JP2016143650A - Illumination system, illumination control device, power supply device and luminaire - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination system that can suppress loss of power to be supplied to a luminaire.SOLUTION: An illumination control device 3 comprises a first switch part 301 for controlling the conduction of a voltage so that the waveform of the voltage has a first notch in a control signal setting section. A power supply device 4 comprises a second switch part 410 for controlling the conduction of a voltage so that the waveform of the voltage has a second notch corresponding to the first notch in a control signal setting section, and a third switch part 414 for maintaining a non-conduction state in at least the control signal setting section. The third switch part 414 is connected to the second switch part 410 in parallel, and has a resistance value lower than the second switch part 410. A luminaire 5 supplies power to a lighting load on the basis of the voltage transmitted through at least one of the second switch part 410 and the third switch part 414. The luminaire 5 is controlled by the second notch.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting system, a lighting control device, a power supply device, and a lighting fixture.

  In recent years, instead of incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have become widespread as illumination light sources. Examples of the dimming method of the LED lighting apparatus include a phase control method, a signal line method, a PLC (Power Line Communication) method, and a wireless method. Of these, the phase control method is a method of adjusting light by adjusting the phase of the AC voltage supplied to the LED lighting apparatus. Since a triac (bidirectional thyristor) is used, it is also called a triac dimming method (for example, patent) Reference 1).

  Specifically, in the triac dimming method, the triac is turned off until the AC voltage reaches a predetermined phase angle from the zero cross point, and the power supply path to the LED lighting apparatus is blocked. Then, after the AC voltage reaches a predetermined phase angle, the triac is turned on (conductive state), and the power supply path to the LED lighting apparatus is conductive. As described above, in the TRIAC dimming method, power is supplied to the lighting fixture through the TRIAC.

JP 2013-145562 A

  However, the triac is a switch element having a relatively large resistance value. For this reason, in the TRIAC dimming method, the loss of the electric power supplied to a lighting fixture becomes a problem.

  An object of this invention is to provide the illumination system which can suppress the loss of the electric power supplied to a lighting fixture, a lighting control apparatus, a power supply device, and a lighting fixture in view of the said problem.

  An illumination system disclosed in the present application includes an illumination control device connected to an external power source that supplies a voltage, a power supply device connected to the external power source, and an illumination connected to the external power source via the power supply device Instrument. The illumination control device includes a first switch unit that controls conduction of the voltage so that a waveform of the voltage has a first notch in a control signal setting section. The power supply device includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a second switch unit, a third switch unit, and a processing unit. The voltage transmitted through the first switch unit is supplied to the first input terminal. The voltage is supplied from the external power source to the second input terminal. The second switch unit controls conduction of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal. The third switch unit is connected in parallel to the second switch unit, and has a lower resistance value than the second switch unit. The processing unit controls operations of the second switch unit and the third switch unit based on the voltage supplied to the first input terminal. Further, in the control signal setting section, the second switch unit is configured so that a waveform of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal has a second notch corresponding to the first notch. The conduction of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal is controlled. The third switch unit maintains a non-conducting state at least in the control signal setting section. The lighting fixture includes a lighting power supply unit and a signal generation unit. The lighting power supply unit supplies power to the lighting load based on the voltage transmitted through at least one of the second switch unit and the third switch unit. The signal generation unit generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the lighting power supply unit based on the second notch.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the processing unit may include a buffer unit that stores a signal corresponding to the voltage supplied to the first input terminal. The processing unit may read the signal stored in the buffer unit and control the operation of the second switch unit.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the processing unit may control the operation of the second switch unit by reading a signal in the control signal setting section from the signal stored in the buffer unit.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, when the processing unit determines that the signal of the control signal setting section is stored in the buffer unit based on the voltage supplied to the first input terminal, the third switch The part may be transitioned from a conductive state to a non-conductive state. Thereafter, the processing unit may read the signal in the control signal setting section from the buffer unit.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the processing unit may further include a waveform conversion unit that converts the voltage supplied to the first input terminal into a pulse signal. The buffer unit may store the pulse signal as the signal corresponding to the voltage supplied to the first input terminal.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, an AC voltage may be supplied from the external power source. The waveform converter may include a rectifier circuit that rectifies the AC voltage supplied to the first input terminal, and a binarization circuit that generates the pulse signal based on an output of the rectifier circuit.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the binarization circuit compares the output of the rectifier circuit with a threshold value, and generates the pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to the presence or absence of the first notch. Also good. The processing unit may control the operation of the second switch unit based on the pulse width.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the processing unit may further include a zero-cross detection unit that detects a zero-cross of the AC voltage. The second switch unit may control conduction of the AC voltage based on a detection result of the zero cross detection unit.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the second switch unit cuts off the waveform of the half wave from the zero cross where the half wave starts to a position less than 90 degrees of the phase angle of the half wave in the half wave of the AC voltage. You may control conduction | electrical_connection of the said alternating voltage so that it may be missing.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the second switch unit has the same notch as the first notch as a waveform of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal as the second notch. As described above, the conduction of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal may be controlled.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the second switch unit may maintain a conductive state while the third switch unit is in a conductive state.

  The lighting system disclosed in the present application may include a plurality of the lighting fixtures. The plurality of lighting fixtures may be connected in parallel.

  In the illumination system disclosed in the present application, the first switch unit may include a semiconductor switch. The second switch unit may include a semiconductor switch. The third switch unit may include a relay switch.

  The lighting control device disclosed in the present application is connected to an external power supply that supplies a voltage. The illumination control device includes a switch unit that controls conduction of the voltage so that the waveform of the voltage has a notch in the control signal setting section.

  The power supply apparatus disclosed in the present application is connected to an external power supply that supplies a voltage. The power supply apparatus includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a control switch unit, a short-circuit switch unit, and a processing unit. The voltage is supplied from the external power source to the second input terminal. The control switch unit controls conduction of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal. The short-circuit switch unit is connected in parallel to the control switch unit and has a lower resistance value than the control switch unit. The processing unit controls operations of the control switch unit and the short-circuit switch unit based on a voltage supplied to the first input terminal. In the control signal setting section, the control switch unit has a notch corresponding to the waveform of the voltage supplied to the first input terminal in the waveform of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal. Thus, the conduction of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal is controlled. The short-circuit switch unit maintains a non-conduction state at least in the control signal setting section.

  The lighting fixture disclosed in the present application includes a lighting load, a lighting power supply unit that supplies power to the lighting load based on an input voltage, and a lighting power supply unit based on a notch included in the waveform of the input voltage. A signal generation unit that generates a control signal for controlling the operation.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the loss of the electric power supplied to a lighting fixture can be suppressed.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the illumination system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the illumination control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and an electric power supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the switch part of the illumination control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the alternating voltage which passed the switch part of the illumination control apparatus in embodiment of this invention, (b) is a drive signal of the switch part of the illumination control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example. It is a figure which shows an example of the switch part for control which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the switch part for short circuit. (A) It is a figure which shows an example of the output waveform of the illumination control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows an example of the drive signal of the switch part for short circuits concerning embodiment of this invention, (C) is a figure which shows an example of the output waveform of the electric power supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the waveform conversion part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the full wave rectifier circuit with which the waveform conversion part which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the binarization circuit with which the waveform conversion part which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows an example of the signal waveform which generate | occur | produces in each part of the binarization circuit with which the waveform conversion part which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the lighting fixture which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of LED of the same color which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the constant current circuit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the signal generation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the signal waveform which generate | occur | produces in each part of the signal generation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the signal waveform of each part of the illumination system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the control signal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the illumination system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the lighting fixture which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the illumination system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  A phase control method is known as a dimming method for LED lighting fixtures. The phase control method is a method of adjusting light by adjusting the phase of an AC voltage supplied to the LED lighting apparatus. Since a triac (bidirectional thyristor) is used, it is also called a triac light control method.

  Specifically, in the triac dimming method, the triac is turned off until the AC voltage reaches a predetermined phase angle from the zero cross point, and the power supply path to the LED lighting apparatus is blocked. Then, after the AC voltage reaches a predetermined phase angle, the triac is turned on (conductive state), and the power supply path to the LED lighting apparatus is conductive.

  As described above, in the TRIAC dimming method, power is supplied to the lighting fixture through the TRIAC. However, the triac is a switch element having a relatively large resistance value. For this reason, in the TRIAC dimming method, the loss of the electric power supplied to a lighting fixture becomes a problem.

  The lighting system, the lighting control device, the power supply device, and the lighting fixture according to the present embodiment can suppress the loss of the power supplied to the lighting fixture as compared with the conventional technology as described above.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an illumination system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting system 1 includes a lighting control device 3, a power supply device 4, and a lighting fixture 5.

  The lighting control device 3 transmits a signal for setting a light amount and a light color (for example, correlated color temperature) of light generated from the lighting fixture 5 to the power supply device 4 in accordance with a user instruction.

  Specifically, the illumination control device 3 is electrically connected to the commercial power source 6 through the power lines 7 a and 7 b and is supplied with power from the commercial power source 6. The power supply device 4 is electrically connected to the power lines 7 a and 7 b via the illumination control device 3. The lighting control device 3 includes a switch unit 301 (an example of a first switch unit) that is electrically connected to the power line 7a. The AC voltage after passing through the switch unit 301 is supplied to the power supply device 4.

