JP5771770B2 - Lighting apparatus and lighting apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device and a lighting fixture using the same.

  Conventionally, in an illuminating device that turns on an electrical light source, the accumulated operation time is measured, and when the accumulated operation time reaches a predetermined life threshold, the lighting device is changed in the lighting state to end the life of the illuminating device. Is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Examples of the lighting state after the change include blinking and extinguishing.

  That is, by prompting the replacement of the lighting device by the above notification, it is possible to prevent problems that may occur due to long-term use (for example, abnormal heat generation at the end of the life of circuit components constituting the lighting device).

JP 2006-236664 A

  Here, since the above notification needs to be started before the timing at which the above-described malfunction may occur, basically, the above-mentioned life threshold value still has a problem with the function of the lighting device. The time is estimated as not occurring.

  However, if the above lighting state changes are made simultaneously for all the light sources that the lighting device turns on, the lighting state changes even though there is no problem in the function of the lighting device as described above. The change in the lighting effect (for example, the decrease in illuminance) associated with is relatively large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned reasons, and its purpose is to make it possible to reliably notify before the occurrence of problems due to long-term use, and to change the lighting effect at the start of notification. A relatively small lighting device and a lighting fixture using the same are provided.

The illuminating device of the present invention is an illuminating device that turns on a plurality of light sources, and is associated with at least one of the light sources, and at least switches on / off the power supply to the corresponding light source. A cumulative wear amount that monotonously increases during a period in which at least one of the light sources is lit, and a plurality of life threshold values corresponding to the light source drive unit on a one-to-one basis and the cumulative value. Comparing the amount of wear and performing step-by-step notification by controlling the light source driving unit corresponding to the life threshold value that has exceeded the cumulative amount of wear to change the lighting state of the light source. and a control unit, said control unit is configured to monitor the degree of degradation of each light source, versus the more light source driver lower the life threshold value corresponding to the degree of deterioration is large source Characterized in that it put.

  In this lighting device, it is preferable that at least one of the lifetime threshold values is determined in advance using a random number.

  Moreover, in this illuminating device, it is preferable that communication between the control unit and each light source driving unit is realized by multiplex transmission.

  Furthermore, in this lighting device, it is preferable that the control performed by the control unit on the light source driving unit corresponding to the life threshold value that has exceeded the cumulative wear amount is control for turning off the light source.

  Moreover, in this illuminating device, it is preferable that the light source includes at least one of an electrodeless discharge lamp and a solid light emitting element.

  Furthermore, the lighting fixture of this invention is equipped with one of the said lighting devices and the fixture main body holding the said lighting device, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, the lighting state of some light sources changes at the start of notification while the lowest life threshold is sufficiently lower than the cumulative amount of wear that may cause problems due to long-term use. By simply doing, changes in lighting effects can be suppressed. Further, when the cumulative amount of wear increases and the probability of occurrence of the above-described problem increases, the number of light sources that change the lighting state increases, which makes it easier for the user to notice.

It is a circuit block diagram which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the lighting fixture using the same as the above, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a bottom view of a lamp | ramp. It is a circuit block diagram which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part same as the above. It is sectional drawing which shows the electrodeless discharge lamp lighted by the same. (A)-(c) each shows an example of the lighting fixture which used the same as the above, (a) is a front view, (b) is a bottom view, (c) is a left view.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment is an illuminating device that turns on twelve light emitting diodes 10 as light sources.

  In addition, the present embodiment includes a diode bridge 31 that performs full-wave rectification of AC power input from an external AC power supply 2, and a DC power supply circuit 32 that converts a DC output of the diode bridge 31 into DC power having a predetermined voltage. . As the DC power supply circuit 32, for example, a known buck converter (step-down chopper circuit) can be used.

  The twelve light emitting diodes 10 are connected between the output terminals of the DC power supply circuit 32 as a circuit in which three series circuits each including four light emitting diodes 10 are connected in parallel. Furthermore, a switch 40 as a light source driving unit is connected in series to two of the series circuits. As the switch 40, for example, a semiconductor switch such as a MOSFET can be used.

  Furthermore, this embodiment measures the accumulated wear amount that increases monotonously during a period when at least one of the light emitting diodes 10 is lit, and performs stepwise notification according to the increase in the accumulated wear amount. A control unit 5 is provided.

