JP2008204916A - Illumination control devices and illumination device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination control device which turns a lamp on according to a dimming ratio based on an accumulated lighting time and the type of dimming ratio, in which the accumulated lighting time is not initialized even when the type of dimming ratio previously set is changed. <P>SOLUTION: The illumination control device according to this invention comprises a switch for setting the dimming ratio 110 which selects and sets one among a plurality of types of dimming ratio, a timer 160 which measures the accumulated lighting time of an illumination device, a dimming ratio storage section 140 which stores dimming ratio information used for calculation of basic dimming ratio depending on the type of dimming ratio and the accumulated lighting time of the illumination device, and a control section 150 which when the type of dimming ratio is changed, reads out dimming ratio information, uses the dimming ratio information to calculate dimming ratio value which is a value of the changed type of dimming ratio and corresponds to the accumulated lighting time measured by the timer 160, and then generates and outputs a dimming ratio control signal which controls the dimming ratio of an illumination apparatus 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting control device that controls a dimming rate of a lighting fixture, for example.

In illuminators, the difference in illuminance between immediately after the installation of a lamp such as a fluorescent lamp and the replacement period (end of life) occurs due to aging deterioration, so the accumulated lighting time from the installation of the lamp is counted by a timer, and the lamp is lit The dimming rate is changed by the illumination control device according to the accumulated lighting time so that the difference in illuminance between immediately after installation and the replacement time is reduced.
As a conventional lighting control device, there is a switch that switches to one of the continuous lighting mode, step dimming mode, or initial illuminance correction mode, and a discharge lamp that is equipped with a reset means that resets the lighting cumulative time with a reset signal and keeps timing. There is an apparatus (Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-338783 A

In the conventional lighting device, if the dimming rate is changed before the lamp replacement time, the accumulated lighting time is reset at the same time as the dimming rate is changed. Therefore, there is a problem that it is impossible to set an accurate dimming rate.
Moreover, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the continuous lighting mode, step dimming mode, and initial illuminance correction mode are switched by each switch, the dimming rate is set to one type, and the dimming rate is arbitrarily switched. I couldn't.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, for example, and even when the set value of the dimming rate is switched during the use of the lamp, the lighting accumulated time is not reset, and the lamp It is an object of the present invention to provide an illumination control device that performs light control at a brightness to be turned on according to an actual accumulated lighting time, and an illumination device using the same.

An illumination control device according to the present invention is an illumination control device that controls a dimming rate of a lighting fixture.
A dimming rate setting switch for selecting and setting one dimming rate type from among multiple types of dimming rate types;
A timer for measuring the cumulative lighting time of the lighting fixture;
A dimming rate storage unit for storing dimming rate information for calculating a basic dimming rate corresponding to the dimming rate type and the lighting accumulated time of the lighting fixture;
When the dimming rate type is changed by the dimming rate setting switch, the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit is read, and the dimming rate after the change is based on the dimming rate information Calculates the dimming rate value corresponding to the lighting accumulated time measured by the timer, and controls the dimming rate of the lighting fixture using the obtained dimming rate value. And a control unit that generates and outputs a dimming control signal.

An illumination control device according to the present invention is an illumination control device that controls a dimming rate of a lighting fixture.
A dimming rate setting switch for selecting and setting one dimming rate type from among multiple types of dimming rate types;
A timer for measuring the cumulative lighting time of the lighting fixture;
For each type of multiple types of dimming rate types, a dimming rate storage unit that stores the dimming rate value corresponding to the lighting cumulative time of the lighting fixture as dimming rate information,
When the dimming rate type is changed by the dimming rate setting switch, it is the dimming rate value of the dimming rate type after the change from the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit. A controller that reads out a dimming rate value corresponding to the lighting accumulated time measured by the timer, generates a dimming control signal for controlling the dimming rate of the lighting fixture using the dimming rate value, and outputs the dimming control signal; It is provided with.

  According to the illumination control device of the present invention, the control unit reads out the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit, and calculates and obtains the dimming rate value corresponding to the accumulated lighting time measured by the timer. Then, a dimming control signal for controlling the dimming rate of the lighting fixture is output using the obtained dimming rate value. Therefore, even if the dimming rate type is switched by the dimming rate setting switch, the timer is not reset and is not set to the lower limit dimming rate. Therefore, the lighting fixture has an effect that the lamp can be lit with the dimming rate type according to the set dimming rate type and the lighting cumulative time.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a lighting device 300 including the lighting control device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the dimming rate and the elapsed time rate in a basic dimming curve and a plurality of types of dimming rate types when initial illuminance correction is performed in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dimming rate setting switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the illumination control apparatus 100. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the dimming rate setting switch 110 and a diagram showing the state of the DIP (Dual In Package) switch 180.

  First, the structure of the illuminating device 300 provided with the illumination control apparatus 100 is demonstrated using FIG. Lighting device 300 according to the present embodiment includes lighting control device 100, lighting fixture 200, and lamp 220. The illumination control device 100 includes a dimming rate setting switch 110, a dimming rate fixed output switch 120, a reset button 130, a dimming rate storage unit 140, a control unit 150, and a timer 160. The dimming rate storage unit 140, the control unit 150, and the timer 160 may be collectively referred to as a microcomputer 170. The lamp 220 is turned on by generating a dimming control signal from the control unit 150 of the lighting control device 100 and outputting it to the lighting fixture 200. The lighting device 200 includes a ballast 210 (inverter). An example of the lamp 220 is a fluorescent lamp.

