JP2002231491A - Lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a load output difference between light dimming electronic ballasts A and B different in a light dimming range to output of a dimmer 1. SOLUTION: In this lighting system, the dimmer 1 for outputting an on-duty variable PWM signal and the light dimming electronic ballasts A and B for changing light dimming output by on-duty exist in the same control unit, and an on-duty value of the light dimming electronic ballast A corresponding to the same load electric current becomes an on-duty value or more of the light dimming electronic ballast B. A converter 2 is arranged between the dimmer 1 and the light dimming electronic ballast B for changing an on-duty value of an inputted PWM signal so as to match to a light dimming level of the light dimming electronic ballast A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dimmer
The present invention relates to a lighting device for dimming and lighting a plurality of lamps in the same manner by transmitting a signal to a plurality of types of dimming electronic ballasts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a dimmer provided with a fader and a volume control unit sends a dimming signal consisting of a PWM signal with an on-duty variable to an electronic ballast for dimming.
2. Description of the Related Art Illumination devices in which a dimming output of an electronic ballast for dimming is changed according to an on-duty value of a signal to dimmably light a lamp are widely used. Assuming that the minimum value of the on-duty value is MIN% and the maximum value is MAX%, there is a dimmer that can output a PWM signal in a range of, for example, 5% to 95% as a control range of the on-duty value MIN% to MAX%. I do. For the control range of the on-duty value of MIN% to MAX%, for example, the load power is linearly set to 1
There are electronic ballasts for dimming that have a narrow dimming range that can control dimming in the range of 00% to 30%. On the other hand, dimming that can control dimming linearly with load power in the range of 100% to 10%. There is a wide range of dimming electronic ballasts. Here, when the dimmer is connected to the electronic ballast for dimming having a narrow dimming range, the MIN% of the on-duty value of the PWM signal which is the output of the dimmer is obtained.
Load power from 100% to 3% over the entire range of
Dimming control can be performed within a range of 0%. Similarly, when a dimmer is connected to a dimming electronic ballast having a wide dimming range, the on-duty value of the PWM signal, which is the output of the dimmer, ranges from MIN% to MA.
The dimming control can be performed in the range of 100% to 10% of the load power over the entire range of X%.

[0003]

As described above, a dimmer capable of outputting a PWM signal having an on-duty value within a predetermined range, an electronic ballast for dimming having a narrow dimming range, and a dimming device having a wide dimming range are provided. When electronic ballasts are mixed on the same PWM signal line, the load output of the electronic ballast for dimming with a narrow dimming range with respect to the output of the dimmer, and the electronic ballast for dimming with a wide dimming range Load output is different. For example, in the operation of the operation unit of the dimmer, an electronic ballast for dimming with a wide dimming range can be used even with a PWM signal having the same on-duty value in response to an operation expecting a load output of a certain brightness. However, the electronic ballast for dimming having a narrow dimming range has a problem that the load has a different brightness.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dimmer 1 for outputting a PWM signal having a variable on-duty value, as shown in FIG.
The dimming output changes according to the on-duty value of the WM signal, and the first and second dimming electronic ballasts A and B corresponding to the on-duty value and the load output on a one-to-one basis exist in the same control unit. In a lighting device in which the on-duty value of the first electronic ballast A for dimming corresponding to the same load power is equal to or more than the on-duty value of the electronic ballast B for second dimming, the input PWM A converter 2 including a control unit that changes the on-duty value of the signal to match a preset dimming level of the first electronic ballast A for dimming, An on-duty value is provided between the dimmer 1 for outputting a PWM signal and the second electronic ballast B for dimming, which is installed for performing control, with respect to the first electronic ballast A for dimming. Is turned on and only the second electronic ballast B for dimming is turned on. It is characterized in that disposed in a position for converting Yuti value.

According to claim 2 or 3, in addition to the configuration of claim 1, as shown in FIG. 2 or 7, an impedance Z or a constant current source 5 is connected to a power supply between a PWM signal input section and an output section. Side is connected in series.

According to another aspect of the present invention, as another means for solving the same problem, as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, an input means 6 for inputting a PWM signal,
A control unit (microcomputer 3) that changes the on-duty value of the WM signal so as to match the dimming level of the first electronic ballast A or the second electronic ballast B; And the output means 7 for outputting the converted PWM signal. The converter 2 is provided between the dimmer 1 and the second electronic ballast B for dimming, or between the dimmer 1 and the first dimmer. The electronic ballast A for use.

