EP2046099B1 - Vorrichtung für eine elektronische Verbindung für eine Lampe - Google Patents

Vorrichtung für eine elektronische Verbindung für eine Lampe Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2046099B1
EP2046099B1 EP08164248A EP08164248A EP2046099B1 EP 2046099 B1 EP2046099 B1 EP 2046099B1 EP 08164248 A EP08164248 A EP 08164248A EP 08164248 A EP08164248 A EP 08164248A EP 2046099 B1 EP2046099 B1 EP 2046099B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
current
connection device
electronic connection
fluorescent lamp
switching transistor
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.)
Revoked
Application number
EP08164248A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2046099A1 (de
Inventor
Hannu Vihinen
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.)
Helvar Oy AB
Original Assignee
Helvar Oy AB
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
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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
    • H05B41/282—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
    • H05B41/285—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2851—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2855—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions against abnormal lamp operating conditions
    • 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
    • H05B41/298—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2981—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2986—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions against internal abnormal circuit conditions
    • 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
    • H05B41/282—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
    • H05B41/285—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2851—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2856—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions against internal abnormal circuit conditions
    • 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
    • H05B41/288—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 without preheating electrodes, e.g. for high-intensity discharge lamps, high-pressure mercury or sodium lamps or low-pressure sodium lamps
    • H05B41/292—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2921—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2926—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions against internal abnormal circuit conditions

