JP2006294383A - Lighting system and luminaire - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting system having luminance correction function, in which a reset means for resetting accumulated illumination hours is used also as a means for providing other functions, thereby selecting the other functions easily and at low cost. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting system comprises a lighting means for lighting a discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio, a luminance correction means for controlling the dimming ratio in accordance with the accumulated illumination hours so as to compensate for luminance flux of the discharge lamp reduced in accordance with the accumulated illumination hours time, a reset means for resetting the accumulated illumination hours, and a function selection means for selecting whether the luminance correction means is used or not, wherein the function selection means is used also as the reset means. Further, a means for operating an informing means for informing that the accumulated lighting time has reached a rated lifetime of the discharge lamp is used also as the reset means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illuminating device for dimming and lighting a discharge lamp so as to compensate for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, and a lighting fixture using the same.

  It is known that the luminous flux of a discharge lamp generally used for illumination is higher than the rating immediately after the start of use and then gradually decreases. As shown in FIG. The luminous flux decreases as the cumulative lighting time elapses. There is a technique called initial illuminance correction as a technique for suppressing the decrease in luminous flux accompanying the lapse of the cumulative lighting time. This is because, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the output of the lighting device is gradually increased so as to suppress an excessive luminous flux at the beginning of lighting of the discharge lamp and to compensate for the decrease in luminous flux of the discharge lamp accompanying the cumulative lighting time. As shown in FIG. 13 (c), the luminous flux of the discharge lamp and the illuminance on the lower surface are always kept substantially constant. This function can also be used for the purpose of saving energy by suppressing the output of the lighting device at the beginning of lighting of the discharge lamp.

  In order to realize this initial illuminance correction function, the illuminating device includes a time measuring unit that counts the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp and a storage unit that stores the time measured. The measured cumulative lighting time is stored at any time, the timing is restarted from the stored cumulative lighting time when the power is turned on, and the discharge lamp is turned on at a predetermined dimming ratio by referring to the cumulative lighting time.

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-15276) discloses an illumination device using this technique. The block diagram is shown in FIG. The discharge lamp 21 is lit by the output of the discharge lamp lighting device B capable of dimming control. Between the commercial power source E and the discharge lamp lighting device B, there is provided a lighting time detection unit K for detecting whether or not the discharge lamp lighting device B is energized, and the power supply detected by the lighting time detection unit K is provided. The time is counted by a lighting time timer T as the discharge lamp lighting time. In addition, the illumination device is provided with an illuminance correction device H that controls the output according to the time counted by the lighting time timer T. Here, the illuminance correction device H is configured to correct a decrease in the luminous flux with the passage of time of use of the discharge lamp 21, and is dimmed immediately after the start of lighting of the discharge lamp. The power supplied to the discharge lamp 21 is controlled via the discharge lamp lighting device B so that the output is gradually increased as the usage time of the lamp increases. Here, the illuminance correction device H is configured by a microcomputer together with a lighting time timer T. This microcomputer has a built-in or external nonvolatile memory M that reads and writes the time measured by the lighting time timer T and stores a correction table used in the illuminance correction device H. The correction table is a table in which the usage time of the discharge lamp 21 and the correction dimming ratio are associated with each other, read the time measured by the lighting time timer T and read the dimming ratio from the nonvolatile memory M, By transmitting a control signal to the discharge lamp lighting device B, the illuminance can be kept substantially constant.

