JP2006210006A - Discharge lamp lighting device and luminaire - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control to keep an optical output of a discharge lamp almost constant with a simple construction without using a special construction if there is an adaptable lamp having different rated life. <P>SOLUTION: The discharge lamp lighting device comprises a high frequency lighting device 2 for energizing a fluorescent lamp 3; a timer 6 for counting a lighting time of the fluorescent lamp; a nonvolatile memory 7 for cumulatively storing the lighting time counted by the timer; a light control signal generating portion 8 for generating a light control signal having the on-duty controlled based on the cumulated lighting time of the fluorescent lamp stored in the memory and a life time of the rated life set in advance; and a main control portion 9 for controlling lighting of the fluorescent lamp in response to the light control signal at an initial light control level of 70% at first when exchanged, then increasing the light control level gradually in proportion to the increase of the cumulated counted lighting time, and controlling lighting by setting the light control level to almost 100% when the cumulated counted lighting time reaches the rated life time set in advance, wherein a lamp having a rated life almost the same as that of the set rated life time is used for the fluorescent lamp. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a discharge lamp lighting device and a lighting fixture having a dimming function.

In order to compensate for the decrease in light output due to the aging of the discharge lamp and the decrease in light output due to contamination due to long-term use, the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp is measured after the replacement of the discharge lamp. There is known an illuminating device that performs control to increase the dimming level based on the light and maintain the light output substantially constant regardless of the cumulative lighting time. In this lighting device, every time the discharge lamp is replaced, the cumulative lighting time is reset and the cumulative lighting time is measured from the beginning. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-15276 A

  By the way, there are lamps with different rated lifetimes that are compatible with the device. When the rated life is different, the cumulative lighting time until the life to be increased is different. Thus, the problem is how to control the light output to be substantially constant without using a special circuit configuration when the cumulative lighting time until the discharge lamp reaches the end of its life is different.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in the case where there are compatible lamps having different rated lives, the light output of the discharge lamp can be obtained while using an inexpensive configuration without using a special circuit configuration. Disclosed are a discharge lamp lighting device and a lighting fixture that can be controlled to be substantially constant.

  The invention of the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1 is that the dimming signal generating means for generating the dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp and the discharge lamp in accordance with the dimming signal are exchanged in advance. Lighting control is performed at the set initial dimming level, and then lighting control is performed so as to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting lamp reaches the preset rated life of the discharge lamp, the dimming level is set to approximately 100. And a control means for controlling so that all the lights are turned on, and a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp.

  According to the present invention, the dimming signal is generated based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp. And by this dimming signal, the discharge lamp is controlled to be lit at a preset initial dimming level at the time of replacement. Thereafter, as the lighting time increases, the dimming level is gradually increased, and when the lighting time reaches the rated life time, the dimming level is increased to about 100% and all lights are turned on. A plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp. As a result, even if the discharge lamp is replaced without using a special circuit configuration, the light output can be kept substantially constant between the lamps, which can cause discomfort due to changes in brightness. It is not.

  In the invention of the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 2, the dimming signal generating means for generating the dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp, and the discharge lamp in accordance with the dimming signal are exchanged in advance. Lighting control is performed at the set initial dimming level, and then lighting control is performed so as to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting lamp reaches the preset rated life of the discharge lamp, the dimming level is set to approximately 100. A discharge lamp having a rated life that is substantially the same as the set life.

  According to the present invention, the dimming signal is generated based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp. And by this dimming signal, the discharge lamp is controlled to be lit at a preset initial dimming level at the time of replacement. Thereafter, as the lighting time increases, the dimming level is gradually increased, and when the lighting time reaches the rated life time, the dimming level is increased to about 100% and all lights are turned on. A discharge lamp having a rated life substantially the same as the set life is used as the discharge lamp. As a result, even if the discharge lamp is replaced without using a special circuit configuration, the light output can be kept substantially constant between the lamps, which can cause discomfort due to changes in brightness. It is not.

  The invention of the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3 is that the dimming signal generating means for generating the dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp and the discharge lamp in accordance with the dimming signal are exchanged in advance. Lighting control is performed at the set initial dimming level, and then lighting control is performed so as to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting lamp reaches the preset rated life of the discharge lamp, the dimming level is set to approximately 100. And a control means for controlling so that all the lights are turned on, and a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp, and the control means has a rated life that makes the dimming level approximately 100%. The average value of the rated life of various usable discharge lamps is set.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp. Moreover, the average value of the rated life of various usable discharge lamps is set as the rated life of the discharge lamp in use. Then, the discharge lamp is controlled to be lit at the initial dimming level set in advance when the discharge lamp is replaced by the dimming signal. Thereafter, as the lighting time increases, the dimming level is gradually increased, and when the lighting time reaches the rated life time, the dimming level is increased to about 100% and all lights are turned on. As a result, even if the discharge lamp is replaced without using a special circuit configuration, the light output can be kept substantially constant between the lamps, and the discomfort due to the change in brightness can be maintained. There is no risk of giving. In addition, the dimming level of each discharge lamp is controlled based on the rated life set without significantly deviating from the original rated life.

  The invention of the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 4 is that the dimming signal generating means for generating the dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp and the discharge lamp in accordance with the dimming signal are exchanged in advance. Lighting control is performed at the set initial dimming level, and then lighting control is performed so as to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting lamp reaches the preset rated life of the discharge lamp, the dimming level is set to approximately 100. And a control means for controlling so that all the lights are turned on, and a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp, and the control means has a rated life that makes the dimming level approximately 100%. The longest rated life of the various discharge lamps that can be used is set.