  The switch unit 301 controls conduction of an AC voltage supplied from the commercial power supply 6 to the power supply device 4 via the illumination control device 3 when the illumination control device 3 is activated. As a result, the waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the power supply device 4 via the illumination control device 3 has a set notch (first notch) pattern in the control signal setting section. The waveform of the AC voltage having this notch pattern is a signal for setting the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting fixture 5. Similarly, the switch unit 301 controls the conduction of the AC voltage when changing the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting fixture 5 or one of them.

  The power supply device 4 transmits a signal for setting the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting fixture 5 to the lighting fixture 5 according to the waveform of the AC voltage supplied from the lighting control device 3.

  Specifically, the power supply device 4 includes input terminals 41a and 41b (an example of a first input terminal). The input terminals 41a and 41b are electrically connected to the power lines 7a and 7b via the illumination control device 3. Therefore, the AC voltage transmitted through the switch unit 301 of the illumination control device 3 is supplied to the input terminals 41a and 41b. The power supply device 4 further includes input terminals 44a and 44b (an example of a second input terminal). The input terminals 44 a and 44 b are electrically connected to the power lines 7 a and 7 b without going through the lighting control device 3. Therefore, the AC voltage is supplied from the commercial power supply 6 to the input terminals 44 a and 44 b without going through the illumination control device 3. That is, the power supply device 4 is electrically connected to the commercial power supply 6 through the power lines 7 a and 7 b without going through the lighting control device 3. The lighting fixture 5 is electrically connected to the power lines 7 a and 7 b via the input terminals 44 a and 44 b of the power supply device 4, and is supplied with power from the commercial power source 6. That is, the lighting fixture 5 is supplied with power from the power supply device 4.

  Further, the power supply device 4 includes a control switch unit 410 (an example of a second switch unit) that is electrically connected to the power line 7a via the input terminal 44a. In the control signal setting section, the lighting fixture 5 is supplied with the AC voltage after passing through the control switch unit 410.

  Based on the AC voltage supplied to the input terminals 41a and 41b, the control switch unit 410 is supplied with AC voltage (supplied to the input terminals 44a and 44b) from the commercial power source 6 to the lighting fixture 5 via the power supply device 4. The AC voltage) is controlled. Thus, the AC voltage supplied to the lighting fixture 5 has a waveform corresponding to the waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the power supply device 4 via the lighting control device 3. That is, a signal for setting the amount of light and the color of light is transmitted to the luminaire 5. In the present embodiment, the AC voltage supplied to the lighting fixture 5 has the same waveform as the AC voltage supplied to the power supply device 4 via the lighting control device 3 in the control signal setting section.

  More specifically, the power supply device 4 includes a processing unit 401 that controls the operation of the control switch unit 410. The processing unit 401 includes a buffer unit 406. The processing unit 401 is electrically connected to the power lines 7 a and 7 b via the illumination control device 3. That is, the AC voltage after passing through the switch unit 301 of the lighting control device 3 is supplied to the processing unit 401.

  The buffer unit 406 sequentially stores a signal corresponding to the AC voltage supplied to the power supply device 4 via the illumination control device 3. Therefore, when the switch unit 301 of the lighting control device 3 controls the conduction of the AC voltage so that the waveform of the AC voltage has a notch pattern, the buffer unit 406 has a waveform of the AC voltage having the notch pattern. Save the corresponding signal. That is, the buffer unit 406 stores a signal corresponding to a signal for setting the light amount and the light color generated from the lighting fixture 5.

  The processing unit 401 generates a signal corresponding to a signal for setting the light amount and light color generated from the lighting fixture 5 from the signals stored in the buffer unit 406 (a waveform of an AC voltage having a set notch pattern). Read (copy) the corresponding signal. That is, the signal in the control signal setting section is read from the buffer unit 406. The processing unit 401 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 based on the signal read from the buffer unit 406. That is, the processing unit 401 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 based on the AC voltage supplied via the switch unit 301 of the illumination control device 3.

  Specifically, the processing unit 401 controls the AC voltage waveform supplied to the luminaire 5 to have a notch pattern (second notch) pattern in the control signal setting section. The operation of the switch unit 410 is controlled. The second notch pattern corresponds to the first notch pattern included in the waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the power supply device 4 via the illumination control device 3. The waveform of the alternating voltage having the second notch pattern is a signal for setting the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting fixture 5.

  In the present embodiment, the waveform of the AC voltage after passing through the control switch section 410 in the control signal setting section is the same as the waveform of the AC voltage after passing through the switch section 301 of the illumination control device 3 in the control signal setting section. Has a pattern of notches. That is, the control switch unit 410 is connected to the lighting fixture 5 so that an AC voltage having the same waveform as the AC voltage supplied to the processing unit 401 via the lighting control device 3 is supplied to the lighting fixture 5 in the control signal setting section. Controls voltage conduction.

  The lighting fixture 5 uses the alternating voltage supplied from the power supply device 4 via the feed lines 74a and 74b as an energy source for generating light. On the other hand, the luminaire 5 generates a light amount and a light color according to the waveform of the AC voltage having a notch pattern. That is, the light quantity and the light color of the light generated from the lighting fixture 5 are set by the notch pattern existing in the control signal setting section.

  Specifically, the luminaire 5 is electrically connected to the power lines 7 a and 7 b via the feed lines 74 a and 74 b that are power lines and the power supply device 4. That is, the AC voltage after passing through the control switch 410 of the power supply device 4 is supplied to the lighting fixture 5 in the control signal setting section. Accordingly, a signal for setting the light amount and light color (AC voltage waveform having a notch pattern) is transmitted from the power supply device 4 to the lighting fixture 5, and the lighting fixture 5 sets the light amount and the light color. The light amount and the light color according to the signal to be generated are generated.

  As described above, the illumination control device 3 transmits a signal for setting the light amount and the light color to the power supply device 4 at the time of activation. That is, the waveform of the AC voltage supplied from the lighting control device 3 to the power supply device 4 at the time of starting the lighting control device 3 has a notch pattern. The power supply device 4 supplies an AC voltage having a waveform corresponding to the waveform of the AC voltage supplied from the lighting control device 3 to the lighting fixture 5 in the control signal setting section. Thereby, at the time of starting the illumination control device 3, a signal for setting the light amount and the light color is transmitted to the lighting fixture 5, and the lighting fixture 5 generates light of the light amount and the light color according to the signal. The lighting control device 3 also transmits a signal for setting the light amount and the light color to the power supply device 4 when changing the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting fixture 5 or one of them.

  In the present embodiment, the power supply device 4 supplies the lighting fixture 5 with an AC voltage having the same waveform as the waveform of the AC voltage supplied from the lighting control device 3 in the control signal setting section. In other words, the power supply device 4 receives a signal for setting the light amount and the light color from the illumination control device 3. Then, the power supply device 4 transmits the same signal (a signal for setting the light amount and the light color) as the signal received from the lighting control device 3 to the lighting fixture 5. As a result, the lighting fixture 5 generates light of a light amount and a light color according to a signal for setting the light amount and the light color.

  Furthermore, the illumination control device 3 includes a short-circuit switch unit 414 (an example of a third switch unit) connected in parallel with the control switch unit 410. The operation of the short-circuit switch unit 414 is controlled by the processing unit 401. That is, the processing unit 401 controls the operation of the short-circuit switch unit 414 based on the AC voltage (AC voltage supplied to the input terminals 41a and 41b) transmitted through the switch unit 301 of the illumination control device 3. .

  Specifically, the short-circuit switch unit 414 maintains a non-conducting state in the control signal setting section, while the section other than the control signal setting section, that is, a period in which a signal for setting the light amount and the light color is not transmitted (normal lighting) At the same time). The short-circuit switch unit 414 has a lower resistance value than the control switch unit 410. Therefore, at the time of normal lighting, all or at least a part of the AC voltage is supplied to the luminaire 5 via the short-circuit switch unit 414 even if the control switch unit 410 is in a conductive state. Therefore, the loss of the electric power sent to the lighting fixture 5 can be suppressed. Below, in order to make an understanding easy, it demonstrates about the case where an alternating voltage is supplied to the lighting fixture 5 only through the switch part 414 for a short circuit at the time of normal lighting.

  Note that the timing at which the state of the short-circuit switch unit 414 transitions may not be synchronized with the start and end of the control signal setting interval, and the short-circuit switch unit 414 maintains a non-conductive state at least in the control signal setting interval. do it. For example, there may be a time lag between the timing at which the short-circuit switch unit 414 is turned off and the start of the control signal setting section. Similarly, there may be a time lag between the end of the control signal setting section and the timing at which the shorting switch unit 414 becomes conductive.

  Hereinafter, the illumination system 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the illumination control device 3 and the power supply device 4. The illumination control device 3 is laid on, for example, an indoor wall surface. The power supply device 4 is laid, for example, inside the wall surface (inside the wall).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the illumination control device 3 includes two input terminals 31a and 31b and two output terminals 32a and 32b. The illumination control device 3 includes a switch unit 301, a drive unit 303 that drives the switch unit 301, an input unit 305, a display unit 307, a control unit 309, and a zero-cross detection unit 311. The illumination control device 3 receives an instruction to change at least one of the light amount and the light color of light generated from the lighting fixture 5.

  The input terminal 31a is electrically connected to the power line 7a. The input terminal 31a is electrically connected to the output terminal 32a via the switch unit 301. On the other hand, the input terminal 31b is electrically connected to the power line 7b. The input terminal 31b is electrically connected to the output terminal 32b.

