FR2746575A1 - Dynamic light effect electronic system with automatic pattern change - Google Patents

Abstract

The lighting system includes an integrated circuit (10) controlling a diode (14) and a triac (19) which supply a lighting circuit. The system modulates the intensity of the light emitted by one or several lamps in the circuit. The system has a second channel which can control a second lighting circuit, independently of the first. The two channels being independent, it is possible to create asynchronous light effects using a relay (R1) and control transistors (43,44).

Description

 It is an electronic system for creating dynamic light effects that change automatically over time.

The invention makes it possible to regulate two (or more) electrical circuits. Each circuit is independent and modulates, within a cycle, the light intensity of one or more lamps within the limits of the maximum power accepted by circuit. These lamps are of the incandescent, mains voltage halogen or very low voltage halogen type with ferromagnetic transformer.

These modulations are equal in time but independent in the light effect; they start on the basis of an equal cycle repeated twice and shift in a time "X" until a state "X plus" after having completed their cycle (random principle see Figure 1).

 It is easy to see that most of the lighting in shop windows, magazines, facades, ... is static. That is to say that they are frozen (fixed light plane).

With two main exceptions: - Illuminated signs which are often light effects
cyclical and repetitive, - Chases of the type of those used in discotheques and which are
based on musical rhythms or on a repetitive cycle.

In addition, they require fairly bulky equipment (Rack type) and expensive if you want equipment for professional use.

The proposed electronic device responds to several problems thanks to significant advantages: - Light effect on original, - Ease of use: the operator does not have to handle complex
perform (limited number of orders), - Scalable system: possibility of programming thanks to a connection
on computer workstation, - Low cost: the ease of installation minimizes the cost of the hand
of work. For equipment for professional use, the price is low.

The dynamic effect of modulating the light intensity is created by desynchronization. FIG. 2 being the general diagram, it is necessary to see FIG. 4 which represents the modulated dimmer managed by the integrated circuit (10) and FIG. 5 which details the timer with automatic reclosing with control relay which transmits information identical to each of the canals.

Desynchronization takes place "naturally" over time. It occurs when there is an "offset" between the electrical sinusoids of the two circuits. This causes an electronic delay on the modulated dimmer (Figure 1).

 Here it is a question of generating a gear effect on the alternating current and thus of modifying the intensity; unlike other systems which use a programmer (EPRON type) to modulate the lighting circuits.

Mathematically:

S = seconds (time effect) t = time la, lb = integrated circuit 10
It is therefore the offset effect which will modulate the intensity. Time delay x will cause the channels controlling the relay R1 to be desynchronized and this acts on the integrated circuit (10).

The latter will transmit information to the diode (14) which will arrive at the triac 19 and feed the lighting circuit to modulate the light ad infinitum.

The timer resets automatically. It makes a cycle of duration 18 seconds which fixes the effect of the two dimmers. This duration of 18 seconds can be modified by the operator using switches, (5 and 6) to 29 or 47 seconds; it is a choice of design for a satisfactory lighting effect but it can be changed by different components.

Example the light level on the channel = 30 Q 2nd channel = 50%
The timer resets and will vary the two channels simultaneously (in 3 seconds plus or minus 5 to 30 thousand seconds) up to a level of 80%.

A relay (R1) acts as a switch on two circuits, it switches the control contact (45). The oscillation of the alternating current has a delay with respect to the 1st and 2nd channel so the 1st channel takes the impulse at its fair value while the 2nd channel will shift, which leads to the start of the desynchronization. It will take some renewals of this cycle in a few hundredths of seconds to obtain a visually noticeable shift by the creation of light effects.

The fractionation in seconds of time is explained by the time delay which creates the second effect.

The principle is to extend the intensity of the current by filtering capacitors (9, 12, 15, 20, 22) in order to act on the component (10) which will have a delay in its information. The component (10) of one channel will obtain the information at a time "X" while the component (10) of the other channel will obtain it at a time "X plus" in hundredths of seconds. This offset gives interest to the system since the offset modulation due to the brake made by 9 and 11 which have more or less 5 to 10% of their value, creates the light effects (as if it were controlled by an operator actuating potentiometers of light control simultaneously).