  According to the present invention, various discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp. In addition, the rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set to the longest rated life among the rated lifes of the various discharge lamps that can be used. Then, the discharge lamp is controlled to be lit at the initial dimming level set in advance when the discharge lamp is replaced by the dimming signal. Thereafter, the dimming level is gradually increased as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting time reaches the preset rated life time, the dimming level is increased to approximately 100% and all lights are turned on. In this way, even if a discharge lamp with a different rated life is used without using a special circuit configuration, each discharge lamp can keep the light output substantially constant, and it is not affected by changes in brightness. There is no fear of giving pleasure. In addition, since the rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set to the longest rated life of the discharge lamps, the light output can be kept low when using a discharge lamp with a short rated life, resulting in a power saving effect. can get.

  The invention of the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 5 is that the dimming signal generating means for generating the dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp and the discharge lamp in accordance with the dimming signal are exchanged in advance. Lighting control is performed at the set initial dimming level, and then lighting control is performed so as to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting lamp reaches the preset rated life of the discharge lamp, the dimming level is set to approximately 100. And a control means for controlling so that all the lights are turned on, and a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp, and the control means has a rated life that makes the dimming level approximately 100%. This is because the shortest rated life of the various usable discharge lamps is set.

  According to the present invention, various discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp. In addition, the rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set to the shortest rated life of the various usable discharge lamps. Then, the discharge lamp is controlled to be lit at the initial dimming level set in advance when the discharge lamp is replaced by the dimming signal. Thereafter, the dimming level is gradually increased as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting time reaches the preset rated life time, the dimming level is increased to approximately 100% and all lights are turned on. In this way, each discharge lamp can maintain the light output substantially constant even if a discharge lamp having a different rated life is used without using a special circuit configuration, but it is not affected by changes in brightness. There is no fear of giving pleasure. Moreover, since the rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set to the shortest rated life of the various discharge lamps, sufficient light output can be secured even when a discharge lamp having a long rated life is used.

  The invention of the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 6 is that the dimming signal generating means for generating the dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp and the discharge lamp in accordance with the dimming signal are exchanged in advance. Lighting control is performed at the set initial dimming level, and then lighting control is performed so as to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting lamp reaches the preset rated life of the discharge lamp, the dimming level is set to approximately 100. %, A control means for controlling the lamp so that all the lights are lit, and a judgment means for detecting the lamp characteristics of the discharge lamp to determine the lamp type, so that the control means has a dimming level of approximately 100%. Is set to the rated life based on the lamp type determined by the determining means.

  According to the present invention, various discharge lamps having different rated lives are used as the discharge lamp. The rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set to the rated life based on the lamp type determined by the determining means. Then, the discharge lamp is controlled to be lit at the initial dimming level set in advance when the discharge lamp is replaced by the dimming signal. Thereafter, the dimming level is gradually increased as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting time reaches the preset rated life time, the dimming level is increased to approximately 100% and all lights are turned on. In this way, even if a discharge lamp with a different rated life is used without using a special circuit configuration, each discharge lamp can keep the light output substantially constant, and it is not affected by changes in brightness. There is no fear of giving pleasure. Further, since the rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set based on the lamp type determined by the determining means, appropriate light output control can be performed for various discharge lamps having different rated lives.

  The invention of the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 7 is that the dimming signal generating means for generating the dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp and the discharge lamp in accordance with the dimming signal are exchanged in advance. Lighting control is performed at the set initial dimming level, and then lighting control is performed so as to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting lamp reaches the preset rated life of the discharge lamp, the dimming level is set to approximately 100. %, The control means for controlling all the lights to light, and the changing means for changing the preset rated life by an external operation.

  According to the present invention, various discharge lamps having different rated lives are used as the discharge lamp. The rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set by an external operation from the changing means. Then, the discharge lamp is controlled to be lit at the initial dimming level set in advance when the discharge lamp is replaced by the dimming signal. Thereafter, the dimming level is gradually increased as the lighting time increases, and when the lighting time reaches the preset rated life time, the dimming level is increased to approximately 100% and all lights are turned on. In this way, even if a discharge lamp with a different rated life is used without using a special circuit configuration, each discharge lamp can keep the light output substantially constant, and it is not affected by changes in brightness. There is no fear of giving pleasure. In addition, since the rated life of the discharge lamp in use can be set externally, appropriate light output control can be performed for discharge lamps having different rated lives.

  An invention of a lighting fixture according to an eighth aspect includes the discharge lamp lighting device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects and a lighting fixture main body in which the discharge lamp lighting device is disposed.

  According to the lighting fixture of the present invention, the light output of the discharge lamp can be kept substantially constant even if the discharge lamp is replaced while having an inexpensive configuration without using a special circuit configuration. There is no risk of discomfort due to changes in brightness.

According to the present invention, when there are compatible lamps having different rated lives, the light output of the discharge lamp can be obtained by setting the rated life during use appropriately without using a special circuit configuration, but at a low cost. Can be controlled to be substantially constant, and there is no risk of discomfort due to changes in brightness.
Further, according to the present invention, even when various discharge lamps having different rated lives are used, the dimming level is controlled based on the set rated life of each discharge lamp without significantly deviating from the original rated life. Thus, the light output of the discharge lamp can be controlled to be substantially constant.