  In addition, as a product using this initial illuminance correction technology (self-control by a timer), for example, Matsushita Electric Works (HESX32HF21 / 24HK-1EFH: hereinafter referred to as a timer cell controller) is sold. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a timer cell controller. In FIG. 14, a diode bridge 11 is connected to a commercial power supply E, and the diode bridge 11 is connected to a power supply circuit 12 composed of a step-up chopper circuit, and an AC power supply voltage is converted into a DC. The step-up chopper circuit is connected to the inverter circuit 13, and the DC voltage is switched at a high frequency by the switching element of the inverter circuit 13 to be converted into a high frequency voltage, and power is supplied to the discharge lamp 21. Each switching element of the inverter circuit 13 is connected to an inverter control circuit 14 and is driven at a high frequency by a drive signal from the inverter control circuit 14. Further, an illuminance setting unit 15 comprising a memory means such as a microcomputer and EEPROM and a time measuring means such as an oscillator is connected to the inverter control circuit 14. The illuminance setting unit 15 generates an optimal dimming ratio according to the lighting time read from the storage means based on the time measured by the time measuring means, and transmits the optimum dimming ratio to the inverter control circuit 14 to thereby generate an inverter control circuit. 14 supplies the optimum power to the discharge lamp 21 by changing the switching frequency of the inverter circuit 13. The illuminance setting unit 15 is connected to a reset switch 22 and a DIP switch 23 which are means for resetting the cumulative lighting time written in the storage means inside the illuminance setting unit 15 when the discharge lamp is replaced. Here, the DIP switch 23 switches the brightness. By switching the DIP switch 23, full lighting, 80% lighting, 70% lighting, and 60% lighting can be switched. The accumulated lighting time is reset by pressing the reset switch 22 for a predetermined time or longer.

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-223295) discloses an example of notifying the life of a discharge lamp in an illumination device having an initial illuminance correction function. In general, the filament of a discharge lamp is coated with a compound called an emitter in order to make electrons easily fly, and the lifetime of the emitter is reached by decreasing the emitter as the lighting time elapses. In this example, the lighting device includes a clocking means for measuring the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, and a nonvolatile memory for recording the clocked cumulative lighting time, and refers to the cumulative lighting time of the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, it is assumed that the lighting device controls the light output of the discharge lamp to be substantially constant. Then, when the discharge lamp is turned on after the cumulative lighting time of the nonvolatile memory reaches a predetermined life reference value inside the lighting device, the lighting device is temporarily switched to the variable lighting mode in which light and dark are repeatedly repeated. The variable lighting means is provided to inform the user of the life of the discharge lamp.

Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-185374) discloses an example of notifying the lifetime of the lighting device itself in the lighting device. In general, lighting devices are used to light discharge lamps. However, recent lighting devices are mainly electronic which converts AC power supply voltage to DC and applies high-frequency voltage to the discharge lamp for lighting. ing. In the case of this electronic lighting device, a large number of electronic components such as a rectifier, a switching element for generating a high frequency, and a smoothing electrolytic capacitor are arranged inside the lighting device. Therefore, when an electronic component reaches the end of its life, there is a high possibility that problems such as a disadvantage of the discharge lamp will occur. In general, the life of the lighting device is often determined by the life of the electrolytic capacitor, and problems often occur as the capacity of the electrolytic capacitor decreases as the cumulative usage time elapses. Therefore, the total lighting time after starting the lighting device for the first time is counted as the cumulative usage time, and if the cumulative usage time of the counted lighting device exceeds a preset value, the lifetime of the lighting device And a protective operation such as output reduction / stop is performed, and the display device notifies the outside to that effect.
JP 2001-15276 A JP 2000-223295 A JP 2001-185374 A

  Since the discharge lamp lighting device having the initial illuminance correction function operates while suppressing the luminous flux at the beginning of the discharge lamp lighting, some users may feel this state dark and may not like the illuminance correction function. In addition, there may be a case where it is desired to change the illuminance setting after the installation by changing the layout of the installation location. Further, since the luminous flux decay curve shown in FIG. 13A differs depending on the discharge lamp, for example, when the FLR 40 is connected as it is to a lighting fixture to which the FHF 32 is connected, the luminous flux degradation of the FLR 40 is larger than that of the FHF 32. First, since the output of the lighting device changes so as to compensate for the decrease in the luminous flux of the FHF 32, an appropriate initial illuminance correction operation cannot be performed. Specifically, the luminous flux and the lower surface illuminance gradually decrease. For this reason, the means to switch so that the illumination intensity correction curve according to the load connected to the lighting fixture can be selected will be needed.

