EP1872635B1 - Operating devices with lamp regulation by analysis of the lamp temperature - Google Patents

Operating devices with lamp regulation by analysis of the lamp temperature Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1872635B1
EP1872635B1 EP06724015.0A EP06724015A EP1872635B1 EP 1872635 B1 EP1872635 B1 EP 1872635B1 EP 06724015 A EP06724015 A EP 06724015A EP 1872635 B1 EP1872635 B1 EP 1872635B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lamp
voltage
rdis
fluorescent
power
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EP06724015.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1872635A1 (en
Inventor
Nebojsa Jelaca
Markus Mayrhofer
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Tridonic GmbH and Co KG
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Tridonic GmbH and Co KG
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36Controlling
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/36Controlling
    • H05B41/38Controlling the intensity of light
    • H05B41/39Controlling the intensity of light continuously
    • H05B41/392Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor
    • H05B41/3921Controlling the intensity of light continuously using semiconductor devices, e.g. thyristor with possibility of light intensity variations

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the operation of AC powered fluorescent lamps, such as gas discharge lamps. More specifically, the invention relates to controls for such lamps, which take into account the directly or indirectly determined lamp temperature in the lamp control. Typically, such regulations are used in control gear such as electronic ballasts.
  • fluorescent lamps operated with dimmable electronic ballasts can be operated close to the nominal mode - and thus at nominal power - and on the other hand with dimmed, ie reduced lamp power.
  • the operation with nominal power is relatively unproblematic compared to the operation with reduced, in particular greatly reduced lamp power.
  • the permissible lamp ambient temperatures in dimming operation are specified much narrower compared to the normal power operation. Namely, at low dimming values, the ambient temperature of the lamp plays a greater role for a stable regulation of the dimmed fluorescent lamps, ie a regulation with constant light output and in particular a regulation which reliably prevents unwanted extinction of the lamp.
  • the stronger lamp ambient temperature dependence at low dimming levels is i.a. caused by the fact that the lamp voltage at low ambient temperatures and small lamp currents (as they occur with dimmed lamp power) increases sharply and may assume inadmissibly high values.
  • the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the lamp is crucial, which does not necessarily have to be the ambient temperature of an optionally provided spatially and thermally separately provided electronic ballast.
  • the temperature of the electronic ballast can not be used directly to assess the lamp ambient temperature.
  • the circuit arrangement has two pairs of lamp circuits, ie two fluorescent lamps at an AC generator output, which outputs a high-frequency AC voltage between two series-connected power switching transistors.
  • the circuit arrangement has a Zener diode in series with the primary winding of a heat exchanger, which generates a DC component in the primary winding of the heat exchanger, which prevents the effect of the "running layers" occurring when the lamps are dimmed.
  • the "running layers” consist in particular of dimming occurring light / dark zones, which run at a predetermined speed along the tubes. Overlaying low DC current accelerates this running effect so that it no longer interferes.
  • the central idea of the invention is to apply a targeted DC voltage to the lamp voltage.
  • the above-mentioned critical states can then be detected by detecting and evaluating the lamp pattern.
  • the targeted admission of the DC component thus enables a more accurate compared to the prior art detection of the lamp temperature.
  • a method of determining the temperature of an AC lamp powered fluorescent lamp In this case, the AC voltage is deliberately superimposed on a DC voltage.
  • the lamp voltage of the fluorescent lamp is detected, evaluated as a parameter for the temperature of the fluorescent lamp and used as the input variable of the lamp control.
  • the DC voltage component of the lamp voltage can be evaluated. Additional parameters of the lamp voltage can optionally also be taken into account during the evaluation.
  • the lamp voltage can be evaluated, for example, based on an asymmetry of the periodically extending lamp voltage.
  • the evaluation of the lamp voltage can be determined, for example, based on the distances of successive zero crossings of the lamp voltage.
  • the impedance can be evaluated digitally, in particular if the total lamp power control is digital.
  • the evaluation of the lamp voltage can be determined, for example, by digital counting of the distances between successive half-waves (zero crossings) of the lamp voltage.
  • the power of the lamp can be specifically controlled to a power lying above this predetermined dimming value (set value), especially at low dimming values.
  • This increase in the lamp power over a predetermined dimming value or setpoint can thus be carried out in particular at low lamp powers, in which u.a. There is a risk of the lamp extinguishing at low ambient temperatures.
  • Such a method can be used in an electronic ballast.
  • the present invention also relates to an electronic ballast for Fluorescent lamps having a digital circuit for implementing such a method.
  • the present invention also relates to a circuit for determining the temperature of a fluorescent lamp operated with alternating voltage.
  • a detection circuit for the voltage of the fluorescent lamp is provided, the output signal of which can be supplied to an evaluation circuit, which evaluates the detected lamp voltage as a parameter for the temperature of the fluorescent lamp and considered, for example, in the course of a digital lamp control.
  • the means for the targeted superposition of a DC voltage to the fluorescent lamp may have a DC voltage path, which is provided parallel to the AC operating voltage for the lamp.
  • the present invention also relates to an electronic ballast having such a circuit.
  • the invention also relates to a luminaire which has such an electronic ballast.
  • Fig. 4 is shown that the lamp voltage V Dis at low temperatures (see example, -15 ° C) in the low dimming range (represented by the lamp current I Dis ) can rise very high and may exceed permitted limits. In the reference example of a lamp temperature of 35 ° C, this effect occurs less strongly or not at all. At the same time it is off Fig. 4 to see that the lamp voltage V Dis is not a clear parameter for the temperature of the lamp as a whole. As can be seen, in the region of slightly higher lamp currents, the lamp voltage V Dis at higher temperatures (example 35 ° C.) may even exceed that at low temperatures (example -15 ° C.).
  • the illustrated dependency of the lamp voltage is due to the fact that the lamp resistance (ie the impedance of the discharge path of the lamp at the respective operating point) has both a dependence on the discharge current V Dis and on the ambient temperature T. In a certain operating point, in which the lamp current I Dis is kept substantially constant by the ballast, there is thus a dependence of the lamp impedance Z Dis on the ambient temperature T.
  • the present invention proposes to store the high-frequency operating voltage for the lamp U HF targeted a DC voltage V DC from a high-impedance source, so that then the voltage applied to the lamp voltage with respect to different criteria, such as, the DC Share, under which conditions the lamp is currently operated:
  • the source voltage V DC of the DC source is divided according to the resistance ratio of internal resistance of the DC source Z i to the impedance of the lamp Z l at the current operating point, wherein the lamp resistance Z l et al depends on the ambient temperature of the lamp T. This can also be done via the resistance ratio Z L / Z i + Z L the dependence of the measured DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL on the ambient temperature T of the lamp is detected.
  • the electronic ballast can take appropriate countermeasures to meet. It makes sense to detect the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL over a certain time range and then to average it in order to take account of time compensation processes in the lamp.
  • the ballast can automatically increase the lamp power, for example, until the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL returns to permissible values , ie has fallen below the predetermined threshold.
  • automatically increasing the lamp power through the electronic ballast is to be understood that the electronic ballast also increases the lamp power over possibly supplied from the outside setpoints (dimming commands, etc.) and thus the stability of the lamp control has a higher priority than the strict compliance specified outside values (dimming commands, etc.) is granted.
  • This increase in the lamp power can be limited according to the invention to the range of low dimming values.
  • the electronic ballast decreases the lamp power back again until either the predetermined threshold value for the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL has been reached again or the preset desired value (dimming command, etc.) for the lamp power has now been correctly achieved.
  • Fig. 1a an electronic ballast according to the invention is illustrated schematically.
  • An inverter with two switches S1, S2 converts a provided DC voltage (DC link voltage, bus voltage) into a high-frequency operating voltage for a resonant load circuit.
  • the AC voltage is tapped at the midpoint of the two switches S1, S2.
  • the resonant load circuit has an inductance L R , a capacitor C R and a coupling capacitor C K.
  • a lamp which is schematically indicated by means of its internal resistance R Dis , is operated, as is generally known, with this high-frequency AC voltage.
  • the control of the switches S1, S2 and in particular the switching frequency of the alternating switching of the two switches S1, S2 is carried out by a lamp control, which can be performed digitally according to the invention.
  • the described alternating operating voltage for the lamp is deliberately superposed on a DC voltage component V DC .
  • a diode D and a resistor R DC are provided in parallel to the inductance L R and the coupling capacitor C K , which represent a DC voltage path parallel to the resonant circuit for the AC voltage.
  • a voltage divider with two resistors R1, R2 is provided.
  • a signal representing the lamp voltage V ZL is tapped at the midpoint of the voltage divider R1, R2 and supplied to the lamp control circuit.
  • the lamp control circuit further operating parameters such as the lamp current, etc., as well as externally specified values (Dimmbetatione, etc.) are supplied.
  • FIG. 6 A development of the present invention is in FIG. 6 and relates to the application to multi-lamp electronic ballasts, in which so several individual lamps are operated in parallel.
  • multi-lamp luminaires often the problem arises that the balancing of the lamp performance is often not guaranteed, especially at low dimming and low temperatures.
  • this also means that, for the reasons stated above, the lamp voltages of the two lamps operated by the same electronic ballast can have greatly different values.
  • the lamp power control can be carried out digitally.
  • the DC voltage component of the lamp voltage is digitally detected. This will now be with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 be explained.
  • Fig. 2 shows a circuit implementation of this embodiment with an up / down counter 107, which receives as a real input signal, a signal U ZERO and further as a control signals, a high-frequency reference clock signal CLK and a reset or reset signal.
  • the advantage here is the digital detection of the feedback signal by evaluation, for example, the zero crossings of the lamp voltage.
  • the signal U ZERO assumes during each positive half wave of the voltage applied to the terminal V L lamp voltage to a positive and otherwise a negative voltage level and thus detects the zero crossing of the lamp voltage.
  • the counter 107 is started at zero crossing of the lamp voltage and counts during the subsequent half cycle of the lamp voltage either up or down. Thus, the zero crossings are digitally counted.
  • the counting direction of the counter 107 is reversed.
  • the current count N of the counter 103 is a comparator connected, which may be formed for example by the comparator 103 already described above. This comparator 103 compares the current counter reading N with the initialization value or the original counter reading of the counter 107. If there is no rectification effect, the counter reading N must have reached the output value N 0 again after reaching the next zero crossing of the lamp voltage. On the other hand, if the count N deviates from the output value N 0 , a DC voltage component is present in the lamp voltage.
  • the comparator 103 compares the count N with the output value N 0 within certain tolerance limits, so as not to prematurely infer the presence of a rectifying effect.
  • the output signal of the comparator 103 is supplied via a clocked by a latch signal D flip-flop 108 of the Meßphasen Kunststoffung 900, which - as described above - evaluates this signal and in particular performs an event filtered score, ie only on the presence of a DC voltage component closes, if one of the comparator 103, for example, 32 times successively every 255th Period of the lamp voltage, a DC component is reported.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung bezieht sich auf den Betrieb von mit Wechselspannung betriebenen Leuchtstofflampen, wie beispielsweise Gasentladungslampen. Genauer gesagt, bezieht sich die Erfindung auf Regelungen für derartige Lampen, die bei der Lampenregelung die direkt oder indirekt ermittelte Lampentemperatur berücksichtigen. Typischerweise werden derartige Regelungen in Betriebsgeräten wie bspw. elektronischen Vorschaltgeräten verwendet.The present invention relates to the operation of AC powered fluorescent lamps, such as gas discharge lamps. More specifically, the invention relates to controls for such lamps, which take into account the directly or indirectly determined lamp temperature in the lamp control. Typically, such regulations are used in control gear such as electronic ballasts.

