JP2015149227A - lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device with a dimming function capable of reducing necessity of manual operation when dimming is executed and making feeding power properly follow toward a set value of the feeding power of a light source as a target value.SOLUTION: A lighting device includes: a power feeding circuit into which a dimming command value for controlling the supply of power is inputted and which supplies power to a light source so as to have the preset supply amount of power using the dimming command value; and a control circuit which, based on an electric signal on the output side of the power feeding circuit, generates the dimming command value for lighting and dimming the light source and supplies this generated dimming command value to the power feeding circuit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device for lighting equipment, and more particularly to an improvement in a method for supplying power to a light source by a lighting device having a dimming function.

  Conventionally, in a lighting device with a dimming function, when supplying light source power, for example, when trying to adjust the output (light emission amount) from a light source, work or the like is performed in an environment where the light from the light source is used. According to the visual judgment of the operator who is performing, the dial type or step type operation unit (adjustment knob) installed at a position relatively close to the light source is used to increase or decrease the light emission amount, and a predetermined dial scale or numerical value is set. Set.

  Power corresponding to this set value is supplied to the light source as a target value. In this case, in the process of reaching the target power supply, it is common to gradually increase the supply amount to reach the target value. is there. In order to gradually increase the supply amount, a method of increasing the supply amount stepwise has been implemented. In this method, a plurality of so-called dip switches having a plurality of step widths are prepared, and a dip switch having a single step width, or a step width is selected by appropriately combining them.

  That is, when an operator selects a scale of an operation unit such as a dial (not shown), a target value of the power supply amount corresponding to the scale is set, and when a dip switch is selected by manual operation, for example, FIG. As shown in Fig. 3, the power supply amount increase step <pattern> corresponding to the selection will be selected, and the power supply amount will increase toward the target value over time corresponding to this step. become.

  Conventionally, the target value of the output from the light source (the amount of light emitted) and the DIP switch have not been linked, so that the operator can re-operate the dial or re-select the DIP switch each time dimming is required. It is difficult to operate, and if dimming is to be realized accurately, the dimming operation may be performed not only once but as a result multiple times. Therefore, it has been practically difficult to simply supply appropriate power to the light source in order to cause the light source to emit light with a desired light emission amount.

  In addition, in order to quickly realize the desired dimming, in addition to operating the operation unit, which is the act of setting the supply power target value, during the dimming operation, expecting a rapid increase in supply power, in other words, For example, since the amount of light emission is expected to increase in a short period of time, the dip switch is changed correspondingly to change the step width accordingly, and the final supply power value overshoots the target value. In some cases, an excessive light emission state was reached. When such a state is reached, there may have been a case where it is necessary to again correct the set value downward by the operation unit.

  Furthermore, assuming manual operation such as manual selection, the step width that can be selected by the dip switch is determined by the number of dip switches and their combinations, so there is an upper limit on the number of step widths that can be selected by selecting the dip switch. However, there is also a problem that the control with only a limited step width can be realized, and the degree of freedom of the increase / decrease pattern of the supplied power is low.

  For example, a method of setting an increment of the step width in accordance with the amount of rotation of the volume is conceivable. In this method, the increment of the step width can be continuously increased as compared with the dip switch method. The method is also based on the manual operation of the operator, and is independent of the output value of the power supply circuit that supplies power to the light source, and there is a limit to its appropriateness in terms of accuracy and level of the control. is there.

  As described above, conventionally, in a lighting device with a dimming function, the operation of dimming the power supplied to the light source is very difficult for the operator to realize dimming according to the environment where the lighting equipment is installed. This is a time-consuming and cumbersome operation, and there is a limit or restriction for realizing dimming according to the surrounding environment.

Here, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the general usage example of the DIP switch (DipSW) described so far.
As another example of how to use the dip switch, there is a lighting device that opens and closes when the power is turned on for the first time and selects an acoustic pattern with DipSW. In this example, a plurality of types of dip switches are prepared in advance, and different sounds (or tones) are associated with the plurality of types of dip switches. (Patent Document 1)

In general, the starting voltage of the lamp has a variation for each lamp due to non-uniformity in the manufacture of the lamp. In consideration of this, the variation of the starting voltage is corrected. There is a discharge lamp lighting device. In such a discharge lighting device, for example, when a dip switch is used to correct variations in the starting voltage for the discharge lamp, the adjustment is performed in the adjustment mode only for the first time after the power is turned on.
In this way, the adjustment mode for correcting the variation in the starting voltage is executed, and in this adjustment mode, the variation in the starting voltage is generally corrected with high accuracy.