  Specifically, the control unit 5 includes a microcomputer having a clock circuit used for measuring the accumulated wear amount, a nonvolatile memory storing the accumulated wear amount, and the like. The control unit 5 adds the cumulative wear amount by 1 every predetermined time during the period in which the DC power supply circuit 32 is operating. In this case, the cumulative wear amount indicates a cumulative value of the time during which the DC power supply circuit 32 is operated.

  Further, the control unit 5 stores in advance two life threshold values corresponding to the switch 40 on a one-to-one basis. And the control part 5 compares each lifetime threshold value with an accumulated wear amount at any time. As a result, when the cumulative wear amount exceeds any one of the life threshold values, the light emitting diodes connected in series to the switch 40 are changed by changing the control of the switch 40 corresponding to the life threshold value that has exceeded the cumulative wear amount. The lighting state of 10 is changed, thereby reporting the end of life of the lighting device. As a change in control, for example, the switch 40 is maintained in the on state before the cumulative wear amount exceeds the life threshold value, and the switch 40 is maintained in the off state or periodically turned on / off after the cumulative wear amount exceeds the life threshold value. To drive. When the switch 40 is periodically turned on / off, the light emitting diode 10 can appear to blink if the on / off drive frequency is lowered to some extent, and if the on / off drive frequency is sufficiently high, the on / off drive is turned on / off. As the duty is lower, the light emitting diode 10 can appear to be continuously lit with a lower light output.

  According to the above configuration, the light emitting diode 10 is turned on at the start of notification while the lowest life threshold is sufficiently lower than the cumulative amount of wear that may cause problems due to long-term use. The change of the lighting effect is suppressed by only changing. In addition, since a difference in lighting state occurs between the light emitting diodes 10 at the start of notification, it is easier to recognize as notification than when all the light emitting diodes 10 have a common lighting state. Furthermore, when the cumulative amount of wear increases and the probability of occurrence of the above-described problem increases, the number of light-emitting diodes 10 whose lighting state changes increases, making it easier for the user to notice.

  The control unit 5 sets a life threshold value higher than any life threshold value corresponding to the switch 40 in the DC power supply circuit 32, and stops the DC power supply circuit 32 when the cumulative wear amount exceeds the life threshold value. May be. In this case, the DC power supply circuit 32 also serves as a light source driving unit.

  Further, instead of connecting a series circuit of a plurality of light emitting diodes 10 and a switch 40 in parallel to a similar series circuit or another light emitting diode 10 as described above, a plurality of light emitting diodes 10 and a switch 40 are connected. Even if these parallel circuits are connected in series to a similar parallel circuit or another light emitting diode 10, the same operation can be performed. In this case, correspondence between ON / OFF of the switch 40 and lighting / extinguishing of the light emitting diode 10 is such that each of the light emitting diodes 10 connected in parallel to the switch 40 is extinguished while the switch 40 is on. The relationship is reversed from that in FIG.

  Alternatively, instead of providing the switch 40, a plurality of DC power supply circuits 32 for lighting the respective light emitting diodes 10 may be provided, and the above notification may be realized by controlling the DC power supply circuit 32. In this case, each of the plurality of DC power supply circuits 32 serves as a light source drive unit, and notification can be made by changing the output voltage or output current of each DC power supply circuit 32. However, as shown in FIG. If the duty control is performed, the circuit can be simplified. Further, when a plurality of DC power supply circuits 32 are provided as described above, a separate DC power supply circuit (not shown) such as a boost converter (step-up chopper circuit) is provided after the diode bridge 31 and the plurality of DC power supply circuits 32 are provided. The DC power supply circuit 32 may be connected to the output terminal of the separate DC power supply circuit.