Definitions

  • Tubular fluorescent lamps and HID lamps High Intensity Discharge are connected by way of electronic connection devices with a supply of electric power, receiving therefrom the energy needed thereby for illumination while being switched to the ON state.
  • the fluorescent tube of fluorescent lamps and HID lamps is filled with a gas, such as for example argon or krypton.
  • a gas such as for example argon or krypton.
  • the generation of light further requires "a drop” of mercury which gasifies in response to an electrical discharge which produces ultraviolet radiation as electricity discharges through the fluorescent lamp.
  • the fluorescent lamp has its inner surface coated with a fluorescent material, converting the ultraviolet radiation, which has been generated by the electrical discharge taking place in mercury vapor, into visible light.
  • the fluorescent lamp and the HID lamp comprise either an electronic connection device or a magnetic inductor.
  • magnetic inductors have been almost completely displaced by electronic connection devices.
  • the current generated in electronic connection devices and flowing through a fluorescent lamp is generally 20-100 kHz in frequency, most typically 50-60 kHz.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a lamp according to the prior art, comprising a fluorescent lamp 100 and an electronic connection device 101.
  • the electronic connection device comprises an electronic circuit used for providing the fluorescent lamp with a current needed for illumination, for example at a frequency of 50 kHz.
  • the physical size of a resonance coil L1 is determined by losses in a normal illumination state, but even more importantly by a saturation current produced at the ignition moment of a fluorescent lamp. As the in-coil ferrite becomes saturated, the coil has its inductance falling quite sharply at the ignition moment of a fluorescent lamp. At the same time, there occurs an intensification of the voltage working across a still not-ignited fluorescent lamp.
  • the situation is not under control as the prior art technology only enables monitoring the current of what is a bottom switching transistor Q2 in a half-bridge Q1, Q2.
  • the current flowing through the transistors can only be regulated by measuring the switching transistor's Q2 current from a resistor R3.
  • the flow of the transistor's Q1 current cannot be directly regulated or discontinued.
  • the saturating coil L1 may result in the fluorescent lamp being supplied with an excessively high voltage causing the destruction of transistors or a safety hazard (e.g. a fire hazard).
  • An objective of the invention is to gain control over the current of a lamp coil at the ignition moment of a fluorescent lamp in a manner which ensures that the coil current is maintained at safe values.
  • This is achieved with an electronic connection device of the invention according to claim 1.
  • the electronic connection device provides an ignition voltage for the fluorescent lamp for activating the generation of illuminating radiation.
  • the electronic connection device comprises at least two switching transistors and the associated current paths for feeding current to a coil and an ignition capacitor which develop an ignition voltage for the fluorescent lamp.
  • the electronic connection device has integrated therewith a control circuit which measures the current of the at least two switching transistors.
  • the control circuit While measuring, the control circuit detects whether an excessively high current is flowing through one or more switching transistors, and limits the excessively high current to a lower current level by switching off the switching transistor, through which the excessively high current was detected to flow, for a predetermined inactivity period.
  • the invention is based on a continuous measurement of currents flowing through the switching transistors of a coil, and upon detecting that an excessively powerful current is flowing through one or more switching transistors, the flow of current is interrupted for the duration of an appropriate inactivity period to enable limiting the coil current to a lower level.
  • a benefit of the invention is that the lamp's coil current is maintained within an appropriate range regarding the lamp's functionality and regarding, for example, fire safety. Limiting the coil current also enables the use of smaller-size and hence economically more efficient coils.
  • Fig. 2 shows a fluorescent lamp 100 and an electronic connection device 102 designed with a control circuit 104 according to the invention.
  • the electronic connection device 102 of fig. 2 has the control circuit 104 integrated therewith in such a way that the connection device can be used for monitoring separately the current of both an upper switching transistor Q1 and a lower switching transistor Q2 and, if necessary, the current of a coil L1 can be limited to an appropriate level.
  • the upper switching transistor's Q1 current can be monitored by measuring the current of a resistor R4 prior to the ignition of the fluorescent lamp 100.
  • the same current can also be measured elsewhere along the current's path (Vbus - Q1 - L1 - C1) either by way of a resistor or with a current transformer, for example.
  • the current of the switching transistor Q2 is measured by way of a resistor R3.
  • the control circuit 104 is fitted with a current level limit value, which may not be exceeded by a current flowing through either one of the switching transistors Q1 and Q2.
  • the installation of a current level limit value in the control circuit is performed for example programmatically.
  • Each switching transistor is measured at the time of ignition and, upon detecting that the current of either one of the switching transistors exceeds the accepted limit value, the flow of current is discontinued with a switch 106, 108 through this particular switching transistor.
  • the switch 106, 108 refers to the actual switching transistor Q1, Q2 which functions the way of a relay in a current control process effected through the intermediary of the control circuit 104.
  • the switching transistors Q1, Q2 presented in figures 2 , 3 and 4 are MOSFET transistors.
  • the switching transistors may also be transistors manufactured by other techniques, such as bipolar or IGBT transistors.
  • the control circuit 104 has also programmed therein a current flow inactivity period, after which the flow of current is re-activated by means of the switch 106, 108.
  • a current flow inactivity period after which the flow of current is re-activated by means of the switch 106, 108.
  • Fig. 3 shows a measuring process according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for the current of an ignition capacitor with the same resistor as the one used for the half-bridge Q1, Q2 by using a diode couple Q3a and Q3b.
  • the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 2 involves the use of two resistors for measuring a current and, if an IC (Integrated Circuit) is available, the measurement is performed at two separate measuring points.
  • the diode couple Q3a and Q3b enables measuring the current of an ignition capacitor C1 and measuring the current of a half-bridge, comprising the switching transistors Q1 and Q2, by means of one and the same resistor R3.
  • the IC has just a single measuring point at which such measurements of currents are performed.
  • Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, which has been supplemented with a measuring circuit 110 for the cathode of a fluorescent lamp 100, said circuit comprising resistors (R4, R5, R6), a diode Q5, and a capacitor C5.
  • An operating voltage Vcc needed by a measuring circuit is supplied to the measuring circuit 110 by way of the resistor R5.
  • fig. 4 comprises an embodiment similar to the one shown in the context of fig. 3 . Since the current of the ignition capacitor C1 is monitored continuously in the circuitries of figs. 3 and 4 , the same measuring point on the IC can also be used for measuring the fluorescent lamp 100 for its voltage while the fluorescent lamp is in an illuminating state.
  • the ignition capacitor's C1 current is directly proportional to the frequency, the value of which is known.
  • the ignition capacitor's C1 current is directly proportional to the voltage of the fluorescent lamp 100. Accordingly, the deactivation or switch-off of the fluorescent lamp can also be detected from the same measuring point. It is also possible to utilize the same measuring point in the identification of a rectifying fluorescent lamp, based on unequal magnitudes of the currents of rectifying fluorescent lamps. Likewise, the absence of a fluorescent lamp, in other words the absence of the cathode of a fluorescent lamp, or its presence can be confirmed by a measurement effected at the same measuring point.
  • the invention has been described in the above specification with reference to the circuit diagrams depicted in the figures, the invention is not limited to the specification and the circuit diagrams of figs. 2-4 but, instead, the invention can be varied within the scope defined in the appended claims.
  • the order of a capacitor C2 and a fluorescent lamp 100 can be other than what is depicted without the change making any substantial functional difference in the embodiment of the invention.
  • the lamp can be for example a fluorescent lamp or a HID (high intensity discharge) lamp.

Landscapes

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

Claims (6)

