EP1590993A1 - Electronic connection device - Google Patents

Electronic connection device

Info

Publication number
EP1590993A1
EP1590993A1 EP04707218A EP04707218A EP1590993A1 EP 1590993 A1 EP1590993 A1 EP 1590993A1 EP 04707218 A EP04707218 A EP 04707218A EP 04707218 A EP04707218 A EP 04707218A EP 1590993 A1 EP1590993 A1 EP 1590993A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lamp
circuit
preheating
discharge lamp
sub
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04707218A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1590993B1 (en
Inventor
Michael Winkel
Franz Tusch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HEP Tech Co Ltd
Original Assignee
HEP Tech Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HEP Tech Co Ltd filed Critical HEP Tech Co Ltd
Publication of EP1590993A1 publication Critical patent/EP1590993A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1590993B1 publication Critical patent/EP1590993B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
    • H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
    • H05B41/295—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps with preheating electrodes, e.g. for fluorescent lamps

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a ballast for low-pressure discharge lamps, with a controllable inverter circuit for generating a high-frequency supply voltage for a discharge lamp, a lamp inductor connected to the inverter circuit, a lamp parallel capacitor connected in series with the lamp inductor and connected in parallel with the discharge lamp, and with a preheating circuit for supply the electrodes of the discharge lamp with heating current.
  • Such a ballast is known for example from DE 199 20 030 A1.
  • the electrodes of the discharge lamp designed as heating filaments are preheated so that they are excited to emit glow.
  • the frequency of the supply voltage is changed from a preheating frequency to an operating frequency by means of the controllable inverter circuit. This leads to the fact that the series resonant circuit formed by the lamp inductor and the lamp parallel capacitor comes into resonance, so that a sufficient ignition voltage is present at the discharge lamp for ignition.
  • the known ballast has a heating transformer, the primary winding of which is connected in series with the lamp parallel capacitor.
  • the secondary windings of the heating transformer supply the electrodes of the discharge lamp, which are designed as heating coils, with heating current.
  • the preheating voltage applied to the primary winding of the heating transformer thus becomes determined exclusively by the voltage drop across the lamp parallel capacitor. During the transition from the preheating frequency to the operating frequency, this voltage increases, so that the heating current also increases. However, the heating current is limited by the saturation that occurs in the heating transformer. When the discharge lamp is ignited, the voltage across the lamp parallel capacitor collapses to the operating voltage of the lamp. The heating current flowing through the heating coils of the electrodes in the operating state is reduced accordingly.
  • a disadvantage of the known ballast is that a continuous heating current flows even during the continuous operation of the discharge lamp, which leads to increased energy consumption.
  • Discharge lamp flows.
  • the heating current is only due to the saturation of the
  • the heating filaments can be destroyed.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic ballast for low-pressure discharge lamps, in which losses caused by the preheating circuit are minimized and which can be used universally, in particular also for discharge lamps with sensitive electrodes.
  • the preheating circuit is supplied with current from an auxiliary winding attached to the lamp inductor, the auxiliary winding being connected to the preheating circuit via a controllable switch or a parallel resonance circuit.
  • the preheating circuit of the ballast is supplied with current from an auxiliary winding mounted on the lamp choke, it is achieved that the power supply of the preheating circuit - unlike in the known ballast - is independent of the reactive current flowing through the lamp parallel capacitor.
  • the use of the auxiliary winding on the lamp choke also has the advantage that the heating current can be increased slowly during the switch-on process by slowly lowering the frequency of the supply voltage from a high preheating frequency to the operating frequency.
  • the power supply to the preheating circuit can be interrupted by means of the controllable switch or by means of the parallel resonance circuit during the continuous operation of the lamp. This effectively prevents undesirable losses due to a heating current flowing continuously during lamp operation.
  • a transistor can be used as a controllable switch in the usual way, by means of which the electrical connection between the auxiliary winding attached to the lamp inductor and the preheating circuit is interrupted.
  • the preheating circuit has a heating transformer, the primary winding of which is connected to the auxiliary winding and the secondary windings are connected to the electrodes of the discharge lamp.