  In the case of Patent Document 2, it is possible to change the full lighting or change the illuminance setting by switching the DIP switch. However, when changing after construction, the discharge lamp and the reflector must be removed from the instrument body once. Therefore, it takes a lot of time and labor to change the DIP switch. In addition, the life notification in Patent Documents 2 and 3 forcibly performs a life notification operation such as a light-dark operation of a discharge lamp or lighting of a display device when the accumulated time exceeds a certain predetermined life reference value. Some users may feel uncomfortable every time until the discharge lamp is replaced.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and in a lighting device having an illuminance correction function, by combining the reset means for resetting the cumulative lighting time with means for realizing other functions, An object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device that can easily and inexpensively select other functions.

  The lighting device according to claim 1 is provided with lighting means for lighting the discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio; time-measures the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, and compensates for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time. Illuminance correction means for controlling the dimming ratio according to the cumulative lighting time; reset means for resetting the cumulative lighting time; and function selection means for selecting whether or not the illuminance correction means can be used. And the function selection means is also used as the reset means.

  The lighting device according to claim 2 is a lighting means for lighting the discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio; time-measures the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, and compensates for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time. Illuminance correcting means for controlling the dimming ratio according to the cumulative lighting time; reset means for resetting the cumulative lighting time; and informing that the cumulative lighting time has reached the rated life of the discharge lamp. And means for causing the notification means to function as the reset means.

  The lighting device according to claim 3 is a lighting means for lighting the discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio; time-measures the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, and supplements the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time. Illuminance correcting means for controlling the dimming ratio in accordance with the cumulative lighting time; reset means for resetting the cumulative lighting time; and informing that the total use time of the lighting means has reached the lifetime. And means for causing the notification means to function as the reset means.

The lighting device according to claim 4 is a lighting means for lighting the discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio; time-measures the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, and compensates for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time. Illuminance correction means for controlling the dimming ratio according to the cumulative lighting time; reset means for resetting the cumulative lighting time; and selection means for selecting correction characteristics of the illuminance correction means; And the selection means is also used as the reset means.
The lighting fixture of Claim 5 comprises the illuminating device and discharge lamp in any one of Claims 1-4, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The present invention provides a lighting device having an initial illuminance correction function by combining a means for resetting the cumulative lighting time with a means for realizing other functions in a lighting device having an initial illuminance correction function. It is possible to provide a lighting device that can easily realize other functions with the same structure and cost.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the function selecting means for selecting whether or not the illuminance correcting means can be used is also used as the cumulative lighting time resetting means, the user can perform the initial illuminance correcting function with the resetting means. When you want to stop, you can easily change to single output function.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the means for causing the notification means for notifying that the cumulative lighting time has reached the rated life of the discharge lamp is also used as the reset means for the cumulative lighting time, the user The reset means can arbitrarily know the rated life of the discharge lamp and can prompt the user to replace the discharge lamp. In addition, since the notification is not forcibly performed, the user is not uncomfortable.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the means for causing the notification means for notifying that the total use time of the lighting means has reached the lifetime is also used as the reset means for the cumulative lighting time, A person can arbitrarily know the lifetime of the lighting device by using the reset means, and can prompt the user to replace the lighting device.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the selection means for selecting the correction characteristic of the illuminance correction means is also used as the cumulative lighting time resetting means, when it is desired to change the set illuminance after the construction, or the discharge lamp When the type of the discharge lamp is changed at the time of replacement, the user can easily select the correction characteristic with the reset means.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a lighting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The lighting device 10 includes a diode bridge 11, a power supply circuit 12, an inverter circuit 13, an inverter control circuit 14, and an illuminance setting unit 15. The lighting fixture 20 includes a discharge lamp 21 and a reset switch 22 in addition to the lighting device 10. It has.