At this time, the two channels will "join" and create the same effect then shift. The relay R1 gives an equal pulse (contact) on the two channels, the information is transmitted to the component (10) which conveys sinusoidal information lower than one of the channels, the other being "informed" differently, it transmits l information at the opening Triac (19) and momentarily stops what creates the difference and fixes the time difference in one channel and the other over time.

In the sinusoidal effect, Figure 1 shows a cycle from curve 46 to curve 47 and in a time "X" will cause an impulse and therefore a command from 47 to 46, which gives a "crossing" of the light effects .

This "crossing" is materially due to an effect of rotation of the oscillation in the same period (Figure 10) and a discharge of the capacitors which maintain the sinusoidal curves in their original state.

Thus, the channel takes the place of the other. The current directly feeds the two channels but effects are "memorized" in the systems (components) and wait for the time delay to act simultaneously on the control contacts (10) of the two channels; at this instant, the existing sinusoid which followed its curve in a circle. detects the timing signal and fixes the play of light over time.

Desynchronization is done by the information which governs the integrated circuit (10). The design of the two circuits is not identical because at the base the components have a variable quality of plus or minus 5 to 10%, the difference is created.

The independence of the two channels favors the delay created by the time effect.

The invention includes an element for driving control information at two paces. The first is the short rhythm which is managed by the semiconductor (25), the last controls the transistor (44) which in turn automatically resets the second element (24) which has a longer duration. At the end of the race, it will transmit the information to the transistor (44). This whole system is operated by the semiconductor (23) which, thanks to the diodes (29, 30, 48) follows the rhythm of the two timers and also follows the rhythm of the desynchronization. The entire system previously described is put into operation by the potentiometer (26) which acts on the information to be transmitted to circuits 23, 24 and 25. Its value is between 1 second and 15 minutes. This set has a peculiarity; the semiconductors are autonomous and controlled by two switches which can lengthen or shorten the duration of the time effect created by the time delay (25).

The transistor (43) actuates the contacting of the relay R1. This characteristic simultaneously controls the two modulation circuits (1) and manages the rise and fall of the intensity.

The elements previously described generate opening or closing information on a relay which in turn controls another relay.

The latter becomes a receiving organ; informed, it acts on the modulation and thus varies the intensity. It sends an information of rise in time "X" to the central emitting organ which fixes the effect in time "X plus".

The information of the relay, when it engages, has the role of a switch which brings 9, 11 and the diode (49) into contact.

This information is delayed more or less then transmitted to the component (10) which will vary the intensity of the light sources.

Other components are used to filter and lengthen the oscillation.

The Zener diode (14) is studied so that, when the light reaches its minimum intensity, it sends a pulse to the component (10) which will automatically increase the intensity.

Claims (5)

1 / Electronic device to create light effects that vary automatically over time and provide a "dynamic" light, therefore visually attractive. This device is characterized by the regulation of two or more, electronically independent channels which modulate the intensity of one or more light sources. This regulation is characterized by an electronic timer with automatic resetting (3) with two rhythms, a short and a long, intended to transmit control information to a relay (R1). This relay being intended to give a closing order which acts on the intensity of the modulator by making it run through a time "X" and by fixing the intensity level in a "X plus" state. 2 / Device according to claim 1 characterized by an adjustment potentiometer (26) which acts between 1 second and 15 minutes on the semiconductor (24) and which has an action on all the circuits. 3 / Device according to any one of claims characterized by a semi-conductor with automatic reclosing which prolongs the duration thanks to capacities managed by two switches (5 and 6). 4 / Device according to any one of claims characterized by a relay (R1) which controls the two modulation circuits and manages the rise and fall of the intensity. 5 / Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by the time delay "X" which results in the desynchronization of the two intensity modulation channels.