  • the primary winding is accordingly fed by the auxiliary winding attached to the lamp inductor, a secondary winding being provided in each case for heating an electrode of the discharge lamp.
  • the saturation that occurs in the heating transformer when there is a strong current flow through the lamp inductor can be used to limit the heating current.
  • the heating transformer can expediently be designed as a toroidal core transformer.
  • the frequency of the supply voltage should expediently be changed from a preheating frequency for preheating the by means of the controllable inverter circuit
  • Electrodes can be changed to a different operating frequency for the continuous operation of the discharge lamp.
  • an interruption of the power supply to the preheating circuit can then be achieved in that the parallel resonance circuit connected between the auxiliary winding arranged on the lamp inductor and the preheating circuit is matched to the operating frequency of the discharge lamp.
  • ballast according to the invention is explained with reference to the circuit outlined in the drawing.
  • a supply voltage Ü b is present at a half bridge consisting of two electronic switches Ti and T 2 .
  • the half-bridge circuit consisting of the two electronic switches Ti and T 2 forms part of a controllable inverter circuit for generating a high-frequency supply voltage for a discharge lamp 1.
  • the electronic switches Ti and T 2 are alternately operated by an electronic control circuit (not shown in more detail) in accordance with the desired frequency of the supply voltage on and off.
  • the discharge lamp 1 is connected via a choke Li to the half bridge consisting of the two switches Ti and T 2 .
  • a lamp parallel capacitor Ci is connected in parallel to the discharge lamp 1 and in series with the lamp inductor Li.
  • a preheating circuit is also provided, via which electrodes 2 and 3 of the discharge lamp 1 are supplied with heating current.
  • the preheating circuit consists of a toroidal transformer 4, the secondary windings 5 and 6 of which are connected to the electrodes 2 and 3.
  • the preheating circuit is supplied with current by an auxiliary winding 7 mounted on the lamp inductor Li.
  • the auxiliary winding 7 is connected to a primary winding 8 of the toroidal transformer 4, a parallel resonance circuit 9 being connected between the auxiliary winding 7 and the primary winding 8.
  • the parallel resonance circuit 9 is tuned to the operating frequency of the discharge lamp 1 in such a way that only a minimal current flows through the primary winding 8 of the toroidal core transformer 4 during the continuous operation of the discharge lamp 1.
  • capacitors CM and C k2 are provided, which are used for DC decoupling.
  • a capacitor C h connected between the lamp inductor Li and the discharge lamp 1 is also used for DC decoupling.
  • a supply voltage whose frequency corresponds to a preheating frequency is first generated by means of the electronic switches Ti and T 2 .
  • the current flowing through the choke L ⁇ ⁇ at this frequency induces a voltage in the auxiliary winding 7, which leads to a current flow in the primary winding 8 of the heating transformer 4.
  • the parallel resonance circuit 9 is far outside of its resonance at the preheating frequency.
  • the current flowing through the primary winding 8 leads to a current flowing through the electrodes 2 and 3, which are fed by the secondary windings 5 and 6 of the heating transformer 4.
  • the frequency of the supply voltage is reduced by means of the controllable inverter circuit from the preheating frequency to a different operating frequency for the continuous operation of the discharge lamp 1.
  • the series resonant circuit consisting of the choke Li and the lamp parallel capacitor Ci comes into resonance, so that an ever increasing voltage is present at the discharge lamp 1.
  • the discharge lamp 1 ignites and the voltage breaks down to the operating voltage of the discharge lamp 1.
  • the parallel resonance circuit 9 is in resonance, so that the heating current flowing through the electrodes 2 and 3 is greatly reduced. During the continuous operation of the lamp 1, only a minimal heating current flows through the electrodes 2 and 3.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Mechanical Treatment Of Semiconductor (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)
  • Furan Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a ballast for low-pressure discharge lamps, comprising a controllable inverter circuit for the generation of a high-frequency supply voltage for a discharge lamp ( 1 ), a lamp inductance (L<SUB>1</SUB>) connected to the inverter circuit, a lamp parallel capacitor (C<SUB>1</SUB>) which is serially connected to the lamp inductance (L<SUB>1</SUB>) and connected in parallel to the discharge lamp ( 1 ), and a preheating circuit supplying heating current to the electrodes ( 2, 3 ) of the discharge lamp ( 1 ). In order to minimize electrical losses and to enable universal use of said ballast for various types of discharge lamps the invention proposes that current is supplied to the preheating circuit via an auxiliary winding ( 7 ) arranged on the lamp inductance (L<SUB>1</SUB>) with said auxiliary winding ( 7 ) being connected with the preheating circuit via a controllable switch or a parallel resonant circuit ( 9 ).