  The power supply voltage E is full-wave rectified by the diode bridge 11 and then converted to a DC voltage by a power supply circuit 12 such as a boost chopper circuit. Here, the inverter circuit 13 is, for example, a half-bridge type inverter circuit, and a DC voltage is obtained by driving a switching element such as a MOSFET provided in the circuit at a high frequency by a drive signal from the inverter control circuit 14. It is converted into a high frequency voltage, and high frequency power is supplied to the discharge lamp 21.

  The power supply voltage E is also input to the illuminance setting unit 15, and the power supply energization time is counted as the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp 21. Specifically, the illuminance setting unit 15 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) and a storage device such as an EEPROM. After the power is turned on, a cumulative lighting time is calculated using a clock for operating the microcomputer. It keeps time and writes it to the storage device. Here, the dimming ratio corresponding to the cumulative lighting time is set in the microcomputer in advance, the dimming ratio is obtained by referring to the cumulative lighting time measured by the microcomputer itself, and an optimal control signal for the inverter control circuit 14 is obtained. Is output. The inverter control circuit 14 can supply optimal power to the discharge lamp 21 by changing the drive frequency of the switching element in response to the control signal. Here, the measured cumulative lighting time is stored in a storage device as needed, and the cumulative lighting time up to that time is held even when the power is shut off. After the power is turned on again, the accumulated lighting time is read from the storage device, and the timing is restarted from this time.

  A reset switch 22 is connected to the illuminance setting unit 15 as a means for manually resetting the cumulative lighting time when the discharge lamp is replaced. The illuminance setting unit 15 monitors the state of the reset switch 22. When a predetermined reset operation is performed on the reset switch 22, the accumulated lighting time counted until then is reset and stored in the storage device inside the illuminance setting unit 15. For example, the reset operation may be performed by resetting the reset switch 22 for 2 seconds.

  The initial illuminance correction function gradually increases the dimming ratio of the discharge lamp 21 so as to compensate for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp 21 that decreases as the cumulative lighting time increases. For example, dimming when the cumulative lighting time is zero When the ratio (hereinafter referred to as the initial dimming ratio) is 70%, the illuminance setting unit 15 increases the power supplied to the discharge lamp 21 by the inverter circuit 13 as the cumulative lighting time increases while measuring and storing the cumulative lighting time. Control to go. Specifically, when the cumulative lighting time reaches a predetermined value, a control signal that increases the dimming ratio by a predetermined value is sent to the inverter control circuit 14. The control signal is a PWM signal, and the power supplied from the inverter circuit 13 to the discharge lamp 21 is changed by changing the duty ratio. The microcomputer has a data table in which the cumulative lighting time is associated with the duty ratio of the control signal, and the inverter control circuit 14 converts the PWM signal having the duty ratio obtained by referring to the data table from the cumulative lighting time measured by itself. Output to. As a result, the dimming ratio gradually increases from the initial 70%, but the light output can be kept substantially constant. Note that the initial dimming ratio is not limited to 70%.

  As described above, since the initial illuminance correction function suppresses the initial dimming ratio, the user may want to make this function unnecessary. At this time, in the present embodiment, it is possible to select an operation in which the initial illuminance correction function is not functioned in advance, that is, an operation in which the accumulated lighting time is not measured and stored and the single output lighting is performed. And the reset switch 22 is used as the selection means.

  In the illuminating device 10, the microcomputer which the illumination intensity setting part 15 has monitors the state of the reset switch 22 immediately after starting according to the flow shown in FIG. That is, when the initial illuminance correction function is functioned, the power supply voltage E is supplied with the reset switch 22 turned off. When the initial illumination correction function is not functioned, the power supply voltage E is supplied with the reset switch 22 turned on. When activated with the initial illuminance correction function enabled, after the activation, the reset switch 22 functions as a switch for resetting the cumulative lighting time described above, and resets the cumulative lighting time when the switch is turned on. If the initial illuminance correction function is activated without being activated, the reset switch 22 has no function. Therefore, even if the switch that was turned on at the time of activation is turned off after the activation or remains on for a long time, it remains fully lit. The above operation is shown in FIG.