  The lighting device of the present embodiment can constitute a lighting fixture 6 as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The lighting fixture 6 of FIG. 2 is attached to a ceiling material (not shown) constituting a ceiling surface by opening a wiring space between the lighting fixture 6 and a construction material (not shown) such as concrete. More specifically, the luminaire 6 of FIG. 2 includes a lamp body 61 inserted into an embedding hole (not shown) penetrating the ceiling material up and down, and one end portion fixed to the upper end of the lamp body 61. A holding plate 62 extended in the horizontal direction, a terminal block 63 fixed to the lower surface of the other end of the holding plate 62, and a case fixed to the lower surface of the holding plate 62 between the lamp body 61 and the terminal block 63. 64. In the case 64, for example, the diode bridge 31 and the DC power supply circuit 32 are respectively stored, and in the lamp body 61, for example, each light emitting diode 10, each switch 40, and the notification control circuit 5 are respectively stored. That is, the lamp body 61, the holding plate 62, and the case 64 constitute an instrument body as a whole. Further, the lower portion of each light emitting diode 10 in the lamp body 61 is formed of a light-transmitting material so that the light of each light emitting diode 10 is emitted below the lamp body 61. Further, the lamp body 61 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and a main body portion 611 that is inserted into the embedding hole, and an annular flange portion that protrudes outward in the horizontal direction from the lower end of the main body portion 611. 612. Further, at the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 611 of the lamp body 61, three attachment springs 65 that can be elastically deformed so as to change the distance from the flange portion 612 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the lamp body 61. It is attached at substantially equal intervals. That is, the lighting fixture 6 is held by the ceiling material by the attachment springs 65 elastically sandwiching the ceiling material from the upper and lower directions with the flange portion 612, respectively. In a state where the lighting fixture 6 is held on the ceiling material, the upper end portion of the lamp body 61, the holding plate 62, the terminal block 63, and the case 64 are respectively located in the wiring space. The terminal block 63 has one end connected to the AC power source 2 and the other end of a power line (not shown) routed in the wiring space. The diode bridge 31 is connected to the terminal block 63 and the above-described terminal block 63. The power supply line is electrically connected to the AC power supply 2. As the terminal block 63, for example, a housing in which a plurality of known quick-connection terminals are housed in a synthetic resin housing can be used. As the connection between the light emitting diode 10 and the switch 40, for example, if the four light emitting diodes 10 at the center, which are relatively high in temperature and tend to have a short life, are connected in series to the switch 40 corresponding to the lowest life threshold, Electrical stress applied to the four light emitting diodes can be reduced relatively early.

  As the light source, other solid light emitting elements such as organic EL and inorganic EL may be used instead of the light emitting diode 10.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, two electrodeless discharge lamps 1 are turned on as light sources, and each has a light source driving unit 4 corresponding to one electrodeless discharge lamp 1.

  In addition, this embodiment includes a diode bridge 31 that performs full-wave rectification of AC power input from an external AC power supply 2 and a boost converter 33 that boosts the DC output of the diode bridge 31 to DC power of a predetermined voltage. The boost converter 33 has an inductor L1 having one end connected to the DC output terminal on the high voltage side of the diode bridge 31, a diode D1 having an anode connected to the other end of the inductor L1, and one end connected to the cathode of the diode D1. A capacitor C1 connected to the DC output terminal of the diode bridge 31 on the low voltage side (hereinafter referred to as “output capacitor”) and one end connected to a connection point between the inductor L1 and the diode D1. And a switching element Q3 having the other end connected to the DC output terminal on the low voltage side of the diode bridge 31 and a converter driving circuit 331 for driving the switching element Q3. As the output capacitor C1, for example, an electrolytic capacitor can be used. The converter drive circuit 331 detects the output voltage (that is, the voltage across the output capacitor C1; hereinafter referred to as “inverter input voltage”) Vdc of the boost converter 33, and the detected inverter input voltage Vdc is a constant target voltage. The feedback control is performed such that the switching element Q3 is periodically turned on and off at such a duty ratio. Since such a converter drive circuit 331 can be realized by a known technique, detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  Each light source driving unit 4 is connected to an induction coil 41 disposed close to the electrodeless discharge lamp 1, and turns on the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 by supplying high frequency power to the induction coil 41.

  The induction coil 41 is wound around a cylindrical coupler 421 as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, each light source driving unit 4 is housed in a metal case 422 and is electrically connected to the induction coil 41 via a feeder line 423. In practice, an electric wire connected to the other induction coil 41 is also drawn out from the case 422. In FIG. 4, the induction coil 41, the coupler 421, and the feeder line 423 corresponding to one of the light source driving units 4 are drawn. And only are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 includes a hollow bulb 11 made of a transparent material such as glass and having a concave portion 110 on the outer surface, and a cylindrical shape made of a synthetic resin. The base 12 is attached so as to surround the opening 110, and the coupler 421 is inserted into the recess 110 and is disposed in the vicinity of the induction coil 41. The bulb 11 is filled with a discharge gas containing, for example, an inert gas and a metal vapor. Further, a convex portion 111 to be inserted into the coupler 421 protrudes from the bottom surface of the concave portion 110 of the bulb 11. Further, a protective film 131 and a phosphor film 132 are provided on the inner surface of the bulb 11. That is, when arc discharge is generated in the bulb 11 by the high-frequency electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil 41, the generated ultraviolet light is converted into visible light in the phosphor film 132, so that the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 emits light.