  The drive unit 303 generates a drive signal that drives the switch unit 301. The control unit 309 controls the operation of the switch unit 301 via the drive unit 303. In the present embodiment, the switch unit 301 maintains a conduction state in a section other than the control signal setting section.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the switch unit 301 maintains the conduction state in the sections other than the control signal setting section will be described. However, the state of the switch section 301 is limited to the conduction state in the sections other than the control signal setting section. Is not to be done. In a section other than the control signal setting section, the state of the switch unit 301 may include both a conductive state and a non-conductive state. Alternatively, the switch unit 301 may maintain a non-conduction state in a section other than the control signal setting section.

  Switch unit 301 preferably includes a semiconductor switch. In this embodiment, since the commercial power source 6 is used as a power source, it is preferable to use a bidirectional thyristor (so-called triac) which is an example of a semiconductor switch. In the present embodiment, a bidirectional thyristor is used as a switch of the switch unit 301.

  The input unit 305 is a user interface and includes, for example, a plurality of push buttons. The user can instruct to change at least one of the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting fixture 5 via the input unit 305. A change instruction by the user is input to the control unit 309 via the input unit 305.

  The control unit 309 is, for example, a microcomputer. When a change instruction from the user is input during normal lighting, the control unit 309 sets a notch pattern according to the change instruction. Then, the control unit 309 controls the operation of the switch unit 301 so that the waveform of the AC voltage supplied from the commercial power supply 6 has a set notch pattern in the control signal setting section. Moreover, the control part 309 maintains the conduction | electrical_connection state of the switch part 301, when the control signal setting area is complete | finished.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 309 sets a first pattern indicating the light amount and a second pattern indicating the light color as the notch pattern. The setting of the first pattern and the second pattern may be realized, for example, by storing a lookup table in the memory 310 (storage area) of the control unit 309. The memory 310 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

  For example, when the user instructs to change the light amount and the light color, the control unit 309 sets first and second patterns respectively indicating the light amount and the light color designated by the user. When the user instructs only the change of the light amount, the control unit 309 sets a first pattern indicating the light amount instructed by the user and a second pattern indicating the current light color.

  The control unit 309 may cause the memory 310 to store information on the light amount and light color input (registered) by the user via the input unit 305. Thereby, for example, when the illumination control device 3 is turned on, the control unit 309 can read out information on the light amount and the light color stored in the memory 310 and set a notch pattern. Therefore, when the power is turned on, it is possible to reproduce the light amount and light color registered by the user last time.

  The control unit 309 causes the display unit 307 to display information that visually assists the user in registering the light amount and the light color. Specifically, the display unit 307 displays information on the prescribed light quantity and light color at an initial stage immediately after the lighting system 1 is installed in a house or office. Information on the prescribed light quantity and light color is stored in the memory 310, and light of the prescribed light quantity and light color is emitted from the lighting fixture 5 in the initial stage. Thereafter, the display unit 307 displays information on the light amount and the light color according to the change instruction input via the input unit 305. Thereby, the user can register a desired light amount and light color while viewing the display unit 307.

  In this embodiment, since the commercial power source 6 is used as the power source, the lighting control device 3 includes a zero cross detection unit 311. The zero cross detector 311 detects the zero cross point of the AC voltage waveform. The control unit 309 controls the operation of the switch unit 301 based on the detection result of the zero cross detection unit 311. Specifically, the control unit 309 controls the timing at which the drive unit 303 of the switch unit 301 generates a drive signal based on the detection result of the zero cross detection unit 311.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the switch unit 301. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive unit 303 is electrically connected to the gate of the bidirectional thyristor 302. The drive unit 303 generates a drive signal that drives the gate of the bidirectional thyristor 302. Specifically, when the switch unit 301 is brought into a conductive state, the control unit 309 generates a drive signal for turning on the bidirectional thyristor 302 from the drive unit 303.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the drive signal 108 generated by the drive unit 303 of the switch unit 301 in the control signal setting section and the notch 103 formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 according to the drive signal 108 will be described. To do. 4A shows the AC voltage 102 that has passed through the switch unit 301 in the control signal setting section, and FIG. 4B shows the drive signal 108 that the drive unit 303 generates.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the cutout 103 is formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102, the drive signal 108 falls at the zero cross point 106 of the AC voltage 102 and is then delayed by a predetermined time from the zero cross point 106. At timing T, the generation of the drive signal 108 is started (the drive signal 108 rises).

  In the present embodiment, since the switch of the switch unit 301 is the bidirectional thyristor 302, when the drive signal 108 is not input to the gate of the bidirectional thyristor 302 at the zero cross point 106, the bidirectional thyristor 302 is turned off at the zero cross point 106. To do. Therefore, after the drive signal 108 falls at the zero cross point 106, the drive signal 108 rises at a timing T delayed by a predetermined time from the zero cross point 106 (by firing the bidirectional thyristor 302). The thyristor 302 is turned off in synchronization with the zero cross point 106 and turned on at a timing T delayed by a predetermined time from the zero cross point 106. As a result, a notch 103 having a predetermined width is formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102.

  The firing angle of the bidirectional thyristor 302 is less than 90 degrees. As a result, of the half wave of the AC voltage 102, the waveform from the zero cross point 106 where the half wave starts to a position where the phase angle of the half wave is less than 90 degrees is cut out. Preferably, the bidirectional thyristor 302 is fired within a range of 2.5 milliseconds from the zero cross point 106. As a result, of the half wave of the AC voltage 102, the waveform from the zero cross point 106 where the half wave starts to a position within 2.5 milliseconds is cut out.

  The lighting control device 3 has been described above with reference to FIGS. The illumination control device 3 includes a power supply circuit (not shown). The power supply circuit is electrically connected to the power lines 7a and 7b via the input terminals 31a and 31b, and the AC voltage 102 transmitted through the power lines 7a and 7b is used as power necessary for the operation of each part of the lighting control device 3. Generate based on.

  The input unit 305 may be formed with a touch panel. The touch panel may be provided in the display unit 307. The input unit 305 can include an infrared light receiving unit that can receive infrared light transmitted from an infrared remote controller or the like. In this case, an infrared code signal transmitted from an infrared remote controller or the like is transmitted to the control unit 309 via the infrared light receiving unit. For example, if the light intensity up button, light intensity down button, light color up button, and light color down button are provided on the case of the infrared remote controller, each time the user presses one of the buttons, the infrared light Information on the light amount or light color instructed by the user to be changed is sent to the control unit 309 by the code signal. Therefore, for example, when the user presses the light amount down button, the control unit 309 sets a first pattern indicating the light amount indicated by the user and a second pattern indicating the current light color.

  Next, the power supply device 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply device 4 includes four input terminals 41a, 41b, 44a, and 44b and two output terminals 42a and 42b. The power supply device 4 includes a processing unit 401, a control switch unit 410, and a short-circuit switch unit 414. The processing unit 401 includes a waveform conversion unit 402, a control unit 404, a zero cross detection unit 407, a drive unit 408 that drives the control switch unit 410, and a drive unit 412 that drives the short-circuit switch unit 414. The control unit 404 includes a buffer unit 406.

  The input terminals 41 a and 41 b of the power supply device 4 are electrically connected to the output terminals 32 a and 32 b of the lighting control device 3. Therefore, the AC voltage 102 supplied from the commercial power supply 6 is applied to the input terminals 41 a and 41 b of the power supply device 4 via the switch unit 301 of the lighting control device 3. That is, the AC voltage 102 transmitted via the switch unit 301 of the lighting control device 3 is supplied to the input terminals 41a and 41b. Therefore, the waveform of the AC voltage 102 supplied to the input terminals 41a and 41b has a pattern of notches 103 in the control signal setting section.

  The AC voltage 102 applied to the input terminals 41 a and 41 b of the power supply device 4 is transmitted to the waveform converter 402. The waveform converter 402 converts the AC voltage 102 into a pulse signal. The control unit 404 of the power supply device 4 controls the operations of the control switch unit 410 and the short-circuit switch unit 414 via the drive unit 408 and the drive unit 412 in accordance with the pulse signal generated by the waveform conversion unit 402.

  On the other hand, the AC voltage 102 supplied from the commercial power supply 6 is applied to the input terminals 44a and 44b without going through the illumination control device 3. The input terminal 44a is electrically connected to the output terminal 42a via the control switch unit 410. Further, a short-circuit switch unit 414 is electrically connected in parallel with the control switch unit 410 to the input terminal 44a and the output terminal 42a. The input terminal 44b is electrically connected to the output terminal 42b. And the output terminals 42a and 42b of the electric power supply apparatus 4 are electrically connected to the lighting fixture 5 via the feed lines 74a and 74b (refer FIG. 1). Therefore, the AC voltage 102 is supplied to the lighting fixture 5 via the power supply device 4.

  The drive unit 408 generates a drive signal that drives the control switch unit 410. The control unit 404 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 via the drive unit 408. The drive unit 412 generates a drive signal that drives the short-circuit switch unit 414. The control unit 404 controls the operation of the short-circuit switch unit 414 via the drive unit 412.

  Specifically, the control unit 404 determines the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the lighting fixture 5 according to the pulse signal generated by the waveform conversion unit 402 (the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted via the switch unit 301). The operations of the control switch unit 410 and the short-circuit switch unit 414 are controlled so as to have a notch in the control signal setting section. Thereby, the waveform of the alternating voltage supplied to the lighting fixture 5 comes to have the set notch pattern in the control signal setting section. The waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the lighting fixture 5 has a notch pattern corresponding to the pattern of the notch 103 included in the waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the power supply device 4 via the illumination control device 3.

