JP2018101542A - Light control device, luminaire, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light control device capable of controlling a luminaire to smoothly fade-in even when a high brightness is instructed by a brightness control signal at the start of light emission.SOLUTION: When the brightness instructed by a brightness control signal obtained is a predetermined brightness or higher, a control part 46 provided to a light control device 40 outputs a control signal so that a light-emitting element 50 reaches the brightness instructed by the brightness control signal in a first period. When the brightness instructed by a brightness control signal obtained is a predetermined brightness or less, the control part 46 outputs a control signal so that the light-emitting element 50 reaches the brightness instructed by the brightness control signal in a second period longer than the first period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a dimming control device, a lighting fixture, and a control method for realizing a smooth fade-in of illumination light.

  Conventionally, lighting fixtures capable of dimming are known. As a lighting device used for such a lighting fixture capable of dimming, Patent Document 1 discloses that a dimming and lighting can be stably performed from a very weak light output to a rated lighting using a switching power supply that operates in a discontinuous mode. A lighting device for a semiconductor light emitting element is disclosed.

JP 2012-226924 A

  By the way, the lighting fixture used for stage production etc. may be required to have a higher dimming function than a general lighting fixture. For example, lighting fixtures used for stage effects and the like are required to smoothly fade in from a light-off state (gradually brighter dimming).

  Further, on the stage or the like, when a plurality of lighting fixtures are faded in at the same time, it is also required that the plurality of lighting fixtures start to emit light simultaneously (light up simultaneously). Here, if the brightness at the start of light emission instructed to the plurality of lighting fixtures by the dimming signal is too dark, some lighting fixtures may not start to emit light due to variations in performance of the plurality of lighting fixtures. For this reason, the brightness at the start of light emission instructed to the plurality of lighting fixtures by the dimming signal is increased to some extent, but then the lighting fixture suddenly emits bright light, and the lighting fixture is smoothly turned off. Difficult to fade in.

  The present invention provides a dimming control device, a lighting fixture, and a control method that can smoothly fade in a lighting fixture even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is bright.

  A dimming control device according to one embodiment of the present invention acquires a dimming signal that indicates the brightness of a light-emitting element, and controls a power supply circuit that supplies power to the light-emitting element according to the acquired dimming signal. A controller that gradually dimmes the light-emitting element by outputting a signal, and the controller emits light when the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness. When the control signal is output so as to reach the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a first period, and the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness, the light emission The control signal is output so that the element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a second period longer than the first period.

  The lighting fixture which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is equipped with the said light control apparatus and the said light emitting element.

  A control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method of a power supply circuit that supplies power to a light-emitting element, and the control method acquires and acquires a dimming signal that indicates the brightness of the light-emitting element. When the light emitting element is dimmed gradually by outputting a control signal to the power supply circuit according to the dimming signal, and the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness The control signal is output so that the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a first period, and the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness. In some cases, the control signal is output so that the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a second period longer than the first period.

  According to the dimming control device, the lighting fixture, and the control method of the present invention, a lighting fixture that smoothly fades in is realized even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is bright.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the conversion table. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of a control signal in fade-in smoothing control. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the switching control of the smoothing period. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a change in the control signal in the smoothing period switching control. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the brightness of the light emitting element (lighting device) when the smoothing period switching control is performed. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an illumination system according to a modification. FIG. 8 is an external view of a lighting fixture realized as a downlight. FIG. 9 is an external view of a luminaire realized as a spotlight.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept are described as optional constituent elements. Also, the drawings are not necessarily shown strictly. In each figure, substantially the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description is omitted or simplified.

  Each figure is a mimetic diagram and is not necessarily illustrated strictly. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to substantially the same structure, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[Configuration of lighting system]
A configuration of the illumination system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, a lighting system 100 according to an embodiment includes a dimming console 10, a plurality of DMX (Digital MultipleX) -PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) converters 20, and a plurality of lighting fixtures 30. Prepare. In FIG. 1, the lighting system 100 includes two sets of the DMX-PWM converter 20 and the lighting fixture 30, but it is sufficient that at least one set is provided. The lighting system 100 may include three or more sets of the DMX-PWM converter 20 and the plurality of lighting fixtures 30.