  Each light source driving unit 4 includes an inverter circuit 43 that converts the DC power output from the boost converter 33 into high-frequency AC power and outputs the high-frequency AC power to the induction coil 41.

  The inverter circuit 43 includes a series circuit of switching elements Q1 and Q2 connected between the output terminals of the boost converter 33, that is, between both terminals of the output capacitor C1, and a resistor (hereinafter referred to as “detection resistor”) R6, and a switching element. An inductor Ls having one end connected to the connection point of Q1 and Q2, and a capacitor having one end connected to the other end of the inductor Ls and the other end connected to one end of the induction coil 41 (hereinafter referred to as “series capacitor”). ) Cs and a capacitor having one end connected to the connection point between the inductor Ls and the series capacitor Cs and the other end connected to the connection point between the detection resistor R6 and the induction coil 41 (hereinafter referred to as “parallel capacitor”) Cp. And an inverter drive circuit 431 for alternately turning on / off the switching elements Q1, Q2. That is, when the switching elements Q1 and Q2 are alternately turned on and off, the connection between the boost circuit 33 and the resonance circuit formed by the inductor Ls, the series capacitor Cs, the parallel capacitor Cp, and the induction coil 41 is switched. Due to this resonance, the DC power output from the boost converter 33 is converted into high-frequency AC power and supplied to the induction coil 41. Further, each switching element Q1, Q2 is composed of an N-channel FET, and the inverter drive circuit 431 outputs a rectangular wave drive signal to the gate of each switching element Q1, Q2 to thereby each switching element Q1. , Q2 are driven on and off, respectively. Further, the inverter drive circuit 431 has a control terminal CON, and the higher the control current Io flowing out from the control terminal CON, the higher the frequency at which the switching elements Q1 and Q2 are turned on and off (hereinafter referred to as “operation frequency”). To do. Usually, the operating frequency is in a range higher than the resonant frequency of the above-described resonant circuit (hereinafter simply referred to as “resonant frequency”), and the inverter circuit 43 decreases as the control current Io decreases and the operating frequency decreases. To the induction coil 41 (hereinafter referred to as “coil voltage”) Vx amplitude (hereinafter referred to as “voltage amplitude”) | Vx | increases and is supplied from the inverter circuit 43 to the induction coil 41. The power to be increased.

  Further, each light source driving unit 4 gradually increases the output power from the inverter circuit 43 to the induction coil 41 by gradually decreasing the operating frequency when starting the lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1. A sweep circuit 44 is provided. Further, each light source driving unit 4 includes a voltage detection circuit 45 that outputs a detection voltage Vxs that is a DC voltage having a higher voltage value as the voltage amplitude | Vx | is larger. The sweep circuit 44 is a voltage detection circuit. The inverter circuit 43 is controlled based on the detection voltage Vxs output by 45. The voltage detection circuit 45 divides the coil voltage Vx with a resistor, rectifies it with a diode, and smoothes it with a capacitor, thereby generating a detection voltage Vxs.

  The sweep circuit 44 includes an operational amplifier OP1 having an inverting input terminal connected to an output terminal via a resistor and connected to an output terminal of the voltage detection circuit 45 via a resistor. The output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the control terminal CON of the inverter drive circuit 431 via a series circuit of a backflow prevention diode and a resistor. The sweep circuit 44 includes a resistor R3 having a constant voltage Vd input at one end, a switch SW having one end connected to the other end of the resistor R3 and the other end connected to the circuit ground, a resistor R4, and a capacitor C11. The non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the connection point between the parallel circuit and the resistor R3. In the sweep circuit 44 of this embodiment, since the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP1 is connected to the output terminal of the voltage detection circuit 45 through the resistor as described above, the larger the voltage amplitude | Vx |, that is, the inverter circuit 43. From the control terminal CON of the inverter drive circuit 431 and flows into the sweep circuit 44 (hereinafter referred to as “sweep current”) Isw as the power supplied to the induction coil 41 increases. As the operating frequency increases and the operating frequency increases, the power supplied from the inverter circuit 43 to the induction coil 41 decreases. That is, the sweep circuit 44 also performs a feedback operation using the detection voltage Vxs output from the voltage detection circuit 45. In the sweep circuit 44, considering the operation in a state where the voltage Vc1 across the capacitor C11 is stable, when the switch SW is turned off, both ends of the capacitor C11 are compared with when the switch SW is turned on. As the voltage Vc1 increases and the output voltage of the operational amplifier OP1 increases, the sweep current Isw decreases and the operating frequency decreases, the power supplied from the inverter circuit 43 to the induction coil 41 increases. When the switch SW is switched from on to off, the output voltage of the operational amplifier OP1 gradually increases and the sweep current Isw gradually decreases due to the time constant of the circuit formed by the resistors R3 and R4 and the capacitor C11. Thus, a sweep operation is performed in which the operating frequency is gradually lowered and the power supplied from the inverter circuit 43 to the induction coil 41 is gradually increased.