  In such a type of discharge lamp lighting device, a set value storage unit is provided, and a set value whose output variation has been corrected in the past is stored and used as a default value. Therefore, a set value greatly deviating from a desired value when the discharge lamp is replaced. If necessary, fine adjustment may be made so that a desired set value is obtained thereafter. (Patent Document 2)

  In any of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the dip switch is a hardware method based on the premise of an operation work by an operator used for selecting a target pattern.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-247097 (paragraph “0006”, FIG. 1) JP 2004-355858 A (paragraph “0029”, FIG. 2)

  As described above, in the conventional lighting device based on the combined use with the dip switch, when the dip switch is selected by the operator (that is, when the manual operation is performed), the power supply amount that is the target value In the process up to reaching, the change in power supply over time increases in a stepped waveform corresponding to the selected dip switch, but the above stepped waveform shape is fixed. Since the determined and asymptotic pattern to the target value is uniquely determined, it is practically difficult to quickly realize the desired dimming.

  In addition, the number of stepped waveform shapes that can be selected is determined by the combination with the number of dip switches, so there is an upper limit to the number of step widths that can be selected by switching. There is a problem that the power supplied to the battery cannot be changed to follow a smooth curve.

  In addition, when installing multiple lighting fixtures with different specifications in office building applications, if a dip switch is assumed that requires manual operation to handle all of these lighting fixtures, the frequency of use is low. It is necessary to prepare a dip switch, which leads to an increase in cost.

  The present invention solves the above-described problem, and provides a lighting device with a dimming function capable of appropriately supplying power to a light source from a power supply circuit. For example, a desired dimming can be quickly realized. Accordingly, the present invention provides a lighting device capable of appropriately following the supply power toward the set value of the supply power of the light source as the target value even when it is necessary to do so.

The lighting device in the present invention,
A power supply circuit that inputs a dimming command value for controlling the supply of power and supplies power to the light source so as to be a predetermined power supply amount using the dimming command value;
Based on the electrical signal on the output side of the power supply circuit,
A control circuit for generating a dimming command value for turning on and dimming the light source, and supplying the generated dimming command value to a power supply circuit;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the lighting device of the present invention, the light control command value generated based on the electrical signal on the output side of the power supply circuit for realizing the light control function is supplied to the input side of the power supply circuit, thereby providing a light source. Power supply to can be realized properly.

1 is a circuit diagram of a lighting device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a structure of the control unit 400 which can be used together with the lighting device 100 shown in FIG. It is a circuit diagram when the lighting device 100 is connected to the control unit 400 shown in FIG. 2 instead of the lamp. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conversion table used in the lighting device 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a timing chart during and before and after the adjustment mode period of the lighting device 100 according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart when updating a conversion table in the first embodiment. It is a timing chart in the adjustment mode period of the lighting device 100 of Embodiment 2, and before and after that. 9 is a flowchart when updating a conversion table in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the asymptotic state to the target light control command value at the time of updating the conversion table in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. It is an electrical equivalent circuit diagram of an example of the light source 300 to which the lighting device 100 of the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the electrical equivalent circuit of the electric power supply circuit (LED power supply) which can connect the light source 300 by the electrical equivalent circuit diagram shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the increment of the step width which can be selected by DIP switch SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4 switching.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, regarding the lighting device to which the lighting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied, first, a circuit diagram of the lighting device 100 that is the power supply unit will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a lighting device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an electrical equivalent circuit diagram of an example of a light source to which the lighting device 100 of FIG. 1 is applied. FIG. 3 shows an example of an electrical equivalent circuit when FIG. 2 is connected to the lighting device 100 shown in FIG. 1 to which a light source can be connected.

Prior to explaining a specific detailed configuration, first, an outline of the lighting device 100 and main circuits constituting the lighting device 100 will be described.
The lighting device 100 variably supplies power to the LED light source, and this lighting device 100 is connected to the dimming controller 200 via a rectifier circuit 110, a dimming circuit 120 (power supply circuit), and electric wires. The dimming interface circuit 130 and the control circuit 140 are mainly configured.

  The rectifier circuit 110 receives an AC voltage AC from the outside, generates a DC voltage, outputs the DC voltage, and has a function of suppressing the generation of harmonics and improving the power factor.

  The dimmer circuit 120 is connected to the subsequent stage of the rectifier circuit 110 and receives a control signal from the control circuit 140. Based on this control signal, the power supplied to the light source changes gradually and gradually, and the supplied power amount is controlled so as to become a predetermined target power supply amount instructed by the dimming controller 200.

  The dimming interface circuit 130 converts, for example, a PWM signal input from the dimming controller 200 into an output signal of an appropriate level, and supplies this to the control circuit 140 as a dimming signal.

The control circuit 140 controls the dimming circuit 120. The control circuit 140 generates a control signal, outputs the control signal, and controls the dimming circuit 120.
Further, the control circuit 140 includes a control unit 141 and a feedback unit 142 which will be described later.

The controller 141 detects a voltage detection voltage V3 at an intermediate connection point of R5 interconnected with the resistor R4.
Although details of the operation will be described later, the control unit 141 receives a dimming signal from the dimming interface circuit 130, generates a dimming control signal that indicates a dimming level, and outputs this signal.

