JP2007294201A - Life judgment method of discharge lamp and lighting fixture performing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a life judgment method of a discharge lamp, and a lighting fixture performing it, capable of making accurate life judgment with a simple circuit structure, and preventing the fixture from getting high in cost and larger in size. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting fixture 1, quipped with a discharge lamp 2, a discharge lamp lighting device 3, is provided with a first brightness detecting means 4 detecting brightness in the vicinity of an electrode of the discharge lamp 2, a second brightness detecting means 5 detecting brightness at nearly a center part of the discharge lamp, a calculating means 6 for finding a calculated value of a detected value by the first brightness detecting means 4 divided by that of the second brightness detecting means 5, and a judgment means 7 judging life of the discharge lamp based on the calculating means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for determining the life of a discharge lamp used by being attached to a lighting fixture, and a lighting fixture for performing the method.

Conventionally, a technique described in JP-A-3-253996 (Patent Document 1) is known as a method for determining the life of a discharge lamp used by being mounted on a lighting fixture.
This is to determine the lifetime of the fluorescent lamp by installing a light intensity detecting means so as to face almost the whole of the rod-like straight tube fluorescent lamp and comparing the detected light intensity with a preset value.

  Similarly, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-47233 (Patent Document 2) is known as a reference.

This is a high-pressure discharge lamp device comprising a main circuit mainly composed of a resonance circuit, an inverter circuit, a lamp voltage detection means, and a control means, and it is abnormal if the lamp voltage exceeds a predetermined value. For example, the arrival of the life of the fluorescent lamp is judged.
JP-A-3-253996 JP 2004-47233 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the brightness detection unit is installed so as to face substantially the entire discharge lamp, a detection error due to a difference in brightness at each position in the longitudinal direction of the discharge lamp occurs. There is a possibility that accurate life judgment cannot be made.

  Moreover, although the technique described in Patent Document 2 enables relatively accurate determination, the circuit configuration is complicated, which may increase the cost and size of the instrument.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described background art, and its problem is that it is possible to accurately determine the life of the discharge lamp and to simplify the circuit configuration and to avoid the increase in cost and size of the appliance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a life judgment method and a lighting apparatus for performing the method.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventor verified various changes over time of the discharge lamp, and grasped the characteristic behavior of the change over time in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp and the substantially central portion, thereby the present invention. It was completed.

That is, the invention described in claim 1 is a method for determining the life of a discharge lamp used by being attached to a lighting fixture,
First brightness detection means for detecting the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp, and second brightness detection means for detecting the brightness of the substantially central portion of the discharge lamp, the first brightness When the calculated value obtained by dividing the detection value by the detection means by the detection value by the second brightness detection means falls below a preset value, it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life,
The discharge lamp life determination method is characterized in that a period from when the discharge lamp is replaced to after a predetermined time has elapsed is removed from a period during which it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, from the time immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp to the time after the predetermined time elapses, the calculated value for the cumulative lighting time immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp is the first time after the replacement of the discharge lamp. 2. The release according to claim 1, wherein the first minimum value from the decrease to the first increase and the first maximum value from the first increase to the next decrease are reached. This is a method for judging the life of electric lamps.

  The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that from immediately after the discharge lamp is replaced until a lapse of a predetermined time is from immediately after the discharge lamp is replaced until the cumulative lighting time has passed 3000 hours. The discharge lamp life judging method according to claim 1.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 4, from immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp until after a predetermined time elapses, the calculated value is 90% of the calculated value immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp. The lifetime determination method for the discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein:

  The invention described in claim 5 is a lighting fixture including a discharge lamp and a discharge lamp lighting device, wherein the first brightness detection means for detecting the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp, A second brightness detecting means for detecting the brightness of a substantially central portion of the discharge lamp, and an operation for obtaining a calculated value obtained by dividing the detected value by the first brightness detecting means by the detected value by the second brightness detecting means 5. A lighting apparatus comprising: a means for determining the life of the discharge lamp based on the calculation means, and performing the method for determining the life of the discharge lamp according to claim 1. .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first brightness detecting means for detecting the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp, and the second brightness detection for detecting the brightness at the substantially central portion of the discharge lamp. And the life of the discharge lamp is determined by a calculated value obtained by dividing the detection value obtained by the first brightness detection means by the detection value obtained by the second brightness detection means. The degree of consumption of the affected electrode is detected in a state in which the influence of disturbance due to light from the substantially central portion of the discharge lamp is eliminated, and accurate life determination can be performed.

  In addition, the inventor does not gradually reduce the calculated value according to the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, but gradually increases from immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp until a predetermined time elapses. It was clarified that when included in the judgment period, the same calculated value could be shown regardless of the cumulative lighting time, which hindered accurate life judgment.

