JP2000164369A - Lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system capable of reducing the stress applied to the lighting system by standing the changes of the operating environment and does not impair its function when it is used as a guide light system or an illumination system for displaying a road line shape at a curve or for warning of oncoming cars at a low cost. SOLUTION: This lighting system is constituted of a signal input section 3, a drive section 4 transmitting the serial signal based on the input signal received from the signal input section 3, and multiple terminal units 5 connected to the drive section 4 by bus wiring and controlling the outputs of illumination loads not shown in the Fig. based on the serial signal from the drive section 4. The outputs of the illumination loads are reduced when the cumulative lighting time of the illumination loads in a fixed period reaches a fixed value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device, and more particularly, to a lighting device for controlling a lighting load.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A first prior art example according to the present invention is described in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 10-79999 filed by the present applicant, and its block diagram is shown in FIG.

[0003] This configuration comprises a signal input section 3 and a signal input section 3.
And a drive unit 4 that transmits a serial signal based on an input signal input from the drive unit 4 and a drive unit 4 that is connected to the drive unit 4 through a bus line.
And a plurality of terminals 5 for controlling the output of a load (not shown) based on the serial signal from the terminal 5.

The data content of the input signal from the signal input unit 3 to the drive unit 4 includes output control of a load connected to each terminal unit 5 (blinking dimming control when the load is a lamp), logical address and physical address. And the output level of the load (a dimming level when the load is a lamp), setting of a logical address, and the like.

[0005] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 5 has an EEPROM 10 for storing a logical address and a physical address.
And a receiving unit 8 for receiving a serial signal from the driving unit 4
A CPU 11 for transmitting an instruction signal based on a signal transmitted from the receiving unit 8, and a driving unit 4 based on the instruction signal of the CPU 11.
And a load control unit 12 that receives a command signal from the CPU 11 and outputs a control signal (here, a dimming signal) to the lighting circuit 13. Then, a control signal (here, a dimming signal) from the load control unit 12 is input to the lighting circuit 13, and the output of the lamp 7 is controlled by the lighting circuit 13 based on the dimming signal.
The terminal unit 5, the lighting circuit 13, and the lamp 7 constitute the lighting unit 6. In addition, the terminal 5 and the lighting circuit 13
And constitute a ballast.

A second conventional example according to the present invention is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-79999 filed by the present applicant, and its flowchart is shown in FIGS. The block diagram is the same as that shown in FIG.

In this conventional example, an operation pattern produced by a plurality of terminals 5 is stored, and the operation pattern is synchronized with each of the terminals 5 in accordance with a contact input from the signal input unit 3 while synchronizing between the terminals. To choose.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 15, and 16, the operation will be briefly described in the case of a lighting load.

When the contact input 1 is input from the signal input unit 3 via the drive unit 4 to the terminal device 5, the data of the blinking pattern 1 is read from the blinking pattern storage unit. In the case of contact input 2, 3,... R (r is a positive integer), blinking pattern 2,
3. Data of r is read. The data of the read blinking pattern is transmitted to m terminals (here, m = 64) in a long frame format as shown in FIG. Each terminal device 5 has C in the header portion of the long frame.
When the MDs 1, 2, and 3 are fetched and determined, the corresponding data (for example, light control data) is fetched from the long frame and stored. For example, a terminal n having a logical address n sequentially takes in data 0, 1, 2,... N (here, n = 63), stores the data n, and stores the other data (≠
Data n) is ignored and not read. Then, the signal input unit 3 ends the data transmission to each terminal device 5 by transmitting the FCC in the footer part of the long frame. When a long frame is transmitted, each terminal device 5 only fetches and stores the data on the long frame, and the load output does not change. After the transmission of the long frame is completed, the transmission is performed to the m terminals 5 (here, m = 64) in a short frame format as shown in FIG. 17 and the FCC in the footer portion of the short frame is transmitted to each terminal. Then, the data transmission to 5 ends. At the same time when the data transmission to each terminal device 5 is completed, the load output is simultaneously performed based on the dimming data stored at the time of transmitting the immediately preceding long frame.