  The illumination system 100 is a system used for stage effects, for example, and is a system for dimming the luminaire 30. For example, the lighting system 100 can fade in the lighting fixture 30 (slowly adjust the light).

  The dimming console 10 is a device that functions as a user interface in the lighting system 100. The dimming console 10 receives a user operation and outputs a DMX signal according to the received operation. The light control console 10 includes, for example, an input receiving device such as a dial, a slider, an operation button, and a touch panel, a detection circuit that reads an operation on the input receiving device, and a signal generation circuit / output that outputs a DMX signal in a wired or wireless manner according to the operation. It is constituted by a circuit / communication circuit or the like.

  The DMX signal is a signal that indicates the brightness of the luminaire 30 and is a standardized signal that conforms to the DMX communication protocol. The DMX signal is a signal indicating one of 255 signal levels, and the brightness can be instructed in 255 steps.

  The DMX-PWM converter 20 is a device that converts the DMX signal output from the dimming console 10 into a PWM signal. The PWM signal is output to the lighting fixture 30 as a dimming signal that indicates the brightness of the light emitting element 50. In FIG. 1, one DMX-PWM converter 20 outputs a dimming signal to one lighting fixture 30, but one DMX-PWM converter 20 sends a dimming signal to a plurality of lighting fixtures 30. It may be output. That is, one DMX-PWM converter 20 may be shared by a plurality of lighting fixtures 30.

  The DMX-PWM converter 20 includes a storage unit (not shown) that stores therein a conversion table for converting a DMX signal into a PWM signal, and converts the DMX signal into a PWM signal based on the conversion table. . FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the conversion table. As shown in FIG. 2, in the conversion table, the signal level of the DMX signal is associated with the duty ratio of the PWM signal. In FIG. 2, the signal level of the DMX signal is expressed by an integer value for the sake of simplicity of explanation. In other words, the signal level of the DMX signal is an operation amount. Note that the duty ratio associated with the signal level of the DMX signal in FIG. 2 is on-duty, but the duty ratio associated with the signal level of the DMX signal may be off-duty.

[Configuration of lighting equipment]
Next, the configuration of the lighting fixture 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The lighting fixture 30 includes a dimming control device 40 and a light emitting element 50.

  The lighting fixture 30 is, for example, a lighting fixture that emits white light as illumination light. The lighting fixture 30 may emit light of a color other than white. The specific configuration of the lighting fixture 30 is not particularly limited. A specific configuration of the lighting fixture 30 will be described later.

  The dimming control device 40 is a device that controls dimming of the light emitting element 50. The dimming control device 40 includes an input circuit 41, a rectifier circuit 42, a PFC (Power Factor Correction) circuit 43, a smoothing circuit 44, a power supply circuit 45, a control unit 46, and a storage unit 47.

  The input circuit 41 is a circuit that receives AC power, and includes, for example, a connector connected to a commercial power supply, a power filter, and the like.

  The rectifier circuit 42 is a circuit that converts alternating current power into direct current power, and includes a bridge diode or the like.

  The PFC circuit 43 is a power factor correction circuit, for example, a DC-DC converter.

  The smoothing circuit 44 is a circuit that smoothes the pulsating voltage / current to a voltage / current that is closer to a direct current, and includes, for example, a capacitor, a choke coil, and the like.

  The power supply circuit 45 is a power supply circuit that supplies power to the light emitting element 50 based on the control of the dimming control device 40. Specifically, the power supply circuit 45 supplies DC power to the light emitting element 50 in accordance with a control signal output from the control unit 46 included in the dimming control device 40. Specifically, the power supply circuit 45 is, for example, a switching type DC-DC converter circuit (step-down chopper circuit) having a diode D1, an inductor L1, a capacitor C1, a transistor Q1, a resistor R1, and a resistor R3. The transistor Q1 is an example of a switching element. Note that the resistors R1 and R3 are not essential.

