JP2007066549A - Discharge lamp lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discharge lamp lighting device which carries out easily initial setting of an amplification rate of the light amount detection signal. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting device comprises: a lighting circuit 6 for supplying a lighting current to a discharge lamp; a light amount sensor 12 for detecting the light amount of the light from the discharge lamp; and a light amount control means 14 for driving and controlling the lighting circuit 6, based on the detected signal from the light amount sensor 12. The light amount control means 14 is provided with: an amplification rate operating means 22 for calculating the amplification rate of the light amount detection signal; a signal amplification means 26 for amplifying the light amount detection signal based on the calculated amplification rate, and a comparison means 28 which compares the light amount detection signal amplified and a reference signal and drives, and controls the lighting circuit 6, based on the comparison result. The amplification rate operating means 22 calculates the amplification rate so that the detection signal amplified and the reference signal are equal in substance when displacing the discharge lamp. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a discharge lamp lighting device for lighting a discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp.

  Conventionally, when inspecting the quality of industrial products such as printed circuit boards and semiconductors, such as defective soldering, adhesion of foreign substances, etc., or printing errors such as the manufacturing date printed on beverage cans, on the production line In addition, image processing inspection using imaging by a CCD camera or the like is performed. In this image processing inspection, an illuminating device for illuminating the inspection location of the inspection object is necessary, and a discharge lamp lighting device is used as one of such illuminating devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a conventional discharge lamp lighting device. In the illustrated discharge lamp lighting device 100, a lighting current (that is, a current flowing between electrodes of the fluorescent lamp 102) flows in a fluorescent lamp 102 as a discharge lamp. ), A light amount sensor 106 for detecting the light amount of light from the discharge lamp 102, and a light amount control for driving and controlling the lighting circuit 104 based on a light amount detection signal from the light amount sensor 106. The light quantity control means 108 further includes an amplifier 110 for amplifying the light quantity detection signal from the light quantity sensor 106, and a comparison for comparing the amplified light quantity detection signal with the reference signal. Instrument 112.

  The commercial power from the commercial power supply 114 is rectified by the rectifier circuit 116 and supplied to the lighting circuit 104, whereby the lighting current from the lighting circuit 104 is supplied to the fluorescent lamp 102 and the fluorescent lamp 102 is lit. When the fluorescent lamp 102 is turned on, the light quantity of the light from the fluorescent lamp 102 is detected by the light quantity sensor 106, and the light quantity detection signal from the light quantity sensor 106 is sent to the amplifier 110 and amplified. When the amplified light amount detection signal exceeds the reference signal, the comparator 112 decreases the light amount from the fluorescent lamp 102 by decreasing the output (lighting current) of the lighting circuit 104 and detects the amplified light amount. When the signal is lower than the reference signal, the amount of light from the fluorescent lamp 102 is increased by increasing the output of the lighting circuit 104, and the amount of light from the fluorescent lamp 102 is controlled to be constant by such feedback control. .

JP 2000-123987 A

  In the discharge lamp lighting device 100 as described above, since the light quantity sensor 106 is disposed in the vicinity of the fluorescent lamp 102, the magnitude of the light quantity detection signal (by the variation in the separation distance between the light quantity sensor 106 and the fluorescent lamp 102 ( The output voltage level changes, and it is necessary to initialize the amplification factor of the light amount detection signal every time the fluorescent lamp 102 is replaced. The initial setting of the amplification factor is that when the fluorescent lamp 102 is replaced, the fluorescent lamp 102 is turned on with a predetermined output (light quantity), and in this state, the amplified light quantity detection signal and the reference signal are substantially equal. Thus, the adjustment is performed by manually adjusting a volume 118 (variable resistor) provided in the amplifier 110. However, it is very troublesome to manually adjust the volume 118 every time the fluorescent lamp 102 is replaced, and it takes a long time to start the image processing inspection after the fluorescent lamp 102 is replaced. There is a problem that it ends up.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a discharge lamp lighting device that can easily perform initial setting of an amplification factor of a light amount detection signal.

