JP2000340377A - Malfunction detector for neon tube lighting circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set the power in lighting each neon transformer at an installation site of a neon tower by deciding an input voltage value reference range corresponding to each neon transformer from an input voltage of each detected neon transformer, when there is a request of setting the input voltage value reference range to be stored, and storing the value. SOLUTION: A control circuit 4 includes a microcomputer 5 and a storage circuit 6, the storage circuit 6 stores a flashing pattern program of a neon tube or can store the upper limit and the lower limit of a primary input power (input reference power) of an appropriate neon transformer in lighting a normal neon tube. A digital signal outputted from the control circuit 4 is transmitted to an output interface 7 to be converted into an electric signal, and one is transmitted to an external output display circuit 12 and the other is transmitted to a switching circuit 8. The electric signal is connected to a signal input terminal and the primary power supply to the neon transformers 91-95 are on/off controlled by opening/closing the load contact.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting abnormality of a neon tube, a neon transformer, etc. of a neon tube lighting circuit having a plurality of neon transformers and input control means for controlling flickering of the neon tubes. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional neon lighting circuit is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 4-24839, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-19760, and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-14480 in order to detect a circuit abnormality of a neon tube, a neon transformer or the like. As can be seen in the publications, when the time or the like satisfies a specified condition, the input control means (switching circuit) detects the lighting voltage, current, power, etc. for each transformer and stores them in a storage device in advance. Abnormality of each transformer has been detected by comparing the input power value reference range (normal range).

[0003]

However, in such an abnormality detecting device, a reference range of a voltage, a current, an electric power, etc. at the time of normal lighting of each transformer must be stored in a storage device in advance. There is no particular problem if the number, length, tube diameter, and gas pressure of the neon tubes connected to each lighting circuit are all constant, but if they are not constant, the reference range corresponding to the conditions of each lighting circuit is individually set. I had to remember it. However, since this work is usually performed at the stage of manufacturing a neon lamp lighting device (neon controller), it cannot be performed at the site where the neon tower is installed, and can only be installed under predesigned conditions. Similarly, when adding or changing a neon tube to a neon tower that was once installed, it was necessary to correct the memorized value by the manufacturer of the neon light lighting device and it was troublesome and time consuming. .

[0004] Further, such an abnormality detection device cannot perform normal abnormality detection in rainy weather due to an increase in leakage current from the wiring of the neon tube to building materials.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for detecting input power of each neon transformer from a power supply by individually opening and closing circuits connected to a power supply of a plurality of neon transformers. Storage means for storing an input power value reference range corresponding to each neon transformer, and a neon transformer outside the range by reading the input power value reference range from the storage means and comparing the input power value reference range with the detected input power value. The neon tube lighting circuit abnormality detecting device comprising means for judging the neon tube lighting circuit as abnormal, when there is a request to set the input voltage value reference range stored in the storage means, the input of each neon transformer is The gist is to detect power, determine an input power value reference range corresponding to each neon transformer from the input power, and store the value in the storage means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the abnormality detecting apparatus for a neon tube lighting circuit according to the first aspect of the present invention, which performs an abnormality detecting operation periodically, the abnormality detecting operation is stopped when rain and snow detecting means are provided and detected. The point is to do.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of the present invention comprising five neon tube lighting circuits. 1
0 _{1 to 105} is neon tube, the electrodes are respectively connected to the secondary output terminal of the neon transformer ₉ 1-9 _5. Primary input terminal of the neon transformer 91 _to 93 ₅ is connected through the switching circuit 8 as an input control means to the power supply 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes a power detection circuit that detects power from an output unit of the power supply 1 and converts the power into an electric signal. Input interface 3
Is a circuit that performs A / D conversion of an electric signal from the power detection circuit 2 and converts it into a digital signal. The digital signal is sent to the control circuit 4.