Leuchtstofflampen, die mit dimmbaren elektronischen Vorschaltgeräten betrieben werden, können dementsprechend einerseits in der Nähe des Nominalbetriebs - und somit bei Nominalleistung - und andererseits mit gedimmter, d.h. reduzierter Lampenleistung betrieben werden. Der Betrieb mit Nominalleistung ist verhältnismäßig unproblematisch im Vergleich zu dem Betrieb mit reduzierter, insbesondere stark reduzierter Lampenleistung. Dementsprechend sind im Vergleich zu dem Betrieb mit Normalleistung die zulässigen Lampen-Umgebungstemperaturen im Dimmbetrieb wesentlich enger spezifiziert. Bei geringen Dimmwerten spielt nämlich die Lampen-Umgebungstemperatur eine größere Rolle für eine stabile Regelung der gedimmt betriebenen Leuchtstofflampen, d.h. eine Regelung mit konstanter Lichtleistung und insbesondere eine Regelung, die ein unerwünschtes Verlöschen der Lampe sicher verhindert.Accordingly, fluorescent lamps operated with dimmable electronic ballasts can be operated close to the nominal mode - and thus at nominal power - and on the other hand with dimmed, ie reduced lamp power. The operation with nominal power is relatively unproblematic compared to the operation with reduced, in particular greatly reduced lamp power. Accordingly, the permissible lamp ambient temperatures in dimming operation are specified much narrower compared to the normal power operation. Namely, at low dimming values, the ambient temperature of the lamp plays a greater role for a stable regulation of the dimmed fluorescent lamps, ie a regulation with constant light output and in particular a regulation which reliably prevents unwanted extinction of the lamp.