  In response to this, the invention described in claim 1 is to be removed from the period in which it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of life from the time immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp until after the lapse of a predetermined time. Accurate life judgment can be made.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the calculated value for the cumulative lighting time immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp passes through the first minimum value that switches from the first decrease to the first increase. In addition, since the period from the first increase to the first maximum switching to the next decrease is removed from the period when it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life, a more accurate life determination can be made. It can be carried out.

  This is because the inventor does not gradually reduce the calculated value according to the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, but through the first minimum value that switches from the first decrease to the first increase immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp, Furthermore, this effect is based on the finding of a characteristic behavior in which the first maximum value is reached from the first increase to the next decrease.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the period from when the discharge lamp is replaced to when the cumulative lighting time reaches 3000 hours is removed from the period when it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life. Therefore, a more accurate life judgment can be performed.

  This is because the inventor does not gradually decrease the calculated value according to the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, but gradually increases until the cumulative lighting time of 3000 hours elapses immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp. This effect is based on finding a typical behavior.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the calculation value is 90% of the calculation value immediately after the discharge lamp is replaced, the lifetime is more accurately determined. be able to.

  This is because the inventor does not gradually decrease the calculated value according to the cumulative lighting time of the discharge lamp, but gradually increases until the calculated value reaches 90% of the calculated value immediately after the discharge lamp is replaced. This is an effect based on the finding of a characteristic behavior.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the luminaire includes a first brightness detecting means for detecting the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp, and a second for detecting the brightness at a substantially central portion of the discharge lamp. Brightness detection means, calculation means for obtaining a calculation value obtained by dividing the detection value by the first brightness detection means by the detection value by the second brightness detection means, and determining the life of the discharge lamp based on the calculation means And determining the life of the discharge lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, so that the circuit configuration of the appliance is simple and the cost and size of the appliance are avoided. be able to.

  As a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the life of a discharge lamp 2 corresponding to claims 1, 2, and 5 of the present application and a lighting fixture 1 for performing this will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting fixture 1 of the first embodiment is a lighting fixture 1 including a discharge lamp 2 and a discharge lamp lighting device 3, and detects the brightness near the electrodes of the discharge lamp 2. The first brightness detection means 4 that performs the detection, the second brightness detection means 5 that detects the brightness of the substantially central portion of the discharge lamp, and the detection value obtained by the first brightness detection means 4 is the second brightness. It has a calculation means 6 for obtaining a calculation value divided by a detection value by the detection means 5, and a determination means 7 for determining the life of the discharge lamp based on the calculation means.

  Hereinafter, the lighting fixture 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail.

  First, the lighting fixture 1 accommodates the discharge lamp 2 inside a housing 10 that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped whose upper surface is closed and whose lower surface is opened, and the discharge lamp lighting device 3 and the first brightness are provided on the upper surface of the housing 10. The detecting means 4, the second brightness detecting means 5, the calculating means 6, and the judging means 7 are provided, and the outer peripheral surface of the housing is covered with a cover body (not shown).

  The discharge lamp 2 is a rod-like straight tube, and a general-purpose lamp such as a fluorescent lamp or an electrodeless discharge lamp can be used. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction of one fluorescent lamp is made parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10, and both ends are fitted and supported by a socket (not shown) so that power can be fed.

  The discharge lamp lighting circuit 3 supplies high-frequency power for lighting the discharge lamp 2, and in the first embodiment, a rectifying / smoothing circuit that rectifies power from a commercial power source (not shown), and rectified power The main component is a half-bridge type inverter that returns to high-frequency power.

  The high-frequency power from the discharge lamp lighting circuit 3 is supplied to the discharge lamp 2 that constitutes an LC resonance circuit (not shown) and lights up.

  Further, the discharge lamp lighting circuit 3 adjusts the light output of the discharge lamp 2 according to a signal from the determination unit 7 to perform dimming lighting, blinking lighting, and the like, which will be described later.

  The first brightness detection means 4 and the second brightness detection means 5 convert light input into an electric signal, and in the first embodiment, a photodiode is a main component. .

  Further, in order to obtain a stable electrical signal, the detection value is AD converted, and the AD conversion value is averaged over a predetermined unit detection time. Sent to.

  Here, the 1st brightness detection means 4 is provided so that a detection part may oppose a discharge lamp through the hole provided in the location which faces one electrode of the discharge lamp 2 among the upper surfaces of the housing 10. FIG. It has been.