  As will be described later, the control signal output from the control unit 46 is specifically a PWM signal (rectangular pulse signal). The control signal output from the control unit 46 is input to the gate of the transistor Q1, and switches (turns on and off) the transistor Q1. While the transistor Q <b> 1 is on, a DC voltage is supplied from the smoothing circuit 44 to the light emitting element 50, and a current flows through the light emitting element 50. On the other hand, while the transistor Q1 is turned off, the electromotive force generated in the inductor L1 is regenerated through the diode D1, smoothed by the capacitor C1, supplied to the light emitting element 50 as a DC voltage, and the light emitting element 50 Current flows through A larger current flows through the light emitting element 50 as the ON period (ON duty) of the control signal is longer.

  The control unit 46 controls the power supply circuit 45 based on the dimming signal output from the DMX-PWM converter 20. The control unit 46 acquires a dimming signal (PWM signal) instructing the brightness of the light emitting element 50 from the DMX-PWM converter 20 and outputs a control signal to the power supply circuit 45 according to the acquired dimming signal. . Specifically, the control signal is a PWM signal that switches (turns on and off) the transistor Q1. The control unit 46 is realized by a microcomputer, for example, but may be realized by a processor. The control unit 46 may be realized in hardware by a dedicated or general-purpose electronic circuit including an A / D converter, a logic circuit, a gate array, a D / A converter, and the like.

  The storage unit 47 stores a program for the control unit 46 to execute smoothing control and smoothing period switching control described later. The storage unit 47 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 47 may be built in the control unit 46 (microcomputer).

  The light emitting element 50 is a light source of the lighting fixture 30 and emits light by the power supplied from the power supply circuit 45. The light emitting element 50 is specifically an LED (Light Emitting Diode), but may be another light emitting element such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence).

[Fade-in smoothing control]
Next, an operation when the lighting system 100 fades in the lighting fixture 30 will be described. When the user performs an operation for instructing fade-in via the dimming console 10, a DMX signal is output from the dimming console 10. The signal level of the DMX signal increases with time. As shown in FIG. 2, when the signal level of the DMX signal is expressed by an integer value, the signal level of the DMX signal becomes 0, 1, 2,.

  The DMX-PWM converter 20 converts the DMX signal into a dimming signal (PWM signal) based on the conversion table shown in FIG. 2, and outputs the dimming signal obtained by the conversion to the control unit 46. The duty ratio of the output dimming signal changes with time based on the conversion table shown in FIG.

  Here, in the fade-in of the luminaire 30 used for stage production or the like, it is required that (1) the luminaire 30 is gradually (smoothly) brightened from the unlit state. However, when the dimming signal acquired by the control unit 46 is output as a control signal as it is, the brightness of the light emitting element 50 is gradually increased in accordance with the signal level of the DMX signal. Since the signal level of the DMX signal is as low as 255 levels, if the light emitting element 50 becomes brighter in stages according to the signal level of the DMX signal, the user may feel uncomfortable.

  Therefore, the control unit 46 outputs a control signal so that the light emitting element 50 reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a waveform of a control signal in control for realizing such smooth fade-in (hereinafter also referred to as fade-in smoothing control).

  For example, the control unit 46 detects that the signal level of the DMX signal has changed from 5 to 6, that is, that the duty ratio of the dimming signal has changed. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 46 gradually changes the duty ratio D5 of the control signal corresponding to the signal level 5, and performs control corresponding to the signal level 6 after the first period T1 has elapsed from the start of the change. The signal duty ratio D6 is reached. In other words, the control unit 46 outputs the control signal so that the light emitting element 50 reaches the brightness (changed brightness) indicated by the dimming signal from the changed brightness over the first period.

  In such fade-in smoothing control, the control unit 46 has a finer resolution than that of the dimming signal and the time interval at which the brightness indicated by the dimming signal changes (the time at which the signal level of the DMX signal changes). The duty ratio of the control signal is changed at a time interval shorter than (interval). Thereby, smooth fade-in is implement | achieved.