In addition, according to the present invention, the rated life of the discharge lamp being used is set to the longest rated life among the rated life of various discharge lamps, so that the light output is kept low when a discharge lamp with a short rated life is used. Therefore, power saving can be achieved.
Further, according to the present invention, the rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set to the shortest rated life among the discharge lamps of various discharge lamps, so that sufficient light output can be obtained even when a discharge lamp with a long rated life is used. Can be secured.

Further, according to the present invention, since the rated life of the discharge lamp in use is set based on the lamp type determined by the determining means, appropriate light output control can be performed for various discharge lamps having different rated lives.
In addition, according to the present invention, the rated life of the discharge lamp in use can be set externally, so that appropriate light output control can be performed for discharge lamps having different rated lives.
Further, according to the present invention, the light output of the discharge lamp can be kept substantially constant even when the discharge lamp is replaced, and there is no possibility of causing discomfort due to a change in brightness before and after the replacement. Equipment can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a discharge lamp lighting device. The discharge lamp lighting device 1 is composed of a high frequency lighting device 2, a fluorescent lamp 3 as a discharge lamp, a lamp connection detection circuit 4 and a control circuit 5. . The control circuit 5 includes a timer unit 6 as a timer unit for accumulating the lighting time of the discharge lamp 3, a nonvolatile storage unit 7, and a dimmer signal generator unit 8 as a dimmer signal generator unit for generating a dimmer signal. The main control unit 9 is a control means.

  The high frequency lighting device 2 includes a rectifying / smoothing circuit 11, an active circuit 12, and an inverter circuit 13. The rectifying / smoothing circuit 11 rectifies and smoothes the AC voltage of the commercial AC power source Vs and inputs the DC voltage to the active circuit 12. The active circuit 12 is, for example, a step-up chopper circuit, which converts an input DC voltage into a predetermined output voltage and inputs it to the inverter circuit 13.

  The inverter circuit 13 is formed in a half-bridge shape using a pair of field effect transistors FET1 and FET2 so as to convert the DC voltage output from the active circuit 12 into a high frequency voltage and output it. That is, a series circuit of a field effect transistor FET1 and a field effect transistor FET2 is connected to the output side of the active circuit 12, and an inductor L1, a DC cut capacitor C1, and a starting capacitor C2 are provided between the drain and source of the field effect transistor FET2. They are connected in series.

  The starting capacitor C2 is connected between the filament electrodes 3a and 3b on the non-power supply side of the fluorescent lamp 3. Both ends of the filament electrodes 3a and 3b of the fluorescent lamp 3 are connected to output terminals 14a, 14b, 15a and 15b of the high-frequency lighting device 2 (inverter circuit 13). The starting capacitor C2 is connected between the output terminals 14b and 15b.

  The gates of the field effect transistor FET1 and the field effect transistor FET2 are connected to the drive circuit 16. The drive circuit 16 is connected to the main control unit 9 of the control circuit 5. The driving circuit 16 alternately switches the field effect transistors FET1 and FET2 at a predetermined frequency when the fluorescent lamp 3 is preheated, started, and turned on in accordance with a control signal from the main controller 9.

  The high-frequency lighting device 2 outputs a high-frequency voltage to the output terminals 14a, 14b, 15a, and 15b by the switching operation of the field effect transistors FET1 and FET2, thereby dimming the fluorescent lamp 3. The fluorescent lamp 3 is energized by the high-frequency lighting device 2 by connecting both ends of the filament electrodes 3a and 3b to output terminals 14a, 14b, 15a and 15b via lamp sockets (not shown).

  The lamp connection detection circuit 4 includes four resistors R1, R2, R3, R4, two capacitors C3, C4, three diodes D1, D2, D3, a P-type bipolar transistor Tr1 and an N-type bipolar transistor Tr2. It is configured. That is, a resistor R1 is connected between the drain of the field effect transistor FET1 and the output terminal 14a of the high-frequency lighting device 2, a capacitor C3 is connected between the output terminals 14a and 14b, and a resistor R2 is connected between the output terminals 14b and 15b. A capacitor C4 is connected between the output terminals 15a and 15b, and a series circuit of a diode D1 and a resistor R3 is connected between the output terminal 15a and the source of the field effect transistor FET2.

  Further, a series circuit of a resistor R4, an emitter-collector of the bipolar transistor Tr1, a diode D2 and a base-emitter of the bipolar transistor Tr2 is connected between the output terminal 14a and the source of the field effect transistor FET2. The base of the bipolar transistor Tr1 is connected to the connection point A between the diode D1 and the resistor R3 via the diode D3, and the collector of the bipolar transistor Tr2 is connected to the main controller 9. The collector of the bipolar transistor Tr2 forms the output terminal of the lamp connection detection circuit 4.

  When the filament electrodes 3a and 3b of the fluorescent lamp 3 are connected to the output terminals 14a, 14b, 15a and 15b of the high-frequency lighting device 2 (inverter circuit 13), the field effect transistor of the inverter circuit 13 is operated during the operation of the active circuit 12. Current flows from the drain side of the FET 1 through the resistor R 1, the filament electrode 3 a of the fluorescent lamp 3, the resistor R 2, the filament electrode 3 b of the fluorescent lamp 3, the diode D 1, the resistor R 3, and the source side path of the field effect transistor FET 2. At this time, the resistance values of the resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 are set in advance so that the potential at the connection point A between the diode D1 and the resistor R3 is higher than the emitter side potential of the bipolar transistor Tr1. As a result, the bipolar transistor Tr1 is not turned on. Accordingly, the bipolar transistor Tr2 is not turned on, and the main controller 9 of the control circuit 5 is not connected to the substrate ground.