[0007]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of the first embodiment. The dimmer 1 corresponding to the output of the electronic ballast A for dimming, the converter 2 of the present invention, and the electronic ballasts A and B for dimming are connected as shown in FIG. The cable to be connected can be realized as long as the cable has two or more cores.
Also, there is no problem even if the cable itself is subjected to processing such as shielding.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the converter 2 of the present invention. In this converter 2, an impedance Z is connected in series on the power supply side between the PWM signal input section and the PWM signal output section (claim 2). A dimmer 1 corresponding to the output of the electronic ballast A for dimming is connected to the PWM signal input unit.
The dimming electronic ballast B is connected to the WM signal output unit. The switch means SW1 is connected in parallel to the PWM signal output unit. The switch means SW1 is controlled on / off by the microcomputer 3.
The operating power of the microcomputer 3 is supplied from the PWM signal input unit via the diode bridge 4.

The relationship between the on-duty value of the PWM signal of the electronic ballasts A and B and the load output is as shown in FIG. Here, the cycle of the PWM signal is T, and the voltage is V. The time width of the on-duty value (input on-duty time) of the PWM signal can be obtained from the cycle T and the percentage notation as follows: input on-duty time = T × PWM signal on-duty value [%] / 100. The load output [%] is a ratio to the rated load output [W]. For example, assuming that a PWM signal having a load output of 50% is output from the dimmer 1, the on-duty value of the PWM signal at this time is about 67% from the characteristic of the electronic ballast A for dimming. This value can be obtained as the input on-duty time by the processing in FIG. 4 by using an I / O port of the microcomputer, for example, a pulse width measurement function or the like.

The input on-duty time acquisition flow of FIG. 4 will be described. When the measurement of the input on-duty value is started, first, a rising edge of the input PWM signal is detected. When a rising edge is detected, the counter 1 is started. Next, the falling edge of the input PWM signal is detected. When the falling edge is detected, the counter 1 is stopped. The value of the counter 1 becomes the input on-duty time.

Next, the obtained input on-duty time is converted into the value of the electronic ballast B for light control.
Since the relationship between the on-duty value of the PWM signal and the load output is known, a conversion table or the like is prepared in advance. If the straight lines are as shown in FIG. 3, the memory capacity of the microcomputer 3 can be reduced by converting the straight lines into functions. For example, the load outputs [%] PowerA and PowerB of the dimming electronic ballasts A and B can be expressed as functions by setting the duty ratio [%] of the PWM signal to DutyA and DutyB as follows. Load output of the electronic ballast A for light control: Power A [%] = (− 7/8) × Duty A [%]
+870/8 Load output of dimming electronic ballast B: PowerB [%] = (− 9/8) × DutyB [%]
+890/8

Thus, the on-duty value of the PWM signal with respect to the load output can be expressed as a function. On-duty value of PWM signal of electronic ballast A for light control: Duty A [%] = (− 8/7) × Power A [%]
+870/7 On-duty value of PWM signal of dimming electronic ballast B: DutyB [%] = (− 8/9) × PowerB [%]
+890/9

[0013] In this case, the on-duty value of the PWM signal of the electronic ballast B for dimming with respect to the load power of 50% is about 54%.
%. As described above, the output on-duty time is calculated. After that, the switch means SW1 is turned on for a predetermined time according to the processing of FIG.

The output on-duty processing flow of FIG. 5 will be described. When the processing of the output on-duty value is started, first, the output on-duty value is converted using a conversion table or an arithmetic expression to obtain the output on-duty value. When the rising edge of the input PWM signal is detected,
Start the counter 2. When the value of the counter 2 matches the output on-duty value, the switch means SW1 is turned on. When the value of the counter 2 matches the input on-duty value, the switch means SW1 is turned off and the counter 2 is stopped.