  The feedback unit 142 detects a current detection voltage V4 from one end of the resistor R6 (that is, the resistor R6 detects an output current because a current equivalent to the output current flows through the resistor R6), and a control unit. 141 compares the dimming command value output from 141, performs feedback control so that the current detection voltage V4 becomes equal to the dimming command value, and supplies a control signal to the dimming circuit 120 (driver 122 described later). doing.

  Further, the lighting device 100 includes a connection portion 1a on the power supply potential side connected to the electrode side of the light source and a connection portion 1b on the ground potential side (these connection portions 1a and 1b are collectively referred to as “collection portion 1a”). This will be referred to as the first connecting portion 1 as appropriate).

  Hereinafter, the LED lamp 300 is used as a light source, and the lighting device 100 is described as a power source for the LED lamp 300. As the light source itself, for example, an LED module substrate on which a plurality of LEDs are mounted, an organic EL panel, or the like The light source may be changed. In that case, the lighting device 100 is the name of the power source corresponding to the type of the light source.

By the way, as will be described later, this lighting device 100 supplies necessary power to the LED lamp 300 as a light source as its operation and function, and the amount of power supplied is not fixed but variable. The LED lamp 300 emits light with a light emission amount corresponding to the amount. Therefore, the lighting device 100 supplies power to the LED lamp 300 so as to be dimmable, and has a lighting function for the LED lamp 300.
Therefore, the lighting device 100 is executing power supply with a dimming mechanism, and is collectively referred to as the lighting device 100.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the lighting device 100 and the LED lamp 300 are used unless otherwise specified.

  Here, the individual components of the rectifier circuit 110, the dimming circuit 120, the dimming interface circuit 130, and the control circuit 140 constituting the lighting device 100 will be specifically described.

  The rectifier circuit 110 includes a diode bridge DB that rectifies the AC voltage AC to DC, an inductor L1, a MOS-FET (Q1), a diode D1, and a capacitor C1 that accumulates charges when the MOS-FET (Q1) is turned off. The voltage detection circuit 113, the voltage detection unit 111 that receives the voltage of the voltage detection circuit 113 and supplies the detection value to the driver 112, and the gate voltage of the MOS-FET (Q1) is switched based on the detection value. And a driver 112 to be controlled.

The connection relationship of the rectifier circuit 110 will be described below.
The diode bridge DB is connected in parallel with the AC voltage AC. An inductor L1 and a MOS-FET (Q1) connected in series with each other are connected in parallel with the diode bridge DB. A diode D1 and a capacitor C1 connected in series with each other are connected in parallel with the MOS-FET (Q1).
The subsequent voltage detection circuit 113 is formed by connecting resistors R1 and R2 in series with each other. In the voltage detection circuit 113, a capacitor C1 is connected in parallel.

A signal flow in the rectifier circuit 110 will be described below.
The voltage of the voltage detection voltage V1 at the intermediate connection point of the resistor R2 interconnected with the resistor R1 is supplied to the voltage detection unit 111 as the value of the input voltage. Further, the driver 112 performs switching control of the gate voltage of the MOS-FET (Q1) based on the detection value supplied from the voltage detection unit 111.

  The dimming circuit 120 detects a current flowing through the LED lamp 300, an MOS-FET (Q2) that controls a current flow by applying a voltage to the gate, an integration circuit including a diode D2, an inductor L2, and a capacitor C2. Resistor R6, a driver 122 that controls a pulse transformer 123 to be described later, and a pulse transformer 123 that supplies a square-wave pulse voltage to switch the MOS-FET (Q2).

The connection relationship of the dimming circuit 120 will be described below.
A MOS-FET (Q2) connected in series with each other and a diode D2 connected in reverse are connected in parallel with the output side terminal of the capacitor C1. An inductor L2, a capacitor C2, and a resistor R6 connected in series with each other are connected in parallel with the output side terminal of the diode D2.
In the subsequent stage, a voltage detection circuit 124 is formed by connecting resistors R4 and R5 in series with each other. The voltage detection circuit 124 is connected in parallel between the connection portion 1a and the ground potential.

A signal flow in the dimming circuit 120 will be described below.
The voltage detection voltage V3 at the intermediate connection point of the resistor R5 interconnected with the resistor R4 is supplied to the control unit 141. The output terminal of the control unit 141 is connected to the input of the feedback unit 142. Further, the driver 122 controls the pulse transformer 123 based on the detection value supplied from the feedback unit 142. The pulse transformer 123 turns on and off the MOS-FET (Q2) by supplying a square-wave pulse voltage and switching-controlling the gate voltage of the MOS-FET (Q2).

  In the above, the pulse transformer 123 controls the brightness of the light source by changing the current flowing through the LED by adjusting the duty ratio of the PWM signal.