Die stärkere Lampen-Umgebungstemperaturabhängigkeit bei niedrigen Dimmwerten ist u.a. dadurch verursacht, dass die Lampenspannung bei niedrigeren Umgebungstemperaturen und kleinen Lampenströmen (wie sie bei gedimmter Lampenleistung auftreten) stark ansteigt und ggf. unzulässig hohe Werte annehmen kann. Für dieses Phänomen ist natürlich die Temperatur in der unmittelbaren Umgebung der Lampe ausschlaggebend, die nicht zwangsläufig die Umgebungstemperatur eines ggf. räumlich und thermisch getrennt vorgesehenen elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts sein muß. Somit kann die Temperatur des elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts auch nicht unmittelbar zur Beurteilung der Lampenumgebungstemperatur herangezogen werden.The stronger lamp ambient temperature dependence at low dimming levels is i.a. caused by the fact that the lamp voltage at low ambient temperatures and small lamp currents (as they occur with dimmed lamp power) increases sharply and may assume inadmissibly high values. For this phenomenon, of course, the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the lamp is crucial, which does not necessarily have to be the ambient temperature of an optionally provided spatially and thermally separately provided electronic ballast. Thus, the temperature of the electronic ballast can not be used directly to assess the lamp ambient temperature.

Bei gewissen Anwendungsszenarien kann im übrigen nicht ausgeschlossen werden, dass der für geringe Dimmwerte enger spezifizierte zulässige Temperaturbereich verlassen wird, beispielsweise wenn dimmbare elektronische Vorschaltgeräte in Außenanwendungen und bei niedrigen Temperaturen im gedimmten Zustand betrieben werden.Moreover, in certain application scenarios, it can not be ruled out that the permissible temperature range specified for low dimming values will be left out, for example when dimmable electronic ballasts are operated in outdoor applications and at low temperatures in the dimmed state.

Aus dem Stand der Technik ist es bereits grundsätzlich bekannt, einer Regeleinrichtung für die Lampenleistung Informationen bzgl. derartig kritischer Zustände (niedrige Temperaturen, niedrige Dimmwerte) zukommen zu lassen. Die EP 838 132 A1 lehrt in diesem Zusammenhang, dass die an der Lampe anliegende Spannung als Indikator für die Lampentemperatur verwendet werden soll. Bei einem starken Ansteigen der Lampenspannung wird auf einen kritischen Zustand geschlossen und die Lampe ggf. abgeschaltet. Die Verwendung der gesamten Lampenspannung als Indikator für derartige kritische Zustände des Lampenbetriebs ist indessen insofern problematisch als die Lampenspannung nicht eindeutig für die Erfassung dieses Zustand ist. Vielmehr kann es durch die Nichtlinearität einer Leuchtstofflampe auch zu hohen Lampenspannungen in nichtkritischen Zuständen kommen, die keinen weiteren Eingriff der Regeleinrichtung erfordern. Im übrigen sieht die EP 838 132 A1 eine analoge Regelung vor, bei der die Lampenspannung wiedergebende Spannungssignal ganz einfach auf ein Steuersignal addiert wird, um somit die Lampenleistung entsprechend eines erkannten Zustands zu modifizieren.From the prior art, it is already known in principle to provide information about such critical states (low temperatures, low dimming values) to a control device for the lamp power. The EP 838 132 A1 teaches in this connection that the voltage applied to the lamp should be used as an indicator of the lamp temperature. When the lamp voltage rises sharply, a critical state is concluded and the lamp is switched off, if necessary. However, the use of the total lamp voltage as an indicator of such critical conditions of lamp operation is problematic in that the lamp voltage is not clear for detecting this condition. Rather, the non-linearity of a fluorescent lamp can also lead to high lamp voltages in non-critical states that do not require further intervention require the control device. The rest sees the EP 838 132 A1 an analog control in which the lamp voltage reproducing voltage signal is simply added to a control signal, thus modifying the lamp power according to a detected state.

Aus dem Stand der Technik EP 0 688 153 A2 ist eine Schaltungsanordnung zur Steuerung der Helligkeit und des Betriebsverhaltens von Gasentladungslampen bekannt. Die Schaltungsanordnung weist zwei Paare von Lampenkreisen auf, d. h. zwei Leuchtstofflampen an einem Wechselspannungsgenerator-Ausgang, der eine hochfrequente Wechselspannung zwischen zwei in Serie geschalteten Leistungs-Schalttransistoren abgibt. Die Schaltungsanordnung weist in Serie zu der Primärwicklung eines Heizübertragers eine Zenerdiode auf, die in der Primärwicklung des Heizübertragers eine Gleichstromkomponente erzeugt, die den Effekt der bei Dimmung der Lampen auftretenden "laufenden Schichten" verhindert. Die "laufenden Schichten" bestehen aus insbesondere beim Dimmen auftretenden Hell-/Dunkelzonen, die mit einer vorgegebenen Geschwindigkeit längs der Rohre laufen. Ein Überlagern von geringem Gleichstrom beschleunigt diesen Laufeffekt derart, dass er nicht mehr störend wirkt.From the state of the art EP 0 688 153 A2 a circuit arrangement for controlling the brightness and the operating behavior of gas discharge lamps is known. The circuit arrangement has two pairs of lamp circuits, ie two fluorescent lamps at an AC generator output, which outputs a high-frequency AC voltage between two series-connected power switching transistors. The circuit arrangement has a Zener diode in series with the primary winding of a heat exchanger, which generates a DC component in the primary winding of the heat exchanger, which prevents the effect of the "running layers" occurring when the lamps are dimmed. The "running layers" consist in particular of dimming occurring light / dark zones, which run at a predetermined speed along the tubes. Overlaying low DC current accelerates this running effect so that it no longer interferes.

Aus dem Stand der Technik US2005/0023995 ist eine Regelung einer Lampenleistung auch bekannt.From the state of the art US2005 / 0023995 is a regulation of a lamp power also known.

Die Erfindung hat sich dementsprechend zur Aufgabe gesetzt, eine verbesserte Technik zur Erfassung der Lampen-umgebungstemperatur bereitzustellen.Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved lamp ambient temperature sensing technique.