Here, in the operation when the switch means SW1 is OFF, assuming that the input impedance of the electronic ballast B for dimming is ZB, the input voltage VB of the electronic ballast B for dimming is VB = V × As represented by ZB / (ZB + Z), the impedance is required to be smaller than ZB because the voltage is divided from the impedance Z in FIG. Assuming that the power supply of the dimmer is an ideal voltage source, it is not a problem that the impedance Z is small. However, since the current capacity is actually determined, the current capacity of the dimmer must be considered. The value is determined by

By the above series of processing, as shown in FIG.
In order to convert the on-duty time of the electronic ballast A for dimming into the on-duty time of the electronic ballast B for dimming, an extra on-duty time, in FIG. 6, the section S may be deleted. As a result, the PWM signal of the electronic ballast A for dimming is converted into the signal of the electronic ballast B for dimming, and the load power of the electronic ballast B for dimming is also 50% like the electronic ballast A for dimming. Becomes

Also, depending on the voltage V of the PWM signal and the operating voltage of the microcomputer 3, the diode bridge 4 and the microcomputer 3
It is necessary to insert a level shift circuit between them. Further, an insulating circuit needs to be inserted between the diode bridge 4 and the microcomputer 3 depending on how the power is taken, but these depend on the actual system configuration.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an electronic ballast for dimming in which the characteristics of the on-duty value of the PWM signal and the load output are linear, but the relationship of the LOG curve, broken line, etc. P of dimming electronic ballast A at the same load output
As long as the on-duty value of the WM signal is higher than that of the electronic ballast B for dimming, the duty conversion function can be realized with the same configuration.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 shows the configuration of claim 3. This is obtained by replacing the impedance of the first embodiment with a constant current source 5. Here, if the constant current source 5 is set to be larger than the input current of the dimming electronic ballast B and smaller than the power supply capacity of the dimmer 1, the switching means S
When W1 is turned on, the sink current of the converter 2 does not affect the power supply of the dimmer 1. Also, when the switch means SW1 is OFF, the converter 2 operates without any problem because the output current of the converter 2 is smaller than the current capacity of the constant current source 5. Further, in the system configuration, the cable connected in the same manner as in the first embodiment can be realized as long as it has two or more cables. Also, there is no problem even if the cable itself is subjected to processing such as shielding.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 8 shows the configuration of claim 4. In the figure, a PWM input means 6 is a normally used one comprising a diode bridge, a photocoupler, a resistor and the like. The PWM output means 7 includes a transistor, a resistor,
In some cases, it is a general one composed of a photocoupler or the like. The output of the PWM input means 6 is processed by the microcomputer 3 to obtain the on-duty value of the PWM signal. This process is the same as in FIG.

As in the first embodiment, the on-duty time of the PWM output is calculated, the above signal is output from the PWM output port of the microcomputer 3, and the PWM signal is transmitted to the electronic ballast B for light control by the PWM output means 7. I do. As described above, the on-duty conversion function can be realized by newly outputting the PWM signal once taken in by the microcomputer 3 from the microcomputer 3. Further, in the system configuration, as in the first embodiment, the cable to be connected can be realized as long as the cable has two or more cores. Also, there is no problem even if the cable itself is subjected to processing such as shielding.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 9 shows the structure of claim 5. A dimmer 1 corresponding to the output of the electronic ballast A for dimming;
FIG. 10 shows the converter 2 of the present invention and the electronic ballasts A and B for dimming.
It is connected like. The PWM input means 6 is a commonly used one comprising a diode bridge, a photocoupler, a resistor and the like. The PWM output means 7 is a general one including a transistor, a resistor, and in some cases, a photocoupler. The output of the PWM input means 6 is processed by the microcomputer 3 to obtain the on-duty value of the PWM signal.

For example, the load outputs [%] PowerA and PowerB of the dimming electronic ballasts A and B can be functionalized as follows by setting the duty ratio [%] of the PWM signal to DutyA and DutyB. Load output of the electronic ballast A for light control: Power A [%] = (− 7/8) × Duty A [%]
+870/8 Load output of dimming electronic ballast B: PowerB [%] = (− 9/8) × DutyB [%]
+890/8

Thus, the on-duty value of the PWM signal with respect to the load output can also be expressed as a function. On-duty value of PWM signal of electronic ballast A for light control: Duty A [%] = (− 8/7) × Power A [%]
+870/7 On-duty value of PWM signal of dimming electronic ballast B: DutyB [%] = (− 8/9) × PowerB [%]
+890/9