  In the present embodiment, the waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the lighting fixture 5 has the same waveform as the AC voltage supplied to the power supply device 4 via the lighting control device 3. Therefore, the control switch unit 410 operates in the same manner as the switch unit 301 of the lighting control device 3 in the control signal setting section, and the waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the lighting fixture 5 is the lighting control in the control signal setting section. It has the same notch pattern as the waveform of the AC voltage transmitted from the device 3 to the power supply device 4. The control unit 404 of the power supply device 4 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 through the drive unit 408 in this way, whereby the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting fixture 5 are controlled.

  In the present embodiment, the control switch unit 410 maintains the conduction state in the sections other than the control signal setting section. Note that the state of the control switch unit 410 in the sections other than the control signal setting section is not limited to the conductive state. In a section other than the control signal setting section, the state of the control switch unit 410 may include both a conductive state and a non-conductive state. Alternatively, the control switch unit 410 may maintain a non-conduction state in a section other than the control signal setting section.

  The control switch unit 410 preferably includes a semiconductor switch. In this embodiment, since the commercial power source 6 is used as a power source, it is preferable to use a bidirectional thyristor (so-called triac) which is an example of a semiconductor switch. In the present embodiment, a bidirectional thyristor is used as a switch of the control switch unit 410. On the other hand, a switch having a resistance value lower than that of the switch of the control switch unit 410 is used as the switch of the short-circuit switch unit 414. In this embodiment, a relay switch is used as a switch having a resistance value lower than that of the bidirectional thyristor.

  The control unit 404 is a microcomputer, for example. The control unit 404 generates a digital signal according to the pulse signal generated by the waveform conversion unit 402 (the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted via the switch unit 301). When the control unit 404 generates a digital signal, the control unit 404 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 and the short-circuit switch unit 414 based on the content (data code) of the digital signal.

  Specifically, when the waveform conversion unit 402 generates a pulse signal (a pulse signal in the control signal setting section) corresponding to the waveform of the AC voltage 102 having the notch 103, the control unit 404 generates a pulse in the control signal setting section. A digital signal corresponding to the signal (a digital signal in the control signal setting section) is generated. Then, the control unit 404 sets a notch pattern based on the contents (data code) of the digital signal in the control signal setting section. Next, in the control signal setting section, the control unit 404 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 so that the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the lighting fixture 5 has the set notch pattern. The setting of the notch pattern may be realized by storing a lookup table in the memory 405 (storage area) of the control unit 404. The memory 405 includes, for example, a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 404 includes a buffer unit 406. The buffer unit 406 is a ring buffer, for example. In the present embodiment, the buffer unit 406 is a ring buffer. The control unit 404 sequentially converts the pulse signals continuously output from the waveform conversion unit 402 into digital signals. In addition, the control unit 404 sequentially stores continuously generated digital signals in the buffer unit 406. Then, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the digital signal in the control signal setting section is stored in the buffer unit 406.

  When the digital signal in the control signal setting section is stored in the buffer unit 406, the control unit 404 reads (copies) the digital signal in the control signal setting section from the buffer unit 406 and stores it in the memory 405. On the other hand, the control unit 404 brings the shorting switch unit 414 into a non-conducting state via the driving unit 412. In the present embodiment, the buffer unit 406 is a ring buffer. Accordingly, the digital signals stored in the buffer unit 406 are sequentially stored, whereby the previously stored digital signals are deleted.

  The control unit 404 reads the digital signal in the control signal setting section from the memory 405 after the short-circuit switch unit 414 becomes non-conductive. Then, the control unit 404 sets a notch pattern based on the content (data code) of the digital signal in the control signal setting section. Note that the digital signal read from the memory 405 is erased from the memory 405. When the notch pattern is set, the control unit 404 controls the control switch so that the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the lighting fixture 5 has the set notch pattern in the control signal setting section. The operation of the unit 410 is controlled. That is, the control switch unit 410 has the lighting fixture via the power supply device 4 so that the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the lighting fixture 5 has a set notch pattern in the control signal setting section. 5 controls continuity of the AC voltage 102 supplied to 5.

  In the present embodiment, the waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the lighting fixture 5 has the same notch pattern as the waveform of the AC voltage 102 supplied to the power supply device 4 via the lighting control device 3. Therefore, similarly to the control unit 309 of the illumination control device 3, the control unit 404 sets a first pattern indicating the light amount and a second pattern indicating the light color as the notch pattern. The setting of the first pattern and the second pattern may be realized by storing a lookup table in the memory 405, for example.

  When the control unit 404 confirms that the digital signal in the control signal setting section is not stored in the memory 405, the control unit 404 returns the short-circuit switch unit 414 from the non-conductive state to the conductive state. In addition, when the control unit 404 confirms that the digital signal in the control signal setting section is not stored in the memory 405, the control switch unit 410 maintains the conduction state.

  In the present embodiment, the waveform of the AC voltage after passing through the control switch unit 410 has the same notch pattern as the waveform of the AC voltage after passing through the switch unit 301 of the illumination control device 3. That is, the control switch unit 410 conducts the AC voltage so that an AC voltage having the same waveform as the waveform of the AC voltage supplied to the processing unit 401 via the lighting control device 3 is supplied to the lighting fixture 5. Control.

  In the present embodiment, since the commercial power supply 6 is used as the power supply, the power supply device 4 includes a zero cross detection unit 407. The zero cross detector 407 detects the zero cross point of the waveform of the AC voltage 102 input via the input terminals 44a and 44b. The control unit 404 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 based on the detection result of the zero cross detection unit 407. Specifically, the control unit 404 controls the timing at which the drive unit 408 of the control switch unit 410 generates a drive signal based on the detection result of the zero cross detection unit 407.

  The power supply device 4 includes a power supply circuit (not shown). The power supply circuit is electrically connected to the input terminals 41a, 41b or 44a, 44b, and the alternating current applied to the input terminals 41a, 41b or 44a, 44b is supplied with electric power necessary for the operation of each part of the power supply device 4. It is generated based on the voltage 102.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control switch unit 410 and the short-circuit switch unit 414. As shown in FIG. 5, the driving unit 408 is electrically connected to the gate of the bidirectional thyristor 411. The drive unit 408 generates a drive signal that drives the gate of the bidirectional thyristor 411. Specifically, when the control switch unit 410 is turned on, the control unit 404 generates a drive signal for turning on the bidirectional thyristor 411 from the drive unit 408.

  On the other hand, the drive unit 412 of the short-circuit switch unit 414 is electrically connected to a coil 415 a included in the relay switch 415. In this embodiment, the relay switch 415 is a normally open type, and the switch 415b is closed when the drive unit 412 passes a current through the coil 415a. Accordingly, the short-circuit switch unit 414 becomes conductive when the switch 415b is closed (by being turned on). Further, the short-circuit switch unit 414 becomes non-conductive when the switch 415b is opened (by being turned off). A normally closed type relay switch may be used. In this case, the switch is opened when the driving unit 412 passes a current through the coil.

  In the present embodiment, the control switch unit 410 operates in the same manner as the switch unit 301 of the illumination control device 3. Therefore, the relationship between the drive signal generated by the drive unit 408 of the control switch unit 410 in the control signal setting section and the notch formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 supplied to the lighting fixture 5 is as follows. This is the same as the relationship between the drive signal 108 generated by the drive unit 303 and the notch 103 formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 in accordance with the drive signal 108, and the description thereof is omitted (see FIG. 4).

  FIG. 6A shows an example of an output waveform of the illumination control device 3 in the control signal setting section. That is, FIG. 6A shows an example of the waveform of the AC voltage 102 that has passed through the switch unit 301 in the control signal setting section. When the switch unit 301 temporarily cuts off the AC voltage 102, a notch 103 is formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 as shown in FIG. Then, the AC voltage 102 that has passed through the switch unit 301 is transmitted to the power supply device 4.

  FIG. 6B shows an example of a drive signal for the short-circuit switch unit 414. When the digital signal in the control signal setting section is stored in the buffer unit 406, the power supply device 4 causes the drive unit 412 to generate the drive signal 107 that makes the short-circuit switch unit 414 non-conductive.

  FIG. 6C shows an example of an output waveform of the power supply device 4. The power supply device 4 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 after the short-circuit switch unit 414 becomes non-conductive, and forms a notch 104 in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the lighting fixture 5. To do. Specifically, the power supply device 4 controls the operation of the control switch unit 410 according to the pattern of the notch 103 included in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted from the illumination control device 3. In the present embodiment, the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the lighting fixture 5 has the same waveform as the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted from the lighting control device 3. That is, the pattern of the notch 104 is the same as the pattern of the notch 103.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, after the short-circuit switch unit 414 transitions from the conductive state to the non-conductive state, the control signal setting section starts in the output waveform of the power supply device 4. For this reason, the timing at which the control signal setting section starts in the output waveform of the power supply device 4 is delayed from the timing at which the control signal setting section starts in the output waveform of the illumination control apparatus 3.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the waveform conversion unit 402. When the commercial power source 6 is used as the power source, the waveform converter 402 may include a full-wave rectifier circuit 416 and a binarization circuit 418 as shown in FIG. The full-wave rectifier circuit 416 rectifies the AC voltage 102 transmitted via the switch unit 301. The binarization circuit 418 generates a pulse signal based on the output of the full wave rectification circuit 416.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the full-wave rectifier circuit 416 included in the waveform converter 402. As shown in FIG. 8, the full-wave rectifier circuit 416 may include four diodes 416a, 416b, 416c, and 416d.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the binarization circuit 418. The binarization circuit 418 may include three resistors 420, 422, and 424 and an Nch MOSFET 426 as shown in FIG. The resistors 420 and 422 constitute a voltage dividing circuit that divides the voltage after rectification by the full-wave rectification circuit 416 (see FIG. 7). The output voltage of this voltage dividing circuit is applied to the gate of the Nch MOSFET 426. Resistor 424 is a pull-up resistor.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 9, the resistor 424 is supplied with the power supply voltage Vcc. The power supply voltage Vcc is generated by a power supply circuit (not shown) provided in the power supply device 4. In this embodiment, the case where the binarization circuit 418 includes the NchMOSFET 426 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the binarization circuit 418 may include a bipolar transistor instead of the NchMOSFET 426.