  Each light source driving unit 4 includes a feedback circuit 46 that controls the operating frequency based on the voltage at the connection point between the low-side switching element Q2 and the detection resistor R6 in the inverter circuit 43, that is, the current flowing through the inverter circuit 43. Have. The feedback circuit 46 includes an operational amplifier OP2 in which a predetermined reference voltage Vref is input to a non-inverting input terminal and an output terminal is connected to a control terminal CON of the inverter drive circuit 431 via a backflow prevention diode and a resistor. . The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 is connected to the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP2 through a parallel circuit of a resistor and a capacitor, and at the connection point between the switching element Q2 of the inverter circuit 43 and the detection resistor R6 through the resistor. It is connected. That is, the current (hereinafter referred to as “feedback current”) Ifb flowing from the control terminal CON of the inverter drive circuit 431 into the feedback circuit 46 increases as the current flowing through the induction coil 41 increases (that is, is supplied to the induction coil 41). The feedback circuit 46 operates so as to keep the power supplied to the induction coil 41 by the inverter circuit 43 constant. The feedback circuit 46 operates to reduce the power supplied to the induction coil 41. The sweep circuit 44 and the feedback circuit 46 each have an operating frequency of no electrode when the inverter input voltage Vdc is the target voltage and the switch SW is turned off in the sweep circuit 44 and the voltage across the capacitor C11 is stable. The discharge lamp 1 has such a frequency that H power (arc discharge also called high frequency electromagnetic field discharge or inductively coupled discharge) is generated from the inverter circuit 43 to the induction coil 41, and the inverter input voltage Vdc. Is the target voltage and the switch SW is turned on in the sweep circuit 44 and the voltage across the capacitor C11 is stable, the operating frequency is E discharge (both high frequency electric field discharge and capacitively coupled discharge) in the electrodeless discharge lamp 1. The inverter circuit 43 generates enough power to generate a so-called glow discharge). It is designed to be a frequency as supplied to the al induction coil 41.

  When the power is turned on, first, the switch SW of the sweep circuit 44 is maintained in the ON state, so that the voltage amplitude | Vx | is kept small to such an extent that glow discharge occurs in the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 and arc discharge does not occur. The start preparation operation to be performed is performed for a predetermined time, and then the switch SW of the sweep circuit 44 is turned off, so that the voltage amplitude | Vx | is increased to the extent that arc discharge occurs in the electrodeless discharge lamp 1. The transition is made. During the starting operation, arc discharge is generated in the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 so that the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 starts to light (that is, starts), and thereafter, the output power to the induction coil 41 is maintained substantially constant. Transition to is made. The on / off control of the switch SW as described above can be realized by a known technique using, for example, a timer circuit (not shown).

  Hereinafter, life notification, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, will be described.

  The present embodiment includes a control unit 5 that measures the cumulative amount of wear and controls each light source drive unit 4 according to the cumulative amount of wear. Specifically, the control unit 5 includes a microcomputer having a well-known clock circuit used for measurement of the accumulated wear amount, a nonvolatile memory in which the accumulated wear amount is stored, and the like. Moreover, even if the microcomputer which comprises the control part 5 is integrated with the regulator which produces | generates the power supply of the converter drive circuit 331, the inverter drive circuit 431, and the control part 5 itself by stepping down the output voltage of the boost converter 33. Good. The control unit 5 adds the accumulated wear amount by 1 every predetermined time during the period in which the boost converter 33 is operating. In this case, the accumulated wear amount indicates a cumulative value of the time during which the boost converter 33 is operated. Note that the cumulative wear amount may be added only during a period in which power is output from one or more light source driving units 4. In this case, the cumulative wear amount is one or more light source driving units 4. Indicates the cumulative value of the time when the