The control circuit 4 includes a microcomputer 5
And a storage circuit 6. The storage circuit 6 stores a flashing pattern program of the neon tube and the like, and a primary input power (input reference power) of an appropriate neon transformer when a normal neon tube is turned on. and the upper limit value _W S1 _{U~W S5} U of)
Lower limit _W S1 _{D~W S5} D is to be stored. A digital signal output from the control circuit 4 is sent to the output interface 7 and converted into an electric signal. One is sent to the external output display circuit 12 and the other is sent to the switching circuit 8. Inside the switching circuit 8,
As shown in FIG. 2, a solid state relay (hereinafter referred to as S
Called SR. ) ₁₁ 1 to 11 ₅ load contact terminal is connected in series to one side of the neon transformer ₉ to 93 ₅ of the primary input power line. Electrical signal lines from the output interface 7 is connected to the signal input terminal in SSR, and performed by the signal, the primary input power ON of opening and closing the load contacts Neon transformer 91 _to 93 _5, the control of the OFF .

The circuit is connected to a raindrop sensor 14 for detecting rain and snow and an input power value reference range setting switch 15 for setting a normal input power value reference range for each transformer in the storage circuit. And a control circuit is connected via the input interface 3. Thus, the neon controller 16 is configured.

Next, the operation will be described. First,
FIG. 3 shows a control flowchart of the control circuit 4 for setting the input power value reference range of each neon transformer when the installation work of the neon tower is completed. In the drawing, _P 1 _{to P 10} indicate each step of the flowchart. First, the reference power magnitude range setting switch 15 at P ₁ is turned ON, the setting request of the input power value reference range is issued, P ₂
Sets the circuit number n to 0. N plus one n in P ₃
Is set to 1.

[0011] Digital signal for lighting the neon tube 10 ₁ from the control circuit 4 at _{P 4} is output to the output interface 7. The digital signal input to the output interface 7 is converted into an electric signal and output to the switching circuit 8. In the switching circuit 8, the electrical signal from the output interface 7, turns ON the load contact terminal only SSR11 _1, only neon transformer 9 ₁ is connected to the power supply, only the neon tube 10 ₁ is turned on. Detects the input power at that time in the power detection circuit 2, converted by the input interface 3 into a digital signal, in P _5, neon tube 10 ₁
An input power value W ₁ when only the lit, the control circuit 4 reads.

[0012] calculates the value of 120% for the _{W 1} at _{P 6} input power reference upper limit value _W S1U, 80% of the value as the input power reference lower limit value _{W S1D,} in _{S 7 W S1U} and W
_S1D is stored in the storage circuit 6. Then the n in P ₈ is at less than 5 neon tube lighting circuit number in this example, returns to P _3, is repeated 4 times in this embodiment the step P ₃ to P ₈ described above. Thereafter, the setting of the input power value reference range ends.

[0013] The setting operation is performed at the end of the neon tower installation work because the installer is present immediately after the installation, so that the neon tube or the wiring may be defective after the setting of the input power reference range is completed. This is because, even if such an item is found, it can be repaired immediately and the setting can be performed again in a normal state.
After the setting operation is completed, the process proceeds to a normal blinking program.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the control circuit 4 in the operation of detecting a circuit abnormality. First,
When it comes to the abnormality detection operation by the illustrated inspection switch input or timer programs that do not like, at P _21, to detect or not raining now rain or snow with reference to raindrop sensor 14. If it has fallen, there is a high possibility of erroneous detection, so the abnormality detection is stopped and the process ends immediately. If it is not raining sets the circuit number n to 0 in the P _22. P ₃
Then, 1 is added to n to set n to 1.

The digital signal for lighting the neon tube 10 ₁ from the control circuit 4 at _{P 4} is output to the output interface 7. The digital signal input to the output interface 7 is converted into an electric signal and output to the switching circuit 8. In the switching circuit 8, the electrical signal from the output interface 7, turns ON the load contact terminal only SSR11 _1, only neon transformer 9 ₁ is connected to the power supply, only the neon tube 10 ₁ is turned on. Detects the input power at that time in the power detection circuit 2, converted by the input interface 3 into a digital signal, in P _25, neon tube 10
_The control circuit 4 reads the input power value W ₁ when only ₁ is turned on.