Although not shown, the control unit 150 of the microcomputer 170 includes a CPU (also referred to as a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processing unit, or an arithmetic unit) that executes a program. The CPU is a device that measures time via ROM, RAM, each switch (dimming rate setting switch 110, dimming rate fixed output switch 120, reset button 130) that is an example of an input unit or an input device. A timer 160 is connected to control these hardware devices. The RAM is an example of a volatile memory. The ROM is an example of a nonvolatile memory. These are examples of a storage device or a storage unit. The dimming rate storage unit 140 is realized by a storage device such as a ROM.
The RAM and ROM store an operating system (OS), a program group, and a file group. In the program group, for example, programs such as a dimming rate determination unit 151, a timer reset unit 152, a signal output unit 153, and the like to be described later are stored. In addition, dimming rate information, which will be described later, is stored as a file group in which information such as each dimming rate type is recorded.

  In addition, what is described as “˜unit” in the following description of the embodiment may be realized by firmware stored in the ROM. Alternatively, it may be implemented by software alone, hardware alone, a combination of software and hardware, or a combination of firmware. Firmware and software are stored in the storage device as programs. The program is read by the CPU and executed by the CPU. That is, the program causes the microcomputer 170 to function as “to part” described below. Alternatively, the microcomputer 170 is caused to execute the procedure of “to part” described below.

Next, the function of each component will be described.
The dimming rate setting switch 110 of the lighting device 100 selects and sets one dimming rate type from among a plurality of types of dimming rate types. Here, the light control rate will be described. In general, the fluorescent lamp has the highest illuminance in the initial state (when attached to the lighting device), and the illuminance decreases as the accumulated lighting time (the time during which the lighting time of the fluorescent lamp is recorded) increases. Therefore, in the conventional lighting device, in order to prevent the illuminance of the room from gradually decreasing, the illuminance is decreased in advance in the initial stage, and as the accumulated lighting time increases, the illuminance is gradually increased to increase the lighting time over the entire lighting time. The illuminance is kept constant. The rate of reducing the illuminance of the fluorescent lamp is called the dimming rate. That is, the dimming rate is a value obtained by expressing the illuminance value as a percentage when the maximum value of the illuminance emitted from the fluorescent lamp is 100, which is reduced by an illumination control device or the like. Thus, correcting the illuminance from the initial state with the dimming rate and gradually increasing the illuminance is referred to as initial illuminance correction or automatic illuminance correction. The curve for initial illuminance correction is called a dimming curve. An example of initial illumination correction is shown in FIG. The vertical axis of the graph representing the initial illuminance correction in FIG. 2 is the dimming rate (unit:%), and the horizontal axis is the ratio of the lighting accumulated time to the life of the fluorescent lamp (elapsed time rate) (unit: 100%). The lifetime of the fluorescent lamp is about 6000 hours to 12,000 hours. For example, when the lifetime of the fluorescent lamp is 6000 hours and the accumulated lighting time is 600 hours, the elapsed time rate is 10%. The dimming rate at the time when the fluorescent lamp is attached is referred to as the lower limit dimming rate, and the dimming rate at the time when the life of the fluorescent lamp reaches 100% is referred to as the upper limit dimming rate. The initial dimming rate is the lowest value as the lower limit dimming rate, and the dimming rate at the end of the life of the fluorescent lamp is the highest value as the upper limit dimming rate. The lower limit dimming rate is set to about 70% of the upper limit dimming rate (lower limit dimming rate = upper limit dimming rate × 0.7). The dimming rate increases rapidly until the elapsed time rate reaches 10%, but thereafter becomes a gentle curve. The illumination control device can keep the illuminance constant throughout the lighting time by changing the dimming rate corresponding to the cumulative lighting time as shown in FIG. 2 to turn on the fluorescent lamp.

Next, the dimming rate type will be described. For the dimming curve, the curve when the upper limit dimming rate is set to 100% is used as a basic dimming curve (maintenance rate 70%), and the dimming curves for other upper dimming rates are set based on this curve. For example, when the upper limit dimming rate is 80%, the dimming rate value at another elapsed time rate can be obtained by multiplying the basic dimming curve by 0.8. Thus, if the upper limit dimming rate is determined, the dimming curve can be set. This setting is called a dimming rate type.
FIG. 2 shows dimming curves a to d when the upper limit dimming rate is 80%, 70%, 65%, and 60%. Further, a basic dimming curve e when the upper limit dimming rate is 100% is shown. Each dimming curve is stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140 as a dimming rate type. The dimming curve is displayed on a dimming rate setting switch or the like as a dimming rate type with the upper limit dimming rate as a representative value. The dimming rate type may indicate the lower limit dimming rate as a representative value. The lower limit dimming rate is about 70% of the upper limit dimming rate. When the lower limit dimming rate is indicated as a representative value of each dimming rate type, the dimming curves a to d are indicated by 56%, 49%, 46%, and 42%.

The dimming rates of the dimming curves a, b, c, and d shown in FIG. 2 are assumed to be as shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the upper limit dimming rate of the lower surface lighting fixture and the louvered lighting fixture and the brightness of the desk surface that is 2.5 m away from the lighting fixture.
For example, it can be seen from FIG. 11 that when the brightness of 750 lux (lx) is provided on the desk top surface that is 2.5 m away just below the lighting fixture with the lower surface lighting fixture, the upper limit dimming rate is 80%. Thus, the relationship between FIG. 11 and FIG. 2 is as follows.
(1) The lighting control curve a with an upper limit dimming rate of 80% is obtained when it is desired to light the desk surface at a brightness of 750 lux (lx) with a louvered luminaire.
(2) When it is desired to turn on the desk surface at a brightness of 650 lux (lx) with a lighting device with a louver at a brightness of 650 lux (lx), the dimming curve b has an upper limit dimming rate of 70%.
(3) A dimming curve b having an upper limit dimming rate of 70% is desired when a desk surface 2.5 m away from the lower surface lighting fixture is to be lit at a brightness of 750 lux (lx).
(4) When it is desired to turn on the desk surface with a brightness of 700 lux (lx) with a lower surface lighting fixture 2.5 m away, the dimming curve c has an upper limit dimming rate of 65%.
(5) When it is desired to turn on the desk surface with a brightness of 650 lux (lx) with the lower surface lighting fixture 2.5 m away, the dimming curve d has an upper limit dimming rate of 60%.

