input of Microcontroller 17 continues, making this particular reference the sudden increase in voltage between the terminals 13, 14 recognizes that the gas discharge lamp 1 in the meantime is extinguished. He now leads the start of the gas discharge lamp 1 in "Warm ignition" or "Re-ignition mode" by. This begins with the closing of the switch 15 of thus becomes conductive. This will cause the generation of ignition pulses since the beginning t1 of the Wiederzündvorgangs for a given Waiting time of, for example, 12 seconds or even 24 Seconds suppressed. After that, for example, 12 seconds long ignition pulses generated and placed on the gas discharge lamp 1 become. This interplay of break and ignition attempt can now be repeated continuously until the gas discharge lamp 1 ignites.

Due to the delayed generation of ignition pulses in the Wiederzündbetriebsart the gas discharge lamp 1 first Opportunity to cool something before any ignition attempts be undertaken. This increases the probability the immediate ignition at the first Wiederzündversuch considerably. However, does not ignite the gas discharge lamp 1 immediately becomes by the excessive application of ignition pulses the excessive Energy input into the gas discharge lamp avoided, the otherwise slowing the cooling of the gas discharge lamp would lead.

If the operating voltage is interrupted for a long time this recognizes the detection device 24 as well. At the Cold start are the capacitor 26 and the buffer capacitor 23rd empty. The sudden increase in voltage at the terminals 13, 14 is first connected to the capacitor 26 and thus to the corresponding Control input of the microcontroller 17 visible. Only then does this get with increasing voltage on the buffer capacitor 23 its operating voltage. The control pulse, which would put him in the Wiederzündbetriebsart is to This time already past and remains ineffective. In As a result, the microcontroller 17 remains in its Kaltzündbetriebsart and allows the immediate generation of ignition pulses to.

In an improved embodiment, in particular in the re-ignition mode monitors how long the unsuccessful Emission of ignition pulses to the gas discharge lamp 1 takes. These ignition attempts exceed a time limit of, for example five or ten minutes can be closed be that on the ignitor 3 a warm hardly re-ignitable Gas discharge lamp, such as a so-called Ceramic burner lamp, connected. In this case then the breaks between individual ignition attempts can be extended for example, 52 seconds or 1 minute. On the other hand, the duration of the ignition attempts can be extended be, for example, 24 seconds.

In a further modified embodiment, the from the embodiment described above by the Programming the microcontroller 17 is different, is during warm - up (re - ignition) the time from extinguishing the Lamp until successful re-ignition or alternatively the Number of ignition tests carried out and monitored during considered next reignition.

In a further possible modification, the number of Re-ignition tests occurring in a given period monitored in the event of unintentional extinction of the gas discharge lamp 1 and any new Wiederzündversuch be prevented if a given limit is exceeded. hereby it avoids that at the end of life arrived lamps, which are constantly re-extinguished, constantly re-ignited which causes unpleasant blinking effects would.

Figure 2 illustrates a modified embodiment the circuit of Figure 1, wherein for the same circuit parts with reference to the previous description, the same reference numerals be based on. The embodiment of FIG 2 differs from that of Figure 1 by the arrangement the control circuit 12 'in a lamp current carrying path. The control circuit 12 'includes a switch 15' which normally is closed, while the switch 15 of Figure 1 normally open. To interrupt the ignition operation the gas discharge lamp 1, the switch 15 is opened. Otherwise the circuit 16 'with the circuit 16 after Figures 1 and 4 match. The functional description also applies corresponding.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the circuit for the gas discharge lamp 1, which without Zündimpulstransformator gets along. For this purpose, the ballast 2 with a Tapped. This tap is via a capacitor 28, a triac 29 and an optional current limiting resistor 31 or alternatively a throttle to the reference potential N connected. The control electrode of the triac 19 is connected via a Diac 32 to one of two resistors 33, 34 existing Voltage divider, which picks up the lamp voltage, connected. The resistor 34 is a phase shifter capacitor 35 connected in parallel.