In the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1 of the present invention, a lighting circuit for supplying a lighting current to the discharge lamp, a light quantity sensor for detecting the light quantity of the light from the discharge lamp, and the light quantity sensor In a discharge lamp lighting device comprising: a light amount control means for driving and controlling the lighting circuit based on the light amount detection signal of
The light quantity control means includes an amplification factor calculation means for calculating an amplification factor of the light quantity detection signal, a signal amplification means for amplifying the light quantity detection signal based on the calculated amplification factor, and the amplified light quantity. Comparing means for driving and controlling the lighting circuit based on the comparison result by comparing the detection signal and the reference signal,
The amplification factor calculating means calculates the amplification factor so that the amplified light amount detection signal and the reference signal are substantially equal when the discharge lamp is replaced.

In the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 2 of the present invention, the light quantity control means includes a storage means for storing the amplification factor calculated by the amplification factor calculation means, and the light quantity control means includes Relatedly, an initial setting means for turning on / off the operation of the amplification factor calculation means is provided,
When the initialization unit turns on the operation of the amplification factor calculation unit, the amplification factor calculation unit calculates the amplification factor of the light amount detection signal, and the calculated amplification factor is stored in the storage unit, and the signal amplification The means amplifies the light amount detection signal based on the amplification factor stored in the storage means.

  Furthermore, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the initial setting means, when exchanging the discharge lamp, when the predetermined time elapses after the discharge lamp starts lighting, the amplification factor. The operation of the computing means is turned on.

The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that a remote operation means for remotely operating the initial setting means is provided.
Furthermore, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 5 of the present invention, the comparison means generates an output decrease signal when the amplified light quantity detection signal exceeds the reference signal, and the output reduction signal is based on the output decrease signal. The output of the lighting circuit is decreased, and an output increase signal is generated when the amplified light amount detection signal is lower than the reference signal, and the output of the lighting circuit is increased based on the output increase signal.

Further, in the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 6 of the present invention, the light amount control means is based on a lighting current calculation means for calculating a lighting current supplied to the discharge lamp, and the calculated lighting current. Life determination means for determining whether or not the discharge lamp has a life, and in relation to the light quantity control means, an alarm for outputting an alarm when the discharge lamp has a life Means are provided,
When the lighting current calculated by the lighting current calculation means exceeds an upper limit set value, the life determination means determines that the discharge lamp is at the end of its life and generates a life determination signal, and the alarm means outputs the life determination signal. Based on the above, an alarm is output.

  According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the first aspect of the present invention, the amplification factor calculation means sets the amplification factor so that the amplified light amount detection signal and the reference signal are substantially equal when the discharge lamp is replaced. Since the calculation is performed, the initial setting of the amplification factor of the light amount detection signal can be easily performed without manually adjusting the volume or the like. Therefore, the image processing inspection can be started in a relatively short time after the discharge lamp is replaced, and a quick image processing inspection can be performed.

  According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the second aspect of the present invention, when the initial setting means turns on the operation of the gain calculation means, the gain calculation means calculates the gain of the light quantity detection signal, and this calculation is performed. Since the gain is stored in the storage means, after replacing the discharge lamp, the light quantity detection signal is amplified using the gain stored in the storage means, and an operation corresponding to each discharge lamp is performed. Can do.

  Furthermore, according to the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the initial setting means, when exchanging the discharge lamp, when the predetermined time elapses after the discharge lamp starts lighting, Since the operation is turned on, the initial setting of the amplification factor can be automatically performed in a state where the discharge lamp is stably lit when the discharge lamp is replaced.

  According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the remote control means for remotely operating the initial setting means is provided, the initial setting means is provided at a place separated from the discharge lamp lighting device. Can be remotely operated, and an efficient image processing inspection can be performed.

  Furthermore, according to the discharge lamp lighting device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the comparison means reduces the output of the lighting circuit when the amplified light amount detection signal exceeds the reference signal, and the amplified light amount detection signal. When the value falls below the reference signal, the output of the lighting circuit is increased, so that the amount of light from the discharge lamp can be controlled to be constant.