As described above, by transmitting a long frame, each terminal 5 stores data, and by transmitting a short frame, each terminal 5 simultaneously broadcasts based on the dimming data stored at the time of transmitting the immediately preceding long frame. Since the configuration is such that the load output is performed, the synchronization between the terminals 5 can be easily achieved regardless of the number of the terminals 5. In addition, since synchronization can be easily achieved, a scene effect (for example, blinking sequentially in the case of a lighting load) by the load connected to each terminal device 5 can be easily performed. Note that the format of the long frame or the short frame may be set arbitrarily regardless of the above.

The first and second conventional examples are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of electrodeless discharge lamp lighting devices having terminals and the like may be used for a guide light system or an illumination system for performing road linear display such as a curve or alerting an oncoming vehicle. In this way, by controlling the load as a non-electrode discharge lamp by flashing and dimming, the viewing angle with respect to the load is widened, high brightness output is obtained, visibility in the outdoors during the day is improved, and a long life is obtained. The effect occurs. The one shown in FIG. 18 receives signals from external sensors such as an EE-SW and a vehicle speed sensor.

[0012]

However, all of the above-mentioned conventional examples have the following problems.

The first and second prior art examples may be used, for example, in a guide light system or an illumination system for displaying a road alignment such as a curve or warning an oncoming vehicle, as described above. When used in an environment, since the use environment changes drastically, a large stress is applied to the lighting unit 6 and the like. In particular, in the daytime outdoors, the lighting unit is often exposed to direct sunlight and the like, and since the lamp itself is turned on, the temperature in the lighting unit rises and a great stress is applied.

The guide light system shown in FIG. 10 for displaying a curved line or the like on a road or alerting an oncoming vehicle has lighting units 6 arranged at substantially equal intervals along a curve of a road, and a vehicle detection sensor near a starting point of the curve. The lighting unit 6 is sequentially blinked by arranging the vehicle 17 on the curve and detecting the vehicle entering the curve by the vehicle detection sensor 17, for example, sequentially blinking in the traveling direction of the vehicle. Things. In a system with such a configuration,
It is configured to blink each time a vehicle is detected, so if the number of vehicles increases, such as in traffic jams, the lamp will light up and turn off, and the temperature inside the lighting unit will be abnormal. It is easy to rise. In particular, in the daytime, the temperature in the lighting unit tends to increase abnormally.

In order to solve the above problems, it is necessary to take measures against high temperatures in the components of the lighting unit and the like. However, in such a case, parts having a high withstand temperature are required. Invites up.

Further, if a specific lamp becomes in a pointless state due to the above-mentioned stress, functions such as road alignment display, oncoming vehicle warning, and illumination are impaired.

The present invention has been made in view of all of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce stress applied to a device by enduring a change in a use environment, and to display a road linear display such as a curve. When used in a guide light system or an illumination system that performs oncoming vehicle alerting, it is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost lighting device that does not impair its function.

[0018]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load, and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast. When the cumulative lighting time of the lighting load within a certain time reaches a certain value, the output of the lighting load is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ballast for controlling the output of a lighting load, and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast. A sensor is arranged, and the output of the lighting load is reduced when the detection output of the temperature sensor reaches a certain value.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load, and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast, and an illuminance sensor for detecting ambient illuminance is provided. When the detection output of the illuminance sensor reaches a certain value, the output of the illumination load is reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ballast for controlling the output of the lighting load, and a lighting load connected to the output terminal of the ballast, so that the output of the lighting load is reduced in the daytime. Features.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load, and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast, and a vehicle detection sensor for detecting a vehicle is arranged. When the number of detections by the vehicle sensor within a certain time reaches a certain value, the output of the lighting load is reduced.