Zentraler Gedanke der Erfindung ist es dabei, der Lampenspannung gezielt einen DC-Anteil zu beaufschlagen. Die oben angeführten kritischen Zustände können dann durch Erfassung und Auswertung der Lampenspahnung erkannt werden. Die gezielte Beaufschlagung des DC-Anteils ermöglicht somit eine im Vergleich zum Stand der Technik genauere Erfassung der Lampentemperatur.The central idea of the invention is to apply a targeted DC voltage to the lamp voltage. The above-mentioned critical states can then be detected by detecting and evaluating the lamp pattern. The targeted admission of the DC component thus enables a more accurate compared to the prior art detection of the lamp temperature.

Die oben angeführte Aufgabe durch die Merkmale der unabhängigen Ansprüche gelöst. Die abhängigen Ansprüche bilden den zentralen Gedanken der Erfindung in besonders vorteilhafter Weise weiter.The above object solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims further form the central idea of the invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

Gemäß einem ersten Aspekt der vorliegenden Erfindung ist ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Temperatur einer mit Wechselspannung betriebenen Leuchtstofflampe vorgesehen. Dabei wird der Wechselspannung gezielt eine Gleichspannung überlagert. Es wird die Lampenspannung der Leuchtstofflampe erfasst, als Parameter für die Temperatur der Leuchtstofflampe ausgewertet und als Eingangsgrösse der Lampenregelung verwendet.According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of determining the temperature of an AC lamp powered fluorescent lamp. In this case, the AC voltage is deliberately superimposed on a DC voltage. The lamp voltage of the fluorescent lamp is detected, evaluated as a parameter for the temperature of the fluorescent lamp and used as the input variable of the lamp control.

Zumindest als Teil der Auswertung der Lampenspannung kann der Gleichspannungsanteil der Lampenspannung ausgewertet werden. Weitere Parameter der Lampenspannung können optional auch bei der Auswertung berücksichtigt werden.At least as part of the evaluation of the lamp voltage, the DC voltage component of the lamp voltage can be evaluated. Additional parameters of the lamp voltage can optionally also be taken into account during the evaluation.

Die Lampenspannung kann beispielsweise anhand einer Asymmetrie der periodisch verlaufenden Lampenspannung ausgewertet werden.The lamp voltage can be evaluated, for example, based on an asymmetry of the periodically extending lamp voltage.

Die Auswertung der Lampenspannung kann beispielsweise anhand der Abstände aufeinanderfolgender Nulldurchgänge der Lampenspannung ermittelt werden.The evaluation of the lamp voltage can be determined, for example, based on the distances of successive zero crossings of the lamp voltage.

Die Impedanz kann digital ausgewertet werden, insbesondere wenn die Lampenleistungsregelung insgesamt digital ausgebildet ist.The impedance can be evaluated digitally, in particular if the total lamp power control is digital.

Die Auswertung der Lampenspannung kann beispielsweise durch digitales Zählen der Abstände aufeinanderfolgender Halbwellen (Nulldurchgänge) der Lampenspannung ermittelt werden.The evaluation of the lamp voltage can be determined, for example, by digital counting of the distances between successive half-waves (zero crossings) of the lamp voltage.

Wenn mittels der indirekten Erfassung der Lampentemperatur mittels Auswertung der Lampenspannung ein kritischer Zustand erfasst wird, kann insbesondere bei niedrigen Dimmwerten die Leistung der Lampe gezielt auf einen über diesen vorgegebenen Dimmwert (Sollwert) liegende Leistung geregelt werden.If a critical state is detected by means of the indirect detection of the lamp temperature by means of evaluation of the lamp voltage, the power of the lamp can be specifically controlled to a power lying above this predetermined dimming value (set value), especially at low dimming values.

Diese Erhöhung der Lampenleistung über einen vorgegebenen Dimmwert bzw. Sollwert kann also insbesondere bei niedrigen Lampenleistungen erfolgen, bei denen u.a. die Gefahr eines Erlöschens der Lampe bei niedrigen Umgebungstemperaturen besteht.This increase in the lamp power over a predetermined dimming value or setpoint can thus be carried out in particular at low lamp powers, in which u.a. There is a risk of the lamp extinguishing at low ambient temperatures.

Ein derartiges Verfahren kann in einem elektronischen Vorschaltgerät verwendet werden.Such a method can be used in an electronic ballast.

Dementsprechend bezieht sich die vorliegende Erfindung auch auf ein elektronisches Vorschaltgerät für Leuchtstofflampen, dass eine Digitalschaltung zur Implementierung eines derartigen Verfahrens aufweist.Accordingly, the present invention also relates to an electronic ballast for Fluorescent lamps having a digital circuit for implementing such a method.

Schließlich bezieht sich die vorliegende Erfindung auch eine Schaltung zur Bestimmung der Temperatur einer mit Wechselspannung betriebenen Leuchtstofflampe. Dabei sind Mittel, d.h. eine die DC-Spannungsquelle zur gezielten Überlagerung einer Gleichspannung an die Leuchtstofflampe vorgesehen. Schließlich ist auch eine Erfassungsschaltung für die Spannung der Leuchtstofflampe vorgesehen, deren Ausgangssignal einer Auswerteschaltung zuführbar ist, die die erfasste Lampenspannung als Parameter für die Temperatur der Leuchtstofflampe auswertet und beispielsweise im Zuge einer digitalen Lampenregelung berücksichtigt.Finally, the present invention also relates to a circuit for determining the temperature of a fluorescent lamp operated with alternating voltage. In this case, means, i. one provided the DC voltage source for the targeted superposition of a DC voltage to the fluorescent lamp. Finally, a detection circuit for the voltage of the fluorescent lamp is provided, the output signal of which can be supplied to an evaluation circuit, which evaluates the detected lamp voltage as a parameter for the temperature of the fluorescent lamp and considered, for example, in the course of a digital lamp control.

Die Mittel zur gezielten Überlagerung einer Gleichspannung an die Leuchtstofflampe können einen Gleichspannungspfad aufweisen, der parallel zur Wechselbetriebsspannung für die Lampe vorgesehen ist.The means for the targeted superposition of a DC voltage to the fluorescent lamp may have a DC voltage path, which is provided parallel to the AC operating voltage for the lamp.

Die vorliegende Erfindung bezieht sich auch auf ein elektronisches Vorschaltgerät, dass eine derartige Schaltung aufweist.The present invention also relates to an electronic ballast having such a circuit.

Schließlich bezieht sich die Erfindung auch auf eine Leuchte, die ein derartiges elektronisches Vorschaltgerät aufweist.Finally, the invention also relates to a luminaire which has such an electronic ballast.

Weitere Merkmale, Vorteile und Eigenschaften der vorliegenden Erfindung sollen nunmehr Bezug nehmend auf die Figuren der begleitenden Zeichnungen näher erläutert werden.