  The dimming controller 200 outputs a PWM signal, and changes the duty ratio of the PWM signal in accordance with the dimming degree. The output of the dimming controller 200 is connected to the input of the dimming interface circuit 130 in the lighting device 100.

  The dimming interface circuit 130 supplies a dimming signal to the control circuit 140. The input terminal is connected to the output side of the dimming controller 200, and the output terminal is connected to the input side of the control unit 141.

  The dimming interface circuit 130 converts the electrical signal from the dimming controller 200 to a voltage level by adjusting the reference voltage and polarity between the dimming controller 200 and the lighting device 100, and will be described later as a dimming signal. It supplies to the control part 141.

  The control circuit 140 includes a control unit 141 that controls the dimming circuit 120, and a feedback unit 142 that detects a current flowing through the resistor R6 and supplies a detection value to the driver 122.

The connection relationship of the control circuit 140 will be described below.
The input terminal of the control unit 141 is connected to the output (one input terminal) of the dimming interface circuit 130 and the intermediate connection point (the other input terminal) of the resistor R5 interconnected with the resistor R4. The output terminal of the unit 141 is connected to the input terminal of the feedback unit 142.

  The input terminal of the feedback unit 142 is connected to the output terminal of the control unit 141, and the output terminal of the feedback unit 142 is connected to the input terminal of the driver 122.

A signal flow in the control circuit 140 will be described below.
Prior to the following description of the signal flow in the control circuit 140, a command value that is an output signal from the control circuit 140 will be described in advance.

There are two types of command values: a dimming command value and a target dimming command value. The dimming command value is controlled in a configuration in which an electric signal on the output side of the power supply circuit is fed back to the control circuit 140. The value varies depending on the dimming rate corresponding to the dimming signal ON Duty input to the unit 141. The target dimming command value is a value that corresponds to the output current value supplied by the power supply circuit and is a fixed value. Compared with the fact that the dimming command value is generated each time feedback operation is performed, the target dimming command value is set and determined. After being performed, the value does not change with each feedback operation, but is a value that does not depend on time.
A dimming signal is supplied from the dimming interface circuit 130 to the control unit 141. The voltage detection voltage V3 is supplied to the control unit 141 from the intermediate connection point.

  Based on the dimming signal input from the dimming controller 200 through the dimming interface circuit 130, the control unit 141 calculates the dimming command value as a voltage level (voltage signal) of the voltage value. Thereafter, the control unit 141 generates a dimming control signal and supplies the dimming command value to the feedback unit 142.

  As will be described later, the control unit 141 incorporates a storage device, has a conversion table in the storage device, and stores a target dimming command value (see FIG. 4). This target dimming command value corresponds to the set value of the power supplied to the light source associated with the output current from the power supply circuit.

  The feedback unit 142 generates a detection value from the difference between the current detection voltage V4 obtained from the resistor R6 and the dimming command value, and supplies the detection value to the driver 122. The driver 122 operates based on a control signal from the feedback unit 142, and the pulse transformer 123 operates based on the control signal from the driver 122. The pulse transformer 123 supplies a control signal, controls the gate voltage of the MOS-FET (Q2), and turns the MOS-FET (Q2) on and off.

  As described above, the feedback unit 142 compares the difference between the current detection voltage V4 and the dimming command value, and the voltage generated in the resistor R6 (current flowing from the connection unit 1a to the connection unit via the LED lamp). Feedback control is performed so as to be the same as the dimming command value. Specifically, when the current detection voltage V4 is larger than the dimming command value, the driver 122 decreases the on-duty of the MOS-FET (Q2), and when the current detection voltage V4 is smaller than the dimming command value, the driver 122 Is controlled to have a constant current by increasing the on-duty of the MOS-FET (Q2).

At both ends of the LED lamp 300, a connection portion 2a on the power supply potential side and a connection portion 2b on the ground potential side are provided (the connection portions 2a and 2b are collectively referred to as the second connection portion 2). As appropriate).
Between the connection part 2a and the connection part 2b, LED lamps 300a and 300b connected in series are connected. The LED lamps 300a and 300b are formed by internally connecting a plurality of LED elements in series, and the LED elements emit light when energized.

  At this time, the dimming controller 200 detects light emitted from the LED lamps 300a and 300b. The dimming controller 200 is connected to the input of the dimming interface circuit 130 outside the lighting device 100, and includes a photoelectric element such as a photocoupler.

  The dimming controller 200 outputs a dimming signal relating to dimming obtained from the LED lamp 300 by photoelectric conversion to the dimming interface circuit 130.

Although the lighting device itself has been described so far, the control unit 400 that can be used in combination with the lighting device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a state in which the control unit of FIG. 4 is connected to the lighting device of FIG.
The configuration and internal connections of the control unit 400 are described in FIG. 4. Prior to specific description thereof, basic usage and functions of the control unit 400 will be described first.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 400 is connected to the input side of the dimming interface circuit 130 instead of the dimming interface circuit 130 of FIG.