  As for the light control rate type, it is preferable that a plurality of light control rate types can be set for each lighting device. For example, when the purpose of use of a room is changed, such as when a store is renewed or when a room is used as a warehouse, there are cases where it is desired to change the dimming rate of the illumination. In such a case, it is inefficient to replace the entire lighting fixtures having different dimming rate types, and it is more convenient to change the setting by setting a plurality of dimming rate types on the lighting fixture side.

  The dimming rate setting switch 110 of the lighting control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can select and set one dimming rate type from a plurality of dimming rate types set in advance. FIG. 3 shows an example of the dimming rate setting switch. The dimming rate setting switch is composed of two DIP switches (DIP switch 111 and DIP switch 112). The setting is changed by switching each DIP switch on and off. By combining the on and off states of each DIP switch, four dimming rate types can be set. For example, the dimming rate type A indicates that the upper limit dimming rate is 80% (the lower limit dimming rate is 56%), the DIP switch 111 is turned off (OFF), and the DIP switch 112 is also turned off. To set. In the dimming rate type B, the upper limit dimming rate is 70% (the lower limit dimming rate is 49%). When changing the dimming rate, the DIP switch 111 is turned on (ON) and the DIP switch 112 is turned off. The correspondence between the state of the DIP switch and the dimming rate type is stored as dimming rate information in the dimming rate storage unit 140 described later. The control unit 150 reads the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140, compares the read dimming rate information with the state of the DIP switch of the dimming rate setting switch 110, and selects the dimming rate type. decide.

Specifically, when the user of the luminaire desires the following illuminance, the following dimming rate type may be selected with the DIP switch.
(1) The dimming rate type A is selected when it is desired to light the desk surface at a distance of 2.5 m with a louver with a brightness of 750 lux (lx).
(2) The dimming rate type B is selected when it is desired to light up the desk surface 2.5 m away with a louvered luminaire at a brightness of 650 lux (lx).
(3) The dimming rate type B is selected when it is desired to light the desk surface with a brightness of 750 lux (lx) with a lower surface lighting fixture 2.5 m away.
(4) The dimming rate type C is selected when it is desired to light up the desk surface 2.5 m away from the lower surface lighting fixture with a brightness of 700 lux (lx).
(5) The dimming rate type D is selected when it is desired to turn on the desk surface at a brightness of 650 lux (lx) with a lower surface lighting fixture 2.5 m away.
As described above, in this embodiment, the dimming rate type selected by the dimming rate setting switch is such that the brightness of the desk surface separated by 2.5 m from the lower surface lighting fixture is 650 lx (lux), 700 lx, and 750 lx. Or at least one of the cases where the brightness of the desk surface 2.5 m away from the lighting device with a louver is 650 lx or 750 lx.
In the dimming rate setting switch of the present embodiment, four dimming rate types can be set using two DIP switches. However, eight dimming rate types can be set using three DIP switches. It doesn't matter. Two dimming rate types may be set using one DIP switch.

The dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is a switch for setting the dimming rate to a constant value regardless of the accumulated lighting time. In order to fix the dimming rate, the dimming rate fixing output switch is set to the ON side. When the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is on, the control unit 150 informs the control unit 150 of the value of the upper limit dimming rate determined by the dimming rate setting switch 110. For example, when the dimming rate setting switch 110 is set to be dimming rate type A (upper limit dimming rate 80%), when the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is turned on, the control unit 150 causes the accumulated lighting time. Regardless of, a dimming control signal is generated so as to obtain a constant dimming rate of 80%, and is transmitted to the lighting apparatus 200. As a transmission method, for example, a wired signal such as a PWM signal or a serial signal, an infrared ray, or a wireless signal is used. The value of the dimming rate to be fixed may be the lower limit dimming rate instead of the upper limit dimming rate.
The dimming rate fixed output switch may be turned off and the initial illuminance correction output may be turned on.

  The timer 160 has a function of measuring the cumulative lighting time of the lamp 220 of the lighting fixture 200. When the lamp 220 is replaced, the accumulated lighting time is initialized to 0 hour by the operator pressing a reset button 130 described later. The timer 160 measures the time from the time of initialization with the passage of time.

  The reset button 130 is a button for resetting the timer 160. This is a push-type button, and the operator can set the accumulated lighting time measured by the timer 160 to 0 hours by pressing the reset button 130.

  The dimming rate storage unit 140 is a storage unit or a storage device, and is, for example, a nonvolatile memory. The dimming rate storage unit 140 stores dimming rate information for calculating a basic dimming rate corresponding to the plurality of dimming rate types described above and the lighting accumulated time of the lighting fixture 200 by calculation. For example, the dimming rate storage unit 140 stores a value at which the value of the basic dimming curve e shown in FIG. Further, the dimming rate storage unit 140 stores a coefficient as dimming rate information in order to obtain the dimming rate according to the elapsed time rate of each dimming rate type. In the case of this embodiment, 0.8, 0.7, 0.65, and 0.6 corresponding to each dimming rate type A to D are stored.

  The controller 150 generates and outputs a dimming control signal for controlling the dimming rate to the lighting apparatus 200. The control unit 150 includes a dimming rate determination unit 151, a signal output unit 153, and a timer reset unit 152.