The switch 15 serves to prevent drive pulses Diacs 29 to the generation of high voltage pulses prevent. If it is open, high voltage pulses are generated until the gas discharge lamp 1 ignites. If he is closed, omits the generation of the ignition pulses. The circuit 16 opens and closes the switch 15 according to the diagrams 5 and 6 and the associated description.

Figure 3a illustrates a modified embodiment the circuit for the gas discharge lamp 1, the without Zündimpulstransformator requires. Again, the ballast 2 with a tap provided by a capacitor 28, a triac 29 and an optional current limiting resistor 31 or alternatively a throttle to the reference potential N is connected. The control circuit described above 16 is not used here to control a switch 15, the Ignition pulses of the triac 29 shorts, but it controls the triac 29 directly on. Should the generation of Lampenzündimpulsen stay the triac 29 receives no ignition pulses more of the control circuit 16. It is connected to the phase shifter network consisting of the resistors 33, 34 and the capacitor 35 connected to, if necessary, the ignition pulses for to generate the triac 29. The detection of warm start situations takes place as in the circuit of Figure 4 wherein the corresponding circuit parts not specified here individually are.

Figure 5 illustrates the function of the microcontroller 17 as a block diagram. Its input 36 leads to a time filter 37, which examines incoming impulses to see if they arrive at a time interval greater than one Minimum time. The time filter 37 serves to successive Extinguishing the high-pressure gas discharge lamp as it may flash several times while igniting same accidental extinction during the quiet burning the high-pressure gas discharge lamp 1 in a row of network disturbances can occur. The time filter 37 may be, for example set to 1, 3 or 5 seconds. The However, the minimum time specified by him is much lower as the end of life of the high pressure gas discharge lamp. 1 occurring flashing times.

Parallel to the time filter 37 is at the input 36 a Cold starter detection device 38 connected to it serves to distinguish a cold start from a warm start. For example, it compares the temporal relationship of the Arrivals of the operating voltage of the microcontroller 17 with the arrival of a signal at the input 36. Meets this Signal rather than delayed by the buffer capacitor 23 Operating voltage is the cold-start detection device 38 at its output 39 from a reset signal. This becomes too one of two alternative reset inputs 41, 42 of a Counting block 43 passed. The count block 43 has a count input 44, which is connected to the output of the time filter 37. Its own exit 45 leads to an entrance of an Oder gate 46, whose output 47, the output of the microcontroller 17th forms and controls the gate of the thyristor 15. The other entrance the OR gate 46 leads blocking pulses, which consist of more unillustrated blocks of the microcontroller 17 e.g. can come to interrupt the ignition.

The pulses conducted to the counting input 44 pass also to a timer circuit 48, which is a critical burning time sets. The critical burning time can, for example, on one or two hours. The output of the timer circuit 48 is connected to the reset input 42. receives the counter block 43 at its reset input 41 or at its Reset input 42 a signal it is at its original value reset. At its output 45, it gives a signal, when at its entrance 44 a predetermined number of Counts received without having reset in the meantime to have been.

The detection of the end of life of the high-pressure gas discharge lamp 1 and the suppression of network disturbances in the frame This recognition process works as follows:

In FIG. 6, the burning (B) or non-burning (N) is the Gas discharge lamp 1 illustrated as a timing diagram. To the At time t0, the gas discharge lamp 1 is turned on cold. The count block 43 is thereby in consequence of an output signal the cold starter detection means 38 to its basic value of for example 3 reset. Now go out at a time t1, the gas discharge lamp 1, for example, as a result of a Network failure and this is timely, i. before expiry of the critical Burning time Z, the case, the count block 43 is decremented. He assumes the value 2. Lost at a time t2 the gas discharge lamp 2 in turn as a result of a power failure again before the critical burning time Z expired is, the count block 43 is again decremented. He has now the value 1. If then no extinction of the gas discharge lamp 1 more, the critical burning time Z expires and that of the last count triggered timer circuit 48 then provides at its output at a time t3 a reset signal for it now has the value 3. The gas discharge lamp 1 continues to burn undisturbed. Alternatively, you can Place the full reset of the count block 43 also counting in the opposite direction (increment) done. It is also possible, in such a case by several steps x to count up (n: = n + x)). The step number x can be a given Constant or a variable that stems from the prehistory certainly.