  According to the discharge lamp lighting device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the lighting current calculated by the lighting current calculation means exceeds the upper limit set value, the life determination means determines that the discharge lamp has a life. A life determination signal is generated, and the alarm means outputs an alarm based on this life determination signal, so that the discharge lamp can be surely determined to be at the end of its life, and the discharge lamp can be replaced at an appropriate time. It becomes.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a discharge lamp lighting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a discharge lamp lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a control system of the discharge lamp lighting device of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the discharge lamp lighting device of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a flowchart specifically showing a flow of lighting current control in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart specifically illustrating a flow of initial setting of the amplification factor in the flowchart, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart specifically illustrating a flow of light amount control in the flowchart of FIG.

  1 and 2, the illustrated discharge lamp lighting device 2 detects a lighting circuit 6 for supplying a lighting current to a fluorescent lamp 4 as a discharge lamp, and a lighting current supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4. A lighting current sensor 8 for controlling the lighting current, a lighting current control means 10 for controlling the lighting current of the lighting circuit 6 based on a current detection signal from the lighting current sensor 8, and a light quantity of the light from the fluorescent lamp 4. Light quantity sensor 12 and a light quantity control means 14 for driving and controlling the lighting circuit 6 based on a light quantity detection signal from the light quantity sensor 12. Hereinafter, each of these components will be described in detail.

  The lighting circuit 6 is composed of an inverter circuit, the fluorescent lamp 4 is connected to the AC side, and the rectifier circuit 16 is connected to the DC side. A commercial power source 18 is connected to the AC side of the rectifier circuit 16, and commercial power from the commercial power source 18 is supplied to the rectifier circuit 16 and converted into predetermined DC power, and this DC power is further supplied to the lighting circuit 6. And converted into predetermined AC power. When the lighting circuit 6 is driven and controlled by the lighting current control means 10 or the light quantity control means 14 as described later in a state where the direct current power from the rectifier circuit 16 is supplied to the lighting circuit 6 as described above, the lighting circuit The lighting current from 6 is supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4, whereby the fluorescent lamp 4 is lit with a high frequency of, for example, about 20 to 50 kHz.

  In relation to the lighting circuit 6, a power switch (not shown) and a lighting switch (not shown) are provided. When the power switch is turned on, predetermined driving power is supplied to the lighting current control means 10 and the light quantity control means 14, respectively. When the lighting switch is turned on while the power switch is turned on, DC power is supplied to the lighting circuit 6 so that a lighting current is supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4 and the fluorescent lamp 4 is turned on. .

  The lighting current sensor 8 is interposed between the lighting circuit 6 and one electrode of the fluorescent lamp 4 and detects a lighting current supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4. When a lighting current is detected by the lighting current sensor 8, a current detection signal from the lighting current sensor 8 is sent to the lighting current control means 10.

  The lighting current control means 10 compares the current detection signal from the lighting current sensor 8 with the reference signal, and drives and controls the lighting circuit 6 based on the comparison result. That is, when the current detection signal exceeds the reference signal, the lighting current control means 10 determines that the lighting current has exceeded a current set value (for example, 400 mA), reduces the lighting current from the lighting circuit 6, and detects the current. When the signal falls below the reference signal, it is determined that the lighting current has fallen below the current set value, and the lighting current from the lighting circuit 6 is increased, so that the lighting current is controlled to be constant at the current set value.

  The light quantity sensor 12 is disposed so as to be close to the fluorescent lamp 4 and shielded from external light (that is, light other than the light from the fluorescent lamp 4), and detects the light quantity of the light from the fluorescent lamp 4. When the light amount sensor 12 detects the amount of light from the fluorescent lamp 4, a light amount detection signal from the light amount sensor 12 is sent to the light amount control means 14.