Fig. 1a
zeigt eine schematische Darstellung relevanter Bauteile eines elektronischen Vorschaltgeräts,
Fig.1b und 1c
zeigen vereinfachte Schaltbilder zur Erläuterung des Hintergrunds der vorliegenden Erfindung,
Fig. 2 und 3
dienen zur Erläuterung der indirekten digitalen Erfassung der Impedanz der Lampe, die dann als Parameter für die Lampentemperatur verwendet werden kann,
Fig. 4
zeigt die Abhängigkeit der Lampenspannung vom Lampenspannung für verschiedene Lampentemperaturen,
Fig. 5
zeigt die Abhängigkeit der Impedanz vom Lampenstrom für verschiedene Lampentemperaturen, und
Fig. 6
zeigt die Anwendung der Erfindung auf mehrflammige Leuchten.
Further features, advantages and features of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1a
shows a schematic representation of relevant components of an electronic ballast,
Fig.1b and 1c
show simplified circuit diagrams for explaining the background of the present invention,
FIGS. 2 and 3
serve to explain the indirect digital detection of the impedance of the lamp, which can then be used as a parameter for the lamp temperature,
Fig. 4
shows the dependence of the lamp voltage on the lamp voltage for different lamp temperatures,
Fig. 5
shows the dependence of the impedance on the lamp current for different lamp temperatures, and
Fig. 6
shows the application of the invention to multi-lamp lights.

In Fig. 4 ist dargestellt, dass die Lampenspannung VDis bei niedrigen Temperaturen (s. Beispiel -15°C) im Bereich niedriger Dimmwerte (repräsentiert mittels des Lampenstroms IDis) sehr stark ansteigen kann und ggf. zulässige Grenzwerte übersteigen kann. In dem Referenzbeispiel von einer Lampentemperatur von 35°C tritt dieser Effekt weniger stark bzw. gar nicht auf. Gleichzeitig ist aber aus Fig. 4 zu sehen, dass die Lampenspannung VDis insgesamt kein eindeutiger Parameter für die Temperatur der Lampe ist. Wie ersichtlich kann im Bereich etwas höherer Lampenströme die in Lampenspannung VDis bei höheren Temperaturen (Beispiel 35°C) sogar diejenige bei niedrigen Temperaturen (Beispiel -15°C) übersteigen.In Fig. 4 is shown that the lamp voltage V Dis at low temperatures (see example, -15 ° C) in the low dimming range (represented by the lamp current I Dis ) can rise very high and may exceed permitted limits. In the reference example of a lamp temperature of 35 ° C, this effect occurs less strongly or not at all. At the same time it is off Fig. 4 to see that the lamp voltage V Dis is not a clear parameter for the temperature of the lamp as a whole. As can be seen, in the region of slightly higher lamp currents, the lamp voltage V Dis at higher temperatures (example 35 ° C.) may even exceed that at low temperatures (example -15 ° C.).

Die dargestellte Abhängigkeit der Lampenspannung liegt darin begründet, dass der Lampenwiderstand (d.h. die Impedanz der Entladestrecke der Lampe im jeweiligen Betriebspunkt) sowohl eine Abhängigkeit vom Entladestrom VDis wie auch von der Umgebungstemperatur T aufweist. In einem bestimmten Betriebspunkt, in welchem der Lampenstrom IDis vom Vorschaltgerät im wesentlichen konstant gehalten wird, besteht somit eine Abhängigkeit der Lampenimpedanz ZDis von der Umgebungstemperatur T.The illustrated dependency of the lamp voltage is due to the fact that the lamp resistance (ie the impedance of the discharge path of the lamp at the respective operating point) has both a dependence on the discharge current V Dis and on the ambient temperature T. In a certain operating point, in which the lamp current I Dis is kept substantially constant by the ballast, there is thus a dependence of the lamp impedance Z Dis on the ambient temperature T.

Wie in Fig. 1b schematisch dargestellt, schlägt die vorliegende Erfindung nunmehr vor, der hochfrequenten Betriebsspannung für die Lampe UHF gezielt eine DC-Spannung VDC aus einer hochohmigen Quelle zu lagern, so dass dann die an der Lampe anfallenden Spannung hinsichtlich unterschiedlicher Kriterien, wie bspw. dem DC-Anteil, ausgewertet werden kann, unter welchen Bedingungen die Lampe gerade betrieben wird:As in Fig. 1b schematically illustrated, the present invention proposes to store the high-frequency operating voltage for the lamp U HF targeted a DC voltage V DC from a high-impedance source, so that then the voltage applied to the lamp voltage with respect to different criteria, such as, the DC Share, under which conditions the lamp is currently operated:

Die Quellenspannung VDC der DC-Quelle wird gemäß dem Widerstandsverhältnis von Innenwiderstand der DC-Quelle Zi zur Impedanz der Lampe Zl im aktuellen Betriebspunkt aufgeteilt, wobei der Lampenwiderstand Zl u.a. von der Umgebungstemperatur der Lampe T abhängt. Damit kann auch über das Widerstandsverhältnis Z L / Z i + Z L

Figure imgb0001

die Abhängigkeit des gemessenen DC-Anteils der Lampenspannung VDC,ZL von der Umgebungstemperatur T der Lampe erfasst werden.The source voltage V DC of the DC source is divided according to the resistance ratio of internal resistance of the DC source Z i to the impedance of the lamp Z l at the current operating point, wherein the lamp resistance Z l et al depends on the ambient temperature of the lamp T. This can also be done via the resistance ratio Z L / Z i + Z L
Figure imgb0001

the dependence of the measured DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL on the ambient temperature T of the lamp is detected.

Wenn der DC-Anteil der Lampenspannung VDC,ZL außerhalb eines definierten Bereichs liegt, und insbesondere wenn er über einem definierten Schwellenwert liegt, kann das elektronische Vorschaltgerät entsprechende Gegenmaßnahmen treffen. Sinnvollerweise wird der DC-Anteil der Lampenspannung VDC,ZL über einen bestimmten Zeitbereich hinweg erfasst und dann gemittelt, um zeitlichen Ausgleichsvorgängen in der Lampe Rechnung zu tragen.If the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL lies outside a defined range, and in particular if it lies above a defined threshold value, the electronic ballast can take appropriate countermeasures to meet. It makes sense to detect the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL over a certain time range and then to average it in order to take account of time compensation processes in the lamp.