Description

Elektronisches Vorschaltαerät Electronic ballast
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Vorschaltgerät für Niederdruckentladungslampen, mit einer steuerbaren Wechselrichterschaltung zur Erzeugung einer hochfrequenten Versorgungsspannung für eine Entladungslampe, einer mit der Wechselrichterschaltung verbundenen Lampendrossel, einem mit der Lampendrossel in Serie geschalteten und parallel zu der Entladungslampe geschalteten Lampen- parallelkondensator und mit einer Vorheizschaltung zur Versorgung der Elektroden der Entladungslampe mit Heizstrom.The invention relates to a ballast for low-pressure discharge lamps, with a controllable inverter circuit for generating a high-frequency supply voltage for a discharge lamp, a lamp inductor connected to the inverter circuit, a lamp parallel capacitor connected in series with the lamp inductor and connected in parallel with the discharge lamp, and with a preheating circuit for supply the electrodes of the discharge lamp with heating current.
Ein derartiges Vorschaltgerät ist beispielsweise aus der DE 199 20 030 A1 bekannt. Mittels der Vorheizschaltung werden die als Heizwendeln ausgebildeten Elektroden der Entladungslampe vorgeheizt, so daß diese zur Glühemission angeregt werden. Zum Zünden der Entladungslampe wird die Frequenz der Versorgungsspannung mittels der steuerbaren Wechselrichterschaltung von einer Vorheizfrequenz auf eine Betriebsfrequenz geändert. Dies führt dazu, daß der von der Lampendrossel und dem Lampenparallelkondensator gebildete Serienresonanzkreis in Resonanz kommt, so daß an der Entladungslampe eine zum Zünden ausreichende Zündspannung anliegt.Such a ballast is known for example from DE 199 20 030 A1. By means of the preheating circuit, the electrodes of the discharge lamp designed as heating filaments are preheated so that they are excited to emit glow. To ignite the discharge lamp, the frequency of the supply voltage is changed from a preheating frequency to an operating frequency by means of the controllable inverter circuit. This leads to the fact that the series resonant circuit formed by the lamp inductor and the lamp parallel capacitor comes into resonance, so that a sufficient ignition voltage is present at the discharge lamp for ignition.
Das vorbekannte Vorschaltgerät weist einen Heiztransformator auf, dessen Primärwicklung mit dem Lampenparallelkondensator in Serie geschaltet ist. Die Sekundärwicklungen des Heiztransformators versorgen die als Heizwendeln ausgebildeten Elektroden der Entladungslampe mit Heizstrom. Die an der Primärwicklung des Heiztransformators anliegende Vorheizspannung wird somit ausschließlich vom Spannungsabfall über dem Lampenparallelkondensator bestimmt. Beim Übergang von der Vorheizfrequenz zur Betriebsfrequenz nimmt diese Spannung zu, so daß auch der Heizstrom anwächst. Der Heizstrom wird allerdings durch die in dem Heiztransformator eintretende Sättigung begrenzt. Beim Zünden der Entladungslampe bricht die am Lampenparallelkondensator anliegende Spannung auf die Betriebsspannung der Lampe zusammen. Entsprechend reduziert sich der im Betriebszustand durch die Heizwendeln der Elektroden fließende Heizstrom.The known ballast has a heating transformer, the primary winding of which is connected in series with the lamp parallel capacitor. The secondary windings of the heating transformer supply the electrodes of the discharge lamp, which are designed as heating coils, with heating current. The preheating voltage applied to the primary winding of the heating transformer thus becomes determined exclusively by the voltage drop across the lamp parallel capacitor. During the transition from the preheating frequency to the operating frequency, this voltage increases, so that the heating current also increases. However, the heating current is limited by the saturation that occurs in the heating transformer. When the discharge lamp is ignited, the voltage across the lamp parallel capacitor collapses to the operating voltage of the lamp. The heating current flowing through the heating coils of the electrodes in the operating state is reduced accordingly.
Nachteilig ist bei dem vorbekannten Vorschaltgerät, daß auch während des kontinuierlichen Betriebs der Entladungslampe ein dauernder Heizstrom fließt, was zu einem erhöhten Energieverbrauch führt. Während des Betriebs derA disadvantage of the known ballast is that a continuous heating current flows even during the continuous operation of the discharge lamp, which leads to increased energy consumption. During the operation of the