  The light amount control means 14 is composed of a microcomputer and includes an amplification factor calculation means 22, a storage means 24, a signal amplification means 26, and a comparison means 28. The amplification factor calculation means 22 calculates the amplification factor of the light amount detection signal from the light amount sensor 12 as described later. The storage unit 24 stores the amplification factor calculated by the amplification factor calculation unit 22 and stores an upper limit setting value (described later) of the lighting current. The signal amplification unit 26 amplifies the light amount detection signal based on the amplification factor stored in the storage unit 24. Further, the comparison means 28 compares the amplified light amount detection signal with the reference signal, and drives and controls the lighting circuit 6 based on the comparison result. That is, the light amount detection signal amplified by the signal amplifying means 26 is compared with the reference signal, and the comparison signals (output increase signal and output decrease signal) are sent from the comparison means 28 to the lighting circuit 6.

  The light quantity control means 14 further includes a lighting current calculation means 34, a life determination means 36, and a timer means 38. The lighting current calculation means 34 calculates the lighting current supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4 based on the comparison signal sent from the comparison means 28 to the lighting circuit 6. The life determination unit 36 determines whether or not the fluorescent lamp 4 has a lifetime based on the calculated current signal from the lighting current calculation unit 34. If it is determined that the fluorescent lamp 4 has a lifetime, a lifetime determination signal is generated. Then, the generated life determination signal is sent to the alarm means 40. After the replacement of the fluorescent lamp 4, the timer means 38 starts the initial setting means 42 (for example, about 15 to 30 minutes) after the fluorescent lamp 4 starts to turn on until the light quantity stabilizes. A timer signal is sent to (described later).

  In relation to the light quantity control means 14, the reference signal generating means 44 for generating a reference signal, the initial setting means 42 for turning on / off the operation of the amplification factor calculating means 22, and the fluorescent lamp 4 have a lifetime. Alarm means 40 for outputting an alarm in some cases is provided. The reference signal generating unit 44 generates a reference signal having a predetermined voltage level (for example, DC 5 V) corresponding to the light amount setting value (for example, 600 Lx) of the fluorescent lamp 4, and the reference signal is a comparison unit of the light amount control unit 14. 28. When the operation of the amplification factor calculation unit 22 is turned on based on the timer signal from the timer unit 38, the initial setting unit 42 calculates the amplification factor by the amplification factor calculation unit 22, and the amplification factor is stored in the storage unit 24. The When the initial setting of the amplification factor is completed as described above, the operation of the amplification factor calculation unit 22 is turned off by the initial setting unit 42, and the calculation of the amplification factor by the amplification factor calculation unit 22 is stopped. The alarm means 40 is composed of, for example, an LED lamp, and an alarm is output when the LED lamp is turned on (or blinks) based on the life determination signal from the life determination means 36.

  The switching means 20 switches so that the lighting circuit 6 is controlled by the lighting current control means 10 or the light quantity control means 14. That is, when a changeover switch (not shown) attached to the switching means 20 is manually operated, the light amount control is switched to the lighting current control, or the lighting current control is switched to the light amount control.

  Next, the operation of the above-described discharge lamp lighting device 2 will be described mainly with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, predetermined driving power is supplied to the lighting current control means 10 and the light quantity control means 14, respectively, and the lighting circuit 6 enters a driving standby state (step 1 (hereinafter referred to as "ST1"). ). For example, when the fluorescent lamp 4 is replaced due to the end of life due to deterioration over time, for example, the changeover switch of the switching means 20 is manually operated (ST2) to check the state, thereby turning on the light quantity control. Switching to current control is performed (ST3). In this state, when the lighting switch is turned on (ST4), the commercial power from the commercial power source 18 is rectified by the rectifier circuit 16, and the DC power from the rectifier circuit 16 is supplied to the lighting circuit 6, so that the lighting circuit 6 is converted into predetermined AC power. As a result, a lighting current is supplied from the lighting circuit 6 to the fluorescent lamp 4, and the fluorescent lamp 4 is lit at a high frequency of about 20 to 50 kHz, for example (ST5). When the fluorescent lamp 4 is thus lit, the lighting current control by the lighting current control means 10 is performed as follows (ST6).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the lighting of the fluorescent lamp 4 is started in the state switched to the lighting current control by the switching unit 20, the timer unit 38 is operated (ST6-1). The lighting current control means 10 compares the current detection means from the lighting current sensor 8 with a reference signal (for example, DC5V) (ST6-2), and if the current detection signal exceeds the reference signal, ST6-3 to ST6- Proceeding to 4, the lighting current supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4 is decreased. When the current detection signal is lower than the reference signal, the process proceeds from ST6-3 to ST6-5 to ST6-6, and the lighting current supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4 is increased. Further, if the current detection signal is equal to the reference signal, the process proceeds from ST6-3 to ST6-7 through ST6-5. Such feedback control is performed until the current detection signal and the reference signal become substantially equal, and thereby the lighting current is controlled to a constant current setting value (for example, 400 mA). In this way, when the lighting current is held at the current set value, the amount of light from the fluorescent lamp 4 becomes the light amount set value. When the timer unit 38 measures a predetermined time (for example, about 15 to 30 minutes) after the fluorescent lamp 4 starts to light, the process proceeds from ST6-7 to ST6-8, and the timer signal from the timer unit 38 is initialized. It is sent to the setting means 42.