According to the invention of claim 6, there is provided a ballast for controlling the output of the lighting load, and a lighting load connected to the output end of the ballast, and a vehicle detection sensor for detecting a vehicle is arranged, When the number of detections of the vehicle sensor within a certain time reaches a certain value, the power supply to the ballast is cut off.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a signal input unit for inputting data and the like, a driving unit for receiving a data and the like input from the signal input unit and transmitting a control signal, and a driving unit via a signal line A plurality of ballasts connected in a bus system to control the output of the lighting load by receiving a control signal, and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast,
A vehicle detection sensor for detecting a vehicle is provided, and when the number of detections by the vehicle sensor within a certain time reaches a certain value, the total output of a plurality of lighting loads within a certain time is reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the illumination load is an electrodeless discharge lamp.

[0026]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a first embodiment according to the present invention. The block configuration diagram according to the present embodiment is shown in FIGS.
Are omitted since they are the same as those shown in FIG. The difference from the first and second conventional examples is that the present embodiment has a configuration in which the cumulative lighting time within a certain time is controlled to be less than a certain value, and is the same as the other first and second conventional examples. The description is omitted by giving the same reference numerals to the components.

The operation will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. Check whether the lamp is on or not at regular intervals,
If it is lit, the counter value C is incremented by one, and if it is not lit (that is, it is turned off), the counter value C is decremented by one. If the calculation result is equal to or more than a certain value, the lighting control is performed without following the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4, and if less than the certain value, the lamp is controlled according to the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4. 7 is controlled. This is repeated at regular intervals. The fixed value may be set in advance or may be set automatically. Also,
Although the counter value is incremented or decremented by one, other values may be used instead of one as long as the present invention can be constituted, and multiplication or division may be performed instead of addition or subtraction. May be used.

With the above configuration, the temperature rise in the lighting unit 6 due to the heat generated by the lamp itself can be reduced, so that the stress applied to the device can be reduced, and a road linear display such as a curve and an oncoming vehicle warning can be performed. When used in a guide light system, an illumination system, or the like, a lighting device that does not impair its function can be provided at low cost.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is that the cumulative lighting time is determined by checking whether the lamp is fully lit or not. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation will be briefly described with reference to FIG. A check is made at regular intervals as to whether or not the lamp is fully lit. If the lamp is fully lit, the counter value C is incremented by one,
If it is not during full lighting (that is, dimming or extinguishing), a value obtained by multiplying 1 by a coefficient k that changes according to the dimming ratio is subtracted from the counter value C. If the result of the calculation is equal to or more than a certain value, dimming control is performed so that the dimming level does not follow the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4 and becomes constant. The light output of the lamp 7 is controlled according to the dimming signal transmitted from the light source 4. This is repeated at regular intervals. Here, k decreases as the dimming ratio increases, but as long as the present invention can be configured,
The change range may be anything. Further, the constant value may be set in advance, or may be set automatically.

With the above configuration, the temperature rise in the lighting unit 6 due to heat generated by the lamp itself can be reduced regardless of the lighting state of the lamp, and the stress applied to the lighting unit can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the third embodiment.

The difference from the first and second embodiments is that the temperature sensor 15 is arranged near the lighting unit 6 and
The lighting state of the lamp is controlled by measuring the ambient temperature of the lighting unit 6 by the temperature sensor 15, and the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Description is omitted.

The operation will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. If the detected value of the temperature sensor 15 is equal to or more than a certain value, that is, if the ambient temperature of the lighting unit 6 is equal to or more than a certain temperature, the lamp is dimmed or extinguished without following the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4 and the constant If the value is less than the value, the light output of the lamp 7 is controlled according to the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4.
This is repeated at regular intervals. When the ambient temperature of the lighting unit 6 becomes constant, the operation described in the first or second embodiment may be performed. Further, the temperature sensor 15 may be arranged inside the lighting unit 6 so as to directly detect the temperature inside the lighting unit 6. Further, the temperature sensor 15 may be disposed in at least one of the inside of the lighting unit 6 or in the vicinity of the lighting unit 6, or both, or one or more temperature sensors.