  If the filament electrode 3a of the fluorescent lamp 3 is not connected to the output terminals 14a and 14b of the high-frequency lighting device 2 (inverter circuit 13), the direct current flowing from the drain side of the field effect transistor FET1 through the resistor R1 is Cut by capacitor C3. If the filament electrode 3b of the fluorescent lamp 3 is not connected to the output terminals 15a and 15b of the high-frequency lighting device 2 (inverter circuit 13), the direct current flowing from the drain side of the field effect transistor FET1 through the resistor R1 is Cut by the capacitor C4.

  That is, if at least one of the filament electrodes 3a, 3b of the fluorescent lamp 3 is not connected to the output terminals 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b of the high frequency lighting device 2, no current flows through the resistor R3. At this time, the potential at the connection point A between the diode D1 and the resistor R3 is set in advance to be lower than the potential on the emitter side of the bipolar transistor Tr1. As a result, current flows from the drain side of the field effect transistor Tr1 through the resistor R1, resistor R4, the emitter-base of the bipolar transistor Tr1, the diode D3, the connection point A, the resistor R3, and the source side path of the field effect transistor FET2. The bipolar transistor Tr1 is turned on.

  When the bipolar transistor Tr1 is turned on, the input voltage of the inverter circuit 13 (output voltage of the active circuit 12) is dropped by the resistors R1 and R4 and applied to the base of the bipolar transistor Tr2, and the bipolar transistor Tt2 is also turned on. When the bipolar transistor Tr2 is turned on, the main controller 9 of the control circuit 5 is connected to the substrate ground E via the collector-emitter of the bipolar transistor Tr2. When the main control unit 9 is connected to the substrate ground E, the driving power supply is stopped. Therefore, when the bipolar transistor Tr2 is turned on, the main controller 9 cannot control the switching operation of the field effect transistors FET1 and FET2 of the inverter circuit 13, and the operation of the inverter circuit 13 is stopped.

  Thus, the lamp connection detection circuit 4 detects the connection state of the high-frequency lighting device 2 (inverter circuit 13) and the fluorescent lamp 3. That is, when the bipolar transistor Tr2 is turned on, the high-frequency lighting device 2 and the fluorescent lamp 3 are disconnected, and when the bipolar transistor Tr2 is turned off, the connection between the high-frequency lighting device 2 and the fluorescent lamp 3 is detected. . When the lamp connection detection circuit 4 detects that the high-frequency lighting device 2 and the fluorescent lamp 3 are not connected, the switching operation of the field effect transistors FET1 and FET2 of the inverter circuit 13 by the main control unit 9 is stopped and output. The output of the high frequency voltage to the terminals 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b is stopped.

  The main control unit 9 is connected to a timer unit 6, a nonvolatile storage unit 7, and a dimming signal generation unit 8. The timer 6 is configured to indirectly measure the cumulative lighting time of the fluorescent lamp 3 indirectly by the operation time of the inverter circuit 13 under the control of the main controller 9. In other words, the time measuring unit 6 is a field effect transistor in which the main control unit 9 sends a control signal to the drive circuit 16 while the lamp connection detection circuit 4 detects the connection between the high frequency lighting device 2 and the fluorescent lamp 3. Time is measured when FET1 and FET2 are switched.

  The storage unit 7 accumulates and stores the time measured by the time measuring unit 6. The main control unit 9 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that performs arithmetic processing, a ROM that stores a program, and a RAM that includes a memory that temporarily stores data, and performs various controls based on the program. Each time the fluorescent lamp 3 is turned off, the accumulated lighting time stored in the storage unit 7 and the time counted by the time measuring unit 6 are read and added, and stored in the storage unit 7 as a new accumulated lighting time, and the time measuring unit 6 To reset. In the storage unit 7, the rated life of the fluorescent lamp 3 to be used is set in advance as the life time. For example, 12,000 hours is preset as the lifetime. This is because, as shown in FIG. 2A, the light output of the fluorescent lamp 3 gradually decreases due to secular change or contamination due to long-term use. That is, when the initial brightness after replacement is 100%, the brightness gradually decreases with lighting. Therefore, when the apparent brightness is still sufficiently maintained, for example, the time when the brightness has decreased to 70% is set as the rated life of the lamp, and the cumulative lighting time until reaching this time is preset as the life time. The rated life of the fluorescent lamp 3 varies depending on the type even if it is a fluorescent lamp suitable for a high-frequency lighting device.

  For example, the dimming signal generation unit 8 generates a dimming signal for dimming the fluorescent lamp 3 based on the lifetime of the rated life of the fluorescent lamp 3 stored in the storage unit 7 and the accumulated lighting time measured. The dimming signal is supplied to the main control unit 9. That is, when the new fluorescent lamp 3 is connected to the high-frequency lighting device 2, the dimming signal generation unit 8 uses the signal from the main control unit 9 to select the fluorescent lamp 3 as shown in FIG. , A dimming signal for lighting at an initial dimming level of 70% is output, and then the dimming of the fluorescent lamp 3 is performed based on the lifetime of the rated life of the fluorescent lamp 3 and the cumulative lighting time stored in the storage unit 7. When a dimming signal for increasing the level is output and the cumulative lighting time of the fluorescent lamp 3 stored in the storage unit 7 reaches 12,000 hours, which is the life of the rated life, the dimming level of the fluorescent lamp 3 is substantially reduced. A dimming signal that is 100% (all light) is output. Thereby, the light output, that is, the brightness of the fluorescent lamp 3 is approximately 70% of the total light from the beginning of replacement until the lifetime is reached, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. Constantly controlled.