  When the lighting current control by the lighting current control means 10 is performed as described above, the initial setting of the amplification factor of the light amount detection signal is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 (ST7). When the timer signal from the timer means 38 is sent to the initial setting means 42, the initial setting means 42 turns on the operation of the gain calculation means 22 (ST7-1), whereby the gain calculation means 22 detects the light amount. The signal amplification factor is calculated as follows (ST7-2). In a state where a predetermined time has elapsed since the fluorescent lamp 4 started lighting, the light amount of the light from the fluorescent lamp 4 is stabilized, so that the voltage level of the light amount detection signal is also stabilized at, for example, DC 0.05V. The voltage level of the reference signal corresponding to the light amount of the light amount setting value 600Lx is set to, for example, DC5V, and the amplification factor calculation unit 22 uses the voltage level (0.05V) of the light amount detection signal multiplied by the amplification factor as the reference signal. The amplification factor is calculated so as to be substantially equal to the voltage level (5 V). In this case, the amplification factor is, for example, 5 V / 0.05 V = 100. The initial setting of the amplification factor is performed only once with respect to the light amount detection signal supplied first after the operation of the amplification factor calculation unit 22 is turned on by the initial setting unit 42. When the amplification factor is initially set in this way, the operation of the amplification factor calculation unit 22 is turned off by the initial setting unit 42, and the amplification factor calculation unit until the operation of the amplification factor calculation unit 22 is turned on again by the initial setting unit 42. The calculation of the amplification factor by 22 is not performed. The gain obtained in this way is newly stored in the storage means 24, and at the same time, the old gain stored in the storage means 24 is erased (that is, overwritten) (ST7-3). When the gain is calculated and stored in the storage means 24, a switching signal from the light quantity control means 14 is sent to the switching means 20 (ST7-4).

  When the switching signal is supplied to the switching unit 20 in this way, the switching unit 20 switches the lighting current control to the light amount control (ST8), and the light amount control is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 (ST9). . The signal amplifying unit 26 amplifies the light amount detection signal based on the amplification factor stored in the storage unit 24 (ST9-1), and the comparing unit 28 compares the amplified light amount detection signal and the reference signal from the reference signal generating unit 44. Are compared (ST9-2). For example, when the voltage level of the light quantity detection signal is 0.07 V, the voltage level of the amplified light quantity detection signal is 0.07 V × 100 = 7 V. When the amplified light quantity detection signal exceeds the reference signal, From ST9-3 to ST9-4, it is determined that the amount of light from the fluorescent lamp 4 has exceeded the light amount setting value, and an output decrease signal is generated and sent to the lighting circuit 6. The lighting circuit 6 Then, the lighting current supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4 is decreased based on the generated output decrease signal (ST9-5), and the amount of light from the fluorescent lamp 4 is reduced by reducing the lighting current in this way (ST9-5). ST9-6). For example, when the voltage level of the light quantity detection signal is 0.03V, the voltage level of the amplified light quantity detection signal is 0.03V × 100 = 3V, and the amplified light quantity detection signal is more than the reference signal. , The process proceeds from ST9-3 to ST9-7 and then proceeds to ST9-8, where it is determined that the amount of light from the fluorescent lamp 4 has decreased below the light amount setting value, and an output increase signal is generated to generate a lighting circuit. The lighting circuit 6 increases the lighting current supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4 based on the generated output increase signal (ST9-9), and thus increases the lighting current from the fluorescent lamp 4 to increase the lighting current. Is increased (ST9-10). Further, when the light amount detection signal and the reference signal are equal, the process proceeds from ST9-3 to ST9-11 to ST9-11. Such feedback control is performed until the amplified light amount detection signal and the reference signal are substantially equal, whereby the light amount of the light from the fluorescent lamp 4 is controlled to a constant light amount setting value.