  The second brightness detection means 5 is provided so that the detection part faces the discharge lamp through a hole provided in a position facing the substantially center of the discharge lamp 2 on the upper surface of the housing 10. Yes.

  The calculation unit 6 receives the detection values from the first brightness detection unit 4 and the second brightness detection unit 5, and converts the detection value by the first brightness detection unit 4 into the second brightness detection unit 5. The operation value obtained by dividing by the detected value is obtained, and the microcomputer is the main component.

  The calculated value is transmitted to the determination unit.

  The determination unit 7 includes a storage unit and a comparison unit, receives the calculated value, and compares the calculated value with a predetermined value set in the storage unit, thereby determining whether or not the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life. .

  The calculated value for the cumulative lighting time immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp 2 is switched from the first decrease to the first increase by comparing the received calculated value with the calculated values before and after the first calculated value 8. Through this, the first maximum value 9 that switches from the first increase to the next decrease is recognized.

  Until the first maximum value 9 is reached, the calculated value is not compared with a predetermined value set in the storage unit, that is, it is not determined whether or not the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life.

  In other words, in the first embodiment, the life of the discharge lamp 2 is determined after 2000 hours have elapsed since the replacement of the discharge lamp 2 in FIG.

  When the determination unit 7 determines that the discharge lamp 2 is at the end of its life, it transmits a notification signal to the discharge lamp lighting circuit 3 to adjust the light output of the discharge lamp 2 so that the light is dimmed or flashed. To inform the user of the service life.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the first brightness detecting means 4 for detecting the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp 2 and the second brightness for detecting the brightness at the substantially central portion of the discharge lamp 2. And the life of the discharge lamp 2 is determined by a calculated value obtained by dividing the detection value by the first brightness detection means 4 by the detection value by the second brightness detection means 5. The degree of electrode wear that affects the life of the discharge lamp 2 is detected in a state in which the influence of disturbance due to light from the substantially central portion of the discharge lamp 2 is eliminated, and accurate life determination is performed. Can do.

  Further, from the time immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp 2 until the elapse of a predetermined time, it is determined that the discharge lamp 2 is removed from the period in which it has been determined that the life has been reached, so that a more accurate life determination can be performed.

  Further, immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp 2, the calculated value for the cumulative lighting time immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp 2 passes through the first minimum value 8 that switches from the first decrease to the first increase, and further from the first increase to the next. Since the period until reaching the first maximum value 9 at which the stage is reduced is removed from the period when it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life, more accurate life determination can be performed.

  Furthermore, the luminaire 1 includes a first brightness detection unit 4 that detects the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp 2 and a second brightness detection unit 5 that detects the brightness at a substantially central portion of the discharge lamp 2. And calculating means 6 for obtaining a calculated value obtained by dividing the detected value by the first brightness detecting means 4 by the detected value by the second brightness detecting means 5, and a determination for determining the life of the discharge lamp based on the calculating means And the method for determining the life of the discharge lamp 2 described in the first embodiment, the circuit configuration of the lighting fixture 1 is simple, and the cost and size of the fixture are avoided. Can do.

  Subsequently, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the life of the discharge lamp 2 corresponding to claims 1, 3 and 5 of the present application and the lighting apparatus 1 for performing this will be described with reference to FIGS. Only the determination unit 7 that is different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The determination unit 7 includes a storage unit and a comparison unit, receives the calculated value, and compares the calculated value with a predetermined value set in the storage unit, thereby determining whether or not the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life. .

  Then, immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp 2 and until the cumulative lighting time has passed 3000 hours, the calculated value is not compared with the predetermined value set in the storage unit, that is, it is determined whether or not the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life. It is supposed not to.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the life of the discharge lamp 2 is determined after the cumulative lighting time of 3000 hours immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp 2 in FIG. 3 (a part indicated by A in FIG. 3).

  When the determination unit 7 determines that the discharge lamp 2 is at the end of its life, it transmits a notification signal to the discharge lamp lighting circuit 3 to adjust the light output of the discharge lamp 2 so that the light is dimmed or flashed. To inform the user of the service life.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, a period from immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp 2 to when the cumulative lighting time has passed 3000 hours is removed from a period in which it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life. Therefore, a more accurate life judgment can be performed.

  Furthermore, the luminaire 1 includes a first brightness detection unit 4 that detects the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp 2 and a second brightness detection unit 5 that detects the brightness at a substantially central portion of the discharge lamp 2. And calculating means 6 for obtaining a calculated value obtained by dividing the detected value by the first brightness detecting means 4 by the detected value by the second brightness detecting means 5, and a determination for determining the life of the discharge lamp based on the calculating means Means for determining the life of the discharge lamp 2 described in the second embodiment, the circuit configuration of the lighting fixture 1 is simple, and the cost and size of the fixture are avoided. Can do.