  Further, the control unit 5 stores in advance two life threshold values corresponding to the light source driving unit 4 on a one-to-one basis. And the control part 5 compares each lifetime threshold value with a cumulative wear amount at any time during steady operation. As a result, when the accumulated wear amount exceeds any one of the life threshold values, the light source drive unit 4 is turned on by changing the control of the switch SW of the light source drive unit 4 corresponding to the life threshold value for which the accumulated wear amount has exceeded. The lighting state of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is changed, thereby notifying the end of life of the lighting device. As a change in control, for example, the switch SW is kept off before the cumulative wear amount exceeds the life threshold, and the switch SW is kept on or periodically turned on / off after the cumulative wear amount exceeds the life threshold. To drive. When the switch SW is periodically turned on / off, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 can appear to blink if the on / off driving frequency is lowered to some extent, and the on / off driving is performed if the on / off driving frequency is sufficiently high. As the on-duty increases, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 can appear to be continuously lit with a low light output.

  Alternatively, the control unit 5 may turn off the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 by stopping the operation of the inverter driving circuit 431 in the light source driving unit 4 corresponding to the life threshold value for which the cumulative wear amount has exceeded. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to more reliably avoid the occurrence of problems such as abnormal heat generation as compared with the case where the switch SW is controlled. In this case, when the operation of the inverter drive circuit 431 is stopped in all the light source drive units 4, the operation of the converter drive circuit 331 of the boost converter 33 can also be stopped.

  According to the above configuration, the lowest life threshold value is sufficiently lower than the cumulative amount of wear that may cause problems due to long-term use, but is lit with one electrodeless discharge lamp 1 at the start of notification. The change in lighting effect is suppressed by only changing the state. In addition, since a difference occurs in the lighting state between the electrodeless discharge lamps 1 at the start of notification, it is more easily recognized as notification than when the lighting states of all the electrodeless discharge lamps 1 are common. Further, when the cumulative amount of wear increases and the probability of occurrence of the above-described problem increases, the number of electrodeless discharge lamps 1 whose lighting state changes increases, which makes it easier for the user to notice.

  Here, as the light source, an incandescent lamp, a cold cathode discharge lamp, or a hot cathode discharge lamp can be used instead of the solid-state light emitting element as in the first embodiment and the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 as in the second embodiment. However, in general, the solid-state light-emitting element and the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 have a longer lifetime than incandescent lamps, cold cathode discharge lamps, and hot cathode discharge lamps. Therefore, in the illumination device using the solid light emitting element or the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 as the light source, the importance of notification at the end of the life of the illumination device is more important than the illumination device using the incandescent lamp, the cold cathode discharge lamp, or the hot cathode discharge lamp as the light source. Is relatively high.

  By the way, in general, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 has a longer life and is less likely to fail than a discharge lamp having an electrode inside, so that it is used in places where maintenance work is difficult, such as in a tunnel. It is suitable as a light source. Therefore, the present embodiment may be used for a lighting device 7 for tunnel illumination having a structure as shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the lighting fixture 7 in FIGS. 6A to 6C will be described in detail, with reference to FIG. 6A as the reference for the vertical and horizontal directions, and the vertical direction in FIG.

  The lighting fixture 7 of FIGS. 6A to 6C has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left and right as a whole and flat in the front and rear, and stores and holds the lighting device and each electrodeless discharge lamp 1 respectively. Is provided.