  The Nch MOSFET 426 repeats turn-on and turn-off according to the magnitude relationship between the voltage applied to its gate and its gate threshold. As a result, a pulse signal is generated at a connection point P1 between the drain of the Nch MOSFET 426 and the resistor 424. This pulse signal is input to the control unit 404.

  FIG. 10A shows an example of a waveform of a voltage applied to the gate of the Nch MOSFET 426. FIG. 10B shows an example of a pulse signal generated at a connection point P 1 between the drain of the Nch MOSFET 426 and the resistor 424. Specifically, FIG. 10B shows a pulse signal 124 generated according to the voltage 122 shown in FIG. The pulse signal 124 is input to the control unit 404.

  In FIG. 10A, the voltage 122 is a voltage applied to the gate of the Nch MOSFET 426. As shown in FIG. 10A, the waveform of the voltage 122 includes a notch 103. Further, in the vicinity of the position 123 where the value of the voltage 122 is minimum, the waveform of the voltage 122 falls below the gate threshold value of the Nch MOSFET 426. The position 123 corresponds to the zero cross point 106 of the AC voltage 102. When the waveform of the voltage 122 falls below the gate threshold, the pulse signal 124 becomes H level as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the pulse signal 124 has pulse widths W1 and W2 corresponding to the presence or absence of the notch 103. This is because, at the location where the notch 103 is formed, the time during which the waveform of the voltage 122 falls below the gate threshold is longer than at the location where the notch 103 is not formed. In other words, the pulse width of the pulse signal 124 is the first pulse width W1 at a location where the notch 103 is not formed. On the other hand, at the location where the notch 103 is formed, the pulse width of the pulse signal 124 becomes a second pulse width W2 that is larger than the first pulse width W1. The control unit 404 generates a digital signal according to the pulse width of the pulse signal 124 (first pulse width W1 and second pulse width W2).

  Specifically, the control unit 404 compares the pulse signal 124 with a threshold value and determines the pulse width of the pulse signal 124. That is, the control unit 404 determines whether the pulse width of the pulse signal 124 is the first pulse width W1 or the second pulse width W2. Then, the control unit 404 generates a digital signal having a value “0” corresponding to the first pulse width W1 and a value “1” corresponding to the second pulse width W2 (FIG. 10B). )reference).

  Here, the control unit 404 compares the pulse signal 124 with a threshold value every several hundreds of microseconds, for example, and determines the pulse width of the pulse signal 124. As described above, the pulse signal 124 is finely compared with the threshold value, so that the influence of noise included in the pulse signal 124 can be suppressed.

  Next, a method for determining the pulse width of the pulse signal 124 by the control unit 404 will be described. For example, the control unit 404 obtains a ratio of temporally adjacent pulse widths until the second pulse width W2 is detected, and determines whether the pulse width is the first pulse width W1 or the second pulse width W2. It is determined whether it is. That is, a certain pulse width ratio value is a ratio value with respect to the previous pulse width in terms of time.

  Specifically, the control unit 404 determines that the pulse width is the first pulse width W1 when the obtained pulse width ratio value is a value within the defined first range. On the other hand, the control unit 404 determines that the pulse width is the second pulse width W2 when the value of the obtained pulse width ratio is a value within the specified second range. The lower limit value of the second range is set to be equal to or higher than the upper limit value of the first range. Then, after the second pulse width W2 is detected, the control unit 404 uses the pulse width ratio value before the second pulse width W2 as the value of the pulse width ratio until the first pulse width W1 is detected. A ratio value with respect to the pulse width (first pulse width W1) is obtained. Note that the control unit 404 may determine that the pulse width is the first pulse width W1 when the value of the obtained pulse width ratio is “1”.

  By obtaining the value of the pulse width ratio of the pulse signal 124 as described above, the control unit 404 of the power supply device 4 can determine the value of the voltage applied to the input terminals 31a and 31b of the illumination control device 3 and the voltage. Even if the frequency changes, the pulse signal 124 (the pattern of the notch 103) can be read.

  Next, the lighting fixture 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a main part of the lighting fixture 5. The lighting fixture 5 is a downlight or indirect lighting, for example. As shown in FIG. 11, the luminaire 5 includes two input terminals 51a and 51b. The input terminals 51a and 51b are electrically connected to the output terminals 42a and 42b (see FIG. 2) of the power supply device 4 through the feed lines 74a and 74b.

  The lighting fixture 5 includes a lighting power supply unit 502 and a signal generation unit 504. The lighting power supply unit 502 is electrically connected to the input terminals 51a and 51b. The lighting power supply unit 502 supplies power to the lighting load 520 based on the AC voltage 102 (input voltage) supplied to the input terminals 51a and 51b. Specifically, the lighting power supply unit 502 is based on the AC voltage 102 transmitted through the control switch unit 410 during the control signal setting period (while the short-circuit switch unit 414 is in a non-conductive state). Power is supplied to the lighting load 520. On the other hand, in the section other than the control signal setting section (while the short-circuit switch unit 414 is in the conductive state), the lighting power supply unit 502 is based on the AC voltage 102 transmitted through the short-circuit switch unit 414. The power is supplied to the lighting load 520.

  In the present embodiment, the lighting load 520 includes an LED as a lighting element. In this case, the lighting power supply unit 502 generates a constant current based on the AC voltage 102 supplied to the input terminals 51a and 51b.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of color LEDs that emit light having different light colors are used. Thereby, dimming toning control can be realized. It is preferable that the LEDs of a plurality of colors are equally arranged when viewed in plan. Thereby, since the light of each light color is mixed equally, it becomes possible to adjust the light quantity and light color of the light which generate | occur | produce from the lighting load 520 with high precision.

  In the present embodiment, two-color LEDs 522a and 522b are used. For example, as the two-color LEDs 522a and 522b, a 5000 Kelvin (cold color) LED and a 2700 Kelvin (warm color) LED can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the lighting power supply unit 502 includes the rectifier circuit 506, the smoothing circuit 508, and the constant current circuits 510 (first constant current circuit 510a and second constant current circuit) provided corresponding to the LEDs 522a and 522b of the respective colors. A constant current circuit 510b). The first constant current circuit 510a supplies a constant current to the LED 522a, and the second constant current circuit 510b supplies a constant current to the LED 522b.

  The rectifier circuit 506 rectifies the AC voltage 102 supplied to the input terminals 51a and 51b. The rectifier circuit 506 is preferably a full wave rectifier circuit. In this embodiment, the rectifier circuit 506 is a full-wave rectifier circuit. The smoothing circuit 508 smoothes the output of the rectifier circuit 506. In the present embodiment, the smoothing circuit 508 includes a diode 508a and an electrolytic capacitor 508b as shown in FIG.

  The AC voltage 102 supplied to the input terminals 51a and 51b is converted into a DC voltage by the rectifier circuit 506 and the smoothing circuit 508. Each constant current circuit 510 generates a constant current based on the output (DC voltage) of the smoothing circuit 508. Electric power is supplied to the lighting load 520 by this constant current.

  The voltage that has passed through the rectifier circuit 506 included in the lighting power supply unit 502 is transmitted to the signal generation unit 504. The signal generation unit 504 generates the control signals 126a and 126b based on the pattern of the notch 104 included in the rectified voltage waveform. That is, the signal generation unit 504 generates the control signals 126a and 126b using the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the lighting fixture 5 through the control switch unit 410. The control signals 126a and 126b are signals for controlling the power supply operation to the lighting load 520 (522a and 522b) by the lighting power supply unit 502. Specifically, the operation of the first constant current circuit 510a is controlled by the control signal 126a, and the operation of the second constant current circuit 510b is controlled by the control signal 126b.

  The lighting load 520 may include one LED for each light color, or may include a plurality of LEDs for each light color. FIG. 12 shows a connection example of LEDs of the same color. As shown in FIG. 12A, the LEDs 522 of the same color may be connected in series. Alternatively, the LEDs 522 of the same color may be connected in parallel as shown in FIG.

  Next, a configuration example of the constant current circuit 510 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the first constant current circuit 510a will be described as an example. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the first constant current circuit 510a. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the first constant current circuit 510a may include a control unit 511, an Nch MOSFET 512 (an example of a switch element), a diode 513, a choke coil 514, and a capacitor 515.

  Capacitor 515 is charged by the output of smoothing circuit 508 (see FIG. 11). The control unit 511 is, for example, a constant current control IC (Integrated Circuit). The control unit 511 controls the operation of the Nch MOSFET 512 according to the control signal 126a output from the signal generation unit 504 so that a constant current flows through the lighting load 520 (LED 522a). By this control, the Nch MOSFET 512 is repeatedly turned on and off, and the capacitor 515 is repeatedly charged and discharged. As a result, a constant current flows through the LED 522a, and the LED 522a emits light.