Lampe wird nämlich die Primärwicklung des Heiztransformators kontinuierlich von dem durch den Lampenparallelkondensator fließenden Blindstrom durchflössen. Nachteilig ist des weiteren, daß bei dem vorbekannten Vorschaltgerät beim Einschaltvorgang der Entladungslampe ein unerwünscht hoher Heizstrom durch die kalten Heizwendeln der Elektroden derThis is because the primary winding of the heating transformer is continuously flowed through by the reactive current flowing through the lamp parallel capacitor. A further disadvantage is that in the known ballast when the discharge lamp is switched on, an undesirably high heating current due to the cold heating filaments of the electrodes
Entladungslampe fließt. Der Heizstrom wird lediglich durch die Sättigung desDischarge lamp flows. The heating current is only due to the saturation of the
Heiztransformators begrenzt. Falls das vorbekannte Vorschaltgerät fürHeating transformer limited. If the known ballast for
Entladungslampen mit besonders empfindlichen Elektroden eingesetzt wird, kann es zur Zerstörung der Heizwendeln kommen.If discharge lamps with particularly sensitive electrodes are used, the heating filaments can be destroyed.
Davon ausgehend liegt der vorliegenden Erfindung die Aufgabenstellung zugrunde, ein elektronisches Vorschaltgerät für Niederdruckentladungslampen bereitzustellen, bei welchem durch die Vorheizschaltung bedingte Verluste minimiert werden und welches universell, insbesondere auch für Entladungslampen mit empfindlichen Elektroden, einsetzbar ist.Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic ballast for low-pressure discharge lamps, in which losses caused by the preheating circuit are minimized and which can be used universally, in particular also for discharge lamps with sensitive electrodes.
Diese Aufgabenstellung wird ausgehend von einem Vorschaltgerät der eingangs genannten Art dadurch gelöst, daß die Vorheizschaltung von einer auf der Lampendrossel angebrachten Hilfswicklung mit Strom versorgt wird, wobei die Hilfswicklung mit der Vorheizschaltung über einen steuerbaren Schalter oder einen Parallelresonanzkreis verbunden ist. Dadurch daß gemäß der Erfindung die Vorheizschaltung des Vorschaltgerats von einer auf der Lampendrosselung angebrachten Hilfswicklung mit Strom versorgt wird, wird erreicht, daß die Stromversorgung der Vorheizschaltung - anders als bei dem vorbekannten Vorschaltgerät - von dem durch den Lampenparallelkondensator fließenden Blindstrom unabhängig ist. Durch die Verwendung der Hilfswicklung auf der Lampendrossel ergibt sich außerdem der Vorteil, daß der Heizstrom beim Einschaltvorgang langsam gesteigert werden kann, indem die Frequenz der Versorgungsspannung von einer hohen Vorheizfrequenz langsam auf die Betriebsfrequenz abgesenkt wird. Dadurch wird ein überhöhter und damit für die Elektroden der Entladungslampe schädlicher Heizstrom vermieden. Vorteilhaft ist femer, daß bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Vorschaltgerät die Stromversorgung der Vorheizschaltung mittels des steuerbaren Schalters oder mittels des Parallelresonanzkreises während des kontinuierlichen Betriebs der Lampe unterbrochen werden kann. Dadurch werden unerwünschte Verluste aufgrund eines kontinuierlich während des Betriebs der Lampe fließenden Heizstroms effektiv unterbunden. Als steuerbarer Schalter kann in üblicher Weise ein Transistor eingesetzt werden, mittels welchem die elektrische Verbindung zwischen der auf der Lampendrossel angebrachten Hilfswicklung und der Vorheizschaltung unterbrochen wird.This task is solved starting from a ballast of the type mentioned in that the preheating circuit is supplied with current from an auxiliary winding attached to the lamp inductor, the auxiliary winding being connected to the preheating circuit via a controllable switch or a parallel resonance circuit. Characterized in that according to the invention the preheating circuit of the ballast is supplied with current from an auxiliary winding mounted on the lamp choke, it is achieved that the power supply of the preheating circuit - unlike in the known ballast - is independent of the reactive current flowing through the lamp parallel capacitor. The use of the auxiliary winding on the lamp choke also has the advantage that the heating current can be increased slowly during the switch-on process by slowly lowering the frequency of the supply voltage from a high preheating frequency to the operating frequency. This avoids excessive heating current, which is therefore harmful to the electrodes of the discharge lamp. It is also advantageous that in the ballast according to the invention the power supply to the preheating circuit can be interrupted by means of the controllable switch or by means of the parallel resonance circuit during the continuous operation of the lamp. This effectively prevents undesirable losses due to a heating current flowing continuously during lamp operation. A transistor can be used as a controllable switch in the usual way, by means of which the electrical connection between the auxiliary winding attached to the lamp inductor and the preheating circuit is interrupted.