  In the above description, the use of the initial illuminance correction function has been selected using the reset switch 22. However, if it is already known at the time of shipment from the factory that the initial illuminance correction function is unnecessary, the luminaire 20 uses the reset switch. It is also possible to create a state in which the reset switch is always ON by short-circuiting the terminal to which the reset switch 22 is connected in the lighting device 10 using a short-circuit pin or the like. In this case, since the reset switch itself is not necessary, the lighting fixture can be further reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
Since the block diagram showing the configuration of the illumination device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the operation of each unit, and the description of the initial illuminance correction function are the same as those in the first embodiment, a duplicate description is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the initial dimming ratio is set to 70%. However, depending on the application, further energy saving can be achieved by setting it darker than this, or lower surface illumination can be increased by setting it brighter than this. A request can be considered. In the present embodiment, the illuminance setting unit 15 has these settings in advance, and the user can easily select the settings using the reset switch 22.

  In the illumination device 10, the illuminance setting unit 15 follows the flow shown in FIG. The default setting of the illuminance setting unit 15, that is, the factory setting is 70% of the initial dimming ratio. When the user who is using this lighting device 10 feels that the lower surface illuminance at the current setting is dark, the user turns on the reset switch 22 provided in the lighting fixture 20 in less than 2 seconds, The initial dimming ratio can be changed from 70% setting to 80% setting. By performing this change operation again, it can be changed to 60% setting, and by performing it again, it can be returned to 70% setting. That is, every time this operation is performed, the initial dimming ratio setting can be changed in order of 70% → 80% → 60% → 70%. The above operation is shown in FIG.

  The illuminance setting unit 15 has three types of data tables shown in the first embodiment, the initial dimming ratio setting for 70%, 80%, and 60%, and an inverter control circuit with reference to the cumulative lighting time The data table for determining the duty ratio of the control signal output to 14 is switched according to the initial dimming ratio setting. The changed setting is stored in the storage device in the illuminance setting unit 15 in the same manner as the cumulative lighting time, and operates with the changed setting after the power is turned on again.

  The change operation can be clearly distinguished from the operation for resetting the cumulative lighting time shown in the first embodiment (ON for 2 seconds). The illuminance setting unit 15 measures the time from when the reset switch 22 is detected until it is turned off. If this time is less than 2 seconds, the initial dimming ratio is changed, and if the time reaches 2 seconds, the cumulative value is accumulated. Reset the lighting time. When 2 seconds are reached, the initial dimming ratio is not changed.

  Furthermore, if the switch ON operation for less than 2 seconds for changing the initial dimming ratio is made the switch ON operation for 1 second or more and less than 2 seconds, it can be distinguished from noise. It is possible to avoid a malfunction such that the setting of the dimming ratio is arbitrarily changed.

  In the above description, the setting of the initial dimming ratio is not limited to the above three types. Further, the value that is the determination threshold value for changing the initial dimming ratio and resetting the cumulative lighting time is not limited to 2 seconds.

(Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, the data table that the illuminance setting unit 15 has for each initial dimming ratio setting in the second embodiment is provided for each type of discharge lamp.

