JP2015041410A - Airway beacon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airway beacon in which an overcurrent can be prevented from flowing through an LED even if an abnormality occurs in a DC circuit and the lighting state of the LED can be maintained.SOLUTION: An airway beacon 10 comprises a constant current output circuit 15, a light source 18, abnormality detection means 28, and a bypass circuit 24. The constant current output circuit 15 outputs a constant current. The light source 18 has series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c in which a plurality of LEDs 19 are connected in series, and includes a plurality of series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c connected in parallel with the constant current output circuit 15. The abnormality detection means 28 detects an abnormality of the series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c. The bypass circuit 24 has a resistor 26 which is connected in parallel with the constant current output circuit 15 and the plurality of series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means 28.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an air traffic sign lamp using a light emitting element.

  Conventionally, at airports, a plurality of air traffic sign lights are installed on runways, taxiways, travel roads, etc., and an air traffic light system that controls lighting by supplying AC constant current power to these air traffic sign lights is used. .

  Air traffic sign lights installed on existing runways, etc., are often light bulb type air traffic lights that use light bulbs as light sources, but LED air traffic sign lights that use LEDs that are light emitting elements as light sources. It has been proposed that this LED type air traffic light can be used by replacing it with an existing light bulb type air traffic light.

  In the LED type aerial beacon lamp, an input AC constant current is converted into a DC constant current by a constant current output circuit and supplied to a plurality of LEDs of a light source unit to light the plurality of LEDs. As a connection method of a plurality of LEDs, there are a series connection method in which a plurality of LEDs are connected in series, and a series-parallel connection method in which a plurality of series circuits in which a plurality of LEDs are connected in series are connected in parallel. When there are a large number of LEDs, there are disadvantages such as an increase in the voltage required to turn on the LEDs as the number of LEDs increases. Therefore, when the number of LEDs is large, the series-parallel connection method is preferable.

  When a plurality of series circuits are connected in parallel to a constant current output circuit, if a current stops flowing in the series circuit due to an abnormality such as an LED in a series circuit, the current that should flow through the series circuit is changed to another series circuit. The LED is distributed and flows. The LED has an allowable current value (or rated current value), and an overcurrent that greatly exceeds the allowable current value flows to the LED, causing the LED to be damaged. There is a risk of going out.

  Moreover, in order to prevent an overcurrent from flowing to the LEDs, a protective operation may be performed so as to stop supplying constant current to the LEDs of all the series circuits. Become. However, in an illumination device installed for the purpose of ensuring safety, such as an aerial beacon lamp, it is required to keep the lighting operation as long as possible while avoiding complete extinction even in the event of an abnormality.

JP 2011-70947 A

  In a series-parallel connection type aircraft sign lamp in which a plurality of series circuits in which a plurality of LEDs are connected in series are connected in parallel, when an abnormality occurs in a certain series circuit, there is a possibility that the aircraft sign lamp is completely turned off.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air traffic light that can prevent an overcurrent from flowing to a light emitting element even if an abnormality occurs in a series circuit, and can maintain the lighting state of the light emitting element. is there.

  The air traffic sign lamp of the embodiment includes a constant current output circuit, a light source unit, an abnormality detection means, and a bypass circuit. The constant current output circuit outputs a constant current. The light source unit includes a series circuit in which a plurality of light emitting elements are connected in series, and includes a plurality of series circuits connected in parallel to a constant current output circuit. The abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in the series circuit. The bypass circuit has a load connected in parallel to the constant current output circuit and the plurality of series circuits when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means.

  According to the present invention, even if an abnormality occurs in a certain series circuit, it is possible to prevent an overcurrent from flowing through the light emitting element and to maintain the lighting state of the light emitting element.

1 is a block diagram of an air traffic sign indicating a first embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of abnormality occurrence same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of a bypass operation at the time of abnormality same as the above. It is a block diagram of the air traffic sign which shows 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the air traffic sign lamp which shows 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing at the time of abnormality occurrence same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of a bypass operation at the time of abnormality same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of a bypass operation at the time of abnormality same as the above.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  In the air traffic sign light system, lighting control is performed on a plurality of air traffic sign lights 10 installed on a runway, a taxiway or the like of an airport. In the air traffic sign light system, an AC constant current power supply (CCR) is provided, and primary sides of a plurality of insulation transformers are connected in series to a power supply line that outputs an AC constant current from the AC constant current power supply. One or a plurality of air traffic lights 10 are connected to the secondary side.