With the above configuration, the temperature rise of the lighting unit 6 can be reduced regardless of the lighting state of the lamp, and the stress applied to the lighting unit can be reduced.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the embodiment.

The third embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that an illuminance sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a brightness sensor) 16 is arranged in the vicinity of the lighting unit 6 instead of the temperature sensor 15 and is lit by the brightness sensor 16. The lighting state of the lamp is controlled by measuring the lighting state of the unit 6 or the illuminance around the lighting unit 6, and the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation will be briefly described with reference to FIG. If the detection value of the brightness sensor 16 is equal to or greater than a certain value, that is, if the illuminance around the lighting unit 6 is equal to or more than a certain value (for example, in the daytime), the lamp does not follow the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4. Is dimmed or turned off, and if it is less than a certain value, the light output of the lamp 7 is controlled according to the dimming signal transmitted from the drive unit 4. This is repeated at regular intervals.
When the illuminance around the lighting unit 6 becomes a constant value, the operation described in the first or second embodiment may be performed. Further, the number of brightness sensors 16 may be one or more.

With the above configuration, the temperature rise of the lighting unit 6 can be reduced regardless of the lighting state of the lamp, and the stress applied to the lighting unit can be reduced.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

The difference from the fourth embodiment is that a counter or a clock (herein, collectively referred to as a timer 20) is provided instead of the brightness sensor 16, and the daytime time zone is detected by the timer 20. , For controlling the lighting state of the lamp, and the same components as those of the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The operation will be briefly described below. Timer 20
Detects the daytime time zone, dims or turns off the lamp without following the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4, and transmits the light from the driving unit 4 except during the daytime period. The light output of the lamp 7 is controlled according to the dimming signal.

With the above configuration, the temperature rise of the lighting unit 6 can be reduced regardless of the lighting state of the lamp, and the stress applied to the lighting unit can be reduced.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.

The difference from the third embodiment is that a vehicle detection sensor 17 is arranged in place of the temperature sensor 15 as shown in FIG. 10, and the number of times of detection of the vehicle per unit time is measured by the vehicle detection sensor 17. By doing so, the lighting state of the lamp is controlled, and the same components as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Note that the schematic configuration diagram is the same as that shown in FIG.

The operation will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. If the number of detections per unit time of the vehicle detection sensor 17 becomes larger than the fixed value t, the power supply to the lighting unit is cut off by a relay or the like without following the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4. If the number of detections per unit time by the vehicle detection sensor 17 is equal to or less than a certain value t, the driving unit 4
The light output of the lamp 7 is controlled in accordance with the dimming signal transmitted from the controller 7. This is repeated at regular intervals.

The constant value t may be set in advance,
It may be set automatically. In addition, there is a device that turns on fully by operating the Felsafe function when an abnormal condition such as a drive unit error or signal line short circuit occurs. In such a case, the power supply to the lighting unit may be cut off by a relay or the like. Further, other means may be used instead of the relay.

With the above configuration, the temperature rise of the lighting unit 6 can be reduced, and the stress applied to the lighting unit can be reduced.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a seventh embodiment according to the present invention.

The block diagram and the like according to the present embodiment are the same as those shown in FIG.
The difference from the first to fourth embodiments is that in a guide light system for displaying road curves such as curves and alerting an oncoming vehicle, a brightness sensor and a temperature sensor are provided to provide a surrounding environment (brightness) of a lighting unit. , Temperature, etc.)
And the lighting state is controlled in accordance with the use environment such as daytime based on the detected value.
The description of the same components as those of the other first to fourth embodiments will be omitted by retaining the same reference numerals.