  When the dimming rate type is changed by the dimming rate setting switch 110 described above, the dimming rate determining unit 151 reads the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140 and reads the dimming rate read Based on the information, a dimming rate value of the dimming rate type after the change, and a dimming rate value corresponding to the lighting accumulated time measured by the timer 160 is calculated and obtained. In this case, the dimming rate determination unit 151 outputs the obtained dimming rate value to the signal output unit 153.

  When the dimming rate information is stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140, the dimming rate information is stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140, and the dimming rate type is changed. Then, from the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140, the dimming rate value after the change, which is the dimming rate value corresponding to the accumulated lighting time measured by the timer, is read. In this case, the dimming rate determining unit 151 outputs the read dimming rate value to the signal output unit 153.

  The timer reset unit 152 resets the timer 160 when the reset button 130 is pressed. That is, the lighting cumulative time stored in the timer is initialized (lighting cumulative time = 0).

  The signal output unit 153 outputs a signal corresponding to the dimming rate determined and output by the dimming rate determining unit 151 to the lighting fixture 200 as a dimming control signal.

  The luminaire 200 includes a replaceable lamp 220 and a ballast 210. The lamp 220 is, for example, a fluorescent lamp. The ballast 210 has an inverter or the like, controls the lamp current to a value suitable for the lamp 220, and supplies a starting voltage necessary for lighting the lamp 220 and an appropriate preheating voltage to the electrodes. The lamp 220 is turned on based on the dimming rate from the control unit 150. Detailed description of the structure of the lighting apparatus 200 will be omitted.

The operation of the illumination control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
First, after the lighting apparatus 300 is first turned on, the control unit 150 detects the dimming rate type from the dimming rate setting switch 110 (S101).
When the dimming rate setting switch 110 is composed of two DIP switches, the on / off state of the DIP switch 111 and the DIP switch 112 is confirmed. For example, when both are off, the dimming rate Read that Type A is set.
Next, the state of the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is confirmed (S102). When the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is on, the control unit 150 determines that the dimming rate is fixed. In accordance with the dimming rate type indicated by the dimming rate setting switch 110, the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140 is read and set to a fixed dimming rate value (S201). For example, when the dimming rate type A is set and the upper limit dimming rate of the dimming rate type A is 80%, 80% is set as the fixed dimming rate. A dimming control signal is output to the luminaire 200, and the lamp is turned on according to the set dimming rate.
Setting the fixed dimming rate is effective when it is better to accidentally initialize the lighting cumulative time and set the upper dimming rate than the lower dimming rate.

When the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is off, the control unit 150 determines that the dimming rate is to be subjected to initial illuminance correction (automatic illuminance correction).
When performing the initial illumination correction, the control unit 150 reads the accumulated lighting time measured by the timer (S103).
Next, the control unit 150 reads the dimming rate information corresponding to the dimming rate type read from the dimming rate setting switch 110 and the read accumulated lighting time from the dimming rate storage unit 140 (S104). Based on the read dimming rate information, the control unit 150 calculates a dimming rate value corresponding to the accumulated lighting time (S105). For example, when the dimming rate type A is set and the upper limit dimming rate of the dimming rate type A is 80%, 80% of the value of the basic dimming type e corresponding to the accumulated lighting time is calculated. To do.

  The dimming rate determination unit 151 of the control unit 150 inputs the calculated dimming rate value to the signal output unit 153, and the signal output unit 153 illuminates the dimming control signal using the input dimming rate value. It outputs to the instrument 200 (S106).

Finally, the timer reset unit 152 determines the status of the reset button 130 (S107). If the timer reset unit 152 determines that the reset button 130 has not been pressed (NO), the lighting accumulated time is not initialized, and the process returns to the step of detecting the dimming rate type (S101).
When it is determined that the reset button 130 is pressed and the timer reset unit 152 of the control unit 150 has reset, the lighting accumulated time stored in the timer is initialized (0 hours), and the dimming rate type is detected ( Return to S101).
By repeating the steps from S101 to S107, it becomes possible to set the dimming rate according to the accumulated lighting time and the dimming rate type. For example, the interval of repeating S101 to S107 is performed every second. The repetition interval may be a time interval of 1 second or more, or may be a time interval of less than that.

The relationship between the upper limit dimming rate and the state of the DIP switch in each dimming rate type will be described with reference to FIG.
Generally, in the lighting device, when the dimming rate type is set first, the dimming rate type is not changed for a long time. Therefore, the DIP switch is often not used for a long period of time, and contact failure at the contact point may occur. When contact failure occurs, even when the DIP switch is turned on, current does not actually pass, and an incorrect setting may be transmitted to the control unit 150 (microcomputer 170).
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the dimming rate setting switch 110 and a diagram showing the state of the DIP switch 180. FIG. 5A shows the setting rate type A in the present embodiment and the upper limit dimming rate is 80. % Is shown. FIG. 5B is a circuit diagram in the case where both DIP switches fail, and a diagram showing the state of the DIP switch 180.

It is also possible as a setting pattern to indicate a type with a high upper limit dimming rate when both of the two DIP switches (DIP switch 111 and DIP switch 112) are turned on. However, as a lighting device, it is better that the illuminance is set high even when the dimming rate setting switch 110 fails. That is, in the present embodiment, when the DIP switch (DIP switch 111, DIP switch 112) is both turned off (OFF) due to a contact failure of the DIP switch, the type with the highest dimming rate (upper limit dimming) 80%). Even if one of them is turned off due to a contact failure, it does not become a type with a lower upper limit dimming rate (60%), and a type with a higher upper limit dimming rate (either 65%, 70% or 80%) Or). And when both were turned on, it was set as the type (upper limit light control rate 60%) with the lowest upper limit light control rate.
By making such a correspondence relationship between the dimming rate type and the DIP switch, even when the DIP switch (the dimming rate setting switch 110) fails, it is possible to control at a brighter dimming rate.