  The flow of the illuminance setting unit 15 in the second embodiment is as shown in FIG. The default setting of the illuminance setting unit 15, that is, the type of the discharge lamp set at the time of factory shipment is FHF32. When a user who has used the illuminating device 10 using this discharge lamp newly uses a discharge lamp FLR40 having a different luminous flux reduction, the initial illuminance correction function does not function correctly with the current settings. Specifically, since the FLR 40 has a larger decrease in luminous flux than the FHF 32, when it is used with the setting at the FHF 32, the lower surface illuminance becomes darker as the cumulative lighting time increases. In such a case, the user can change the setting of the discharge lamp type from FHF 32 to FLR 40 by turning on the reset switch 22 provided in the lighting fixture 20 in less than 2 seconds. By performing this change operation again, it is possible to return to the FHF 32 setting. That is, every time this operation is performed, the setting of the discharge lamp type can be changed alternately in the order of FHF32 → FLR40 → FHF32. The above operation is shown in FIG.

  The illuminance setting unit 15 has two types of data tables for FHF 32 and FLR 40, and a data table for determining the duty ratio of the control signal output to the inverter control circuit 14 with reference to the cumulative lighting time. Is switched according to the discharge lamp type setting. The changed setting is stored in the storage device in the illuminance setting unit 15 in the same manner as the cumulative lighting time, and operates with the changed setting after the power is turned on again. The setting of the discharge lamp type is not limited to the above two types.

(Embodiment 4)
Since the block diagram showing the configuration of the illumination device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the operation of each unit, and the description of the initial illumination correction function are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The illuminance setting unit 15 measures the cumulative lighting time in the initial illuminance correction function, and makes a state in which this can be notified when the cumulative lighting time becomes a predetermined time or longer. Here, the predetermined time is set based on the rated life of the discharge lamp. Further, the notification is not forcibly performed but is performed when the user performs a predetermined operation. This predetermined operation is an operation of the reset switch 22 that is the same as the reset of the cumulative lighting time, and is notified when the user turns on the reset switch 22 provided in the lighting fixture 20 in less than 2 seconds.

  The illuminance setting unit 15 follows the flow shown in FIG. Since the discharge lamp included in the lighting fixture is assumed to be FHF32 and the rated life is 12,000 hours, the illuminance setting unit 15 has 10,000 hours and 12,000 as the set time for notification. Assume that the time is set. The illuminance setting unit 15 performs the initial illuminance correction operation shown in the first embodiment, and measures the cumulative lighting time. When this time reaches 10,000 hours, it enters a state where notification A can be performed. At this time, if the user turns on the reset switch 22 for 1 second, the illuminance setting unit 15 measures the time from when the reset switch 22 is detected until it is turned off, and this time is less than 2 seconds. As an operation of the notification A, the discharge lamp 21 included in the lighting fixture 20 is blinked once. Specifically, this is realized by a predetermined change in the duty ratio of the control signal output to the inverter control circuit 14. Furthermore, when the time for the cumulative lighting time advances and reaches 12,000 hours, it enters a state where notification B can be performed. At this time, when the user turns on the reset switch 22 for one second, the illuminance setting unit 15 causes the discharge lamp 21 included in the lighting fixture 20 to blink twice as an operation of the notification B as described above. The above operation is shown in FIG. Notification A is a notification that the life of the discharge lamp is about to expire, and notification B is a notification that the life of the discharge lamp has been exceeded.

  When the user recognizes the life of the discharge lamp as described above and replaces it with a new one, the accumulated lighting time is reset by turning on the reset switch 22 for 2 seconds as in the first embodiment. Even if the user turns on the reset switch 22 for 1 second after the cumulative lighting time is reset, nothing is reported because the cumulative lighting time is less than 10,000 hours.

  In the above description, the notification means may take any form, and is not limited to the blinking of the discharge lamp as described above, and may be provided with a notification component such as an LED or a buzzer.

(Embodiment 5)
The present embodiment is configured to be able to notify that the accumulated lighting time has reached the rated life of the discharge lamp in Embodiment 4, and to notify the life of the lighting device itself. However, the time measured for notification is the total lighting time after the lighting device is first operated.