  The basic function of the control unit 400 is to rewrite the rated supply current to the light source and change the specifications.

In general, the output current from the lighting device 100 is set in advance as a rated current value based on the past use record, and normally, the output current is supplied to the light source based on the rated current value.
For example, if it is necessary to increase the rated current value for some reason, such as when the light amount is insufficient from the beginning and it is necessary to increase the light amount, it is necessary to change the rated current value supplied to the light source. This control unit 400 is applied to deal with the situation.

Hereinafter, the control unit 400 will be specifically described.
The control unit 400 adjusts the value of the output current of the lighting device 100 as an input side by changing the value from the outside. The control unit 400 includes a measuring unit 410 that measures the output current and an input value input by the operator. , A setting unit 420 that adjusts the value of the output current, a control unit 430 that calculates the difference ± Δ based on the difference between the input value and the output current value, and displays the input value, the output current value, and various information And a setting signal output unit 450 having a port function for outputting a difference ± Δ between the input value and the output current value.

  Further, the control unit 400 has both end connection portions 2 a and 2 b, and the second connection portion 2 can be connected to the first connection portion 1 on the output side of the lighting device 100.

  The individual components of the measurement unit 410, the setting unit 420, the control unit 430, the display unit 440, and the setting signal output unit 450 constituting the control unit 400 will be described below.

  The measurement unit 410 is connected between the connection unit 2a and the connection unit 2b, and the measurement unit 410 measures an output current output from the lighting device 100. The timing and the number of times that the measurement unit 410 measures the output current may be arbitrary.

  The setting unit 420 includes a dial switch, a button switch, or a touch panel, and is freely arranged in the control unit 400. The operator operates the setting unit 420 to input an input value for setting the power supply amount to the light source to the control unit 430.

  Although the detailed operation will be described later, the control unit 430 outputs display information such as an input value and an output current value to the display unit 440.

  The display unit 440 is connected to the control unit 430 and displays the difference ± Δ between the input value and the output current value based on the display signal output from the control unit 430.

  The control unit 430 determines whether the input value is equal to the output current value. That is, if control unit 430 determines that the input value and the output current value are not equal, it outputs an adjustment signal for adjusting the difference ± Δ. On the other hand, if it is determined that the input value is equal to the output current value, it is determined that the target dimming command value has been reached, and no adjustment signal is output thereafter.

  The setting signal output unit 450 is a port for outputting an adjustment signal, and its output is connected to the input of the dimming interface circuit 130. Based on the determination result from the control unit 430, the setting signal output unit 450 adjusts as shown in FIG. The signal is output to the dimming interface circuit 130.

  According to the control unit 400, the output current calculated from the light emitted from the LED lamp 300 is compared with the input value, and the value of the output current is “small (when dark)”, that is, the control unit 430 receives the input. When it is determined that the value and the output current value are not equal, an adjustment signal for adjusting the difference ± Δ is output. Thus, the output current is adjusted in conjunction by applying feedback in the order of the dimming interface circuit 130 and the control circuit 140 from the setting signal output unit 450.

  Further, the output current is compared with the input value, and when the value of the output current is “small (when dark)”, the operator directly inputs the input value from the setting unit 420 to output the output current value from the lighting device 100. It is also possible to adjust.

  Based on FIG. 3, which is a circuit diagram when the control unit 400 is connected to the lighting device 100, the mutual operation of the control unit 400 and the control unit 141 will be described. When adjusting the output current, the first connection unit 1 is connected to the second connection unit 2, and the control unit 400 is electrically connected to the lighting device 100.

  Incidentally, the output current flowing through the LED lamp 300 is set in advance as described above. However, when the output current is readjusted to a new output current, the operator inputs an input value from the setting unit 420, Along with this, an adjustment signal is output from the setting signal output unit 450, and the conversion table in the control unit 141 is updated. The target dimming command value is changed by updating the conversion table.

  As described above, the control unit 141 supplies the dimming command value to the feedback unit 142 to the power supply circuit based on the updated contents of the conversion table, and as a result, adjusts the output current flowing through the LED lamp 300.

Here, the conversion table will be described more specifically.
The contents of the conversion table include an input value [mA] input by the operator's operation from the setting unit 420, a target dimming command value [V] in which the power supply amount to the light source is predetermined as a target value, It consists of the output current [mA] measured by the measuring unit 410.

  The contents of this conversion table are updated every day and every day, and adjustment work data and data before and after the adjustment work are accumulated and have a learning function. The input value, the target dimming command value, and the output current are associated at the same date and time by the conversion table. The conversion table is updated every time an adjustment mode period described later ends, and thereafter, the illuminance is stored as a default output state (light source specifications) of the LED lamp 300 with dimming 100%.