Vorteilhaft ist es, wenn bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Vorschaltgerät die Vorheizschaltung einen Heiztransformator aufweist, dessen Primärwicklung mit der Hilfswicklung verbunden ist und dessen Sekundärwicklungen mit den Elektroden der Entladungslampe verbunden sind. Die Primärwicklung wird demnach von der auf der Lampendrossel angebrachten Hilfswicklung gespeist, wobei jeweils eine Sekundärwicklung zur Heizung einer Elektrode der Entladungslampe vorgesehen ist. Die bei starkem Stromfluß durch die Lampendrossel in dem Heiztransformator eintretende Sättigung kann zur Begrenzung des Heizstroms ausgenutzt werden. Zweckmäßigerweise kann hierzu der Heiztransformator als Ringkerntransformator ausgebildet sein.It is advantageous if, in the ballast according to the invention, the preheating circuit has a heating transformer, the primary winding of which is connected to the auxiliary winding and the secondary windings are connected to the electrodes of the discharge lamp. The primary winding is accordingly fed by the auxiliary winding attached to the lamp inductor, a secondary winding being provided in each case for heating an electrode of the discharge lamp. The saturation that occurs in the heating transformer when there is a strong current flow through the lamp inductor can be used to limit the heating current. For this purpose, the heating transformer can expediently be designed as a toroidal core transformer.
Zweckmäßigerweise sollte bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Vorschaltgerät die Frequenz der Versorgungsspannung mittels der steuerbaren Wechselrichterschaltung von einer Vorheizfrequenz zum Vorheizen der Elektroden auf eine davon verschiedene Betriebsfrequenz zum kontinuierlichen Betrieb der Entladungslampe veränderbar sein. Auf schaltungstechnisch besonders einfache Art und Weise ist dann eine Unterbrechung der Stromversorgung der Vorheizschaltung dadurch zu erreichen, daß der zwischen die auf der Lampendrossel angeordnete Hilfswicklung und die Vorheizschaltung geschaltete Parallelresonanzkreis auf die Betriebsfrequenz der Entladungslampe abgestimmt ist.In the ballast according to the invention, the frequency of the supply voltage should expediently be changed from a preheating frequency for preheating the by means of the controllable inverter circuit Electrodes can be changed to a different operating frequency for the continuous operation of the discharge lamp. In a circuit-technically particularly simple manner, an interruption of the power supply to the preheating circuit can then be achieved in that the parallel resonance circuit connected between the auxiliary winding arranged on the lamp inductor and the preheating circuit is matched to the operating frequency of the discharge lamp.
Ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Vorschaltgerats wird anhand der in der Zeichnung skizzierten Schaltung erläutert.An embodiment of the ballast according to the invention is explained with reference to the circuit outlined in the drawing.
An einer aus zwei elektronischen Schaltern Ti und T2 bestehenden Halbbrücke liegt eine Versorgungsspannung Üb an. Die aus den beiden elektronischen Schaltern Ti und T2 bestehende Halbbrückenschaltung bildet einen Teil einer steuerbaren Wechselrichterschaltung zur Erzeugung einer hochfrequenten Versorgungsspannung für eine Entladungslampe 1. Die elektronischen Schalter T-i und T2 werden abwechselnd von einer nicht näher dargestellten elektronischen Steuerschaltung entsprechend der gewünschten Frequenz der Versorgungsspannung ein- und ausgeschaltet. Die Entladungslampe 1 ist über eine Drossel Li mit der aus den beiden Schaltern Ti und T2 bestehenden Halbbrücke verbunden. Ein Lampenparallelkondensator Ci ist parallel zu der Entladungslampe 1 und mit der Lampendrossel Li in Serie geschaltet. Des weiteren ist eine Vorheizschaltung vorgesehen, über welche Elektroden 2 und 3 der Entladungslampe 1 mit Heizstrom versorgt werden. Die Vorheizschaltung besteht aus einem Ringkerntransformator 4, dessen Sekundärwicklungen 5 und 6 mit den Elektroden 2 und 3 verbunden sind. Gemäß der Erfindung wird die Vorheizschaltung von einer auf der Lampendrossel Li angebrachten Hilfswicklung 7 mit Strom versorgt. Die Hilfswicklung 7 ist mit einer Primärwicklung 8 des Ringkerntransformators 4 verbunden, wobei zwischen die Hilfswicklung 7 und die