  The adjustment of the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting load 520 is executed by controlling the current value of the constant current flowing through the LED 522 (522a, 522b) of each color. Therefore, the signal generation unit 504 generates the control signals 126a and 126b for controlling the ON time and the OFF time of the Nch MOSFET 512 of each constant current circuit 510 (510a and 510b).

  Next, an example of the signal generation unit 504 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the signal generation unit 504. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a waveform of a signal generated in each unit of the signal generation unit 504 illustrated in FIG. When controlling the ON time and OFF time of the Nch MOSFET 512 described above, the signal generation unit 504 may have a circuit configuration as shown in FIG. A signal generation unit 504 illustrated in FIG. 14 includes a binarization circuit 524 and a control unit 526. As shown in FIG. 14, the power supply voltage Vcc is supplied to the control unit 526. The power supply voltage Vcc is generated by a power supply circuit (not shown) provided in the lighting fixture 5, similarly to the lighting control device 3 and the power supply device 4.

  The binarization circuit 524 generates a pulse signal by comparing the output of the rectifier circuit 506 (see FIG. 11), that is, the voltage after rectification, with a threshold value. The binarization circuit 524 may include three resistors 528, 530, and 532 and an Nch MOSFET 534. The resistors 528 and 530 constitute a voltage dividing circuit that divides the voltage after rectification by the rectifier circuit 506. The output voltage of the voltage dividing circuit is applied to the gate of the Nch MOSFET 534. Resistor 532 is a pull-up resistor. In the present embodiment, the case where the binarization circuit 524 includes the Nch MOSFET 534 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the binarization circuit 524 may include a bipolar transistor instead of the Nch MOSFET 534.

  The Nch MOSFET 534 repeats turn-on and turn-off depending on the magnitude relationship between the voltage applied to its gate and its gate threshold. As a result, a pulse signal is generated at the connection point P 2 between the drain of the Nch MOSFET 534 and the resistor 532. This pulse signal is input to the control unit 526.

  FIG. 15A shows an example of a waveform of a voltage applied to the gate of the Nch MOSFET 534. FIG. 15B shows an example of a pulse signal generated at a connection point P <b> 2 between the drain of the Nch MOSFET 534 and the resistor 532. Specifically, FIG. 15B shows a pulse signal 114 generated according to the voltage 110 shown in FIG. The pulse signal 114 is input to the control unit 526.

  In FIG. 15A, the voltage 110 is a voltage applied to the gate of the Nch MOSFET 534. As shown in FIG. 15A, the waveform of the voltage 110 includes a notch 104. Further, in the vicinity of the position 112 where the value of the voltage 110 is minimum, the waveform of the voltage 110 falls below the gate threshold value of the Nch MOSFET 534. The position 112 corresponds to the zero cross point 106 of the AC voltage 102. When the waveform of the voltage 110 falls below the gate threshold value, the pulse signal 114 becomes H level as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the pulse signal 114 has pulse widths W11 and W12 corresponding to the presence or absence of the notch 104. This is because, at the location where the notch 104 is formed, the time during which the waveform of the voltage 110 falls below the gate threshold is longer than at the location where the notch 104 is not formed. In other words, the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 is the third pulse width W11 at a location where the notch 104 is not formed. On the other hand, at the location where the notch 104 is formed, the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 becomes the fourth pulse width 12 which is larger than the third pulse width W11.

  The control unit 526 is, for example, a microcomputer. A voltage is applied to the control unit 526 from a connection point P 2 between the drain of the Nch MOSFET 534 and the resistor 532. That is, the pulse signal 114 shown in FIG. 15B is input to the control unit 526. The control unit 526 generates a digital signal according to the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 (the third pulse width W11 and the fourth pulse width W12).

  Specifically, the control unit 526 determines the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 by comparing the pulse signal 114 with a threshold value. That is, the control unit 526 determines whether the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 is the third pulse width W11 or the fourth pulse width W12. Then, the control unit 526 generates a digital signal having a value “0” corresponding to the third pulse width W11 and a value “1” corresponding to the fourth pulse width W12 (FIG. 15B). )reference).

  Here, the control unit 526 compares the pulse signal 114 with a threshold value every several hundreds of microseconds, for example, and determines the pulse width of the pulse signal 114. Thus, the pulse signal 114 is compared with the threshold value in detail, so that the influence of noise included in the pulse signal 114 can be suppressed.

  When the control unit 526 generates a digital signal, each NchMOSFET 512 (included in each constant current circuit 510 (first constant current circuit 510a and second constant current circuit 510b)) is based on the content (data code) of the digital signal. The control signals 126a and 126b for controlling the on time and the off time of FIG. 13) are generated.

  Specifically, the control signals 126a and 126b are pulse voltages, and the pulse widths of the pulse voltages (control signals 126a and 126b) transmitted to the constant current circuits 510a and 510b are determined according to the contents of the digital signals. Therefore, the current value of the constant current flowing through the LEDs 522 (522a, 522b) included in each constant current circuit 510a, 510b is a value corresponding to the content of the digital signal, that is, according to the pattern of the notch 104 (notch 103). Value. The setting of the pulse width of the control signals 126a and 126b (pulse voltage) may be realized, for example, by storing a lookup table in the memory 527 (storage area) of the control unit 526. The memory 527 includes, for example, a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM.

  Next, a method for determining the pulse width (third pulse width W11, fourth pulse width W12) of the pulse signal 114 by the control unit 526 will be described. For example, the control unit 526 obtains the ratio of temporally adjacent pulse widths until the fourth pulse width W12 is detected, and determines whether the pulse width is the third pulse width W11 or the fourth pulse width W12. It is determined whether it is. That is, a certain pulse width ratio value is a ratio value with respect to the previous pulse width in terms of time.

  Specifically, the control unit 526 determines that the pulse width is the third pulse width W11 when the value of the obtained pulse width ratio is a value within the specified third range. On the other hand, the control unit 526 determines that the pulse width is the fourth pulse width W12 when the value of the obtained pulse width ratio is a value within the specified fourth range. The lower limit value of the fourth range is set to a value larger than the upper limit value of the third range. Then, after the fourth pulse width W12 is detected, the control unit 526 uses the value before the fourth pulse width W12 as the value of the pulse width ratio until the third pulse width W11 is detected. A ratio value with respect to the pulse width (third pulse width W11) is obtained. Note that the control unit 526 may determine that the pulse width is the third pulse width W11 when the value of the obtained pulse width ratio is “1”.

  By obtaining the value of the ratio of the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 as described above, the pulse of the pulse signal 114 is caused by the value of the voltage applied to the input terminals 31a and 31b of the illumination control device 3 and the frequency of the voltage. Even if the width changes, the control unit 526 can read the pulse signal 114 (the pattern of the notch 104).

  The configuration of the illumination system 1 has been described above with reference to FIGS. The lighting control device 3 has a specification that the notch 103 is not formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 immediately after the power is turned on. As a result, immediately after the illumination control device 3 is turned on, the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 is continuously multiple times to become the third pulse width W11. In addition, the illumination control device 3 forms a notch 103 in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 at the start of the control signal setting section. Therefore, the notch 104 is formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 supplied to the lighting fixture 5, and the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 becomes the fourth pulse width W12. Thereby, the control part 526 of the lighting fixture 5 (signal generation part 504) recognizes (determines) the start of a control signal setting area.

  The lighting control device 3 has a specification in which the notch 103 is not formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 after one control signal setting section is completed. Thereby, after the control signal setting section is completed, the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 becomes the third pulse width W11 continuously several times. The controller 526 of the lighting fixture 5 (signal generator 504) recognizes (determines) the end of the control signal setting section when the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 reaches the third pulse width W11 continuously several times. The power supply device 4 causes the short-circuit switch unit 414 to transition from the non-conductive state to the conductive state after the end of the control signal setting section.

  Next, the operation of the illumination system 1 when at least one of the light amount and the light color of the lighting load 520 is changed during normal lighting will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 16 and 17 show signal waveforms of respective parts of the illumination system 1.

  A sinusoidal AC voltage 102 shown in FIG. 16A is supplied from the commercial power supply 6 to the power lines 7a and 7b. When the instruction to change at least one of the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting load 520 is input via the input unit 305 at the time of normal lighting, the control unit 309 of the lighting control device 3 changes the input. The operation of the switch unit 301 is controlled according to the instruction. Thereby, the switch part 301 controls conduction | electrical_connection of the alternating voltage 102 so that the waveform of the alternating voltage 102 may have the pattern of the notch 103 set in the control signal setting area. In the present embodiment, the pattern of the notch 103 includes a first pattern indicating the amount of light and a second pattern indicating the light color.

  FIG. 16B shows an example of an output waveform of the illumination control device 3 in the control signal setting section. That is, FIG. 16B shows an example of the waveform of the AC voltage 102 that has passed through the switch unit 301 in the control signal setting section. When the switch unit 301 temporarily cuts off the AC voltage 102, a notch 103 is formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 as shown in FIG. Then, the AC voltage 102 that has passed through the switch unit 301 is transmitted to the power supply device 4.

  The power supply device 4 controls conduction of the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the rectifier circuit 506 of the lighting fixture 5 according to the waveform of the AC voltage 102 that has passed through the switch unit 301. As a result, the AC voltage 102 having the pattern of the notch 104 corresponding to the pattern of the notch 103 is supplied to the rectifier circuit 506 of the lighting fixture 5. In the present embodiment, the waveform of the AC voltage 102 transmitted to the rectifier circuit 506 of the lighting fixture 5 has the same waveform as the AC voltage 102 that has passed through the switch unit 301.