  Note that when the control unit 141 determines that the free space has decreased in the storage capacity of the storage device, the past corresponding association data determined to be unnecessary may be deleted from the conversion table. Thereby, the control part 141 can utilize a memory | storage device effectively.

  Next, a procedure for updating the conversion table in the control unit 141 when the operator inputs an input value from the setting unit 420 and outputs an adjustment signal from the setting signal output unit 450 will be described with reference to FIG. .

  Now, it is assumed that the input value input from the setting unit 420 is 500 mA when the power is turned on for the first time. At the same time, the target dimming command value is 0.3 V, and the output current is 500 mA. (Time t0)

  Thereafter, it is assumed that the output current is reduced to a brightness equivalent to 400 mA due to the temporal change of the LED lamp 300. In this case, the operator who has confirmed the decrease in the output current on the display unit 440 connects the first connection unit 1 and the second connection unit 2 to electrically connect the control unit 400 and the lighting device 100. Thereafter, the operator inputs an input value, for example, 600 mA from the setting unit 420 and outputs an adjustment signal from the setting signal output unit 450 to update the contents of the conversion table in the control unit 141. The target dimming command value rises to 0.4V by updating the contents of the conversion table. As a result, the output current becomes 600 mA, and the LED lamp 300 recovers to a brightness equivalent to 500 mA. (Time t1)

  Further, even when the brightness of the LED lamp decreases due to time changes, such as time t2, time t3, time t4, and time t5, the operator further inputs an input value, for example, 700 mA from the setting unit 420 to perform control. The conversion table in the unit 141 is updated again. As a result, the target dimming command value increases to 0.5 V, and the output current is restored to a brightness equivalent to 500 mA. (Time t6)

  FIG. 5 illustrates a timing chart of the adjustment signal during and before and after the adjustment mode according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows the temporal change of the dimming signal, and FIG. 5B shows the output of the adjustment signal. The horizontal axis represents time [sec], and the vertical axis represents voltage amplitude [V].

  Prior to the description, a mode for adjusting the output current of the lighting device 100 by outputting an adjustment signal from the setting signal output unit 450 is defined as an adjustment mode, and this period is defined as an adjustment mode period. Hereinafter, the description will proceed with this definition. Here, the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal as an adjustment signal to the control unit 141.

  For the encoded digital signal, a communication protocol is determined in advance between the setting signal output unit 450 and the conversion table, for example, as follows.

  When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0000) to the conversion table, it indicates that the adjustment mode period has started and starts adjusting the output current.

The relationship between the update of the table contents and the dimming command value will be described.
When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0001) to the conversion table, the conversion table converts the current dimming command value to the target dimming command value counted up by +0.1 V so as to increase the output current value. And the dimming command value is output to the feedback unit 142. When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0010) to the conversion table, the conversion table changes to a target dimming command value counted up by +1.0 V from the current dimming command value so as to increase the output current value. And the dimming command value is output to the feedback unit 142. When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0100) to the conversion table, the content of the conversion table is changed to the target dimming command value counted up by +10 V from the current dimming command value so as to increase the output current value. And the dimming command value is output to the feedback unit 142.

  When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (1111) to the conversion table, this indicates that the adjustment mode period ends, and the adjustment of the output current is completed.

  As described above, after the communication protocol is determined in advance, the output is gradually increased so as to reach the target dimming command value using the output of the encoded digital signal as a trigger. Before reaching the target dimming command value, a step is provided with a width. Asymptotically approaching the target dimming command value, the step is first made asymptotic with a large step width of 10 V intervals and then approached to the target dimming command value. By the way, it is automatically switched to a smaller step width of 1.0V and 0.1V intervals so as to be close to each other.

  As an example, a description will be given of temporal changes in the output of the dimming signal and the adjustment signal at each time from the start of the adjustment of the output current from time T = 0 to the end of the adjustment of the output current at time T = t4.

  First, when the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0000) to the control unit 141 at time T = t0, the adjustment of the output current is started and the adjustment mode period starts.

The operation during the adjustment mode is as follows.
When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0100), the dimming command value is set to the dimming command value that is counted up by +10 V so as to increase the output current value, and the pulse width of the dimming signal changes narrowly. (Time T = t1). When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0010), the dimming command value is set to a dimming command value counted up by +1.0 V so as to increase the output current value, and the pulse width of the dimming signal is set to Furthermore, it changes more narrowly (time T = t2). When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0001), the dimming command value is set to a dimming command value that is counted up by +0.1 V so as to increase the output current value, and the pulse width of the dimming signal is set to It changes the narrowest (time T = t3).

  Finally, when the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (1111) at time T = t4, the adjustment of the output current is completed, and the adjustment mode period ends.

  Thus, the output current of the lighting device 100 can be adjusted during the adjustment mode period using the output of the encoded digital signal as the adjustment signal.