  If the lighting control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is used, it is possible to control the dimming rate of the lighting fixture with an appropriate value in accordance with the cumulative lighting time of the lamp and the dimming rate type. An example of changing the dimming rate type when the initial illumination correction is performed using the illumination control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when the lamp is replaced (when the elapsed time rate is 0%), the dimming rate setting switch is set so that the dimming rate type A is obtained. At this time, the light control rate output to the lighting fixture 200 is 56%. When the dimming rate type is changed so that the upper limit dimming rate is set to 60% when the elapsed time rate has elapsed 5%, the operator uses the dimming rate setting switch to change the dimming rate type D. To be. The control unit 150 reads that the dimming rate setting switch has been changed, and reads the dimming rate information value (coefficient: 0.6) of the dimming rate type D from the dimming rate storage unit 140. The value of the basic dimming curve e according to the accumulated lighting time of the timer 160 is read, and the dimming rate is determined using these values. That is, the dimming rate is changed as indicated by the arrow indicated by S10 in FIG. 2, and thereafter, the dimming rate is set according to the dimming curve d.

After that, when the elapsed time rate reaches 10%, if the upper limit dimming rate is changed to 65%, the dimming rate setting switch is changed to change to dimming rate type C. To do. Thereafter, by the same operation of the control unit 150, about 55% of the dimming rate is output to the lighting fixture (S20). S30 indicates a change in the light control rate when the upper limit light control rate is changed from 65% to 80% when the elapsed time rate reaches 30%. S40 shows a case where the upper limit dimming rate is changed from 80% to 60% when the elapsed time rate becomes 52%. Compared with the time when the elapsed time rate is 5% (S10), the dimming rate is about 49% to about 57%, but since the accumulated lighting time is recorded by the timer, the fluorescent lamp ( An appropriate dimming rate according to the state of the lamp 220) can be set, and the same illuminance can be maintained for the entire lighting time.
S50 shows the change in the light control rate when the upper limit light control rate is changed from 60% (light control rate type D) to 70% (light control rate type B) when the elapsed time rate is 70%. Is.

  In the conventional lighting device, when the dimming rate type is changed, it is necessary to replace the lighting device or the lighting control device. In addition, when the dimming rate type is changed, the accumulated lighting time is initialized. Therefore, when the attached lamp is continuously used, it cannot be lit at the dimming rate according to the accumulated lighting time. There was a problem. If the lighting control device according to the present embodiment is used, a dimming rate setting switch for selecting and setting one dimming rate type from a plurality of types of dimming rate types is provided. When changing the type, it is not necessary to replace the lighting device or the lighting control device. In addition, the illumination control device 100 includes a dimming rate storage unit 140 that stores basic dimming rate and dimming rate information for calculating the dimming rate type by calculation, and further, dimming corresponding to the lighting accumulated time A control unit 150 is provided that calculates and calculates the rate value. Therefore, it is possible to change the dimming rate type without initializing the lighting accumulated time, and it is possible to set the dimming rate according to the accumulated lighting time and the dimming rate type. .

  The dimming rate setting switch is a switch that selects and sets one dimming rate type from a plurality of dimming rate types based on either the upper limit dimming rate or the lower limit dimming rate. It is characterized by that.

  The dimming rate setting switch is a switch that is set so as to select a dimming rate type that increases the dimming rate when the contact is non-contact.

The lighting control device further includes a dimming rate fixed output switch for setting the dimming rate to be fixed regardless of the lighting cumulative time,
When the dimming rate fixed output switch is set to fix the dimming rate, the control unit 150 sets a fixed dimming rate determined by one dimming rate type set by the dimming rate setting switch. The dimming control signal is generated using the value of.

  According to the illumination control device according to the present invention, the control unit 150 reads the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit, and calculates the dimming rate value corresponding to the lighting cumulative time measured by the timer. A dimming control signal for controlling the dimming rate of the lighting fixture is output using the obtained dimming rate value. Therefore, even if the dimming rate type is switched by the dimming rate setting switch, the timer is not reset and is not set to the lower limit dimming rate. Therefore, the lighting fixture has an effect that the lamp can be turned on with the dimming rate according to the set dimming rate type and the accumulated lighting time.

  According to the illumination control device according to the present embodiment, the dimming rate setting switch 110 is a switch that selects and sets one dimming rate type from among a plurality of types of dimming rate types. The dimming rate setting switch 110 has a simple structure, and the cost can be reduced.

  According to the illumination control device according to the present embodiment, the dimming rate setting switch is a switch that is set to select a dimming rate type that increases the dimming rate when the contact is non-contact. For example, even if the contact of the dimming rate setting switch fails, there is an effect that the dimming rate type with a low upper limit dimming rate is not obtained.

  The lighting control device according to the present embodiment includes the dimming rate fixed output switch for setting the dimming rate to be fixed regardless of the accumulated lighting time, so that the dimming rate is changed by the dimming curve. When it is not desired (when the initial illuminance correction is not performed), there is an effect that can be easily switched.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the following, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.
The functional block diagram in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the contents of dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140 are different from those in the first embodiment.

In the dimming rate information of the first embodiment, the value of the basic dimming curve e and the coefficients of a plurality of types of dimming rate types are stored in advance, and the dimming rate according to the accumulated lighting time is determined in the control unit 150. It was obtained by calculation. However, the dimming rate storage unit 140 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the dimming rate values of a plurality of types of dimming rate types are stored as values corresponding to the accumulated lighting time or the elapsed time rate. is there. For example, the dimming rate of each dimming rate type is stored for every 100 hours of accumulated lighting time. Or you may memorize | store the light control rate of each light control rate type for every 1% of elapsed time rates.
In addition, the dimming rate storage unit 140 may store, as dimming rate information, a dimming rate value corresponding to the lighting accumulated time of the lighting fixture for each of the plurality of dimming rate types. . For example, the dimming rate storage unit 140 adds four dimming rate type coefficients (0.8, 0.7, 0.65, 0.6) to the value for each elapsed time rate of the basic dimming curve e. The calculated result is stored as table data of dimming rate information.