  The air traffic sign lamp 10 has a lamp embedded in a road surface, and a lighting circuit 11 and a load circuit 12 are accommodated in the lamp.

  The lighting circuit 11 includes a constant current output circuit 15 that converts an AC constant current input through an insulating transformer into a DC constant current. The constant current output circuit 15 outputs a DC constant current to the load circuit 12 from a pair of output units.

  The load circuit 12 includes a light source unit 18 connected to a pair of output units of the constant current output circuit 15. The light source unit 18 includes LEDs 19 as a plurality of light emitting elements, and a plurality of the LEDs 19 are connected in series to form a plurality of series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c, and the plurality of series circuits 20a, 20c, 20b and 20c are connected in parallel to a pair of output portions of the constant current output circuit 15. The LED 19 has a predetermined allowable current value (rated current value). The series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c are composed of, for example, three systems of a first system series circuit 20a, a second system series circuit 20b, and a third system series circuit 20c. It may be composed of four or more. Each series circuit 20a, 20b, 20c is configured so that, for example, the same number of LEDs 19 are connected, and the current values flowing from the constant current output circuit 15 to each series circuit 20a, 20b, 20c are substantially the same current value. Yes. The light source unit 18 is arranged in the lamp so as to emit light to the outside from a window formed in the lamp.

  Connected to each series circuit 20a, 20b, 20c is a current detector 21a, 21b, 21c that detects the current flowing through each series circuit 20a, 20b, 20c.

  Further, the load circuit 12 includes a bypass circuit 24 connected in parallel to the pair of output portions of the constant current output circuit 15 together with the plurality of series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c. For example, a switch 25 such as a relay switch and a resistor 26 as a load are connected to the bypass circuit 24 in series. The switch 25 is turned on / off by the bypass circuit control unit 27, and opens and closes the bypass circuit 24 with respect to the pair of output units of the constant current output circuit 15. When the bypass circuit 24 is connected in parallel in place of any one of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c in which the abnormality has occurred, the resistor 26 is overcurrent to the LED 19 in any one of the normal series circuits. Is set to a resistance value that does not flow, and the load is equivalent to the LED 19 of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c.

  The bypass circuit control unit 27 acquires the current value detected by each of the current detection units 21a, 21b, and 21c, and whether or not each detection current value is lower than a preset reference value or is zero Determine. Then, the bypass circuit control unit 27 turns off the switch 25 if all the detected current values are higher than a preset reference value or not zero, and one of the detected current values is preset. The switch 25 is turned on when the reference value is lower than or zero.

  The current detection units 21a, 21b, 21c, the bypass circuit control unit 27, and the like constitute an abnormality detection means 28 that detects an abnormality in the series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c.

  Next, the operation of the aviation beacon lamp 10 will be described.

  The constant current output circuit 15 converts the constant alternating current input to the lighting circuit 11 from the alternating current constant current power supply device through an insulation transformer into a direct current constant current, and the direct current is loaded from a pair of output portions of the constant current output circuit 15. Output to circuit 12.

  The constant DC current input to the load circuit 12 is distributed and flows to the plurality of series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c, the plurality of LEDs 19 of each of the series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c are turned on, and the light generated by the plurality of LEDs 19 is emitted. It is emitted to the outside through the window part of the lamp of the aviation beacon lamp 10.

  While the aerial beacon lamp 10 is lit, current values flowing through the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c are detected by the current detectors 21a, 21b, and 21c. The bypass circuit control unit 27 monitors whether the detected current values acquired from the current detection units 21a, 21b, and 21c are lower than a preset reference value or zero.

  When each of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c is normal, all the detected current values are higher than a preset reference value or not zero, so the bypass circuit control unit 27 sets the switch 25 of the bypass circuit 24. Turn off.

  Therefore, when each of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c is normal, the bypass circuit 24 is opened and no current flows through the bypass circuit 24.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the LED 19 with the second series circuit 20b is disconnected from the other and the open mode is set, the current does not flow through the second series circuit 20b.