  In the above explanation, the dimming command value is counted up until the power supply amount to the light source reaches the target dimming command value set in advance as the target value using the encoded digital signal. The communication protocol may be set freely.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when the conversion table is updated during the adjustment mode period in the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

The control unit 141 initializes the dimming command value to V = V0 (step S1A).
This is because if the dimming command value is not initialized to V = V0 in advance when the count-up is started, the dimming command value cannot be counted up correctly and accumulated from the previous dimming command value. This is to prevent the light adjustment command value from being obtained.

  Thereafter, the control unit 141 starts to count up the dimming command value according to the output of the adjustment signal (step S2A).

  The controller 141 continues to count up the dimming command value (step S3A).

  Control unit 430 determines whether or not the dimming command value has reached a predetermined output current value X based on the detection result of the output current of measurement unit 410. (Step S4A).

  If it is determined in S4A that the dimming command value has not reached the output current value X, it is determined that the dimming command value needs to be counted up, the process proceeds to NO, and the process returns to S3A. (Step S4A).

  Then, the control unit 141 identifies that it is necessary to count up the dimming command value, and counts the dimming command value according to the output of the adjustment signal in the dimming command value of the conversion table in the storage unit in the control unit 141. Up. And the control part 141 outputs a light control command value.

  If it is determined in S4A that the dimming command value has reached the output current value X, the process proceeds to YES, and the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (1111) as an adjustment signal to the control unit 141, and the adjustment mode. The period ends. (Step S5A).

  In S5A, if the control unit 141 determines that the dimming command value has reached the output current value X, the control unit 141 proceeds to YES, and the conversion table of the storage unit displays “the dimming command value at that time as 100% dimming”. As “remember”. (Step S5A).

  This completes a series of processing. (End).

  As described above, if the control unit 400 is further added to the configuration of the first embodiment and the output current of the lighting device 100 is automatically adjusted by the control unit 400, even after the output current is determined. This makes it easy to reset the output current (rewrite the light source specifications). In addition, since the control unit 400 may be connected to the light source, work efficiency is improved without using an external power source or a battery.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Prior to specific description of the second embodiment, an outline of the second embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment, the dimming command value at a level of, for example, about 80 to 90% of the target target dimming command value is set as the first command based on the past actual value data, and the remaining 10 to 20% Uses the electrical signal on the output side of the power supply circuit in a feedback manner to gradually increase the supply value in a fine-tuning manner.

In other words, in the second embodiment, an operation (feedback operation) of supplying an electrical signal on the output side of the power supply circuit to the control circuit side in a feedback manner (feedback operation) is partially applied to a subsequent process, so to speak, a partial time feedback (partial− This corresponds to the time feedback method.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the feedback operation is performed over the adjustment mode period from the start of power supply to reaching the target value, which is equivalent to a full-time feedback system. .

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart of the adjustment signal during and before and after the adjustment mode according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The adjustment signal output is changed so as to quickly approach the target dimming command value. Specifically, the output of the adjustment signal is changed to the encoded digital signal (0111). In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7A shows the temporal change of the dimming signal, and FIG. 7B shows the output of the adjustment signal. A timing chart of the adjustment signal output by the setting signal output unit 450 during the adjustment mode period will be described.

  As an example, a description will be given of temporal changes in the output of the dimming signal and the adjustment signal at each time until the adjustment of the output current starts from time T = 0 and the adjustment of the output current ends at time T = t4.

  First, when the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0000) to the control unit 141 at time T = t0, the adjustment of the output current is started and the adjustment mode period starts.

  When the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (0111), the dimming command value is set to a dimming command value that is counted up by +10 V so as to increase the output current value, and the pulse width of the dimming signal changes narrowly. (Time T = t1).

Finally, when the setting signal output unit 450 outputs the encoded digital signal (1111) at time T = t4, the adjustment of the output current is completed, and the adjustment mode period ends.
As described above, it is possible to adjust the output current of the lighting device 100 during the adjustment mode period using the encoded digital signal as the adjustment signal.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when the conversion table is updated during the adjustment mode period in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the conversion table learning function is used, and the target dimming command value corresponding to the desired output current is known.

For this reason, for example, a dimming command value at a level of about 80 to 90% of the target target dimming command value is set as the first command, and the electric signal on the output side of the power supply circuit is used for the remaining 10 to 20%. Applying a partial-time feedback system that gradually increases the supply value by using it in a feedback manner, the output current value X is quickly adjusted. The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The control unit 141 initializes the dimming command value to V = V0 (step S1B).

  Thereafter, the control unit 141 refers to the conversion table and outputs a dimming command value having a level of about 80 to 90% of the target dimming command value to the control unit 141 (step S2B).