[Smoothing period switching control]
By the way, in the fade-in of the luminaire 30 used for stage production or the like, in addition to the above (1) the luminaire 30 gradually (smoothly) brightens from the extinguished state, (2) to the dimming table 10 It is also required that a plurality of lighting fixtures 30 start to emit light at the same time (lights up at the same time) in response to the above operation. However, it is not easy to realize these two points simultaneously.

  For example, when the conversion table as shown in FIG. 2 is used, each lighting device 30 starts to emit light when the signal level of the DMX signal becomes 3, but a small duty ratio is set to the signal level 3 (light emission). If the brightness at the start is too dark), the current flowing through the light emitting element 50 becomes small. For this reason, due to variations in circuits provided in each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 30, some of the lighting fixtures 30 among the plurality of lighting fixtures 30 may not start to emit light.

  Therefore, a large duty ratio is set to the signal level 3 so that a certain amount of current (for example, 100 μA) flows to the light emitting element 50 so that the plurality of lighting fixtures 30 start to emit light with certainty. If it does so, since the several lighting fixture 30 will become bright at a stretch, it becomes impossible to implement | achieve said (1).

  Therefore, the control unit 46 performs smoothing control of the fade-in when the dimming signal has a duty ratio corresponding to a signal level of 3 or lower and when the dimming signal has a duty ratio corresponding to a signal level of 4 or higher. Is performed to change (switch) the length of the period until the completion of (hereinafter also referred to as a smoothing period). In other words, the control unit 46 switches the response of the control signal to the dimming signal according to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the switching control of the smoothing period. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a change in the control signal in the smoothing period switching control.

  The control unit 46 acquires a dimming signal that indicates the brightness of the light emitting element 50 (S11). As described above, the dimming signal is a PWM signal output from the DMX-PWM converter 20.

  Next, the control unit 46 determines whether or not the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness (S12). The predetermined brightness is, for example, brightness corresponding to the signal level 3. That is, specifically, the controller 46 determines whether or not the duty ratio of the acquired dimming signal is larger than the duty ratio corresponding to the signal level 3.

When it is determined that the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness (Yes in S12), the control unit 46 indicates that the dimming signal is brighter than the signal level 3. If it is determined that the light-emitting element 50 is present, the control signal is output so that the light-emitting element 50 reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1 (S13). As shown in FIG. 5A, specifically, the control unit 46 indicates the duty ratio D _start of the control signal, and the dimming signal indicates the duty ratio D _start over the first period T1. The duty ratio is gradually changed to a duty ratio D _end corresponding to the brightness.

On the other hand, when the control unit 46 determines that the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or lower than the predetermined brightness (same as the predetermined brightness or darker than the predetermined brightness) (No in S12), That is, when it is determined that the dimming signal indicates the brightness of the signal level 3 or less, the light emitting element 50 has the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period T2 longer than the first period T1. A control signal is output so as to arrive (S14). As shown in FIG. 5B, specifically, the control unit 46 indicates the duty ratio D _start of the control signal, and the dimming signal indicates the duty ratio D _start over the second period T2. The duty ratio is gradually changed to a duty ratio D _end corresponding to the brightness.

  The predetermined brightness may be set to be equal to or higher than the brightness (the brightness corresponding to the signal level 3) instructed by the dimming signal to start lighting the light emitting element 50. In other words, the brightness instructed by the dimming signal to start the light emitting element 50 may be less than or equal to the predetermined brightness.

  According to such switching control of the smoothing period, the lighting system 100 smoothly moves the lighting fixture 30 even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission in the fade-in of the lighting fixture 30 is bright. It can be faded in. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the brightness of the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) when the smoothing period switching control is performed. In FIG. 6, as a comparative example, the brightness when the switching control of the smoothing period is not performed is also indicated by a broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when there is no smoothing period switching control, that is, when only fade-in smoothing control is performed, the light-emitting element 50 suddenly becomes bright after the start of lighting, and thereafter relatively It will brighten gradually. If there is no switching control of the smoothing period, the amount of change in brightness changes greatly during the process, which may give the user a sense of discomfort.