Since the control unit 150 can read out the dimming rate corresponding to each dimming rate type as dimming rate information, there is an effect that the control unit 150 does not need to calculate the dimming rate.
That is, if the lighting control apparatus of the present embodiment is used, the step (S105) of calculating the value of the dimming rate corresponding to the lighting cumulative time based on the dimming rate information in the flowchart of FIG.
This is an effective technique when the available storage capacity of the dimming rate storage unit is larger than in the case of the first embodiment.

  According to lighting control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, control unit 150 reads a dimming rate value corresponding to the accumulated lighting time measured by timer 160 from dimming rate storage unit 140, and this dimming rate. Is used to output a dimming control signal for controlling the dimming rate of the lighting fixture 200. Therefore, even if the dimming rate type is switched by the dimming rate setting switch 110, the timer 160 is not reset and is not set to the lower limit dimming rate. Therefore, the luminaire 200 has an effect that the lamp 220 can be turned on with the dimming rate according to the set dimming rate type and the accumulated lighting time.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the following, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described. The functional block diagram in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the contents of dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140 are different from those in the first embodiment.
In the dimming rate information of the first embodiment, the value of the basic dimming curve e and the coefficients of a plurality of types of dimming rate types are stored in advance, and the dimming rate according to the accumulated lighting time is determined in the control unit 150. Although it was calculated | required by calculation, the light control rate memory | storage part 140 of this Embodiment memorize | stores the information obtained from the type | formula (or curve approximation type | formula) which approximated the value of the basic light control curve e with the straight line. It is a feature. An example of a straight line (also referred to as a graph / formula) approximated by a straight line is shown in FIG. The basic dimming curve e is a curve that generally increases rapidly until the elapsed time rate is about 10%, but becomes a gentle curve when it exceeds 10%. Therefore, a straight line (basic dimming curve e ′) obtained by approximating the value of the basic dimming curve e with a straight line is obtained using two straight lines when the elapsed time rate is less than 10% and when the elapsed time rate is 10% or more. Based on the value obtained from this straight line, the control unit 150 obtains a dimming rate corresponding to the accumulated lighting time (elapsed time rate) of each dimming rate type by calculation.
As described above, the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit 140 may be information of an approximate straight line (or curve), and a value for each elapsed time rate of the basic dimming curve e is stored. There is no need. Therefore, it can be mounted with a relatively small storage capacity.

  The dimming rate storage unit 140 according to the present embodiment stores two approximated expressions when the elapsed time rate is 10%, but the boundary is not 10%, but 20% or 30%. The basic dimming curve e may be divided according to the elapsed time rate. You may divide | segment by three or more straight lines instead of two. If the number of divisions is large, the error between the basic dimming curve e and the basic dimming curve e 'decreases.

In addition, the dimming rate storage unit 140 stores, as the dimming rate information to be stored, straight lines approximated by respective straight lines for the dimming curves a to d corresponding to the respective dimming types (the dimming curves a ′ to d in FIG. You can remember ').
Since the operation of the illumination control device 100 is the same as that in FIG.
This method is effective when the storage capacity of the dimming rate storage unit 140 is smaller than that of the first embodiment.

  The dimming rate storage unit was obtained as dimming rate information from information obtained from a dimming curve in which the dimming rate was changed with the passage of lighting cumulative time, and a straight line approximating the dimming curve with a straight line. Any one of the information is stored.

  According to the illumination control device according to the present embodiment, the dimming rate storage unit stores dimming rate information for obtaining the dimming curve from an approximate expression approximated by a straight line. Therefore, it is not necessary to store the basic dimming rate according to the accumulated lighting time, and it can be realized with less information, so even if the memory capacity of the dimming rate storage unit is small, the set dimming rate type and the accumulated lighting time There is an effect that it is possible to set a dimming rate according to the above.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the following, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment, in particular, a reset method for resetting the timer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of lighting apparatus 300 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the functional block diagrams showing the same functions and operations as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.
In the present embodiment, a life detection circuit 230 is added to the lighting fixture. The life detection circuit 230 is a circuit that detects whether or not the lamp 220 attached to the luminaire 200 has a life. When it is determined that the lamp 220 has reached the end of its life, the life detection circuit 230 transmits a life detection signal indicating the determination to the control unit 150. When the control unit 150 receives the signal, the timer reset unit 152 initializes the timer 160. At this time, the operator replaces the lamp.

  The control unit 150 according to the present embodiment includes a timer reset unit 152 that resets the timer 160 when a life detection signal indicating that the life of the illumination lamp 220 has arrived has been input from the life detection circuit 230 of the lighting fixture 200. It is characterized by having.

  According to the lighting control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 150 includes the timer reset unit 152 that resets the timer 160 when the life detection signal from the life detection circuit 230 of the lighting fixture 200 is input. Therefore, the timer 160 can be reset without pressing the reset button 130 when the illumination lamp is replaced. As a result, the working time can be shortened.