Hereinafter, the operation will be briefly described with reference to FIG. Whether or not the output of the brightness sensor or the temperature sensor has become equal to or more than the fixed value x (that is, whether or not the sensor output is at the H level) is checked at regular intervals. The output of the brightness sensor or the temperature sensor is at the H level, and the vehicle detection sensor 1
If the number of detections per unit time of 7 is in an abnormal state larger than the fixed value t, the lamps are controlled to be dimmed without following the dimming signal transmitted from the driving unit 4 or
Control is performed such that some of the detection outputs of the vehicle detection sensor 17 are thinned out and transmitted to the drive unit 4. If the output of the brightness sensor or the temperature sensor is at the L level, or if the number of detections per unit time of the vehicle detection sensor 17 is equal to or less than the predetermined value t, the lamp 7 is turned on in accordance with the dimming signal transmitted from the drive unit 4. Control light output. This is repeated at regular intervals. The constant value x and the constant value t may be set in advance or may be set automatically.

Instead of controlling the dimming of each lamp,
Normally, when control is performed using two bright points, control may be performed such that the number of bright points becomes one when an abnormal state occurs as described above (FIG. 13). Further, instead of controlling the dimming of each lamp, a control of repeating a blinking operation may be performed. For example, all the lamps may be blinked as shown in FIG.

The above embodiments may be appropriately combined according to the purpose.

[0055]

According to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the temperature rise in the lighting unit due to the heat generated by the lamp itself can be reduced, so that the stress applied to the device can be reduced, and the road shape such as a curve can be reduced. When used in a guide light system or an illumination system that performs display and warning of oncoming vehicles, a lighting device that does not impair its function can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a first embodiment according to the present invention and a conventional example.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sixth embodiment according to the present invention and a conventional example.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a seventh embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an example of a schematic diagram showing a blinking state of each lamp in a seventh embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is another example of a schematic diagram showing a blinking state of each lamp in the seventh embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of a second conventional example according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows another flowchart of the second conventional example according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a signal format diagram of a second conventional example according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows a first example of a block configuration diagram in which a plurality of electrodeless discharge lamp lighting devices are used as loads and terminals in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Driving unit 5 Terminal 7 Lighting load 15 Temperature sensor 16 Brightness sensor 17 Vehicle detection sensor

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Hamana 1048 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. CJ02 CJ11 CJ19 CJ22

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A lighting device comprising: a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load; and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast, wherein a cumulative lighting time of the lighting load within a certain time is a constant value. A lighting device, wherein the output of the lighting load is reduced when the lighting load is reached. 2. A lighting device comprising: a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load; and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast, wherein a temperature sensor is arranged at least inside or near the ballast. An illumination device, wherein the output of the illumination load is reduced when the detection output of the temperature sensor reaches a certain value. 3. A lighting device comprising: a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load; and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast, wherein an illuminance sensor for detecting ambient illuminance is arranged; An illumination device, wherein the output of the illumination load is reduced when a detection output reaches a certain value. 4. A lighting device comprising: a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load; and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast, wherein the output of the lighting load is reduced during the day. Lighting equipment. 5. A lighting device comprising: a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load; and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast, wherein a vehicle detection sensor for detecting a vehicle is disposed, and When the number of detections of the vehicle sensor reaches a certain value, the output of the lighting load is reduced. 6. A lighting device comprising: a ballast for controlling an output of a lighting load; and a lighting load connected to an output terminal of the ballast, wherein a vehicle detection sensor for detecting a vehicle is disposed, and When the number of detections of the vehicle sensor reaches a certain value, the power supply to the ballast is cut off. 7. A signal input unit for inputting data or the like, a driving unit for receiving the data or the like input from the signal input unit and transmitting a control signal, and a bus system for the driving unit via a signal line. And a lighting device connected to the ballast and receiving a control signal to control the output of the lighting load, and a lighting load connected to an output end of the ballast. When a detection sensor is arranged and the number of detections of the vehicle sensor within a certain time reaches a certain value,
A lighting device, wherein a total output of a plurality of the lighting loads within a predetermined time is reduced. 8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting load is an electrodeless discharge lamp.