In this case, the on-duty value of the PWM signal of the electronic ballast A for light control is about 67 with respect to the load power of 50%.
%, The on-duty value of the PWM signal of the electronic ballast B for dimming is about 54%. Here, assuming that the PWM signal is output from the dimmer 1 with an on-duty value corresponding to a load output of 50% of the electronic ballast B for dimming, the converter 2 first calculates the on-duty time of the PWM signal. Acquired according to the flow of 4. Here, since a waveform having an on-duty value of about 54% of the PWM signal can be obtained, if the signal of the electronic ballast A for dimming is replaced using the above conversion formula, the PWM becomes
The on-duty value of the signal is about 67%. This value is output from the PWM output port of the microcomputer 3, and the PWM output means 7 outputs a PWM signal having an on-duty value of about 67% to the electronic ballast A for dimming. As described above, the on-duty conversion function can be realized by newly outputting the PWM signal once taken in by the microcomputer 3 from the microcomputer 3. Further, in the system configuration, the cable connected in the same manner as in the first embodiment can be realized as long as the cable has two or more cores. Also, there is no problem even if the cable itself is subjected to processing such as shielding.

[0026]

According to the first or second aspect of the present invention, when a dimming electronic ballast having a narrow dimming range and a dimming electronic ballast having a wide dimming range exist in the same control unit, The electronic ballast for dimming with a wide dimming range
The operation is performed in accordance with the brightness of the load of the electronic ballast for dimming having a narrow dimming range with respect to the PWM signal. The operating range of the electronic ballast for dimming with a wide dimming range is the same as that of the electronic ballast with a narrow dimming range, so the dimming range is narrow, but the brightness of the load on the electronic ballast for dimming varies. And the operator does not feel uncomfortable. Even if the power supply voltage of the microcomputer of the converter and the voltage of the PWM signal are different, it can be realized by a relatively simple circuit. Further, since the brightness of the load of the plurality of electronic ballasts for dimming is uniquely determined in synchronization with the on-duty value of the PWM signal, it is possible to cope with automatic driving and the like. A plurality of types of electronic ballasts for dimming can be mixed. Furthermore, since the converter is not inserted in all the electronic ballasts for dimming, the cost can be minimized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, the input impedance of the PWM signal, the input current, the impedance of the converter, the impedance of the dimmer, and the plurality of dimming electronic ballasts are obtained. The current capacity of the constant current source can be set based on the input currents of the PWM signals of the plurality of dimming electronic ballasts and the current capacity of the power supply of the dimmer without complicated consideration of the current capacity of the power supply. In addition, it is possible to easily cope with a case where a plurality of dimming electronic ballasts are connected in parallel.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a dimming electronic ballast having a narrow dimming range and a dimming electronic ballast having a wide dimming range exist in the same control unit, the dimming range can be reduced. A wide dimming electronic ballast operates according to the brightness of the load of the dimming electronic ballast having a narrow dimming range with respect to the PWM signal within its own dimming range. The operating range of the electronic ballast for dimming with a wide dimming range is the same as that of the electronic ballast with a narrow dimming range, so the dimming range is narrow, but the brightness of the load on the electronic ballast for dimming varies. Disappears for the operator. Furthermore, although it depends on the current capacity of the power supply of the converter, the input current of the electronic ballast for dimming, and the number of units, it not only converts the PWM signal but also serves as a repeater for waveform correction. The distance from the dimmer to the electronic ballast can be increased by the amount of the PWM signal line.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a dimming electronic ballast having a narrow dimming range and an electronic ballast for dimming having a wide dimming range exist in the same control unit, the dimming range can be reduced. The electronic ballast for narrow dimming has different brightnesses of the loads of the two electronic ballasts in a range other than its own dimming range (for example, in this case, the load output is 30% to 10%), but in other ranges. , And operates in accordance with the brightness of the load of the electronic ballast for dimming having a wide dimming range with respect to the PWM signal. In addition, depending on the current capacity of the power supply of the converter, the input current of the electronic ballast for dimming, and the number of converters, it not only converts the PWM signal but also serves as a repeater for waveform correction. The distance from the dimmer to the electronic ballast can be increased by the amount of the PWM signal line. Further, since the brightness of the load of the plurality of electronic ballasts for dimming is uniquely determined in synchronization with the on-duty value of the PWM signal, it is possible to cope with automatic driving and the like. A plurality of types of electronic ballasts for dimming can be mixed.