  On the other hand, when there is a switching control of the smoothing period, the light emitting element 50 is gradually (smoothly) brightened from the off state. When there is a switching control of the smoothing period, the brightness changes gradually, so that an effect that does not give the user a sense of incongruity can be obtained.

  As described above, the lighting system 100 can smoothly fade in the lighting fixture 30 even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission in the fade-in of the lighting fixture 30 is bright.

[Modification]
The circuit configuration of the power supply circuit 45 described in the above embodiment is an example. The power supply circuit 45 may be, for example, a constant current system circuit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an illumination system according to a modification in which a constant current circuit is employed as the power supply circuit. In the following modified example, the description will be focused on differences from the above embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the lighting system 100a according to the modification includes a light control console 10, a plurality of DMX-PWM converters 20, and a plurality of lighting fixtures 30a. The lighting fixture 30a includes a dimming control device 40a and a light emitting element 50. The dimming control device 40 includes an input circuit 41, a rectifier circuit 42, a PFC circuit 43, a smoothing circuit 44, a power supply circuit 45a, and a control unit 46a. And a storage unit 47.

  The power supply circuit 45a includes a diode D1, an inductor L1, a capacitor C1, a transistor Q1, and a resistor R1. Hereinafter, a circuit including the diode D1, the inductor L1, the capacitor C1, the transistor Q1, and the resistor R1 is also referred to as a variable voltage source (DC-DC converter).

  In the variable voltage source, a DC voltage is supplied from the smoothing circuit 44 to the light emitting element 50 while the transistor Q1 is on. On the other hand, while the transistor Q1 is off, the electromotive force generated in the inductor L1 is regenerated through the diode D1, smoothed by the capacitor C1, and supplied to the light emitting element 50 as a DC voltage. The resistor R1 is not essential.

  The power supply circuit 45a further includes a transistor Q2 and a resistor R2. The transistor Q <b> 2 is a switching element that is connected in series with the light emitting element 50 and controls the current flowing through the light emitting element 50. The transistor Q2 is, for example, an N-channel MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor). The transistor Q2 also functions as a dropper circuit that drops the voltage applied from the variable voltage source to the load (light emitting element 50) by the voltage drop (drain-source voltage) generated in the transistor Q2. The resistor R2 is a resistor for current detection, and is, for example, a resistor element having a small resistance value.

  When acquiring the dimming signal from the DMX-PWM converter 20, the controller 46a performs the following two controls. As one control, the control unit 46 a controls the current flowing through the light emitting element 50. Specifically, the control unit 46a controls the current flowing through the light emitting element 50 by outputting a control signal to the gate of the transistor Q2 so that the light emitting element 50 emits light with the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal. To do. In order to control the current flowing through the light emitting element 50, the control unit 46a detects (monitors) the current flowing through the light emitting element 50.

  As another control, the control unit 46a controls the DC voltage output from the variable voltage source. Specifically, the control unit 46a outputs the DC voltage output from the variable voltage source by switching the transistor Q1 so that the voltage drop in the transistor Q2 becomes a predetermined voltage.

  The control signal output to the transistor Q2 is a PWM signal. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the control unit 46a performs the duty ratio of the control signal output to the transistor Q2 so as to reach the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1 or the second period T2. Change gradually.

  Similar to the illumination system 100, the illumination system 100a described above can smoothly fade in the luminaire 30a even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is bright.

  In the constant-current power supply circuit 45a, a response shift (a shift in the relationship between the dimming signal and the brightness of the light-emitting element 50) occurs in the fade-in, and a “jump” of light during the fade-in occurs. The effect that etc. are suppressed is acquired.

[Effects]
As described above, the dimming control device 40 acquires a dimming signal that indicates the brightness of the light emitting element 50, and supplies the power supply circuit 45 that supplies power to the light emitting element 50 according to the acquired dimming signal. And a control unit 46 for gradually and brightly adjusting the light emitting element 50 by outputting a control signal. When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness, the control unit 46 controls the light emitting element 50 to reach the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1. Is output. When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or lower than the predetermined brightness, the control unit 46 determines the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period T2 in which the light emitting element 50 is longer than the first period T1. A control signal is output so as to reach the height.