  In this case, since the current value detected by the current detection unit 21b of the series circuit 20b of the second system becomes lower than the reference value set in advance or becomes zero, as shown in FIG. The switch 25 of the bypass circuit 24 is turned on. As a result, a current flows through the bypass circuit 24 having the resistor 26.

  Therefore, when the second series circuit 20b is abnormal, the DC constant current output from the constant current output circuit 15 is distributed to the first series circuit 20a, the third series circuit 20c, and the bypass circuit 24. Flowing. At this time, the resistor 26 of the bypass circuit 24 is configured such that a current having substantially the same current value as the current value when the allowable current value of the LED 19 or a current in the vicinity of the allowable current value flows to each series circuit 20a, 20b, 20c flows. Since the resistance value is set, the DC constant current output from the constant current output circuit 15 is distributed to the first series circuit 20a, the third series circuit 20c, and the bypass circuit 24. An overcurrent that greatly exceeds the allowable current does not flow through the plurality of LEDs 19 of the series circuits 20a and 20c, and the plurality of LEDs 19 of the series circuits 20a and 20c maintain the lighting state.

  Therefore, although the brightness of the light emitted to the outside through the window portion of the lamp is dark, the air traffic sign lamp 10 does not completely turn off and can maintain the function of guiding the aircraft.

  Thus, according to the aviation beacon lamp 10, even if an abnormality occurs in a certain series circuit 20b, overcurrent can be prevented from flowing through the LEDs 19 of the normal series circuits 20a and 20c, and the normal series circuit 20a, The lighting state of the LED 19 of 20c can be maintained.

  In addition, compared to the normal air traffic light 10, the air traffic light 10 that has malfunctioned has a darker brightness of the light emitted outside through the window of the lamp. An abnormality can be confirmed at the time of inspection, and it is possible to deal with repairs, replacements, etc. of the air traffic light 10.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is used about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description about the structure and effect is abbreviate | omitted.

  As a load of the bypass circuit 24, an LED 31 as a light emitting element having a light emission color different from the light emission color of the LED 19 of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c is used. When the bypass circuit 24 is connected in parallel instead of any one of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c in which the abnormality occurs, the LED 31 in the bypass circuit 24 is normal. The overload current is set so that no overcurrent flows through the LED 19, and the load is equivalent to the LED 19 of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c. LED31 is arrange | positioned so that light may be radiate | emitted from the window part of a lamp with LED19. Or you may make it arrange | position LED31 so that light may be radiate | emitted from the alerting window of the lamp provided for alerting | reporting separately from the window part of the lamp.

  Then, for example, when the electrical connection of the LED 19 having the second system series circuit 20b is disconnected to enter an open mode and no current flows to the second system series circuit 20b, the bypass circuit control unit 27 The switch 25 of the bypass circuit 24 is turned on, and a current flows through the bypass circuit 24 having the LED 31.

  Therefore, the DC constant current output from the constant current output circuit 15 is distributed and flows to the first series circuit 20a, the third series circuit 20c, and the bypass circuit 24. At this time, the LED 31 of the bypass circuit 24 is set so that a current having substantially the same current value as the current when the allowable current value of the LED 19 or a current in the vicinity of the allowable current value flows through the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c flows. Therefore, the DC constant current output from the constant current output circuit 15 is distributed to the series circuit 20a of the first system, the series circuit 20c of the third system, and the bypass circuit 24, whereby each series circuit 20a, Overcurrent that greatly exceeds the allowable current does not flow through the plurality of LEDs 19 of 20c, and the plurality of LEDs 19 of each of the series circuits 20a and 20c maintain the lighting state.

  For this reason, as the aerial beacon lamp 10, the light generated by the LED 19 and the LED 31 is emitted to the outside through the window of the lamp, and is not completely extinguished, but the function of guiding the aircraft can be maintained.

  Further, in the aerial beacon lamp 10 in which an abnormality has occurred, light of an emission color different from the light of the LED 31, that is, the light emission color of the LED 19, is emitted to the outside through the window portion of the lamp. It is easy to check for abnormalities when checking the lighting status of the.

  Note that the load included in the bypass circuit 24 may be configured by both the resistor 26 and the LED 31.