Furthermore, since the converter is not inserted into all the electronic ballasts for dimming, the cost can be minimized. For example, OHP in a conference room
In the case of configuring lighting for lighting, conventionally, even if it is necessary to introduce a control terminal or the like for scene reproduction, an electronic ballast for light control with a wide light control range is installed around the OHP screen. In this place, a dimming electronic ballast with a narrow dimming range is installed in a form to insert a converter. By operating the dimmer having the fader operation section, the entire conference room can be dimmed with the same brightness when the load output for the PWM signal is in the range of 100% to 30%, and between 30% and 10%, only the vicinity of the OHP is adjusted. It can be easily realized that light can be emitted and the others are maintained at 30% brightness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an overall configuration of a lighting device according to claim 1;

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the lighting device according to claim 2;

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between an on-duty value of a PWM signal and a load output of the electronic ballast for dimming of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of acquiring an input on-duty time of the converter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an output on-duty processing flow of the converter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram showing PWM input and output waveforms of the converter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a lighting device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a lighting device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block circuit diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the lighting device of claim 5;

FIG. 10 is a block circuit diagram showing the overall configuration of the lighting device according to claim 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dimmer 2 Converter 3 Microcomputer 4 Diode bridge 5 Constant current source 6 PWM input means 7 PWM output means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshinobu Murakami 1048 Ojimon Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Inventor Hiroki Kawaminami 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. F-term (reference) 3K098 CC40 DD35 EE18 EE31 EE32 EE35 EE37

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A dimmer that outputs a PWM signal having a variable on-duty value, and a dimming output changes according to an on-duty value of the PWM signal, and the on-duty value corresponds to a load output on a one-to-one basis. The first and second electronic ballasts for dimming exist in the same control unit, and the on-duty value of the first electronic ballast for dimming corresponding to the same load power is the second.
In the lighting device in which the on-duty value of the input PWM signal is not less than the on-duty value of the electronic ballast for dimming, the dimming level of the first electronic ballast for dimming in which the on-duty value of the input PWM signal is set in advance A converter configured to include a control unit that changes to match the control unit is provided with a dimmer that outputs a PWM signal and a second dimmer electronic ballast installed to perform control of the same control unit. In the meantime, the on-duty value is not converted for the first dimming electronic ballast, and the on-duty value is converted only for the second dimming electronic ballast. Lighting equipment. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the converter has an impedance connected in series to a power supply side between the PWM signal input unit and the output unit. 3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the converter has a constant current source connected in series to a power supply side between the PWM signal input unit and the output unit. 4. A dimmer that outputs a PWM signal having a variable on-duty value, and a dimming output changes according to the on-duty value of the PWM signal, and the on-duty value corresponds to a load output on a one-to-one basis. The first and second electronic ballasts for dimming exist in the same control unit, and the on-duty value of the first electronic ballast for dimming corresponding to the same load power is the second.
In a lighting device having an on-duty value equal to or more than the on-duty value of the dimming electronic ballast, a PWM signal input unit and a first dimming electronic ballast in which the on-duty value of the input PWM signal is set in advance A converter comprising a control unit for changing the dimming level so as to match the dimming level and an output unit for outputting the converted PWM signal is provided with a dimming unit for outputting a PWM signal installed for controlling the same control unit. Between the ballast and the second electronic ballast for dimming, does not convert the on-duty value for the first electronic ballast for dimming, but only for the second electronic ballast for dimming. A lighting device, wherein the lighting device is arranged at a position where an on-duty value is converted. 5. A dimmer that outputs a PWM signal having a variable on-duty value, and a dimming output changes according to the on-duty value of the PWM signal, and the on-duty value corresponds to a load output on a one-to-one basis. The first and second electronic ballasts for dimming exist in the same control unit, and the on-duty value of the first electronic ballast for dimming corresponding to the same load power is the second.
In a lighting device having an on-duty value equal to or greater than the on-duty value of the dimming electronic ballast, a PWM signal input unit and an on-duty value of the input PWM signal are set in advance. A converter comprising a control unit for changing the dimming level so as to match the dimming level and an output unit for outputting the converted PWM signal is provided with a dimming unit for outputting a PWM signal installed for controlling the same control unit. Between the ballast and the first electronic ballast for dimming, does not convert the on-duty value for the second electronic ballast for dimming, but only for the first electronic ballast for dimming. A lighting device, wherein the lighting device is arranged at a position where an on-duty value is converted.