  When the predetermined brightness is set to be equal to or higher than the brightness instructed by the dimming signal to start lighting the light emitting element 50, the dimming control device 40 starts the light emission. Even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal is sometimes bright, the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) can be smoothly faded in.

  Further, the predetermined brightness may be a brightness instructed by the dimming signal to cause the light emitting element 50 to start emitting light.

  Accordingly, the light control device 40 can smoothly fade in the light emitting element 50 (the lighting fixture 30) even when the brightness indicated by the light control signal at the start of light emission is bright.

  The power supply circuit 45 may include a switching element, and the control signal may be a PWM signal that turns on and off the switching element. The switching element is, for example, the transistor Q1. When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness, the control unit 46 sets the duty ratio of the control signal to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1. The duty ratio may be gradually changed so as to become a duty ratio corresponding to. When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or lower than the predetermined brightness, the control unit 46 sets the duty ratio of the control signal to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period T2. You may change gradually so that it may become a duty ratio corresponding to this.

  Thereby, the light modulation control apparatus 40 can fade in the light emitting element 50 (luminaire 30) by switching the power supply circuit 45 by outputting a PWM signal to the power supply circuit 45.

  The power supply circuit 45 may include a switching element (transistor Q1) and an inductor L1, and may be a DC-DC converter circuit that supplies DC power to the light emitting element 50. The controller 46 may generate an electromotive force in the inductor L1 by turning on and off the transistor Q1 according to a control signal.

  Thereby, the light modulation control apparatus 40 can fade in the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) by switching the transistor Q1 contained in a DC-DC converter circuit.

  Further, the switching element (transistor Q2) may be connected in series with the light emitting element 50 as in the power supply circuit 45a included in the lighting system 100a. The controller 46a may control the current flowing through the light emitting element 50 by turning on and off the transistor Q2 according to a control signal.

  Thereby, the light control device 40a can fade in the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) by switching the transistor Q2 connected in series with the light emitting element 50.

  The dimming control device 40 may further include a power supply circuit 45.

  Thereby, the electrode supply circuit 45 can be included in the dimming control device 40.

  Further, the present invention may be realized as a method for controlling the power supply circuit 45 that supplies power to the light emitting element 50. This control method acquires a dimming signal that indicates the brightness of the light emitting element 50, and outputs a control signal to the power supply circuit 45 in accordance with the acquired dimming signal, thereby gradually dimming the light emitting element 50. To do. In the control method, when the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness, the control signal is set so that the light emitting element 50 reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1. Output. In the control method, when the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or lower than the predetermined brightness, the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period T2 in which the light emitting element 50 is longer than the first period T1. A control signal is output so as to reach.

  In such a control method, if the predetermined brightness is set to be greater than or equal to the brightness instructed to start lighting the light emitting element 50, the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission. Even if it is bright, the lighting fixture 30a can be smoothly faded in.

[Specific configuration of lighting equipment]
Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the lighting fixture 30 (or the lighting fixture 30a) will be described. For example, the luminaire 30 is realized as a downlight used for stage effects or the like. FIG. 8 is an external view of the lighting fixture 30 realized as a downlight.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lighting fixture 30 realized as a downlight includes a circuit box 31, a lamp body 32, and a wiring 33. The circuit box 31 is a metal box that houses a dimming control device 40 (not shown). The lamp body 32 is a fixture to which the light emitting element 50 is attached and is embedded and fixed in a ceiling or the like. The wiring 33 is a cable that electrically connects the dimming control device 40 in the circuit box 31 and the light emitting element 50 in the lamp body 32.

  Moreover, the lighting fixture 30 may be implement | achieved as a spotlight used by stage production etc., for example. FIG. 9 is an external view of the luminaire 30 realized as a spotlight.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the luminaire 30 realized as a spotlight includes a circuit box 34 and a lamp body 35. The circuit box 34 is a metal box that houses a dimming control device 40 (not shown), and is attached to a dedicated rail or the like. The lamp body 35 is an instrument to which the light emitting element 50 is attached.