  Next, FIGS. 5 to 8 show a third embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is used about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description about the structure and effect is abbreviate | omitted.

  A first LED 41 as a plurality of first light emitting elements and a second LED 42 as a plurality of second light emitting elements are connected in series to each series circuit 20a, 20b, 20c of the light source unit 18. . The first LED 41 is, for example, a white LED, and the second LED 42 is, for example, a red LED, and is configured to emit light of a desired color that is a mixture of white light and red light through a window portion of the lamp. Has been.

  The first LED 41 that is a white LED and the second LED 42 that is a red LED have an allowable current value (rated current value) of the second LED 42 that is higher than an allowable current value (rated current value) of the first LED 41. It has low characteristics. The allowable current value of the first LED 41 is such that any one of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c is in the open mode and the current increase is distributed, and the second LED 42 is bypassed. Thus, the allowable current value allows an increase in flowing current.

  The DC constant current output from the constant current output circuit 15 is set so that the current value of the current flowing through each of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c has the upper limit of the allowable current value of the second LED 42.

  In addition, bypass circuits 43a, 43b, and 43c are connected to each of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c in parallel with the plurality of second LEDs 42. For example, a switch 44 such as a relay switch is connected to the bypass circuits 43a, 43b, and 43c. The switch 44 is turned on and off by the bypass circuit control unit 27, and opens and closes the bypass circuits 43a, 43b, and 43c with respect to the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c. That is, the switch 44 switches the series circuit 20a, 20b, 20c between a state in which the second LED 42 is connected and a state in which the second LED 42 is bypassed.

  The bypass circuit control unit 27 acquires the current value detected by each of the current detection units 21a, 21b, and 21c, and whether or not each detection current value is lower than a preset reference value or is zero Determine. The bypass circuit control unit 27 turns off the switch 44 if all the detected current values are higher than a preset reference value or not zero, and any one of the detected current values is preset. The switch 44 is turned on when the reference value is lower or zero.

  Next, the operation of the aviation beacon lamp 10 will be described.

  The constant current output circuit 15 converts the constant alternating current input to the lighting circuit 11 from the alternating current constant current power supply device through an insulation transformer into a direct current constant current, and the direct current is loaded from a pair of output portions of the constant current output circuit 15. Output to circuit 12.

  The DC constant current input to the load circuit 12 is distributed and flows to the plurality of series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c, the plurality of LEDs 41, 42 of each series circuit 20a, 20b, 20c are lit, and the plurality of LEDs 41, 42 are The generated light is emitted to the outside through the window portion of the lamp of the air traffic sign lamp 10.

  While the aerial beacon lamp 10 is lit, current values flowing through the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c are detected by the current detectors 21a, 21b, and 21c. The bypass circuit control unit 27 monitors whether the detected current values acquired from the current detection units 21a, 21b, and 21c are lower than a preset reference value or zero.

  When each of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c is normal, all the detected current values are higher than a preset reference value or not zero, and therefore the bypass circuits 43a, 43b, and 43c are controlled by the bypass circuit control unit 27. Turn off the switch 44.

  Therefore, when each of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c is normal, the bypass circuits 43a, 43b, and 43c are opened, a current flows through the second LED 42, and the second LED 42 is lit.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, in the case of the first example in which the first LED 41 which is the series circuit 20b of the second system is disconnected from the electrical connection or the like, and in the first mode, Each case of the second example in which the second LED 42 which is the series circuit 20a is in the open mode due to disconnection of electrical connection will be described.

  In the case of the first example, no current flows through the second series circuit 20b. In this case, since the current value detected by the current detection unit 21b of the series circuit 20b of the second system becomes lower than the reference value set in advance or becomes zero, as shown in FIG. The switches 44 of the bypass circuits 43a, 43b, 43c of all the series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c are turned on. As a result, in the first and third series circuits 20a and 20c, current flows through the bypass circuits 43a and 43c, thereby bypassing the second LED 42.

  Therefore, when the first LED 41 of the second series circuit 20b is abnormal, the DC constant current output from the constant current output circuit 15 is the first LED 41 of the first series circuit 20a and the third series circuit. It is distributed and flows to the first LED 41 of 20c. The first LEDs 41 of the first and third series circuits 20a and 20c have a large allowable current value and allow an increase in current, and thus maintain the lighting state.