  The life detection circuit 230 of the lighting fixture 200 determines the life of the lamp 220 and initializes the lighting accumulated time, so that an operator who replaces the lamp does not need to press the reset button 130 every time the lamp 220 is replaced. . Therefore, there is an effect of preventing the operator from forgetting to press the reset button 130 when replacing the lamp 220.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
In the present embodiment, another reset method for resetting the timer will be described. FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the reset button 130 and the microcomputer 170.
If the accumulated lighting time is initialized only by turning on / off the reset button 130, the timer is reset (the accumulated lighting time is initialized) when the operator erroneously presses the reset button 130. When the timer is reset, when the initial illuminance correction is performed, the dimming rate becomes the lower limit dimming rate, and thus the lighting device 300 cannot turn on the lamp 220 using an appropriate dimming rate. Therefore, a method for determining whether or not to reset the accumulated lighting time by pressing and holding the reset button 130 so that the timer is not reset even when the reset button 130 is erroneously pressed will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the reset button 130 and the microcomputer 170. The reset button 130 is a push-type button, and normally, a voltage (5 V) is applied to the microcomputer side. When resetting with the push button, the voltage (+ Vcc (5V)) flowing to the microcomputer 170 side is temporarily lowered by pressing the push button (the voltage is applied to the ground side). The microcomputer 170 can determine whether or not the push button (reset button 130) has been pressed by measuring the voltage. If the time during which no voltage is applied is measured by the timer 160, the microcomputer 170 can determine whether or not the long-time reset button 130 has been pressed. With such a configuration, the timer 160 can be reset by long pressing the reset button 130 for a predetermined time.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the control unit 150 determines that the reset button 130 has been pressed for 2 seconds or longer, the timer is reset (the accumulated lighting time is initialized). When the time when the reset button 130 is pressed, that is, when the voltage applied to the microcomputer 170 is 5 V or less is less than 2 seconds, the control unit 150 determines that the setting is invalid and does not reset the timer. That is, even if the operator presses the reset button 130 by mistake, the timer is not reset. Therefore, the dimming rate does not become the lower limit dimming rate, and the lamp 220 is turned on at the dimming rate according to the lighting accumulated time. It becomes possible.

  The time for which the control unit 150 determines that the reset button 130 has been long pressed by the operator may be 2 seconds or more. Also, it may be 2 seconds or less. If the time is too short, malfunction cannot be detected, so it is desirable that the time is 1 second or longer.

  The lighting control device further includes a reset button 130 for resetting a timer, and the control unit 150 includes a timer reset unit 152 for resetting the timer when the reset button 130 is kept pressed for a predetermined time or more. It is characterized by.

  According to the illumination control device according to the present embodiment, the control unit 150 includes the timer reset unit 152 that resets the timer (initializes the accumulated lighting time) when the control unit 150 is kept pressed for a predetermined time or longer. Therefore, for example, there is an effect that the timer is not reset even when the operator erroneously presses the reset button 130 during the work of replacing the light.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In this embodiment, another reset method for resetting the timer 160 will be described.
Similar to the fifth embodiment, an object is to prevent the timer 160 from being reset due to a malfunction of the operator.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment. The difference from Embodiment 1 is that the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 outputs an on / off signal of the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 to the timer reset unit 152 of the control unit 150.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for resetting the timer 160 according to the present embodiment.
Normally, the DIP switch, which is the dimming rate fixed output switch 120, is a switch for setting whether to fix the dimming rate, that is, whether to perform initial illuminance correction. In the present embodiment, the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is also used as the reset button 130.
Simply turning the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 on and off is indistinguishable from setting whether or not to perform initial illumination correction. Therefore, the timer reset unit 152 of the control unit 150 determines that the accumulated lighting time has been reset when the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is turned on and off a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.
That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, from the state in which the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is turned off, it is once turned on and immediately turned off. The time from turning off to turning on and turning off again is, for example, within one second. When the interval from OFF to OFF is within 1 second, the timer reset unit 152 determines that the operator has input a reset signal, and initializes the accumulated lighting time of the timer 160. The predetermined time for resetting may be a fixed time, and for example, ON / OFF may be repeated within 2 seconds. The number of times of turning on and off at a predetermined time may be two or more.

If the lighting control device 100 according to the present embodiment is used, the timer 160 is reset by repeatedly turning the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 on and off within a predetermined time. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the timer 160 from being reset. In this embodiment, since the timer 160 is reset by the dimming rate fixed output switch 120, the reset button 130 is unnecessary, and the number of components can be reduced.
Of course, there may be a case where an erroneous operation is not taken into consideration, and in that case, it is only necessary to perform a reset when switching from on to off.

The embodiments described above can also be implemented in combination.
For example, the timer 160 may be reset in combination with the reset method according to the fifth embodiment and the reset method according to the sixth embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the timer 160 is reset when the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is turned on / off within a predetermined time and then the reset button 130 is pressed. Complicating the procedure for resetting the timer 160 can prevent the timer 160 from being erroneously reset due to an operator's erroneous operation.

  The control unit 150 includes a timer reset unit 152 that resets the timer 160 when the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is turned on / off a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time.

  According to lighting control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, control unit 150 causes timer 160 to reset timer 160 when dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is turned on and off a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. Since the reset unit 152 is provided, for example, there is an effect that the timer 160 is not reset even when the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is erroneously operated during the dimming rate type setting operation.

  The control unit 150 includes a timer reset unit 152 that resets the timer 160 when the dimming rate fixed output switch 120 is turned on and off a predetermined number of times and the reset button 130 is pressed within a predetermined time. It is characterized by that.

  According to lighting control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, control unit 150 causes dimming rate fixed output switch 120 to be turned on and off a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time and reset button 130 is pressed. In this case, the timer reset unit 152 that resets the timer 160 is provided, so that, for example, even when the reset button 130 is accidentally pressed during the replacement work of the lamp 220, the confirmation of the lighting of the lamp, the cleaning of the reflection louver, etc. There is an effect that 160 is not reset.

  A lighting apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment includes any one of the above-described lighting control apparatuses 100 and a lighting fixture 200 that performs dimming by a dimming control signal output from the lighting control apparatus 100. .