  1. Elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung (102) zum Bereitstellen einer Zündspannung für eine Fluoreszenzlampe (100) zum Aktivieren der Erzeugung von Beleuchtungsstrahlung, wobei die elektrische Verbindungseinrichtung (102) umfasst:
    - einen ersten Schalttransistor (106) und einen zweiten Schalttransistor (108),
    - einen Zündkondensator (C1) und eine Spule (L1) zum Entwickeln der Zündspannung für die Fluoreszenzlampe, und
    - eine Schaltung (IC1), die zu Gate-Elektroden des ersten (106) und zweiten (108) Schalttransistors gekoppelt ist;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
    - die elektrische Verbindungseinrichtung einen ersten Strompfad von einem ersten Eingangsspannungsknoten (Vbus) durch den ersten Schalttransistor (106), die Spule (L1), und den Zündkondensator (C1) und ferner zu einem zweiten Eingangsspannungsknoten, mit einem Verbindungsknoten zwischen der Spule (L1) und dem Zündkondensator (C1) zum Verbinden zu der Fluoreszenzlampe umfasst,
    - die elektrische Verbindungseinrichtung (102) einen zweiten Strompfad von dem Verbindungsknoten in der entgegen gesetzten Richtung zu dem ersten Strompfad durch die Spule (L1) und durch den zweiten Schalttransistor (108) umfasst,
    - die elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung (102) darin integriert eine Steuerschaltung (104) umfasst, welche konfiguriert ist, um elektrischen Strom durch den ersten Schalttransistor (106) auf dem ersten Strompfad und über den zweiten Schalttransistor (108) auf dem zweiten Strompfad zu messen,
    - die Steuerschaltung (104) konfiguriert ist, um auf eine Erfassung eines übermäßig hohen Stromes durch jeden Schalttransistor durch Ausschalten des jeweiligen Schalttransistors, durch welchen erfasst wurde, dass der übermäßig hohe Strom fließt, für eine vorbestimmte Inaktivitätsperiode zu antworten.
  2. Elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
    - die elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung einen ersten Widerstand (R4) in Serie mit der Spule (L1) auf dem ersten Strompfad umfasst,
    - zum Überwachen des Stroms durch den ersten Schalttransistor (106) zu der Zündzeit der Fluoreszenzlampe, die Steuerschaltung (104) konfiguriert ist, um den Strom durch den Widerstand (R4) zu messen,
    - die elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung einen zweiten Widerstand (R3) auf dem zweiten Strompfad umfasst, und
    - zum Überwachen des Stroms durch den zweiten Schalttransistor (108) die Steuerschaltung (104) konfiguriert ist, um den Strom durch den zweiten Widerstand (R3) zu messen.
  3. Elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
    - die elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung eine erste Diode (Q3a), eine zweite Diode (Q3b), und einen Widerstand (R3) umfasst,
    - sich der erste Strompfad von dem Zündkondensator (C1) durch die erste Diode (Q3a) und den Widerstand (R3) zu dem zweiten Eingangsspannungsknoten fortsetzt,
    - sich der zweite Strompfad von dem zweiten Schalttransistor (108) durch den Widerstand (R3) zu dem zweiten Eingangsspannungsknoten fortsetzt,
    - die zweite Diode (Q3b) von dem zweiten Eingangsspannungsknoten zu der dem Verbindungsknoten gegenüberliegenden Seite des Zündkondensators (C1) gekoppelt ist, und
    - die Steuerschaltung (104) konfiguriert ist, um den Strom über den ersten Schalttransistor (106), den Strom über den zweiten Schalttransistor (108), und den Strom des Zündkondensators (C1) mit dem Widerstand (R3) zu messen.
  4. Elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es einen Stromwandler zum Messen des Stroms über einen oder beide des ersten (106) und zweiten (108) Schalttransistors auf dem ersten und/oder zweiten Strompfad jeweils umfasst.
  5. Elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
    - ein Stromgrenzwert in der Steuerschaltung (104) gesetzt ist, und
    - die Erfassung des übermäßig hohen Stroms über einen oder beide Schalttransistoren die Erfassung eines Stroms bedeutet, der über den Stromgrenzwert hinausgeht.
  6. Elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
    - die elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung damit integriert eine Messschaltung (110) für die Kathode der Fluoreszenzlampe aufweist,
    - über die Messschaltung (110) die elektronische Verbindungseinrichtung konfiguriert ist, um mindestens eines der Folgenden zu messen oder zu erfassen: die Spannung der Fluoreszenzlampe (100), wenn die Fluoreszenzlampe in einem Beleuchtungszustand ist; Deaktivierung der Fluoreszenzlampe (100); ob die Fluoreszenzlampe (100) am Platz ist; um eine gleichrichtende Fluoreszenzlampe basierend auf der ungleichen Stromstärke von gleichrichtenden Fluoreszenzlampen zu identifizieren.
EP08164248A 2007-10-04 2008-09-12 Vorrichtung für eine elektronische Verbindung für eine Lampe Revoked EP2046099B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20075702A FI121049B (fi) 2007-10-04 2007-10-04 Elektroninen liitäntälaite

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2046099A1 EP2046099A1 (de) 2009-04-08
EP2046099B1 true EP2046099B1 (de) 2012-03-07

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08164248A Revoked EP2046099B1 (de) 2007-10-04 2008-09-12 Vorrichtung für eine elektronische Verbindung für eine Lampe

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EP (1) EP2046099B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE548889T1 (de)
FI (1) FI121049B (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI121561B (fi) 2009-06-30 2010-12-31 Helvar Oy Ab Elektronisen liitäntälaitteen toimintojen säätäminen ja mittaaminen

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4873471A (en) 1986-03-28 1989-10-10 Thomas Industries Inc. High frequency ballast for gaseous discharge lamps
EP1854341A2 (de) * 2005-03-04 2007-11-14 International Rectifier Corporation Ballastschaltung für eine automobil-hochintensitätsentladungslampe

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI121049B (fi) 2010-06-15
FI20075702A0 (fi) 2007-10-04
EP2046099A1 (de) 2009-04-08
ATE548889T1 (de) 2012-03-15
FI20075702A (fi) 2009-04-05

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