Wenn nunmehr dieser Mittelwert des DC-Anteils der Lampenspannung VDC,ZL über einen zulässigen Schwellenwert hinaus ansteigt, kann das Vorschaltgerät bspw. selbsttätig die Lampenleistung erhöhen, und zwar soweit, bis der DC-Anteil der Lampenspannung VDC,ZL wieder auf zulässige Werte, d.h. unterhalb des vorgegebenen Schwellenwerts gesunken ist. Unter "selbsttätiger Erhöhung der Lampenleistung durch das EVG" ist dabei zu verstehen, dass das elektronische Vorschaltgerät die Lampenleistung auch über ggf. von außen zugeführte Sollwerte (Dimmbefehle, etc.) hinaus erhöht und somit der Stabilität der Lampenregelung eine höhere Priorität als der strikten Einhaltung von außen vorgegebener Sollwerte (Dimmbefehle, etc.) eingeräumt wird.If now this average value of the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL increases beyond a permissible threshold value, the ballast can automatically increase the lamp power, for example, until the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL returns to permissible values , ie has fallen below the predetermined threshold. By "automatically increasing the lamp power through the electronic ballast" is to be understood that the electronic ballast also increases the lamp power over possibly supplied from the outside setpoints (dimming commands, etc.) and thus the stability of the lamp control has a higher priority than the strict compliance specified outside values (dimming commands, etc.) is granted.

Neben dem DC-Anteil der Lampenspannung können weitere Parameter der Lampenspannung mit ausgewertet werden, um kritische Zustände zu erkennen.In addition to the DC component of the lamp voltage, further parameters of the lamp voltage can also be evaluated in order to detect critical states.

Diese Erhöhung der Lampenleistung kann erfindungsgemäss auf den Bereich geringer Dimmwerte beschränkt sein.This increase in the lamp power can be limited according to the invention to the range of low dimming values.

Wichtig ist dabei eine korrekte Einstellung der Zeitkonstanten der Regelung: Bekanntlich laufen in einer Leuchtstofflampe thermische Ausgleichsvorgänge ab, so dass die Zeitkonstante des Regelkreises in dem elektronischen Vorschaltgerät auf diese Vorgänge abgestimmt sein muß.It is important in this case to set the time constant of the control correctly: As is known, thermal compensation processes take place in a fluorescent lamp, so that the time constant of the control circuit in the electronic ballast must be matched to these processes.

Wenn beispielsweise zeitlich folgend der DC-Anteil der Lampenspannung VDC,ZL wieder absinkt, beispielsweise weil sich die Umgebungstemperatur der Lampe wieder erhöht hat, nimmt das elektronische Vorschaltgerät die Lampenleistung wieder zurück, bis entweder erneut der vorgegebene Schwellenwert für den DC-Anteil der Lampenspannung VDC,ZL erreicht ist, oder nunmehr korrekt der vorgegebene Sollwert (Dimmbefehl, etc.) für die Lampenleistung erreicht wurde.If, for example, the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL decreases in time, for example because the ambient temperature of the lamp has increased again, the electronic ballast decreases the lamp power back again until either the predetermined threshold value for the DC component of the lamp voltage V DC, ZL has been reached again or the preset desired value (dimming command, etc.) for the lamp power has now been correctly achieved.

In Fig. 1a ist ein erfindungsgemäßes elektronisches Vorschaltgerät schematisch beispielsweise dargestellt.In Fig. 1a For example, an electronic ballast according to the invention is illustrated schematically.

Ein Wechselrichter mit zwei Schaltern S1, S2 setzt eine bereitgestellte DC-Spannung (Zwischenkreisspannung, Busspannung) in eine hochfrequente Betriebsspannung für einen Resonanz-Lastkreis um. Die Wechselspannung wird dabei am Mittenpunkt der beiden Schalter S1, S2 abgegriffen. Der Resonanz-Lastkreis weist eine Induktivität LR, einen Kondensator CR sowie einen Koppelkondensator CK auf. Eine Lampe, die schematisch mittels ihres Innenwiderstand RDis bezeichnet ist, wird wie grundsätzlich bekannnt, mit dieser hochfrequenten Wechselspannung betrieben.An inverter with two switches S1, S2 converts a provided DC voltage (DC link voltage, bus voltage) into a high-frequency operating voltage for a resonant load circuit. The AC voltage is tapped at the midpoint of the two switches S1, S2. The resonant load circuit has an inductance L R , a capacitor C R and a coupling capacitor C K. A lamp, which is schematically indicated by means of its internal resistance R Dis , is operated, as is generally known, with this high-frequency AC voltage.

Die Ansteuerung der Schalter S1, S2 und insbesondere die Schaltfrequenz des abwechselnden Schaltens der beiden Schalter S1, S2 wird dabei von einer Lampenregelung ausgeführt, die erfindungsgemäß digital ausgeführt sein kann.The control of the switches S1, S2 and in particular the switching frequency of the alternating switching of the two switches S1, S2 is carried out by a lamp control, which can be performed digitally according to the invention.

Wie bereits eingangs erläutert, wird der geschilderten Wechsel-Betriebsspannung für die Lampe gezielt ein Gleichspannungsanteil VDC überlagert. Dazu sind parallel zur Induktivität LR und dem Koppelkondensator CK eine Diode D sowie ein Widerstand RDC vorgesehen, die einen Gleichspannungspfad parallel zu dem Resonanzkreis für die Wechselspannung darstellen. Dies stellt nur ein Beispiel dar, wie gezielt ein Gleichspannungsanteil VDC auf die Lampenbetriebsspannung aufgeschlagen werden kann.As already explained at the beginning, the described alternating operating voltage for the lamp is deliberately superposed on a DC voltage component V DC . For this purpose, a diode D and a resistor R DC are provided in parallel to the inductance L R and the coupling capacitor C K , which represent a DC voltage path parallel to the resonant circuit for the AC voltage. This represents only an example of how targeted a DC voltage component V DC can be added to the lamp operating voltage.

Parallel zur der Lampe ist ein Spannungsteiler mit zwei Widerständen R1, R2 vorgesehen. Ein Signal, dass die Lampenspannung VZL wiedergibt, wird am Mittenpunkt des Spannungsteilers R1, R2 abgegriffen und der Lampenregelungsschaltung zugeführt.Parallel to the lamp, a voltage divider with two resistors R1, R2 is provided. A signal representing the lamp voltage V ZL is tapped at the midpoint of the voltage divider R1, R2 and supplied to the lamp control circuit.

Wie schematisch in Fig. 1 dargestellt, können natürlich der Lampenregelungsschaltung weitere Betriebsparameter wie beispielsweise der Lampenstrom etc. sowie extern vorgegebene Sollwerte (Dimmbefehle, etc.) zugeführt werden.As schematically in Fig. 1 shown, of course, the lamp control circuit further operating parameters such as the lamp current, etc., as well as externally specified values (Dimmbefehle, etc.) are supplied.