  The dimming signal generation unit 8 uses a PWM (pulse width modulation) dimming signal as the dimming signal, and controls the dimming level of the fluorescent lamp 3 by varying the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal. ing.

  The main control unit 9 is connected to the drive circuit 16 of the inverter circuit 13, and the switching frequency of the field effect transistors FET 1 and FET 2 of the inverter circuit 13 according to the PWM dimming signal output from the dimming signal generation unit 8. It is configured to send out a control signal that changes. As a result, the high frequency lighting device 2 sets the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal from 30% to 0 based on the cumulative lighting time of the fluorescent lamp 3 stored in the storage unit 7, as shown in FIG. By gradually changing to%, control for changing the dimming level is performed as shown in FIG. When the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal is 0%, the fluorescent lamp 3 becomes all light. When the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal is 100%, the dimming is turned off, and the high frequency lighting device 2 stops the operation of the inverter circuit 13 and controls the fluorescent lamp 3 to be turned off.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
When the commercial AC power supply Vs is turned on while the lamp connection detection circuit 4 detects the connection between the high-frequency lighting device 2 and the fluorescent lamp 3, the inverter circuit 13 is controlled by the main control unit 9 of the control circuit 5. The field effect transistors FET1 and FET2 perform switching operation. And the high frequency voltage of the inverter circuit 13 is output to output terminal 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, and the fluorescent lamp 3 lights.

  During the period when the inverter circuit 13 operates and the fluorescent lamp 3 is lit, the timer 6 measures the lighting time. After that, when the fluorescent lamp 3 is turned off, the main control unit 9 accumulates the time counted by the time measuring unit 6 in the accumulated lighting time so far stored in the storage unit 7 and stores it as a new accumulated lighting time. Store in unit 7. In addition, the timer 6 is reset in preparation for the next timing.

  The dimming signal generation unit 8 controls the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal in the range of 30% to 0% based on the cumulative lighting time stored in the storage unit 7, thereby lighting by the high frequency lighting device 2. The dimming level of the fluorescent lamp 3 to be controlled is controlled in the range of 70% to 100%. That is, when the fluorescent lamp 3 is replaced, the cumulative lighting time stored in the storage unit 7 is substantially zero time, and thus the fluorescent lamp 3 is controlled to be lighted at a dimming level of 70%. However, the fluorescent lamp 3 at this time has the highest brightness.

  Thereafter, as the fluorescent lamp 3 continues to be used, the brightness gradually decreases. However, since the cumulative lighting time stored in the storage unit 7 increases and the dimming level gradually increases from 70% with this, the actual brightness of the fluorescent lamp 3 hardly changes. When the accumulated lighting time stored in the storage unit 7 reaches 12,000 hours, which is the lifetime, the dimming level becomes 100%. At this time, the brightness of the fluorescent lamp 3 is reduced to about 70% at the beginning, but since the lighting is controlled at a dimming level of 100%, the actual brightness of the fluorescent lamp 3 hardly changes.

  In this way, since the fluorescent lamp 3 is controlled so as to have a substantially constant light output, that is, the same brightness from the beginning of replacement until the preset lifetime is reached, discomfort due to changes in brightness. There is no risk of giving. Further, it is not necessary to incorporate a special circuit configuration in the control circuit 5 in order to control the optical output substantially constant, and it can be realized with an inexpensive configuration.

  As the fluorescent lamp 3, if the fluorescent lamp 3 whose lifetime is approximately equal to the rated lifetime preset in the apparatus, that is, the lifetime of approximately 12,000 hours is always used, the fluorescent lamp 3 is replaced. However, the brightness at the time of lighting can always keep a constant brightness. For example, it is extremely effective in an environment where the brightness of a room must always be kept constant.

  In this embodiment, the fluorescent lamp 3 having a rated life substantially equal to the rated life set in advance in the apparatus is used as the fluorescent lamp 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of types of fluorescent lamps having different rated lives can also be used.

  For example, when both a fluorescent lamp LA with a rated life of 12,000 hours and a fluorescent lamp LB with a rated life of 15,000 hours can be used, the storage unit 7 of the high-frequency lighting device 2 is used as shown in FIG. The rated life set in advance is set to the average value of both. That is, the lifetime is set to 13,500 hours. At this time, the dimming level when the high-frequency lighting device 2 lights the fluorescent lamp LA and the fluorescent lamp LB changes as shown by a dashed-dotted line graph g10 in the figure. The graph g11 shows the dimming level change when controlling the fluorescent lamp LA so that the light output becomes substantially constant based on the rated life of 12,000 hours, and the graph g12 shows the fluorescent lamp LB with the rated life of 15,000. The figure shows the change in the light control level when the light output is controlled to be substantially constant based on the time.

  Thus, the average value of the rated life of the fluorescent lamp LA and the rated life of the fluorescent lamp LB is set in advance in the storage unit 7 of the high-frequency lighting device 2, and the dimming level of the fluorescent lamp is controlled as shown by the graph g10 in FIG. By doing so, it is possible to control the dimming level of fluorescent lamps having different rated lives without greatly deviating from the set lifetimes. In other words, the light output of the fluorescent lamp LA is slightly lower than when the original rated life is used, but the light output can be controlled to be substantially constant for the set life time. In addition, since the light output can be slightly reduced, power saving can be achieved. Further, the fluorescent lamp LB can control the light output substantially constant for the life time set in a state where the light output is slightly increased as compared with the case where the original rated life is used. Also in this case, it is not necessary to provide a new circuit component in the control unit 5, and it can be realized with an inexpensive configuration.