Primärwicklung 8 ein Parallelresonanzkreis 9 geschaltet ist. Der Parallelresonanzkreis 9 ist auf die Betriebsfrequenz der Entladungslampe 1 abgestimmt, derart, daß während des kontinuierlichen Betriebs der Entladungslampe 1 nur ein minimaler Strom durch die Primärwicklung 8 des Ringkerntransformators 4 fließt. Bei dem in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel sind Kondensatoren CM und Ck2 vorgesehen, die zur Gleichstromentkopplung dienen. Zur Gleichstromentkopplung dient ebenfalls ein zwischen die Lampendrossel Li und die Entladungslampe 1 geschalteter Kondensator Ch.A supply voltage Ü b is present at a half bridge consisting of two electronic switches Ti and T 2 . The half-bridge circuit consisting of the two electronic switches Ti and T 2 forms part of a controllable inverter circuit for generating a high-frequency supply voltage for a discharge lamp 1. The electronic switches Ti and T 2 are alternately operated by an electronic control circuit (not shown in more detail) in accordance with the desired frequency of the supply voltage on and off. The discharge lamp 1 is connected via a choke Li to the half bridge consisting of the two switches Ti and T 2 . A lamp parallel capacitor Ci is connected in parallel to the discharge lamp 1 and in series with the lamp inductor Li. A preheating circuit is also provided, via which electrodes 2 and 3 of the discharge lamp 1 are supplied with heating current. The preheating circuit consists of a toroidal transformer 4, the secondary windings 5 and 6 of which are connected to the electrodes 2 and 3. According to the invention, the preheating circuit is supplied with current by an auxiliary winding 7 mounted on the lamp inductor Li. The auxiliary winding 7 is connected to a primary winding 8 of the toroidal transformer 4, a parallel resonance circuit 9 being connected between the auxiliary winding 7 and the primary winding 8. The parallel resonance circuit 9 is tuned to the operating frequency of the discharge lamp 1 in such a way that only a minimal current flows through the primary winding 8 of the toroidal core transformer 4 during the continuous operation of the discharge lamp 1. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, capacitors CM and C k2 are provided, which are used for DC decoupling. A capacitor C h connected between the lamp inductor Li and the discharge lamp 1 is also used for DC decoupling.
Beim Einschalten der Entladungslampe 1 wird mittels der elektronischen Schalter Ti und T2 zunächst eine Versorgungsspannung erzeugt, deren Frequenz einer Vorheizfrequenz entspricht. Durch den mit dieser Frequenz durch die Drossel L<\ fließenden Strom wird in der Hilfswicklung 7 eine Spannung induziert, welche zu einem Stromfluß in der Primärwicklung 8 des Heiztransformators 4 führt. Der Parallelresonanzkreis 9 ist bei der Vorheizfrequenz weit außerhalb seiner Resonanz. Der durch die Primärwicklung 8 fließende Strom führt zu einem durch die Elektroden 2 und 3 fließenden Strom, welche von den Sekundärwicklungen 5 und 6 des Heiztransformators 4 gespeist werden. Nun wird die Frequenz der Versorgungsspannung mittels der steuerbaren Wechselrichterschaltung von der Vorheizfrequenz auf eine davon verschieden Betriebsfrequenz zum kontinuierlichen Betrieb der Entladungslampe 1 abgesenkt. Beim Absenken der Frequenz kommt der aus der Drossel Li und dem Lampenparallelkondensator Ci bestehende Serienresonanzkreis in Resonanz, so daß an der Entladungslampe 1 eine immer größer werdende Spannung anliegt. Sobald die Zündspannung erreicht ist, zündet die Entladungslampe 1 und die Spannung bricht auf die Betriebsspannung der Entladungslampe 1 zusammen. Bei der Betriebsfrequenz ist der parallele Resonanzkreis 9 in Resonanz, so daß der durch die Elektroden 2 und 3 fließende Heizstrom stark reduziert ist. Während des Dauerbetriebs der Lampe 1 fließt somit nur ein minimaler Heizstrom durch die Elektroden 2 und 3. When the discharge lamp 1 is switched on, a supply voltage whose frequency corresponds to a preheating frequency is first generated by means of the electronic switches Ti and T 2 . The current flowing through the choke L < \ at this frequency induces a voltage in the auxiliary winding 7, which leads to a current flow in the primary winding 8 of the heating transformer 4. The parallel resonance circuit 9 is far outside of its resonance at the preheating frequency. The current flowing through the primary winding 8 leads to a current flowing through the electrodes 2 and 3, which are fed by the secondary windings 5 and 6 of the heating transformer 4. Now the frequency of the supply voltage is reduced by means of the controllable inverter circuit from the preheating frequency to