  Each of the lighting fixtures 30 described above includes a light control device 40 and a light emitting element 50.

  Thus, if the predetermined brightness is set to be higher than the brightness instructed by the light control signal to start lighting the light emitting element 50, the brightness indicated by the light control signal at the start of light emission is bright. However, the lighting fixture 30 that smoothly fades in is realized.

  The lighting fixture 30 is not limited to a downlight or a spotlight. The luminaire 30 may be other types of luminaires such as, for example, a ceiling light, a chandelier, a pendant light, or a footlight. The lighting fixture 30 may be used for uses other than stage effects.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the smoothing control is performed when the lighting fixture is faded in, but the smoothing control may be performed when the lighting fixture is faded out (gradually dimming light). In addition to fading in the luminaire, smoothing period switching control may also be performed when the luminaire is faded out.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit acquires the PWM signal as the dimming signal, but may acquire the DMX signal as the dimming signal. In this case, the DMX-WM converter is omitted in the illumination system.

  In the above embodiment, the dimming control device includes the input circuit, the rectifier circuit, the PFC circuit, and the smoothing circuit, but these are not necessarily required. The dimming control device may not require these circuits, for example, a device that receives a DC voltage from a battery.

  Further, the circuit configuration described in the above embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above circuit configuration. That is, like the above circuit configuration, a circuit that can realize a characteristic function of the present invention is also included in the present invention. For example, a device in which an element such as a switching element (transistor), a resistance element, or a capacitor element is connected in series or in parallel to a certain element within a range in which a function similar to the circuit configuration can be realized is also included in the present invention. included.

  The general or specific aspect of the present invention may be realized by a recording medium such as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM. The general or specific aspect of the present invention may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. For example, the present invention may be realized as a lighting system according to the above embodiment. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the power supply circuit, or may be realized as a non-transitory recording medium storing such a program.

  In addition, one or a plurality of modes may be used in the present embodiment in which various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art have been made in this embodiment, or in a configuration constructed by combining components in different embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It may be included in the range.

30, 30a Lighting fixture 40, 40a Dimming control device 45, 45a Power supply circuit 46, 46a Control unit 50 Light emitting element L1 Inductor Q1 Transistor (switching element)
Q2 transistor (switching element)
T1 1st period T2 2nd period

Claims (8)

A dimming signal that indicates the brightness of the light emitting element is acquired, and a control signal is output to a power supply circuit that supplies power to the light emitting element according to the acquired dimming signal, thereby gradually increasing the light emitting element. With a dimming control unit,
The controller is
When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness, the light emitting element outputs the control signal so as to reach the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a first period,
When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness, the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a second period longer than the first period. A dimming control device that outputs the control signal as described above. The dimming control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined brightness is brightness instructed by the dimming signal to start light emission of the light emitting element. The power supply circuit includes a switching element,
The control signal is a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal for turning on and off the switching element,
The controller is
When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness, the duty ratio of the control signal corresponds to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period. Gradually change the duty ratio to
When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is less than or equal to the predetermined brightness, the duty ratio of the control signal is set to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period. The dimming control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control device is gradually changed so as to have a corresponding duty ratio. The power supply circuit is a DC-DC converter circuit that includes the switching element and an inductor and supplies DC power to the light emitting element,
The dimming control device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit generates an electromotive force in the inductor by turning on and off the switching element according to the control signal. The switching element is connected in series with the light emitting element,
The dimming control device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls a current flowing through the light emitting element by turning on and off the switching element according to the control signal. The light control device according to claim 1, further comprising the power supply circuit. The dimming control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A lighting fixture comprising the light emitting element. A control method of a power supply circuit for supplying power to a light emitting element,
The control method is:
A dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element is obtained, and the light emitting element is dimmed gradually and brightly by outputting a control signal to the power supply circuit according to the obtained dimming signal,
When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness, the light emitting element outputs the control signal so as to reach the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a first period,
When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness, the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a second period longer than the first period. A control method for outputting the control signal as described above.

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