  The instrument main body 71 includes a rectangular parallelepiped body 711 made of, for example, stainless steel and having a front surface opened, and a cover 712 made of a material having translucency such as tempered glass so that the body 711 can be opened and closed. Further, on the inner bottom surface of the body 711, a U-shaped reflecting plate 713 made of, for example, aluminum and distributing the light of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 forward is fixed, and the electrodeless electrode housed in the instrument main body 71 is fixed. The light from the discharge lamp 1 is emitted forward through the cover 712. Further, on the inner bottom surface of the body 711, a coupler 421 to which the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is attached, a diode bridge 31, a boost converter 33, two light source driving units 4 and a control unit 5 are accommodated, respectively. A terminal block 72 electrically connected to the diode bridge 31 in the case 422 is fixed. The terminal block 72 is connected to the other end of the electric wire 73 whose one end is connected to the AC power source 2. The DC power source unit 1 is electrically connected to the AC power source 2 through the electric wire 73 and the terminal block 72. Connected. In addition, on the lower wall of the body 711, an electric wire insertion hole 714 for inserting an electric wire 73 connected to the terminal block 72 is vertically provided. Further, the cover 712 is connected to the upper end portion of the body 711 through the hinge 715 at the upper end portion, so that the cover 712 is closed at the closed position and the closed position as shown in FIGS. It can be rotated with respect to the body 711 in a plane viewed from the left-right direction between the open position where the lower end of the body is directed forward and the body 711 is released. A latch 716 that locks the lower end of the cover 712 in the closed position is provided at the lower end of the body 711. Since the hinge 715 and the latch 716 as described above can be realized by a well-known technique, detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted. Further, on the rear surface of the body 711, two mounting feet 717 made of, for example, a steel plate and used for fixing the instrument body 71 to a mounting surface (not shown) such as a wall surface are fixed side by side. Yes. The upper and lower ends of each mounting foot 717 protrude vertically from the body 711 when viewed from the front, and screw insertion holes 718 are provided through the protruding portions in the front-rear direction. The instrument body 71 is screwed and fixed to the mounting surface by a screw (not shown) that is inserted into the screw insertion hole 718 and screwed into the mounting surface.

  The number of light source driving units 4 and the number of electrodeless discharge lamps 1 to be lit are not limited to two and may be three or more.

  In each of the first and second embodiments, communication between the control unit 5 and each light source driving unit 4 (or each switch 40) is performed using a single transmission line using a well-known multiplex transmission technique. It may be a thing. In this case, it is necessary to add a circuit necessary for multiplex transmission, such as a nonvolatile memory for storing addresses used for individual control, for each light source driving unit 4 (or switch 40). When three or more light source driving units 4 and switches 40 are provided, if the multiplex transmission technique is used as described above, the wiring between the control unit 5 and each light source driving unit 4 (or each switch 40) can be simplified. Is possible.

  Furthermore, in each of Embodiments 1 and 2, instead of fixing the correspondence between the life threshold value and the light source driving unit 4 (or switch 40), the control unit 5 monitors the degree of deterioration of each light source, The light source driving unit 4 (or switch 40) corresponding to a light source with a large degree of deterioration may be associated with a lower lifetime threshold. In this case, the control unit 5 changes the control of the light source driving unit 4 (or the switch 40) corresponding to the light source that is most deteriorated when the cumulative wear amount reaches the lowest life threshold value. The degree of deterioration of the light source can be determined based on, for example, a decrease in light output of the light source detected using a well-known optical sensor. In addition, when the light emitting diode 10 is used as the light source, The determination can be made based on the change in impedance. When the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is used as the light source, the determination can be made based on the peak value of the voltage amplitude | Vx | it can. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to preferentially protect a light source with a large degree of deterioration from electrical stress.

  Further, in each of the first and second embodiments, at least one notification switching threshold higher than the life threshold is set for at least one switch 40 and the light source driving unit 4, and the cumulative amount of wear sets the notification switching threshold. The control unit 5 may further change the control of the switch 40 and the light source driving unit 4 when it exceeds the upper limit. Specifically, for example, in the case where the light output of the light source is reduced or blinking is started when the accumulated wear amount exceeds the life threshold value, the light output of the light source is further reduced when the accumulated wear amount exceeds the notification switching threshold value. Or, when the on-duty of blinking is reduced or when the light output is blinked by periodically changing the light output, the fluctuation range of the light output is further increased. Further, in the case of notification by blinking, the blinking period may be changed together with the change in the on-duty and the fluctuation range of the optical output as described above.

  Here, when a plurality of lighting devices are started to be used at the same time, if each life threshold value is common among the lighting devices, the notification of each stage is started simultaneously by the plurality of lighting devices. The lighting effect may change abruptly. Therefore, in each of the first and second embodiments, the control unit 5 may determine each life threshold using a random number at the start of the first operation after shipment. By adopting this configuration, even when a plurality of lighting devices are started to be used at the same time, the timing at which notification is started can be made different for each lighting device, so that the change in lighting effect can be moderated. . As a method of determining each life threshold value with a random number while ensuring the magnitude relationship between the life threshold values, in addition to a method in which the range that each life threshold value can take does not overlap each other, for example, the smallest life threshold value is determined with a random number. After the determination, the second and subsequent life thresholds are sequentially derived by adding a constant (or random number) greater than 0 to the lifetime threshold smaller by one level or multiplying by a constant (or random number) greater than 1. There is also a method. Alternatively, it is considered that the effect of shifting the notification start timing between the lighting devices that have started to be used at the same time as described above can also be obtained by changing the added value of the accumulated wear amount per unit time with a random number.