Eine Weiterbildung der vorliegenden Erfindung ist in Figur 6 dargestellt und betrifft die Anwendung auf mehrflammige elektronische Vorschaltgeräte, bei denen also mehrere Einzellampen parallel betrieben werden. Bei diesen mehrflammigen Leuchten tritt oft das Problem auf, dass die Symmetrierung der Lampenleistungen oftmals insbesondere bei niedrigen Dimmwerten sowie niedrigen Temperaturen nicht ausreichend gewährleistet ist. Dies äußert sich dann für einen Benutzer merkbar dadurch, dass die Lampenleistungen und somit die erzeugte Lichtleistung der beiden von demselben elektronischen Vorschaltgerät betriebenen Lampen sich merkbar unterscheiden. Dies hat natürlich auch zur Folge, dass aus den eingangs genannten Gründen die Lampenspannungen der beiden von demselben elektronischen Vorschaltgerät betriebenen Lampen stark unterschiedlich große Werte aufweisen können.A development of the present invention is in FIG. 6 and relates to the application to multi-lamp electronic ballasts, in which so several individual lamps are operated in parallel. In these multi-lamp luminaires often the problem arises that the balancing of the lamp performance is often not guaranteed, especially at low dimming and low temperatures. This manifests itself noticeably for a user in that the lamp powers and thus the generated light output of the two lamps operated by the same electronic ballast noticeably differ. Of course, this also means that, for the reasons stated above, the lamp voltages of the two lamps operated by the same electronic ballast can have greatly different values.

Bei einer Leuchte mit mehreren Lampen kann gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung vorgesehen sein, dass jeweils der DC-Anteil der Lampenspannungen VDC,ZL1 bzw. VDC,ZL2 ausgewertet wird. Dann wird mittels eines Komparators die Differenz der beiden DC-Anteile der Lampenspannungen VDC,ZL1 bzw. VDC,ZL2 ermittelt und als weitere Eingangsgröße für die Lampenregelung verwendet. Wenn also gemäß diesem Aspekt der Unterschied der DC-Anteile der Lampenspannungen der mehreren Lampen zu groß wird, wird also auch hier die Lampenleistung ggf. über einen vorgegebenen Sollwert hinaus erhöht. Diese Erhöhung hat bei der Anwendung der Erfindung auf mehrflammige Betriebsgeräte nunmehr nicht (nur) das Ziel, ein Erlöschen einer der beiden Lampen zu vermeiden, sondern vorrangig, bei niedrigen Umgebungstemperaturen der beiden Lampen ein über einen bestimmten Schwellenwert hinausgehende Asymmetrie der Lichtleistung der beiden Lampen zu verringern.In the case of a luminaire with a plurality of lamps, according to the present invention it can be provided that in each case the DC component of the lamp voltages V DC, ZL1 or V DC, ZL2 is evaluated. Then the difference between the two DC components of the lamp voltages V DC, ZL1 or V DC, ZL2 is determined by means of a comparator and used as a further input variable for the lamp control. Thus, according to this aspect, if the difference of the DC parts of the lamp voltages of the If the number of lamps becomes too large, the lamp power will also be increased above a predetermined desired value. This increase in the application of the invention to multi-flame control gear now not (only) the goal to avoid extinction of one of the two lamps, but primarily, at low ambient temperatures of the two lamps beyond a certain threshold asymmetry of the light output of the two lamps reduce.

Wie bereits mehrfach erwähnt, kann gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung die Lampenleistungsregelung digital ausgeführt werden.As already mentioned several times, according to the present invention, the lamp power control can be carried out digitally.

Somit wird vorzugsweise auch der Gleichspannungsanteil der Lampenspannung digital erfasst. Dies soll nunmehr unter Bezugnahme auf Figuren 2 und 3 erläutert werden.Thus, preferably also the DC voltage component of the lamp voltage is digitally detected. This will now be with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 be explained.

Fig. 2 zeigt eine schaltungstechnische Realisierung dieses Ausführungsbeispiels mit einem Aufwärts/Abwärts-Zähler 107, der als eigentliches Eingangssignal ein Signal UZERO und des weiteren als Steuersignale ein hochfrequentes Referenztaktsignal CLK sowie ein Rücksetz- oder Resetsignal empfängt. Fig. 2 shows a circuit implementation of this embodiment with an up / down counter 107, which receives as a real input signal, a signal U ZERO and further as a control signals, a high-frequency reference clock signal CLK and a reset or reset signal.

Von Vorteil ist dabei die digitale Erfassung des Rückführsignals durch Auswertung bspw. der Nulldurchgänge der Lampenspannung.The advantage here is the digital detection of the feedback signal by evaluation, for example, the zero crossings of the lamp voltage.

Das Signal UZERO nimmt während jeder positiven Halbwelle der am Anschluß VL anliegenden Lampenspannung einen positiven und ansonsten einen negativen Spannungspegel an und erfasst somit den Nulldurchgang der Lampenspannung. Der Zähler 107 ist insbesondere als ein 9-Bit-Zähler ausgestaltet und wird bei Anliegen des Resetsignals auf einen mittleren Zählerstand, z.B. auf den Ausgangszählerwert N0=255, initialisiert. Der Zähler 107 wird bei Nulldurchgang der Lampenspannung gestartet und zählt während der nachfolgenden Halbwelle der Lampenspannung entweder nach oben oder nach unten. Es werden somit digital die Nulldurchgänge gezählt.The signal U ZERO assumes during each positive half wave of the voltage applied to the terminal V L lamp voltage to a positive and otherwise a negative voltage level and thus detects the zero crossing of the lamp voltage. The counter 107 is designed in particular as a 9-bit counter and is initialized when the reset signal is applied to a middle counter reading, for example to the output counter value N 0 = 255. The counter 107 is started at zero crossing of the lamp voltage and counts during the subsequent half cycle of the lamp voltage either up or down. Thus, the zero crossings are digitally counted.