  The rectifier circuit 506 rectifies the AC voltage 102 transmitted via the power supply device 4 (control switch unit 410 or short-circuit switch unit 414). FIG. 16C shows an example of the output of the rectifier circuit 506 (the voltage 118 after rectification). The smoothing circuit 508 smoothes the output of the rectifier circuit 506. FIG. 16D shows an example of the output of the smoothing circuit 508. As shown in FIG. 16D, the DC voltage 120 is obtained by the smoothing circuit 508. Therefore, the DC voltage 120 is supplied from the smoothing circuit 508 to each constant current circuit 510 (510a, 510b).

  On the other hand, the voltage 118 after rectification by the rectifier circuit 506 is transmitted to the signal generation unit 504. The signal generation unit 504 changes the waveforms of the control signals 126a and 126b (pulse width of the pulse voltage) based on the pattern of the notch 104 included in the waveform of the voltage 118.

  In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the binarization circuit 524 of the signal generation unit 504 generates the pulse signal 114 corresponding to the pattern of the notch 104. Then, the control unit 526 of the signal generation unit 504 generates a digital signal according to the pulse widths of the pulse signal 114 (the third pulse width W11 and the fourth pulse width W12). Specifically, the control unit 526 generates a first digital signal corresponding to the notch 104 of the first pattern indicating the amount of light and a second digital signal corresponding to the notch 104 of the second pattern indicating the light color.

  Then, the control unit 526 controls the operation of each constant current circuit 510 (510a, 510b) based on the content of the first digital signal (first data code) and the content of the second digital signal (second data code). The control signals 126a and 126b (pulse voltage) to be generated are generated. That is, the control unit 526 determines the pulse width (waveform of the control signals 126a and 126b) of the pulse voltage transmitted to each constant current circuit 510 (510a and 510b).

  Thereby, according to the pattern of the notch 103 (notch 104), at least one of the control signals 126a and 126b transmitted to the first constant current circuit 510a and the second constant current circuit 510b (pulse voltage of the pulse voltage). The pulse width is changed. The control signals 126a and 126b are signals for setting the light amount and the light color of the lighting load 520 to levels according to the first data code and the second data code, respectively.

  Further, the control unit 526 stores the first data code and the second data code in the memory 527. Then, the control unit 526 corresponds each control signal 126a, 126b (each pulse voltage) having the determined pulse width until the lighting control device 3 next forms the notch 103 in the waveform of the AC voltage 102. Each transmission continues to the constant current circuit 510.

  Note that, as described above, the control unit 309 of the lighting control device 3 does not form the notch 103 in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 immediately after power-on and immediately after the end of the control signal setting section, and the pulse width of the pulse signal 114. Is set to the third pulse width W11 continuously several times.

  Specifically, the control unit 309 of the lighting control device 3 cuts the notch 103 into a predetermined number of half waves immediately after activation of the lighting control device 3 and immediately after the end of the control signal setting section of the half wave of the AC voltage 102. The specification is not formed. As a result, immediately after activation of the illumination control device 3 and immediately after the end of the control signal setting section, a predetermined number of digital signal values are continuously “0”. The control unit 526 of the lighting fixture 5 (signal generation unit 504) transitions to the standby mode when the value of the digital signal becomes “0” continuously for a predetermined number or more. When the pulse width of the pulse signal 114 becomes the fourth pulse width W12, that is, when the value of the digital signal becomes “1”, the control unit 526 that has transited to the standby mode has started the control signal setting section. to decide.

  FIG. 17A shows an example of the control signal 126a transmitted to the first constant current circuit 510a, and FIG. 17B shows an example of the control signal 126b transmitted to the second constant current circuit 510b. As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the control signals 126a and 126b are pulse voltages whose pulse widths are adjusted based on the pattern of the notches 104 (notches 103). In the example shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the pulse widths of the control signals 126a and 126b (pulse voltage) change at time t1. Due to the change in the pulse width, the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting load 520 are adjusted to the light amount and the light color according to the change instruction input via the input unit 305.

  Specifically, the ratio of the current flowing through the LEDs 522a and 522b of each color is controlled by the control signals 126a and 126b, and the light color of the light (mixed light) generated from the lighting load 520 is adjusted. Further, the total value of the currents flowing through the LEDs 522a and 522b of the respective colors is controlled by the control signals 126a and 126b, and the amount of light (mixed light) generated from the lighting load 520 is adjusted. That is, the signal generation unit 504 controls the ratio of the currents flowing through the two-color LEDs 522a and 522b and the total value of the currents flowing through the two-color LEDs 522a and 522b, thereby executing dimming / toning control.

  As described above, the signal generation unit 504 individually controls the power supplied to the LEDs 522a and 522b of the respective colors, and changes the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting load 520 of the notch 103 (notch 104). The light quantity and light color are set according to the pattern.

  When the illumination control device 3 is activated, the illumination control device 3 (control unit 309) reads the information on the light amount and the light color stored in the memory 310 and sets the pattern of the notch 103. The contents of the light amount and light color information read when the illumination control device 3 is activated may be specified values or values stored in the memory 310 by the user.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the signal for setting the light amount and the light color of the light generated from the lighting load 520 is sent to the luminaire 5 via the feed lines 74a and 74b. Therefore, it is possible to perform dimming and tonal control without installing a dedicated signal line.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the short-circuit switch unit 414 maintains the conduction state in a section other than the control signal setting section (normally on). The short-circuit switch unit 414 has a lower resistance value than the control switch unit 410. Therefore, during normal lighting, the AC voltage 102 is transmitted to the luminaire 5 via the short-circuit switch unit 414 even if the control switch unit 410 is in a conductive state. Therefore, the loss of the electric power sent to the lighting fixture 5 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a digital signal having a value “0” corresponding to the first pulse width W1 and a value “1” corresponding to the second pulse width W2 is generated. (See FIG. 10) A digital signal having a value “1” corresponding to the first pulse width W1 and a value “0” corresponding to the second pulse width W2 may be generated. Similarly, in the present embodiment, a case where a digital signal having a value “0” corresponding to the third pulse width W11 and a value “1” corresponding to the fourth pulse width W12 is generated will be described. However, a digital signal having a value “1” corresponding to the third pulse width W11 and a value “0” corresponding to the fourth pulse width W12 may be generated. .

  In this embodiment, the control unit 526 of the lighting fixture 5 transitions to the standby mode when the value of the digital signal continuously becomes “0” for a predetermined number or more, but causes the control unit 526 to transition to the standby mode. The value of the digital signal is not limited to “0” continuous for a predetermined number or more. For example, a notch 104 (notch 103) having a specific pattern may be formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 in order to notify the start of the control signal setting section.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 shows a schematic configuration of the illumination system 1 according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the lighting system 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the lighting system 1 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 5a.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a main part of the lighting fixture 5a. The lighting fixture 5a differs from the lighting fixture 5 of Embodiment 1 in that it includes two output terminals 52a and 52b. The output terminals 52a and 52b are electrically connected to the input terminals 51a and 51b via wirings 53a and 53b which are power lines.

  The input terminals 51a and 51b are electrically connected to the output terminals 42a and 42b (see FIG. 2) of the front-stage power supply device 4 or the output terminals 52a and 52b of the front-stage lighting fixture 5a via the feed lines 74a and 74b. doing.

  That is, each lighting fixture 5a is connected in parallel to the power lines 7a and 7b via the power supply device 4, and a signal for setting the light quantity and light color of the light generated from each lighting fixture 5a (of the notch 104). The waveform of the AC voltage 102 having a pattern) is transmitted from the power supply device 4 to the respective lighting fixtures 5a through the feed lines 74a and 74b.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the light quantity and the light color of the light generated from the plurality of lighting fixtures 5a are collectively controlled by one lighting control device 3 without laying control signal lines. can do.

  Further, in the general triac dimming method, as described above, a loss of power supplied to the lighting fixture becomes a problem. This means that the load capacity is limited. That is, the number of lighting fixtures that can be controlled by one lighting control device is limited. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, during normal lighting, the AC voltage 102 passes through the short-circuit switch unit 414. Therefore, since the loss of electric power can be suppressed, the number of lighting fixtures 5a that can be connected to one electric power supply device 4 can be increased. That is, the number of lighting fixtures 5a that can be controlled by one lighting control device 3 can be increased.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the lighting system 1 includes two systems 501 and 501 of lighting fixtures.

  FIG. 20 shows a schematic configuration of the illumination system 1 according to the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the lighting system 1 includes two systems 501 and 501 of lighting fixtures. Each group of lighting fixtures 501 and 501 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 5a. The lighting system 1 includes two power supply devices 4 and 4. That is, the power supply device 4 is provided for each of the systems 501 and 501. Each lighting fixture 5a included in each system 501 and 501 is connected in parallel to the power lines 7a and 7b via the corresponding power supply device 4, respectively. The illumination control device 3 can collectively control the amount of light and the color of light generated from each lighting fixture 5a for each of the systems 501 and 501.