In the lower half of the diagram of Figure 6 are three successive deleting events at the times t4, t5 and t6 illustrates that none of the time intervals are longer when the critical burning time is Z The occurring at time t6 Erase event therefore sets the count block 43 Zero, which occurs at the output of the count block 43 Signal via the OR gate 46 as a signal for the switch 15th is given to the outside to close this and more Igniting the gas discharge lamp 1 to prevent. Is the counter so far he can not run out by the signal of the Timer circuit 48 are reset. His reset input 42 is underprivileged in this respect. He is when he is critical Count has reached zero, only a reset signal resettable at the reset input 41.

An ignition method and an ignition device are proposed, where the distances between deletion events of a High-pressure gas discharge lamp 1 are monitored. The supervision the burning or erasing is done by monitoring the Burning voltage. There will only be a certain number of short-term consecutive deletion events allowed. Will the Maximum number of deletion events consecutive in the short term is reached or exceeded the ignitor or the Gas discharge lamp stopped. Will not this maximum number an event counter is reset to its initial value or it will take one or more steps in the opposite direction counted (n + 1 or n + x).

Claims (12)

Igniter, for gas discharge lamps (1), in particular with electromagnetic ballast (2),
a controllable high voltage generator (11) connected to the gas discharge lamp (1) for supplying ignition pulses thereto;
a control circuit (12) connected to the high voltage generator (11) for controlling the same and operable in at least two different modes;
cold start detection means (38) connected to or part of the control circuit (12),
a resettable erase counter (24) being part of or connected to the control circuit (12) for counting deletions and / or ignitions of the gas discharge lamp (1) and for inhibiting further attempts to fire until the next cold start, if a count limit is reached,
with a timer (38) which is triggered by an ignition of the gas discharge lamp (1) and which is connected to the clear counter (43) to reset this at the end of its trigger time. Ignitor according to Claim 1, characterized in that the erase counter (43) is preceded by a filter circuit (37) in order to simply count short-term successive erase events or lamp ignitions. Ignitor according to claim 2, characterized in that the filter circuit (37) suppresses deletion events or lamp ignitions, which occur at a time interval from one another, as is to be expected in an ignition operation of an intact gas discharge lamp (1). Ignition method for gas discharge lamps (1) by means of a Igniter (3), where the ignitor (3) in operation located gas discharge lamp (1) in a given Time window occurring number of Wiederzündvorgängen monitors and locks up for further attempts at ignition, when a maximum number of reignitions exceeded becomes. Ignition method for gas discharge lamps (1) by means of an ignition device (3), in which when the gas discharge lamp (1) is in operation, the ignitor (3) counts, with a counter (43), the number of reignitions, and then continues counting by one if a time has elapsed since the last reignition which is shorter than a minimum time, the counter (43) counts in one or more stages in the opposite direction or is reset if, since the last reignition, a burning time is reached which is greater than a critical burning time, and the ignitor is disabled for further ignition attempts when the counter reaches a predetermined or specifiable count. Ignition method according to claim 5, characterized in that the minimum time is equal to the critical burning time. Ignition method according to claim 5, characterized in that a Wiederzündvorgang is counted only if the time interval to the last Wiederzündvorgang is greater than a minimum time. Ignition method according to claim 7, characterized in that the minimum time is substantially less than both the minimum time and the critical burning time. Ignition method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the high-voltage pulses delivered by the ignition device (11) are supplied in timed fashion. Ignition method according to claim 14, characterized in that the control circuit (12) registers the Wiederzündzeit at a Wiederzündvorgang, which elapses from Wiederzündbeginn to the actual ignition, and taken into account at the next Wiederzündvorgang a waiting time. Ignition method according to claim 10, characterized in that the waiting time is determined based on the Wiederzündzeit. Ignition method according to claim 14, characterized in that the control circuit (12) registers in a Wiederzündvorgang the number of ignition attempts that are made from Wiederzündbeginn to the actual ignition, and taken into account at the next Wiederzündvorgang a waiting time, which is determined by the number of previous ignition attempts ,

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