  In this manner, in the state where the light amount of the light from the fluorescent lamp 4 is controlled to be constant at the light amount setting value, the life determination of the fluorescent lamp 4 is performed as follows. As the fluorescent lamp 4 approaches the end of its life due to aging, a larger lighting current must be supplied to the fluorescent lamp 4 in order to obtain the light quantity set value. It is necessary to increase it. The life determining means 36 compares the calculated current signal from the lighting current calculating means 34 with the upper limit set value (for example, 480 mA) stored in the storage means 24 (ST9-11), and the calculated current signal has the upper limit set value. If it exceeds, the process proceeds from ST9-12 to ST9-13, where it is determined that the fluorescent lamp 4 has a lifetime and a lifetime determination signal is generated. This life determination signal is sent to the alarm means 40 (ST9-14), and the alarm means 40 outputs an alarm by turning on the LED lamp based on the life determination signal from the life determination means 36 (ST9-15). ), It can be known that the fluorescent lamp 4 has a lifetime. When the alarm is output in this manner, the lighting switch is turned off to turn off the fluorescent lamp 4 (ST10, ST11), the power switch is turned off (ST12), the fluorescent lamp 4 is replaced, and the process returns to ST1 again to return to the above. The same control as described above is performed.

  Returning to ST9-12, when the calculated current signal does not exceed the upper limit set value, the above-described light amount control and lifetime determination of the fluorescent lamp 4 are continuously performed. When the image processing inspection is finished, ST9- From ST12 to ST10, the fluorescent lamp 4 is turned off by turning off the lighting switch (ST11), and the power switch is turned off to complete the image processing inspection (ST12).

  As described above, in the discharge lamp lighting device 2 of the present embodiment, the light amount control means 14 is constituted by a microcomputer, whereby the amplification factor of the light amount detection signal is automatically calculated when the fluorescent lamp 4 is replaced. Therefore, the initial setting of the amplification factor of the light amount detection signal can be easily performed without manually adjusting the volume or the like as in the prior art. Accordingly, the image processing inspection can be started in a relatively short time after the fluorescent lamp 4 is replaced, and a quick image processing inspection can be performed.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the discharge lamp lighting device according to the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications or corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, after the fluorescent lamp 4 is replaced, the amplification factor calculating means 22 is automatically turned on by the initial setting means 42 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the lighting of the fluorescent lamp 4 is started. Although configured, for example, the initial setting means 42 may be configured to be operated by manually operating a predetermined operation switch (not shown). Alternatively, when the initial setting means 42 is manually operated as described above, a remote operation means (not shown) for remotely operating the initial setting means 42, for example, a remote controller may be provided. The operating means includes, for example, a microcomputer (not shown) disposed at a location separated from the discharge lamp lighting device 2 and a communication cable (not shown) for communication connection between the microcomputer and the initial setting means 42. The predetermined setting signal from the microcomputer is sent to the initial setting means 42 via the communication cable, whereby the initial setting means 42 is remotely operated. Note that infrared light or the like may be used instead of such a communication cable.

  Further, for example, in the above embodiment, when the operation of the amplification factor calculation means 22 is turned on by the initial setting means 42, the amplification factor stored in the storage means 24 is erased and at the same time, the calculated amplification factor is newly set. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the calculated amplification factor may be accumulated in the storage unit 24 as amplification factor data.