It is determined whether the dimming command value is the output current value X (step S3B).
In S3B, when the output current value is not X (NO), S2A to S4A of the first embodiment are repeated and the process proceeds to S5A, and when the output current value X is (YES), the process proceeds to S5A. Thus, when the dimming command value is the output current value X in S3B, or when the dimming command value reaches the output current value X in S4A, the setting signal output unit 450 adjusts to the control unit 141. The encoded digital signal (1111) is output as a signal, and the adjustment mode period ends. (Step S5A).

  In S5A, the control unit 141 stores “the dimming command value at that time as 100% dimming” in the conversion table of the storage unit. (Step S5A).

  This completes a series of processing. (End).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram comparing the asymptotic state to the target dimming command value when the conversion table is updated in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, since the target dimming command value corresponding to the desired output current is known using the learning function of the conversion table, the dimming command value corresponding to the desired output current is set directly. . Therefore, the target output current value X can be reached without overshooting.

  FIG. 9 shows a temporal change in which the dimming command value (voltage) corresponding to the output current approaches the predetermined target dimming command value during the adjustment mode period. The horizontal axis represents time [sec], and the vertical axis represents voltage [V].

  Conventionally, a plurality of DIP switches (not shown in FIG. 11) are connected to the control unit 141. Conventionally, after connecting the light source to the lighting device 100, the initial setting felt that the illuminance was insufficient and it was dark. In this case, the operator selects and switches the optimum switch among the dip switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 to adjust the output current value. For this reason, the dimming command value is set by step control, and it reaches a predetermined output current value X over a long time while overshooting. (Fig. 9 (a))

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the electrical signal on the output side of the power supply circuit can be readjusted from the outside by stepless control using a full-time feedback circuit. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9B, the dimming command value can be automatically set at a plurality of stages and can be smoothly reached so as to coincide with the output current value X.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a target dimming command value corresponding to a desired output current is known from values such as past usage records using the learning function of the conversion table. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9C, the dimming command value can be set directly in one stage. Even if there is a deviation from the desired output current, the value is calculated by feedback about 2 to 3 times for fine adjustment, so that the output current value X can be matched quickly and smoothly. Can be reached.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the value can be adjusted quickly and smoothly so as to coincide with the output current value X by calculating the value by the partial time feedback method about 2 to 3 times for fine adjustment.

  In the first and second embodiments, the value specified by the adjustment signal does not need to be exactly the same as the output current, and an approximate value may be used. In this case, the control unit 430 can make effective use of the storage capacity of the control unit 430 by preparing a plurality of default settings and selecting the closest one of the values that can be specified by the adjustment signal.

  Furthermore, it goes without saying that the techniques disclosed in Embodiments 1 and 2 may be combined as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lighting device with a dimming function capable of adjusting the output from the light source has been described with respect to the lighting device of the lighting device. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is different using feedback. It can also be applied to equipment.

  100 LED power supply (lighting device), 110 rectifier circuit, 111 voltage detection unit, 112 driver, 120 dimming circuit, 122 driver, 123 pulse transformer, 130 dimming interface circuit, 140 control circuit, 141 control unit, 142 feedback unit, 200 dimming controller, 300a, 300b LED lamp, 400 control unit, 410 measuring unit, 420 setting unit, 430 control unit, 440 display unit, 450 setting signal output unit.

Claims (7)

A power supply circuit that inputs a dimming command value for controlling the supply of power and supplies power to the light source so as to be a predetermined power supply amount using the dimming command value;
Based on the electrical signal on the output side of the power supply circuit,
A control circuit for generating a dimming command value for lighting and dimming the light source, and supplying the generated dimming command value to the power supply circuit;
A lighting device comprising: The dimming command value input to the power supply circuit is a voltage signal, and the voltage signal is
The power supply amount to the light source is a signal for instructing an increase in the power supply amount so as to reach a target dimming command value predetermined as a target value gradually increasing with time. The lighting device according to claim 1. The control circuit includes:
A conversion table in which the dimming command value and the electrical signal are associated with each other by date and time;
3. The lighting according to claim 2, further comprising an adjustment mode period in which the dimming command value is generated with reference to the conversion table and the power supplied to the light source reaches a predetermined power supply amount. apparatus. During the adjustment mode period,
When the control circuit identifies that it is necessary to generate the dimming command value,
4. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the dimming command value is counted up in a plurality of stages, and the power of the light source is controlled to become a predetermined power supply amount. During the adjustment mode period,
When the control circuit identifies that it is necessary to generate the dimming command value,
4. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the dimming command value is counted up in one stage, and the power of the light source is controlled to become a predetermined power supply amount. The amount of power supplied to the light source gradually reaches the target dimming command value in a stepwise manner over time, and the voltage signal that is the dimming command value increases the step width of the power supply amount. 6. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the lighting device is a signal for instructing a minute. A control unit connected to the output side of the power supply circuit,
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit inputs an input value to the control circuit by an operation of an operator and sets a power supply amount to the light source.

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