As described above, even when two types of fluorescent lamps having different rated lives are used, the light output in the fluorescent lamp can be controlled to be substantially constant. Therefore, the brightness is always constant regardless of which fluorescent lamp is used, and there is no possibility of giving discomfort due to a change in brightness.
Here, although the case where two types of fluorescent lamps having different rated lives are used has been described, three or more types of fluorescent lamps having different rated lives may be used. Even in such a case, the average value of the rated lifetimes may be set in advance as the lifetime.

  Further, when both the fluorescent lamp LA having a rated life of 12,000 hours and the fluorescent lamp LB having a rated life of 15,000 hours can be used, the rated life set in the storage unit 7 of the high-frequency lighting device 2 is set in advance. The rated life of the fluorescent lamp LB having the longer rated life is set. That is, 15,000 hours are set as the lifetime. At this time, the dimming level when the high-frequency lighting device 2 lights the fluorescent lamp LA and the fluorescent lamp LB changes as shown by a dashed-dotted line graph g20 in FIG. That is, it matches the dimming level change when controlling the fluorescent lamp LB so that the light output becomes substantially constant based on the rated life of 15,000 hours. The graph g21 shows the change in the light control level when the fluorescent lamp LA is controlled so that the light output becomes substantially constant based on the rated life of 12,000 hours.

  Thus, the rated life of the fluorescent lamp LB having a long rated life is preset in the storage unit 7 of the high-frequency lighting device 2 and the dimming level of the fluorescent lamp is controlled as shown by the graph g20 in FIG. The fluorescent lamps LA and LB having different values can be controlled so that their light outputs are substantially constant. Since the fluorescent lamp LA can slightly reduce the light output as compared with the case where the original rated life is used, it is possible to save power when the fluorescent lamp LA is turned on.

  Here, although the case where two types of fluorescent lamps having different rated lives are used has been described, three or more types of fluorescent lamps having different rated lives may be used. Even in this case, the longest rated life of the fluorescent lamps to be used may be set in the storage unit 7 in advance.

  Further, when both the fluorescent lamp LA having a rated life of 12,000 hours and the fluorescent lamp LB having a rated life of 15,000 hours can be used, the rated life set in the storage unit 7 of the high-frequency lighting device 2 is set in advance. The rated life of the fluorescent lamp LA having the shorter rated life is set. That is, 12,000 hours is set as the lifetime. At this time, the dimming level when the high-frequency lighting device 2 lights the fluorescent lamp LA and the fluorescent lamp LB changes as shown by a dashed-dotted line graph g30 in FIG. That is, it matches the dimming level change when controlling the fluorescent lamp LA so that the light output becomes substantially constant based on the rated life of 12,000 hours. The graph g31 shows the change in light control level when the fluorescent lamp LB is controlled so that the light output becomes substantially constant based on the rated life of 15,000 hours.

  Thus, the rated life of the fluorescent lamp LA having a short rated life is preset in the storage unit 7 of the high-frequency lighting device 2 and the dimming level of the fluorescent lamp is controlled as shown by the graph g30 in FIG. The fluorescent lamps LA and LB having different values can be controlled with their light outputs substantially constant. In the fluorescent lamp LB, the light output can be slightly increased as compared with the case where the original rated life is used. Therefore, the fluorescent lamp LB is controlled to be brighter according to the brightness of the fluorescent lamp LA. Can do. Also in this case, it is not necessary to provide a new circuit component in the control unit 5, and it can be realized with an inexpensive configuration.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a table is provided in the non-volatile storage unit 7, and a plurality of types of lifetimes are set in advance. For example, three kinds of lifetimes of 12,000 hours, 15,000 hours, and 18,000 hours are set in the table. Then, the change switch 21 is provided outside, and the rated life stored in the storage unit 7 is changed to one of the above three types of life time by the change switch 21. The main control unit 9 controls the on-duty of the PMW dimming signal so that the light output becomes substantially constant based on the lifetime of the rated life stored in the storage unit 7. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

  In such a configuration, for example, when a fluorescent lamp with a rated life of 15,000 hours is connected to the high-frequency lighting device 2, the change switch 21 is operated if the life time stored in the storage unit 7 is different. Then, 15,000 hours are read from the table and changed to the storage unit 7 as the lifetime. The change switch 21 can know which lifetime is currently set, for example, by the position of the switch operation button. The rated life of the fluorescent lamp to be used is described in, for example, a manual.

  When the fluorescent lamp 3 is turned on by operating the high-frequency lighting device 2 in this state, the dimming signal generation unit 8 initially generates a PWM dimming signal with an on-duty of 30%, thereby driving the main control unit 9. The circuit 16 is controlled to switch the field effect transistors FET1 and FET2. Thus, the high frequency lighting device 2 controls the lighting of the fluorescent lamp 3 at a dimming level of 70%. Then, during the period when the fluorescent lamp 3 is lit, the timer 6 measures the lighting time, and when the fluorescent lamp 3 is turned off after that, the accumulated lighting stored in the storage unit 7 is the lighting time measured by the timer 6. Accumulated in time to become a new accumulated lighting time.