  By bypassing the second LED 42 of the first and third series circuits 20a and 20c, the second LED 42 of the first and third series circuits 20a and 20c may exceed the allowable current value. The current does not flow, and the second LED 42 is prevented from being destroyed. Even if the second LED 42 of the first and third series circuits 20a and 20c is destroyed, the second LED 42 is bypassed by the bypass circuits 43a and 43c, so that the first and third series are connected in series. The lighting state of the first LED 41 of the circuits 20a and 20c can be maintained.

  Next, in the case of the second example, no current flows through the series circuit 20a of the first system. In this case, since the current value detected by the current detection unit 21a of the series circuit 20a of the first system becomes lower than the preset reference value or becomes zero, the bypass circuit control unit 27 as shown in FIG. The switches 44 of the bypass circuits 43a, 43b, 43c of all the series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c are turned on. Thereby, in all the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c, a current flows through the bypass circuits 43a, 43b, and 43c, and the second LED 42 is bypassed.

  Accordingly, when the second LED 42 of the first series circuit 20a is abnormal, the DC constant current output from the constant current output circuit 15 is distributed and flows to the first LEDs 41 of all the series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c. . The first LEDs 41 of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c have a large allowable current value and allow an increase in current, so the lighting state is maintained.

  By bypassing the second LED 42 of the first system series circuit 20a in which an abnormality has occurred, it is possible to light the first LED 41 of the first system series circuit 20a by turning on the current.

  Bypassing the second LEDs 42 of the normal second and third series circuits 20b and 20c, the allowable current value is greatly exceeded by the second LEDs 42 of the second and third series circuits 20b and 20c. Therefore, the second LED 42 is prevented from being destroyed. Even if the second LED 42 of the second and third system series circuits 20b and 20c is destroyed, the second LED 42 is bypassed by the bypass circuits 43b and 43c, so that the second and third system series are bypassed. The lighting state of the first LED 41 of the circuits 20b and 20c can be maintained.

  Therefore, although the brightness and color of the light emitted to the outside through the window portion of the lamp device changes, the air traffic sign lamp 10 does not completely turn off and can maintain the function of guiding the aircraft.

  Thus, according to the aviation beacon lamp 10, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c, the second LEDs 42 of all the series circuits 20a, 20b, and 20c are bypassed. As a result, it is possible to prevent an overcurrent from flowing through the second LED 42, and it is possible to maintain the lighting state of the first LED 41 for a series circuit in which the first LED 41 of the series circuits 20a, 20b, 20c has no abnormality. .

  In addition, compared to the normal aerial beacon light 10, because the brightness and color of the light emitted to the outside through the lamp window is different in the abnormal aerial beacon light 10, the lighting state of the aerial beacon light 10 by the worker An abnormality can be confirmed at the time of inspection, and it is possible to deal with repairs, replacements, etc. of the air traffic light 10.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

10 Aviation sign lights
15 Constant current output circuit
18 Light source
19 LEDs as light-emitting elements
20a, 20b, 20c series circuit
24 Bypass circuit
26 Resistance as a load
28 Anomaly detection means
31 LEDs as light-emitting elements
41 1st LED as 1st light emitting element
42 Second LED as second light emitting element
43a, 43b, 43c Bypass circuit

Claims (3)

A constant current output circuit for outputting a constant current;
A light source unit including a series circuit in which a plurality of light emitting elements are connected in series, and the plurality of series circuits connected in parallel to the constant current output circuit;
An abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the series circuit;
A bypass circuit having a load connected in parallel to the constant current output circuit and the plurality of series circuits when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means;
An air traffic sign light characterized by comprising: The air traffic sign lamp according to claim 1, wherein the load is a light emitting element having a light emission color different from a light emission color of the light emitting element of the series circuit. A constant current output circuit for outputting a constant current;
A plurality of the first light emitting elements and a second light emitting element having a lower allowable current value than the first light emitting elements are connected in series, and the plurality of the light emitting elements are connected in parallel to the constant current output circuit; A light source unit comprising a series circuit;
An abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the series circuit;
A bypass circuit that bypasses the second light emitting element in the plurality of series circuits when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means;
An air traffic sign light characterized by comprising:

Images