Moreover, although the illumination control apparatus 100 of each embodiment demonstrated as the thing in which the illumination control apparatus 100 and the lighting fixture 200 were accommodated in the same fixture, the illumination control apparatus 100 was isolate | separated from the lighting fixture 200, and a power supply was isolated. It may be installed in the same place as the switch of the above, or an illumination control device may be installed on the ceiling so that the dimming rate type can be set at hand.
The setting method has been described with respect to a method of switching the switch, but a configuration using infrared rays or radio with a wireless remote controller or the like may be used. A plurality of instruments can be set simultaneously with this method.
Moreover, you may control the several lighting fixture 200 with the one illumination control apparatus 100. FIG.

It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the illuminating device 300 provided with the illumination control apparatus 100 in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the basic light control curve at the time of carrying out the initial stage illumination intensity correction in Embodiment 1, and the light control rate and elapsed time rate in multiple types of light control rate types. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dimming rate setting switch according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the illumination control apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a dimming rate setting switch 110 and a diagram illustrating a state of a DIP switch 180 in the first embodiment. It is the figure which showed the graph at the time of approximating the basic light control curve in Embodiment 3 with the straight line. It is a functional block diagram of the illuminating device 300 in Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a reset button 130 and a microcomputer 170 in the fifth embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the illuminating device 300 in Embodiment 6. FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing a method of resetting a timer 160 in the sixth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the upper limit light control rate of a lower surface open lighting fixture and a luminaire with a louver, and the brightness of the desk surface 2.5m away right under the lighting fixture.

Explanation of symbols

  100 lighting control device, 111 DIP switch, 112 DIP switch, 110 dimming rate setting switch, 120 dimming rate fixed output switch, 130 reset button, 140 dimming rate storage unit, 150 control unit, 151 dimming rate determining unit, 152 timer reset unit, 153 signal output unit, 160 timer, 170 microcomputer, 180 DIP switch, 200 lighting fixture, 210 ballast, 220 lamp, 230 life detection circuit, 300 lighting device.

Claims (12)

In the lighting control device that controls the dimming rate of the lighting fixture,
A dimming rate setting switch for selecting and setting one dimming rate type from among multiple types of dimming rate types;
A timer for measuring the cumulative lighting time of the lighting fixture;
A dimming rate storage unit for storing dimming rate information for calculating a basic dimming rate corresponding to the dimming rate type and the lighting accumulated time of the lighting fixture;
When the dimming rate type is changed by the dimming rate setting switch, the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit is read, and the dimming rate after the change is based on the dimming rate information The dimming rate value of the type, which is calculated by calculating the dimming rate value corresponding to the accumulated lighting time measured by the timer, and using the obtained dimming rate value, controls the dimming rate of the above luminaire. And a controller that generates and outputs a dimming control signal. In the lighting control device that controls the dimming rate of the lighting fixture,
A dimming rate setting switch for selecting and setting one dimming rate type from among multiple types of dimming rate types;
A timer for measuring the cumulative lighting time of the lighting fixture;
For each type of multiple types of dimming rate types, a dimming rate storage unit that stores a dimming rate value corresponding to the lighting cumulative time of the lighting fixture as dimming rate information,
When the dimming rate type is changed by the dimming rate setting switch, the dimming rate value of the dimming rate type after the change is selected from the dimming rate information stored in the dimming rate storage unit. Then, the value of the dimming rate corresponding to the accumulated lighting time measured by the timer is read, and the dimming control signal for controlling the dimming rate of the lighting fixture is generated and output using the dimming rate value. An illumination control device comprising: a control unit.   The dimming rate storage unit is obtained as dimming rate information from information obtained from a dimming curve obtained by changing the dimming rate as the lighting cumulative time elapses, and a straight line obtained by approximating the dimming curve with a straight line. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein any one of the stored information is stored.   The dimming rate setting switch is a switch that selects and sets one dimming rate type from a plurality of dimming rate types based on either the upper limit dimming rate or the lower limit dimming rate. The lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2.   3. The illumination according to claim 1, wherein the dimming rate setting switch is a switch that is set so as to select a dimming rate type that increases the dimming rate when the contact is non-contact. 4. Control device. The lighting control device further includes:
With a dimming rate fixed output switch that sets the dimming rate to be fixed regardless of the accumulated lighting time,
The control unit has a fixed dimming rate determined by one dimming rate type set by the dimming rate setting switch when the dimming rate fixed output switch is set to fix the dimming rate. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein a dimming control signal is generated by using the value of. The lighting control device further includes:
Has a reset button to reset the timer,
The illumination control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a timer reset unit that resets a timer when the reset button is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more.   7. The control unit according to claim 6, further comprising a timer reset unit that resets a timer when the dimming rate fixed output switch is turned on and off a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. Lighting control device.   The control unit includes a timer reset unit that resets a timer when the dimming rate fixed output switch is turned on / off more than a predetermined number of times and a reset button is pressed within a predetermined time. The illumination control device according to claim 6, wherein   The said control part is provided with the timer reset part which resets a timer, when the lifetime detection signal which shows that the lifetime of the lamp for illumination came from the lifetime detection circuit of the said lighting fixture was input. 3. The lighting control device according to 1 or 2.   An illumination apparatus comprising: the illumination control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and an illumination fixture that performs dimming with a dimming control signal output from the illumination control apparatus.   The dimming rate type selected by the dimming rate setting switch is the case where the brightness of the desk surface 2.5 m away from the lower surface lighting fixture is 650 lx (lux), 700 lx, 750 lx, or 2 depending on the lighting device with a louver. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control device is at least one of brightnesses of 650 lx and 750 lx on a desk surface separated by 5 m.