  Thereafter, the dimming signal generation unit 8 is controlled by the main control unit 9, and the dimming level characteristic that the dimming level becomes 100% at a lifetime of 15,000 hours and the cumulative lighting time stored in the storage unit 7 Therefore, the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal is controlled to decrease from 30%. When the cumulative lighting time stored in the storage unit 7 reaches 15,000 hours, the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal becomes 0%, and the fluorescent lamp 3 is controlled to turn on all light.

  Thereafter, the fluorescent lamp 3 or a new fluorescent lamp 3 is replaced. If the rated life of the fluorescent lamp 3 is 12,000 hours, the change switch 21 is operated to display the life time stored in the storage unit 7 in the table. Use data to change from 15,000 hours to 12,000 hours.

  In this way, even when fluorescent lamps having different rated lives are connected, the lifetime of the rated life stored in advance in the storage unit 7 can be adjusted to the rated life of the connected fluorescent lamp by operating the change switch 21. Therefore, it is possible to control lighting of various fluorescent lamps having different rated lifetimes with the light output being substantially constant until the lifetime is reached with appropriate brightness.

  In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a lamp voltage and lamp current detector 22 is provided to detect the lamp voltage during lighting from the voltage across the resistor R2 of the lamp connection detection circuit 4, and to both ends of the resistor R3. The lamp current during lighting is detected from the inter-voltage. Then, the lamp voltage and the lamp current detected by the detection unit 22 are output to the determination means 23 provided in the control circuit 5.

  The determination unit 23 takes in the lamp voltage and the lamp current from the detection unit 22, detects the lamp characteristics of the fluorescent lamp 3, and determines the lamp type. Then, the determined lamp type is notified to the main control unit 9. The nonvolatile storage unit 7 is set with a rated life corresponding to each lamp type as a table, and the main control unit 9 reads and stores the rated life of the fluorescent lamp 3 corresponding to the lamp type with reference to the table. Set in advance in section 7. Then, the main control unit 9 controls the on-duty of the PMW dimming signal so that the light output becomes substantially constant based on the lifetime of the rated life stored in the storage unit 7. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

  In such a configuration, for example, when a fluorescent lamp with a rated life of 15,000 hours is connected to the high-frequency lighting device 2 and the fluorescent lamp 3 is turned on, the detection unit 22 detects the lamp voltage and the lamp current, and the determination is made. The circuit 23 detects the lamp characteristics from the detected lamp voltage and lamp current, determines the lamp type, and notifies the main controller 9 of it.

  The main control unit 9 reads the rated life of the fluorescent lamp 3 corresponding to the lamp type with reference to the table and sets it in the storage unit 7. That is, the rated life of 15,000 hours of the fluorescent lamp 3 is read from the table and set in the storage unit 7. Then, the main control unit 9 controls the dimming signal generation unit 8, and the PMW generated by the rated life stored in the storage unit 7 and the accumulated lighting time measured by the time measuring unit 6 and stored in the storage unit 7. Controls the on-duty of the dimming signal.

  Thus, the main controller 9 controls the drive circuit 16 by the PWM dimming signal with an on-duty of 30% when the fluorescent lamp 3 is connected, and performs the switching operation of the field effect transistors FET1 and FET2. Thus, the high frequency lighting device 2 controls the lighting of the fluorescent lamp 3 at a dimming level of 70%. Then, during the period when the fluorescent lamp 3 is lit, the timer 6 measures the lighting time, and when the fluorescent lamp 3 is turned off after that, the accumulated lighting stored in the storage unit 7 is the lighting time measured by the timer 6. Accumulated in time to become a new accumulated lighting time.

  Thereafter, the dimming signal generation unit 8 is controlled by the main control unit 9, and the dimming level characteristic that the dimming level becomes 100% at a lifetime of 15,000 hours and the cumulative lighting time stored in the storage unit 7 Therefore, the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal is controlled to decrease from 30%. When the cumulative lighting time stored in the storage unit 7 reaches 15,000 hours, the on-duty of the PWM dimming signal becomes 0%, and the fluorescent lamp 3 is controlled to turn on all light.

  As described above, even when fluorescent lamps having different rated lives are connected, the type of the fluorescent lamp 3 is determined by the detection unit 22 and the determination unit 23, and the rated life corresponding thereto is set in the storage unit 7 in advance. In this way, the lifetime of the rated life stored in advance in the storage unit 7 can be matched with the rated life of the connected fluorescent lamp. Therefore, it is possible to control lighting of various fluorescent lamps having different rated lifetimes with the light output being substantially constant until the lifetime is reached with appropriate brightness. In addition, since the rated life of the fluorescent lamp is automatically set in the storage unit 7, a troublesome operation can be eliminated and it is easy to use.

Next, the lighting fixture incorporating the discharge lamp lighting device will be described.
A lighting fixture 31 shown in FIG. 8 is a direct-mounted lighting fixture installed on a ceiling or the like, and a lighting fixture main body 32 is attached to the ceiling or the like. The lighting fixture body 32 is provided with a cover 34 having a reflecting surface 33, and a pair of lamp sockets 35, 35 are provided at both ends thereof.

  The lighting fixture main body 32 has a discharge lamp lighting device 36 disposed in a cover 34. The discharge lamp lighting device 36 has the same configuration as the discharge lamp lighting device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the fluorescent lamp 3 is connected to the discharge lamp lighting device 36 using lamp sockets 35 and 35.