Erreicht das Meßsignal, d.h. die Lampenspannung, nach einer Halbperiode wieder den Nulldurchgang, wird die Zählrichtung des Zählers 107 umgedreht. Nach Ablauf einer vollen Periode der Lampenspannung wird der aktuelle Zählerstand N des Zählers 103 einem Komparator zugeschaltet, der beispielsweise durch den bereits zuvor beschriebenen Komparator 103 gebildet sein kann. Dieser Komparator 103 vergleicht den aktuellen Zählerstand N mit dem Initialisierungswert bzw. dem ursprünglichen Zählerstand des Zählers 107. Wenn kein Gleichrichteffekt vorliegt, muß der Zählerstand N nach Erreichen des nächsten Nulldurchgangs der Lampenspannung wieder den Ausgangswert N0 erreicht haben. Weicht hingegen der Zählerstand N von dem Ausgangswert N0 ab, liegt ein Gleichspannungsanteil in der Lampenspannung vor. Vorteilhafterweise vergleicht der Komparator 103 den Zählerstand N mit dem Ausgangswert N0 innerhalb bestimmter Toleranzgrenzen, um somit nicht voreilig auf das Vorliegen eines Gleichrichteffekts zu schließen. Das Ausgangssignal des Komparators 103 wird über ein durch ein Latch-Signal getaktetes D-Flip-Flop 108 der Meßphasensteuerung 900 zugeführt, die - wie oben beschrieben worden ist - dieses Signal auswertet und insbesondere eine ereignisgefilterte Wertung durchführt, d.h. nur dann auf das Vorliegen eines Gleichspannungsanteil schließt, falls man von dem Komparator 103 beispielsweise 32 mal nacheinander jede 255. Periode der Lampenspannung ein Gleichspannungsanteil gemeldet wird.If the measuring signal, ie the lamp voltage, returns to the zero crossing after a half period, the counting direction of the counter 107 is reversed. After a full period of the lamp voltage, the current count N of the counter 103 is a comparator connected, which may be formed for example by the comparator 103 already described above. This comparator 103 compares the current counter reading N with the initialization value or the original counter reading of the counter 107. If there is no rectification effect, the counter reading N must have reached the output value N 0 again after reaching the next zero crossing of the lamp voltage. On the other hand, if the count N deviates from the output value N 0 , a DC voltage component is present in the lamp voltage. Advantageously, the comparator 103 compares the count N with the output value N 0 within certain tolerance limits, so as not to prematurely infer the presence of a rectifying effect. The output signal of the comparator 103 is supplied via a clocked by a latch signal D flip-flop 108 of the Meßphasensteuerung 900, which - as described above - evaluates this signal and in particular performs an event filtered score, ie only on the presence of a DC voltage component closes, if one of the comparator 103, for example, 32 times successively every 255th Period of the lamp voltage, a DC component is reported.

Claims (21)

  1. A method for controlling the operation of a fluorescent lamp (RDis) powered by an AC voltage (UHF), the method comprising the following steps:
    - controlled superimposition of a DC voltage (VDC) on the fluorescent lamp (RDis);
    - detecting the lamp voltage of the fluorescent lamp (RDis), and
    - evaluation of the lamp voltage as input parameter for the control of the lamp power,
    wherein the evaluation of the lamp voltage comprises at least the detection of the DC component of the lamp voltage,
    wherein the zero crossings of the lamp voltage are detected and the lamp voltage is evaluated by digitally counting the intervals of successive zero crossings of the lamp voltage.
  2. The method according to claim 1,
    wherein said lamp voltage is evaluated with regard to an asymmetry of the periodical lamp voltage.
  3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the lamp voltage is digitally evaluated.
  4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein, depending on the evaluation of the lamp voltage, the lamp power (RDis) is increased to a value which is higher than an externally predetermined reference value.
  5. The method according to claim 4,
    wherein the increase in the lamp power is performed at a low lamp power only.
  6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the control of lamp power is performed digitally.
  7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein in order to detect the temperature of the AC-powered fluorescent lamp (RDis), an evaluation of at least the DC component of the lamp voltage and possibly other parameters of the lamp voltage as parameter for the temperature of the fluorescent lamp (RDis) is performed.
  8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the following steps are performed in order to control the operation of a plurality of parallel-operated and AC-powered voltage lamps:
    - controlled superimposition of a DC voltage on each of the plurality of fluorescent lamps;
    - detecting the lamp voltage for each of the plurality of fluorescent lamps, and
    - evaluation of the respective lamp voltages as input parameters for the control of the lamp power.
  9. The method according to claim 8,
    wherein the difference between the lamp voltages is detected.
  10. The method according to claim 9,
    wherein the difference between the DC components of the lamp voltages is detected.
  11. The method according to claim 10,
    in which the lamp power is increased when the difference of the DC components of the lamp voltage exceeds a threshold.
  12. A circuitry for the control of the operation of a fluorescent lamp (RDis) powered by an AC voltage (UHF) comprising:
    - means for the controlled superimposition of a DC voltage (VDC) on the fluorescent lamp (RDis);
    - a detection circuit to detect the lamp voltage for the fluorescent lamp (RDis), and
    - means for the evaluation of the lamp voltage as input parameter for the control of the lamp power,
    wherein the means for the evaluation of the lamp voltage detect at least a DC component of the lamp voltage,
    wherein the control circuit comprises means for detecting the zero crossings of the lamp voltage and for evaluating the lamp voltage by digitally counting the intervals of successive zero crossings of the lamp voltage.
  13. The circuitry according to claim 12,
    comprising a control circuit for the lamp power, which is supplied with the lamp voltage as input parameter,
    wherein the control circuit is adapted to detect an asymmetry of the periodical lamp voltage.
  14. The circuitry according to claim 12 or 13,
    wherein the means for the controlled superimposition of a DC voltage (VDC) on the fluorescent lamp (RDis) have a DC voltage path, which is arranged in parallel to the AC-operating voltage for the lamp.
  15. The circuitry according to one of claims 12 to 14,
    wherein the evaluation circuit is implemented digitally.
  16. The circuitry according to one of claims 12 to 15,
    wherein the control circuit, depending on the evaluation of the lamp voltage, increases the lamp power to a value which is higher than a reference value supplied from external.
  17. The circuitry according to one of the preceding claims for the control of several parallel-operated and AC-powered voltage lamps, comprising a lamp control circuit, which takes account of the respective lamp voltages as input parameters for the control of the lamp power.
  18. The circuitry according to claim 17,
    wherein the lamp control circuit evaluates the difference of the lamp voltages.
  19. The circuitry according to claim 18,
    wherein the lamp control circuit detects the difference of the DC components of the lamp voltages.
  20. The circuitry according to claim 19,
    wherein the lamp control circuit increases the lamp power when the difference between the DC components of the lamp voltages exceeds a threshold value.
  21. An operating device for a fluorescent lamp (RDis) comprising a circuitry according to any one of claims 12 to 20.
EP06724015.0A 2005-04-22 2006-04-04 Operating devices with lamp regulation by analysis of the lamp temperature Not-in-force EP1872635B1 (en)

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US6218787B1 (en) * 1998-04-20 2001-04-17 Jrs Technology Inc. Remote dimming control system for a fluorescent ballast utilizing existing building wiring
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