  Subsequently, as a third embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the life of the discharge lamp 2 corresponding to claims 1, 4 and 5 of the present application and the lighting apparatus 1 for performing this will be described with reference to FIGS. Only the determination unit 7 that is different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The determination unit 7 includes a storage unit and a comparison unit, receives the calculated value, and compares the calculated value with a predetermined value set in the storage unit, thereby determining whether or not the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life. .

  Then, from immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp 2, until the calculated value becomes 90% of the calculated value immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp 2, the calculated value is not compared with a predetermined value set in the storage unit, that is, It is not determined whether the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life.

  That is, in the third embodiment, immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp 2, the calculated value becomes 90% of the calculated value immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp 2, that is, immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp 2 in FIG. The lifetime of the discharge lamp 2 is determined after the accumulated lighting time from 3500 hours has elapsed (location indicated by B in FIG. 4).

  When the determination unit 7 determines that the discharge lamp 2 is at the end of its life, it transmits a notification signal to the discharge lamp lighting circuit 3 to adjust the light output of the discharge lamp 2 so that the light is dimmed or flashed. To inform the user of the service life.

  Therefore, according to the third embodiment, since the calculated value is 90% of the calculated value immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp, the life can be determined more accurately. Can do.

  Furthermore, the luminaire 1 includes a first brightness detection unit 4 that detects the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp 2 and a second brightness detection unit 5 that detects the brightness at a substantially central portion of the discharge lamp 2. And calculating means 6 for obtaining a calculated value obtained by dividing the detected value by the first brightness detecting means 4 by the detected value by the second brightness detecting means 5, and a determination for determining the life of the discharge lamp based on the calculating means Means for determining the life of the discharge lamp 2 described in the third embodiment, the circuit configuration of the lighting fixture 1 is simple, and the cost and size of the fixture are avoided. Can do.

  In addition, in each said embodiment, the conditions removed from the period when it is judged that the discharge lamp reached the end of life may be combined, and an arbitrary priority may be provided thereto. For example, the determination unit 7 may perform all the conditions described in each embodiment, and may not determine whether the discharge lamp 2 has reached the end of life until the latest one has elapsed.

Transmission perspective view of lighting fixture in first to third embodiments of the present invention Correlation diagram between the cumulative lighting time and the calculated value immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp in the first embodiment of the present invention Correlation diagram between the cumulative lighting time and the calculated value immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp in the second embodiment of the present invention Correlation diagram of cumulative lighting time and calculated value immediately after replacement of the discharge lamp in the third embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lighting fixture 2 Discharge lamp 3 Discharge lamp lighting circuit 4 1st brightness detection means 5 2nd brightness detection means 6 Calculation part 7 Judgment part 8 1st minimum value 9 2nd minimum value

Claims (5)

A method for determining the life of a discharge lamp used by being attached to a luminaire,
First brightness detection means for detecting the brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp, and second brightness detection means for detecting the brightness of the substantially central portion of the discharge lamp, the first brightness When the calculated value obtained by dividing the detection value by the detection means by the detection value by the second brightness detection means falls below a preset value, it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life,
A method for determining the life of a discharge lamp, characterized in that a period from when the discharge lamp is replaced to after a predetermined time has elapsed is removed from a period during which it is determined that the discharge lamp has reached the end of its life.   From immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp to after the lapse of a predetermined time, the calculated value for the cumulative lighting time immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp is changed from the first decrease to the first increase. 2. The method for determining the life of a discharge lamp according to claim 1, further comprising: passing through a value until reaching a first maximum value that switches from an initial increase to a decrease in the next stage.   2. The life of the discharge lamp according to claim 1, wherein the time immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp and the elapse of a predetermined time is from immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp until a cumulative lighting time of 3000 hours elapses. Judgment method.   From immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp to after the lapse of a predetermined time is from immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp until the calculated value becomes 90% of the calculated value immediately after the replacement of the discharge lamp. The method for determining the life of a discharge lamp according to claim 1.   A luminaire comprising a discharge lamp and a discharge lamp lighting device, wherein a first brightness detecting means for detecting brightness in the vicinity of the electrode of the discharge lamp and brightness at a substantially central portion of the discharge lamp are detected. Second brightness detection means, a calculation means for obtaining a calculation value obtained by dividing a detection value by the first brightness detection means by a detection value by the second brightness detection means, and a discharge lamp based on the calculation means 5. A lighting apparatus comprising: a determination means for determining a life, and performing the discharge lamp life determination method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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