  The dimming level of the fluorescent lamp 3 is previously set so as to compensate for a decrease in light output due to aging of the fluorescent lamp 3, a decrease in light output due to dirt due to long-term use, and a reduction in reflection efficiency due to dirt on the cover 34 Since it is increased from the initial dimming level (70%) to the total light (100%) over the set lifetime (12,000 hours) according to the operation time of the inverter circuit 13 from the time of lamp replacement, the illumination The appliance 31 can be illuminated with substantially constant brightness.

  In addition, although the thing of the same structure as the discharge lamp lighting device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is arrange | positioned here as a discharge lamp lighting device, the same structure as the discharge lamp lighting device 1 shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7 may be sufficient. In addition, the storage unit 7 of the control circuit 5 of the discharge lamp lighting device includes the dash-dotted graphs g10 and g20 shown in FIGS. 3, 4 or 5 from the initial dimming level (70%) to the total light (100%). , G30, the rated life that provides the dimming level characteristic can also be set.

The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the discharge lamp lighting device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the lamp life and the brightness, dimming level, on-duty of the fluorescent lamp in the same embodiment, (a) is a diagram showing the relationship between the lamp life and brightness of the fluorescent lamp, (b) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the lamp life of the fluorescent lamp and the dimming level, and FIG. 5C is a diagram showing the relationship between the lamp life of the fluorescent lamp and on-duty. The figure which shows the life time preset by a memory | storage part, and the light control level change characteristic by it in the case of using two types of fluorescent lamps from which rated life differs in the same embodiment. The figure which shows the life time preset to a memory | storage part, and the light control level change characteristic by it in the case of using two types of fluorescent lamps from which rated life differs in the same embodiment. The figure which shows the life time preset to a memory | storage part, and the light control level change characteristic by it in the case of using two types of fluorescent lamps from which rated life differs in the same embodiment. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the discharge lamp lighting device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the discharge lamp lighting device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. The external view which shows the structure of the lighting fixture which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Discharge lamp lighting device, 2 ... High frequency lighting device, 3 ... Fluorescent lamp, 4 ... Lamp connection detection circuit, 5 ... Control circuit, 6 ... Time measuring part, 7 ... Memory | storage part, 8 ... Dimming signal generation part, 9 ... Main control unit.

Claims (8)

A dimming signal generating means for generating a dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp;
In response to the dimming signal, the discharge lamp is initially switched on at the preset initial dimming level. After that, the lighting control is performed to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and the lighting time is set in advance. And a control means for controlling the dimming level to be approximately 100% and turning on all the lights when the rated life of the discharge lamp is reached,
A discharge lamp lighting device characterized in that a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp. A dimming signal generating means for generating a dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp;
In response to the dimming signal, the discharge lamp is initially switched on at the preset initial dimming level. After that, the lighting control is performed to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and the lighting time is set in advance. And a control means for controlling the dimming level to be approximately 100% and turning on all the lights when the rated life of the discharge lamp is reached,
A discharge lamp lighting device using a discharge lamp having a rated life substantially the same as a set rated life as the discharge lamp. A dimming signal generating means for generating a dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp;
In response to the dimming signal, the discharge lamp is initially switched on at the preset initial dimming level. After that, the lighting control is performed to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and the lighting time is set in advance. And a control means for controlling the dimming level to be approximately 100% and turning on all the lights when the rated life of the discharge lamp is reached,
A plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp, and the rated life at which the control means makes the light control level approximately 100% is set to an average value of the rated life of various usable discharge lamps. A discharge lamp lighting device characterized by that. A dimming signal generating means for generating a dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp;
In response to the dimming signal, the discharge lamp is initially switched on at the preset initial dimming level. After that, the lighting control is performed to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and the lighting time is set in advance. And a control means for controlling the dimming level to be approximately 100% and turning on all the lights when the rated life of the discharge lamp is reached,
A plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp, and the rated life in which the control means sets the dimming level to approximately 100% is the longest rated life of the various usable discharge lamps. Discharge lamp lighting device characterized by being set to. A dimming signal generating means for generating a dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp;
In response to the dimming signal, the discharge lamp is initially switched on at the preset initial dimming level. After that, the lighting control is performed to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and the lighting time is set in advance. And a control means for controlling the dimming level to be approximately 100% and turning on all the lights when the rated life of the discharge lamp is reached,
A plurality of types of discharge lamps having different rated lives can be used as the discharge lamp, and the rated life in which the control means makes the dimming level approximately 100% is the shortest rated life of the various usable discharge lamps. Discharge lamp lighting device characterized by being set to. A dimming signal generating means for generating a dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp;
In response to the dimming signal, the discharge lamp is initially switched on at the preset initial dimming level. After that, the lighting control is performed to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and the lighting time is set in advance. Control means for controlling the dimming level to be approximately 100% and controlling all the lights to light when the rated life of the discharge lamp is reached,
Determining means for detecting lamp characteristics of the discharge lamp to determine the lamp type,
The discharge lamp lighting device characterized in that the control means sets the rated life at which the dimming level is approximately 100% to the rated life based on the lamp type determined by the determination means. A dimming signal generating means for generating a dimming signal based on the lighting time of the discharge lamp;
In response to the dimming signal, the discharge lamp is initially switched on at the preset initial dimming level. After that, the lighting control is performed to gradually increase the dimming level as the lighting time increases, and the lighting time is set in advance. Control means for controlling the dimming level to be approximately 100% and controlling all the lights to light when the rated life of the discharge lamp is reached,
A discharge lamp lighting device comprising: changing means for changing a preset rated life by an external operation. A discharge lamp lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A lighting fixture comprising: a lighting fixture body provided with the discharge lamp lighting device.

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