[0016] _{P 26,} the input power reference upper limit value _{W S1U} read by the microcomputer 5 from the storage circuit 6, P
Performing the compared with the input power value W ₁ detected _26. The input power value _{W 1,} when the set power limit _{W S1U Dai, P 29}
In determining that circuit fault, it sends the abnormal circuit number n = 1 in P ₃₀ to the memory circuit 6, and stores. _Otherwise, the input power reference lower limit value _{W S1D} from the memory circuit 6 is read by the microcomputer 5 at _{P 31,} performs a comparison with the input power value _{W 1} at _{P 32.} An input current value W _1, set the power limit value W
Time of less than _S1D, it is determined that the circuit abnormality in the _{P 29, P
At 30} , the abnormal circuit number n = 1 is sent to the storage circuit and stored. Otherwise, the circuit for lighting the neon tube 10 ₁ P ₃₃ is determined to be normal.

[0017] Since then n with _{P 34} is at less than 5 neon tube lighting circuit number in this _example, returns to _{P 24,}
Step _P 24 _{to P 34} described above is repeated 4 times in this embodiment. Then, read the microcomputer 5 abnormal circuit number of the memory circuit 6 at P _35, and outputs to the output interface 7. The signal is output to the external output display circuit 12, and the abnormal circuit number is displayed.

The normal lighting control program for blinking and the like is not directly related to the present invention, and therefore will be omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, the number of transformers (neon tube lighting circuits) connected to the neon controller is five, but the number is not limited to this and may be any number. Similarly, in the input power reference range setting operation of each neon transformer, the input power reference upper limit is set to 120% of the input power and the input power reference lower limit is set to 80% of the input power. Instead, another calculation formula or parameter may be used. In short, any value can be used as long as it can distinguish between the abnormal state of the neon lighting circuit and the normal state of the neon lighting circuit (including variations in input power and deterioration of the neon tube). In addition, if the operation is not shifted to the blinking program unless the input power setting reference range setting operation is performed, the input power setting reference range is not forgotten to be set, and the abnormality can be reliably detected.

[0019]

The present invention has the following effects due to the above-described configuration. Since the lighting power (input power reference range) for each neon transformer can be easily set at the neon tower installation site, the number, length, and diameter of the neon tubes connected to each lighting circuit in advance It is not necessary to store the power at the time of lighting in the storage device in consideration of gas pressure and the like. Similarly, if an attempt is made to add a neon tube to a neon tower once installed, resetting can be easily performed.

In addition, since the abnormality detection operation is stopped in rainy weather, erroneous detection due to an increase in leakage current from the wiring of the neon tube to the building material can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a switching circuit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an input power value reference range setting operation of a control circuit 4;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an abnormality detection operation of the control circuit 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 power supply 2 power detection circuit 3 input interface 4 control circuit 5 microcomputer (CP
U), 6: memory circuit, 7: output interface, 8 ...
Switching circuit, 9 _{1 to} 9 ₅ ... neon transformer, 10 ₁
10 to 10 ₅ : Neon tube, 11 _{1 to} 11 ₅ : Solid state relay (SSR), 12: External output display circuit, 14:
Raindrop sensors 14, 15: input power value reference range setting switch, 16: neon controller.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An input control means provided between primary windings of a plurality of neon transformers and a power supply, for intermittently controlling input of power supply power to each neon transformer, and one input control means for Power detection means for detecting on the power supply side the input power of the neon transformer to which power supply power has been sequentially applied to each unit, and storage means for storing an input power value reference range corresponding to each neon transformer,
Means for reading the input power value reference range, comparing the input power value detected by the power detection means with the input power value, and determining that a neon tube lighting circuit comprising a neon transformer outside the range is abnormal. In a circuit abnormality detection device, when a request for setting an input power value reference range is made, an input power value reference range is determined based on the input power value detected by the power detection means, and the value is stored in a storage means. An abnormality detection device for a neon tube lighting circuit. 2. The abnormality detection device for a neon tube lighting circuit according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality detection operation is periodically performed, wherein the abnormality detection operation is stopped when rain and snow detection means are provided and detected. To detect abnormalities in neon tube lighting circuit