a different operating frequency for the continuous operation of the discharge lamp 1. When the frequency is reduced, the series resonant circuit consisting of the choke Li and the lamp parallel capacitor Ci comes into resonance, so that an ever increasing voltage is present at the discharge lamp 1. As soon as the ignition voltage is reached, the discharge lamp 1 ignites and the voltage breaks down to the operating voltage of the discharge lamp 1. At the operating frequency, the parallel resonance circuit 9 is in resonance, so that the heating current flowing through the electrodes 2 and 3 is greatly reduced. During the continuous operation of the lamp 1, only a minimal heating current flows through the electrodes 2 and 3.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Vorschaltgerät für Niederdruckentladungslampen, mit einer steuerbaren Wechselrichterschaltung zur Erzeugung einer hochfrequenten Versorgungsspannung für eine Entladungslampe (1 ), einer mit der Wechselrichterschaltung verbundenen Lampendrossel (Li), einem mit der Lampendrossel (Li) in Serie geschalteten und parallel zu der Entladungslampe (1 ) geschalteten Lampenparallelkondensator (Ci) und mit einer Vorheizschaltung zur Versorgung der Elektroden (2, 3) der Entladungs- lampe (1 ) mit Heizstrom, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß die Vorheizschaltung von einer auf der Lampendrossel (L|) angebrachten Hilfswicklung (7) mit Strom versorgt wird, wobei die Hilfswicklung (7) mit der Vorheizschaltung über einen steuerbaren Schalter oder einen Parallelreso- nanzkreis (9) verbunden ist.1. Ballast for low-pressure discharge lamps, with a controllable inverter circuit for generating a high-frequency supply voltage for a discharge lamp (1), a lamp inductor (Li) connected to the inverter circuit, a series-connected with the lamp inductor (Li) and parallel to the discharge lamp (1) switched lamp parallel capacitor (Ci) and with a preheating circuit for supplying the electrodes (2, 3) of the discharge lamp (1) with heating current, characterized in that the preheating circuit supplies current from an auxiliary winding (7) attached to the lamp inductor (L |) the auxiliary winding (7) is connected to the preheating circuit via a controllable switch or a parallel resonant circuit (9).
2. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorheizschaltung einen Heiztransformator (4) aufweist, dessen Primärwicklung (8) mit der Hilfswicklung (7) verbunden ist und dessen Sekundärwicklungen (5, 6) mit den Elektroden (2, 3) der Entladungslampe (1 ) verbunden sind.2. Ballast according to claim 1, characterized in that the preheating circuit has a heating transformer (4) whose primary winding (8) is connected to the auxiliary winding (7) and whose secondary windings (5, 6) with the electrodes (2, 3) Discharge lamp (1) are connected.
3. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Heiztransformator (4) als Ringkerntransformator ausgebildet ist.3. Ballast according to claim 2, characterized in that the heating transformer (4) is designed as a toroidal transformer.
4. Vorschaltgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mittels der steuerbaren Wechselrichterschaltung die Frequenz der Versorgungsspannung von einer Vorheizfrequenz zum Vorheizen der Elektroden (2, 3) auf eine davon verschiedene Betriebsfrequenz zum kontinuierlichen Betrieb der Entladungslampe (1 ) veränderbar ist.4. Ballast according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that by means of the controllable inverter circuit, the frequency of the supply voltage from a preheating frequency for preheating the electrodes (2, 3) can be changed to a different operating frequency for the continuous operation of the discharge lamp (1).
5. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Parallelresonanzkreis (9) auf die Betriebsfrequenz abgestimmt ist, derart, daß während des kontinuierlichen Betriebs der Entladungslampe (1 ) die Stromversorgung der Vorheizschaltung unterbrochen ist. 5. Ballast according to claim 4, characterized in that the parallel resonant circuit (9) is matched to the operating frequency, such that the power supply to the preheating circuit is interrupted during the continuous operation of the discharge lamp (1).
EP04707218A 2003-02-04 2004-02-02 Electronic ballast Expired - Lifetime EP1590993B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10304544A DE10304544B4 (en) 2003-02-04 2003-02-04 Electronic ballast
DE10304544 2003-02-04
PCT/EP2004/000921 WO2004071135A1 (en) 2003-02-04 2004-02-02 Electronic connection device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1590993A1 true EP1590993A1 (en) 2005-11-02
EP1590993B1 EP1590993B1 (en) 2009-05-27