  The illuminance setting unit 15 measures the cumulative lighting time in the initial illuminance correction function and measures the total lighting time with a common counter. If this time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, a state in which this can be notified is set. Here, a value is set for the lifetime of the lighting device 10 for the predetermined time. In general, the lighting device 10 often has an electrolytic capacitor for smoothing the power supply, and the life of the electrolytic capacitor due to the capacity loss is often the life of the lighting device 10. Therefore, the life set here is the time for the capacity of the electrolytic capacitor to escape.

  Further, the notification is not forcibly performed but is performed when the user performs a predetermined operation. This predetermined operation is the same operation of the reset switch 22 as that for resetting the cumulative lighting time, and the user notifies the user by turning on the reset switch 22 provided in the lighting fixture 20 in less than 2 seconds.

  The illuminance setting unit 15 follows the flow shown in FIG. Assume that the lifetime of the lighting device is set to 100,000 hours. The illuminance setting unit 15 enters a state in which notification can be performed when the total lighting time counted reaches 100,000 hours. At this time, if the user turns on the reset switch 22 for 1 second, the illuminance setting unit 15 measures the time from when the reset switch 22 is detected until it is turned off, and this time is less than 2 seconds. As an operation of the notification C, the discharge lamp 21 included in the lighting fixture 20 blinks three times. Specifically, this is realized by a predetermined change in the duty ratio of the control signal output to the inverter control circuit 14. The above operation is shown in FIG.

  In the illuminance setting unit 15, the total lighting time Ts is stored in a timer variable different from the cumulative lighting time T. Therefore, even if the cumulative lighting time T for resetting the life of the discharge lamp is reset, the total lighting time Ts for determining the life of the lighting device is not reset. However, since both timings are performed by the microcomputer included in the illuminance setting unit 15, the counter (count source) for measuring the energization time may be common if timer variables are provided separately. Similarly to the cumulative lighting time, the lighting time total is stored in the storage device of the illumination setting unit 15 (non-volatile memory such as a microcomputer built-in or external EEPROM), and after the power is turned on again, from the read lighting time total Resume timing.

  In the above description, the notification means may take any form, and is not limited to the blinking of the discharge lamp as described above, and may be provided with a notification component such as an LED or a buzzer.

  The present invention may be implemented by appropriately combining the embodiments described above, and produces the respective effects.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the prior art example 1. FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the prior art example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the prior art example 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

13 Inverter circuit 14 Inverter control circuit 15 Illuminance setting unit 21 Discharge lamp 22 Reset switch

Claims (5)

Lighting means for lighting the discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio;
Illuminance correction means for controlling the dimming ratio according to the cumulative lighting time so as to measure the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp and compensate for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time;
Resetting means for resetting the cumulative lighting time;
Function selection means for selecting whether or not to use the illuminance correction means;
And the function selecting means is also used as the resetting means. Lighting means for lighting the discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio;
Illuminance correction means for controlling the dimming ratio according to the cumulative lighting time so as to measure the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp and compensate for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time;
Resetting means for resetting the cumulative lighting time;
Informing means for informing that the cumulative lighting time has reached the rated life of the discharge lamp;
And the means for causing the notification means to function also serves as the reset means. Lighting means for lighting the discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio;
Illuminance correction means for controlling the dimming ratio according to the cumulative lighting time so as to measure the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp and compensate for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time;
Resetting means for resetting the cumulative lighting time;
An informing means for informing that the total use time of the lighting means has reached the lifetime;
And the means for causing the notification means to function also serves as the reset means. Lighting means for lighting the discharge lamp at a predetermined dimming ratio;
Illuminance correction means for controlling the dimming ratio according to the cumulative lighting time so as to measure the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp and compensate for the luminous flux of the discharge lamp that decreases according to the cumulative lighting time;
Resetting means for resetting the cumulative lighting time;
Selecting means for selecting correction characteristics of the illuminance correcting means;
And the selecting means also serves as the resetting means. A lighting fixture comprising the lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a discharge lamp.

Images