  The lighting control device 3 includes two switch units 301 and 301, two input terminals 31a and 31b, and three output terminals 32a, 32b, and 32c. Specifically, in the lighting control device 3, the input terminal 31 a is electrically connected to the output terminal 32 a via one switch unit 301. The input terminal 31b is electrically connected to the output terminal 32b. The output terminals 32 a and 32 b of the lighting control device 3 are electrically connected to the input terminals 41 a and 41 b of the one power supply device 4, respectively. Thereby, the AC voltage 102 from the commercial power supply 6 is applied to the input terminals 41 a and 41 b of the one power supply device 4 via the one switch unit 301. One power supply device 4 collectively transmits a signal for setting the light amount and the light color to each luminaire 5a of one system 501 in accordance with the AC voltage 102 applied to the input terminals 41a and 41b. To do. Therefore, the luminaire group of one system 501 can be controlled collectively.

  Further, in the lighting control device 3, the input terminal 31 a is electrically connected to the output terminal 32 c via the other switch unit 301. The output terminals 32b and 32c of the illumination control device 3 are electrically connected to the input terminals 41a and 41b of the other power supply device 4, respectively. Thereby, the AC voltage 102 from the commercial power supply 6 is applied to the input terminals 41 a and 41 b of the other power supply device 4 via the other switch unit 301. The other power supply device 4 collectively transmits a signal for setting the light amount and the light color to each lighting fixture 5a of the other system 501 in accordance with the AC voltage 102 applied to the input terminals 41a and 41b. To do. Therefore, the lighting fixture group of the other system 501 can be controlled collectively.

  In addition, the number of the lighting fixtures 5a included in the lighting fixture groups of the respective systems 501 and 501 is not limited to a plurality, and each of the lighting fixture groups of the respective systems 501 and 501 includes one or more lighting fixtures 5. be able to.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where the lighting fixture group of 2 systems 501 and 501 was controlled by one lighting control device 3, the number of systems is not limited to 2 systems, and lighting control device 3 By increasing the switch unit 301 and the drive unit 303 provided, it is possible to control two or more systems of lighting fixtures by one lighting control device 3.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the illumination system 1 with which the power supply apparatus 4 was provided in each system | strain, the power supply apparatus 4 may be provided only with respect to a one part system. In this case, the lighting fixture 5a included in the system in which the power supply device 4 is not provided is connected to the power lines 7a and 7b via the lighting control device 3. That is, since the switch unit 301 included in the lighting control device 3 is a bidirectional thyristor, the number of lighting fixtures 5a (load capacity) that can be connected to the switch unit 301 is limited due to the problem of heat generation. However, if the number of lighting fixtures 5a included in one system is within the number of lighting fixtures 5a connectable to the switch unit 301, the lighting fixtures 5a included in the system are connected to the power line via the lighting control device 3. 7a and 7b can be connected. Therefore, whether or not to lay the power supply device 4 may be determined based on the number of lighting fixtures 5a included in one system.

  Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, power is supplied from the commercial power source 6, but the external power source that supplies power to the power lines 7a and 7b is not limited to the commercial power source 6, and may be a private generator or the like. Good. The external power source is not limited to an AC power source, and may be a DC power source. In this case, the switch unit 301 and the control switch unit 410 control the conduction of the DC voltage so that the waveform of the DC voltage has a notch. Here, the notch includes two types of notches having different widths. Alternatively, the notch includes two types of notches having different depths (voltage values). The DC power source is, for example, a solar panel.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the lighting load 520 has the two-color LEDs 522 (522a and 522b) that emit light having different light colors as the lighting element, but the lighting load 520 has only one-color LED 522. May be. In this case, only dimming control is performed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the illumination element is the LED 522. However, the illumination element is not limited to the LED 522, and may be, for example, an organic EL element.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where two color LEDs are used has been described. However, the number of colors is not particularly limited, and three or more LEDs may be used to achieve toning.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the illumination control device 3 transmits a signal for setting the light amount and the light color (the pattern of the notch 103 for dimming and toning) is transmitted. The signal may include a signal (notch pattern) different from the signal for setting the light amount and the light color. For example, when the address is set to the lighting fixtures 5 and 5a, the signal transmitted from the lighting control device 3 may include a signal indicating the address (a notch pattern indicating the address). In this case, the lighting fixtures 5 and 5a may be configured to receive a signal for setting the light amount and the light color when the waveform of the AC voltage 102 has a pattern of the notch 104 corresponding to the address set to itself. . Further, for example, the signal transmitted from the lighting control device 3 may include a signal for setting a timer (timer notch pattern). The signal for setting the timer is, for example, a signal for turning off the luminaires 5 and 5a after a set time.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the pattern of the notch 103 formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102 by the switch unit 301 of the lighting control device 3 and the control switch unit 410 of the power supply device 4 are formed in the waveform of the AC voltage 102. In the above description, the pattern of the notch 104 is the same as the pattern of the notch 104, but the switch unit 301 uses a pattern of the notch 103 different from the pattern of the notch 104 formed by the control switch unit 410 as the waveform of the AC voltage 102. You may form in.

  In addition, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lighting system 3 Lighting control apparatus 4 Electric power supply apparatus 5 Lighting fixture 6 Commercial power supply 301 Switch part 41a, 41b Input terminal 44a, 44b Input terminal 103, 104 Notch 401 Processing part 410 Control switch part 414 Short-circuit switch part 502 Illumination Power supply unit 504 Signal generation unit 520 Lighting load

Claims (16)

A lighting control device connected to an external power supply for supplying voltage;
A power supply device connected to the external power source;
A lighting system including a lighting fixture connected to the external power source via the power supply device,
The illumination control device includes a first switch unit that controls conduction of the voltage so that a waveform of the voltage has a first notch in a control signal setting section,
The power supply device
A first input terminal to which the voltage transmitted through the first switch unit is supplied;
A second input terminal to which the voltage is supplied from the external power source;
A second switch unit for controlling conduction of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal;
A third switch unit connected in parallel to the second switch unit and having a lower resistance than the second switch unit;
A processing unit for controlling operations of the second switch unit and the third switch unit based on the voltage supplied to the first input terminal;
In the control signal setting section, the second switch unit has the second notch so that a waveform of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal has a second notch corresponding to the first notch. Control the conduction of the voltage supplied to the input terminal;
The third switch unit maintains a non-conductive state at least in the control signal setting section,
The lighting fixture is:
A lighting power supply unit that supplies power to a lighting load based on the voltage transmitted through at least one of the second switch unit and the third switch unit;
A lighting system comprising: a signal generation unit that generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the lighting power supply unit based on the second cutout.   The processing unit includes a buffer unit that stores a signal corresponding to the voltage supplied to the first input terminal, and reads the signal stored in the buffer unit to control the operation of the second switch unit. The lighting system according to claim 1.   The illumination system according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit reads a signal in the control signal setting section from the signal stored in the buffer unit and controls an operation of the second switch unit.   When the processing unit determines that the signal of the control signal setting section is stored in the buffer unit based on the voltage supplied to the first input terminal, the processing unit switches the third switch unit from a conductive state to a non-conductive state. The lighting system according to claim 3, wherein the signal of the control signal setting section is read from the buffer unit after the transition to. The processing unit further includes a waveform conversion unit that converts the voltage supplied to the first input terminal into a pulse signal,
The illumination system according to claim 2, wherein the buffer unit stores the pulse signal as the signal corresponding to the voltage supplied to the first input terminal. AC voltage is supplied from the external power source,
The waveform converter
A rectifier circuit for rectifying the AC voltage supplied to the first input terminal;
The lighting system according to claim 5, further comprising: a binarization circuit that generates the pulse signal based on an output of the rectifier circuit. The binarization circuit compares the output of the rectifier circuit with a threshold value, and generates the pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to the presence or absence of the first notch,
The lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the processing unit controls an operation of the second switch unit based on the pulse width. The processing unit further includes a zero cross detection unit that detects a zero cross of the AC voltage,
The illumination system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second switch unit controls conduction of the AC voltage based on a detection result of the zero cross detection unit.   In the half wave of the AC voltage, the second switch unit is configured to cut the waveform of the AC voltage from the zero cross where the half wave starts to a position where the half wave has a phase angle of less than 90 degrees. The lighting system according to claim 8, wherein conduction is controlled.   The second switch terminal includes the second input terminal such that a waveform of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal has the same notch as the first notch as the second notch. The lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which controls conduction of the voltage supplied to the lamp.   The lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second switch unit maintains a conductive state while the third switch unit is in a conductive state. A plurality of the lighting fixtures are provided,
The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting fixtures are connected in parallel. The first switch unit includes a semiconductor switch,
The second switch unit includes a semiconductor switch,
The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the third switch unit includes a relay switch.   An illumination control apparatus connected to an external power supply that supplies a voltage, the illumination control apparatus comprising a switch unit that controls conduction of the voltage so that a waveform of the voltage has a notch in a control signal setting section. A power supply device connected to an external power supply for supplying voltage,
A first input terminal;
A second input terminal to which the voltage is supplied from the external power source;
A control switch unit for controlling conduction of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal;
A short-circuiting switch part connected in parallel to the control switch part and having a lower resistance value than the control switch part;
A processing unit that controls operations of the control switch unit and the short-circuit switch unit based on the voltage supplied to the first input terminal;
In the control signal setting section, the control switch unit has a notch corresponding to the waveform of the voltage supplied to the first input terminal in the waveform of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal. , Controlling conduction of the voltage supplied to the second input terminal,
The short-circuit switch unit is a power supply device that maintains a non-conduction state at least in the control signal setting section. Lighting load,
A lighting power supply unit for supplying power to the lighting load based on an input voltage;
A lighting fixture comprising: a signal generation unit that generates a control signal for controlling an operation of the lighting power supply unit based on a notch included in the waveform of the input voltage.

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