Family

ID=32730743

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04707218A Expired - Lifetime EP1590993B1 (en) 2003-02-04 2004-02-02 Electronic ballast

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US7279844B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1590993B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1748447B (en)
AT (1) ATE432606T1 (en)
DE (2) DE10304544B4 (en)
WO (1) WO2004071135A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005057107B4 (en) * 2004-11-25 2013-11-14 Kk Elektrotechnik Gmbh ballast
CN101170863A (en) * 2006-10-27 2008-04-30 马士科技有限公司 A current excitation no magnetic loop feedback rectifier
US8232727B1 (en) 2009-03-05 2012-07-31 Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc. Ballast circuit for a gas-discharge lamp having a filament drive circuit with monostable control
KR101658210B1 (en) * 2010-02-19 2016-09-21 페어차일드코리아반도체 주식회사 Preheatingcontrol device, lamp driving device comprising the same, and preheating control method

Family Cites Families (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5510681A (en) * 1978-03-20 1996-04-23 Nilssen; Ole K. Operating circuit for gas discharge lamps
FR2446579A1 (en) 1978-11-10 1980-08-08 Abadie Henri Fluorescent lighting tube power supply - has delayed HT and separate cathode preheating transformer
DE3312572A1 (en) 1983-04-08 1984-10-18 Trilux-Lenze Gmbh + Co Kg, 5760 Arnsberg Electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp
MX9102104A (en) 1990-12-19 1992-06-01 Philips Nv ADAPTATION TO DISCONNECT THE ELECTRODE OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
US5406174A (en) * 1992-12-16 1995-04-11 U. S. Philips Corporation Discharge lamp operating circuit with frequency control of dimming and lamp electrode heating
EP0602719B1 (en) * 1992-12-16 1998-10-21 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. High frequency inverter for a discharge lamp with preheatable electrodes
US5656891A (en) * 1994-10-13 1997-08-12 Tridonic Bauelemente Gmbh Gas discharge lamp ballast with heating control circuit and method of operating same
JP3484863B2 (en) * 1995-03-29 2004-01-06 東芝ライテック株式会社 Power supply device, discharge lamp lighting device and lighting device
DE19520999A1 (en) 1995-06-08 1996-12-12 Siemens Ag Circuit arrangement for filament preheating of fluorescent lamps
BE1009717A3 (en) 1995-10-20 1997-07-01 Philips Electronics Nv Shifting.
US5920155A (en) * 1996-10-28 1999-07-06 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Electronic ballast for discharge lamps
US5959408A (en) * 1997-08-07 1999-09-28 Magnetek, Inc. Symmetry control circuit for pre-heating in electronic ballasts
CN1263687A (en) * 1998-04-02 2000-08-16 皇家菲利浦电子有限公司 Circuit arrangement
US5973455A (en) 1998-05-15 1999-10-26 Energy Savings, Inc. Electronic ballast with filament cut-out
US6111369A (en) 1998-12-18 2000-08-29 Clalight Israel Ltd. Electronic ballast
DE19920030A1 (en) * 1999-04-26 2000-11-09 Omnitronix Inc Electronic ballast
EP1095542B1 (en) * 1999-05-06 2003-07-30 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Circuit arrangement
DE19923083A1 (en) * 1999-05-20 2001-01-04 Hueco Electronic Gmbh Adapter for low pressure discharge lamps has bridge circuit outputs connected to primary coil winding and to first secondary coil, second output or negative pole to second secondary coil
DE10102837A1 (en) 2001-01-22 2002-07-25 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Control gear for gas discharge lamps with shutdown of the filament heating

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2004071135A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1748447B (en) 2010-06-16
EP1590993B1 (en) 2009-05-27
DE10304544B4 (en) 2006-10-12
DE10304544A1 (en) 2004-08-19
WO2004071135A1 (en) 2004-08-19
DE502004009526D1 (en) 2009-07-09
ATE432606T1 (en) 2009-06-15
US7279844B2 (en) 2007-10-09
US20060103327A1 (en) 2006-05-18
CN1748447A (en) 2006-03-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0347427B1 (en) Circuit arrangement for operating a gas discharge lamp on a direct current source
EP0707438A2 (en) Ballast for at least one discharge lamp
DE19961102A1 (en) Electronic ballast
EP1938670B1 (en) Electronic ballast device and method for operating an electric lamp
WO2006108394A1 (en) Pulsed igniting device comprising a piezoelectric transformer for a high-pressure discharge lamp
EP0114370A1 (en) Method of operating a gas-discharge lamp
DE3711814C2 (en) Electronic ballast for operating fluorescent lamps
EP1176851B1 (en) Discharge lamp device and switch for heating the electrodes
DE10304544B4 (en) Electronic ballast
EP1202612B1 (en) Lighting system with improved preheating of discharge lamps
EP1289350B1 (en) Working circuit for discharge lamp with electrode heater
DE4005776A1 (en) Start and operating circuit for fluorescent lamp - uses digital circuit to control voltage and firing point
EP1400156B1 (en) Ballast device for fluorescent tubes comprising an integrated cooling point
EP0155729B1 (en) Circuit device for the ac operation of high-pressure discharge lamps
EP1280388B1 (en) Electronic ballast with preheating mode
EP0794695B1 (en) Circuit for operating a high pressure discharge lamp
DE102005017674B4 (en) Method and device for operating a low-pressure gas discharge lamp
DE3503778C2 (en) Fluorescent lamp ballast
DE102004039414B4 (en) Entladungslampenansteuerschaltung
EP2468078B1 (en) Electronic ballast and method for operating at least one discharge lamp
DE19501695B4 (en) Ballast for at least one gas discharge lamp with preheatable lamp filaments
EP0797377B1 (en) Improved half bridge drive for discharge lamps
DE19853657A1 (en) Control gear for fluorescent cold cathode lamp with lamp current controlled by resonant circuit
EP1189486B1 (en) Electronic Ballast
DE10108016A1 (en) Electronic adapter for fluorescent lamps/gas discharge lamps has transformer, supplied by electrical voltage supply and controlled to produce lamp operating voltage, and resonant circuit

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20050813

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20070924

RTI1 Title (correction)

Free format text: ELECTRONIC BALLAST

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 502004009526

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20090709

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090927

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090827

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090827

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20100302

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: HEP TECH CO. LTD.

Effective date: 20100228

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100228

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100301

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090828

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100202

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20091128

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100202

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090527

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20170217

Year of fee payment: 14

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20170228

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20170216

Year of fee payment: 14

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 502004009526

Country of ref document: DE

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180202

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20181031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180901

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180228

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180202