  Further, for example, in the above embodiment, the discharge lamp 4 is constituted by a fluorescent lamp, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an appropriate discharge lamp such as a neon tube or a halogen lamp.

  Further, for example, in the above embodiment, the alarm means 40 is configured by an LED lamp, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured by, for example, a buzzer or the like, and configured such that an alarm is output when the buzzer sounds. Also good. Or you may comprise so that a warning may be output by a buzzer sounding while an LED lamp is lighted (or blinks).

  In the above embodiment, the amplification factor is calculated when the fluorescent lamp 4 is replaced. For example, when the fluorescent lamp 4 is replaced with the same type of fluorescent lamp 4, the distance between the fluorescent lamp 4 and the light quantity sensor 12 is as follows. When it is constant, it is possible not to perform the above-described calculation of the amplification factor.

It is a block diagram which shows simply the discharge lamp lighting device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows simply the control system of the discharge lamp lighting device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the discharge lamp lighting device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the lighting current control in the flowchart of FIG. 3 concretely. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the initial setting of the gain in the flowchart of FIG. 3 concretely. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the light quantity control in the flowchart of FIG. 3 concretely. It is a block diagram which shows the conventional discharge lamp lighting device simply.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2,100 Discharge lamp lighting device 4,102 Fluorescent lamp 6,104 Lighting circuit 12,106 Light quantity sensor 14 Light quantity control means 22 Amplification factor calculation means 24 Storage means 26 Signal amplification means 28 Comparison means 36 Life determination means 40 Alarm means 42 Initial stage Setting means

Claims (6)

A lighting circuit for supplying a lighting current to the discharge lamp, a light quantity sensor for detecting a light quantity of light from the discharge lamp, and a drive control of the lighting circuit based on a light quantity detection signal from the light quantity sensor A discharge lamp lighting device comprising a light amount control means,
The light quantity control means includes an amplification factor calculation means for calculating an amplification factor of the light quantity detection signal, a signal amplification means for amplifying the light quantity detection signal based on the calculated amplification factor, and the amplified light quantity. Comparing means for driving and controlling the lighting circuit based on the comparison result by comparing the detection signal and the reference signal,
The discharge lamp lighting device characterized in that the amplification factor calculation means calculates the amplification factor so that the amplified light amount detection signal and the reference signal are substantially equal when the discharge lamp is replaced. The light quantity control means includes a storage means for storing the amplification factor calculated by the amplification factor calculation means, and for turning on / off the operation of the amplification factor calculation means in relation to the light quantity control means. Initial setting means are provided,
When the initialization unit turns on the operation of the amplification factor calculation unit, the amplification factor calculation unit calculates the amplification factor of the light amount detection signal, and the calculated amplification factor is stored in the storage unit, and the signal amplification The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the means amplifies the light amount detection signal based on an amplification factor stored in the storage means.   The said initial setting means turns on the operation | movement of the said gain calculation means, when predetermined time passes since the said discharge lamp started lighting at the time of replacement | exchange of the said discharge lamp. Discharge lamp lighting device.   4. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 2, further comprising remote operation means for remotely operating the initial setting means.   The comparison means generates an output decrease signal when the amplified light amount detection signal exceeds the reference signal, decreases the output of the lighting circuit based on the output decrease signal, and the amplified light amount detection signal is The discharge lamp lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an output increase signal is generated when the reference signal is lower than the reference signal, and the output of the lighting circuit is increased based on the output increase signal. The light amount control means includes a lighting current calculation means for calculating a lighting current supplied to the discharge lamp, and a life determination for determining whether or not the discharge lamp has a life based on the calculated lighting current. And a warning means for outputting a warning when the discharge lamp is at the end of its life in connection with the light quantity control means,
When the lighting current calculated by the lighting current calculation means exceeds an upper limit set value, the life determination means determines that the discharge lamp is at the end of its life and generates a life determination signal, and the alarm means outputs the life determination signal. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein an alarm is output based on the above.

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