  Moreover, the lifetime of a general electronic component is shortened as the temperature of the environment in which it is used increases. Therefore, a temperature detection unit (not shown) for detecting the temperature may be provided, and the added value of the accumulated wear amount per unit time may be changed according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. The temperature detector can be realized by a known technique using a thermistor, for example. Further, the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is a temperature in the vicinity of a component that is considered to have a relatively short life, such as an electrolytic capacitor. Furthermore, the above-described added value is increased as the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher, for example. As a method for deriving the addition value from the output of the temperature detection unit, a calculation or a data table may be used.

  Furthermore, as a life determination method for determining the end of life of the lighting device, in addition to monitoring the count value added with the passage of time such as the above-mentioned cumulative wear amount, the current value or voltage value of each part is used. What is judged is also known. Specifically, since the capacitance of the electrolytic capacitor used as the output capacitor C1 in the boost converter 33 according to the second embodiment is reduced due to aging, the amplitude of the ripple generated in the voltage across the output capacitor C1 (inverter input voltage) Vdc. In addition, the change speed of the voltage (inverter input voltage) Vdc across the output capacitor C1 immediately after the boost converter 33 starts operating or immediately after the operation stops increases. Therefore, instead of the cumulative wear amount, the ripple amplitude and the change rate of the inverter input voltage Vdc at the start of operation of the boost converter 33 (or immediately after the stop of operation) are changed to a plurality of life threshold values and notification switching threshold values. You may use for comparison with.

  By the way, as an illuminating device, the thing which alert | reports the lifetime end of a light source other than what alert | reports the lifetime end of illumination device itself like Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 is known. For example, since the impedance of the light emitting diode 10 used as the light source in the first embodiment changes due to aging, for example, if a resistor (not shown) is inserted in the power supply path from the DC power supply circuit 32 to the light emitting diode 10, this resistance The end of life of the light emitting diode 10 can be determined based on the voltage between both ends of the LED. Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, since the peak value of the voltage amplitude | Vx | at the start of lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 increases when the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 deteriorates over time, the voltage at the start of lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is increased. The end of life of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 can be determined based on the peak value of the amplitude | Vx |. In general, since the light beam of an electrical light source decreases due to aging, the end of life of the light source can also be determined by detecting the light beam of the light source using a known optical sensor. Therefore, the control unit 5 determines whether or not each of the plurality of light sources is at the end of life, and when the end of life is determined for a predetermined number or more of light sources, the output power to each light source is stopped or reduced. It is good also as what suppresses the electrical stress concerning components. For example, when the predetermined number is one, safety is most easily secured. In addition, when the predetermined number is the same as the number of light sources to be lit (that is, when the above stop or decrease is performed only when it is determined that all the light sources are at the end of their lifetime), Although there is no problem, the probability that the above stop or reduction is performed can be minimized.

1 Electrodeless discharge lamp (light source)
4 Light source drive unit 5 Control unit 6, 7 Lighting fixture 10 Light emitting diode (light source)
40 switch (light source drive)
61 Lamp (part of the instrument body)
62 Retaining plate (part of instrument body)
64 cases (part of instrument body)
71 Instrument body

Claims (6)

A lighting device that turns on a plurality of light sources,
A plurality of light source driving units associated with at least one of the light sources and performing at least on / off switching of power supply to the corresponding light sources;
A cumulative wear amount that monotonously increases is measured during a period when at least one of the light sources is lit, and a plurality of life threshold values corresponding to the light source driving unit is compared with the cumulative wear amount. And a control unit that performs stepwise notification by controlling the light source driving unit corresponding to the life threshold value for which the cumulative wear amount has exceeded to change the lighting state of the light source. ,
The control unit monitors the degree of deterioration of each light source, and associates the light source driving unit corresponding to the light source having a large degree of deterioration with the lower lifetime threshold .   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lifetime threshold values is determined in advance using a random number.   The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein communication between the control unit and each of the light source driving units is realized by multiplex transmission.   4. The control according to claim 1, wherein the control performed on the light source driving unit corresponding to the life threshold value for which the cumulative wear amount has exceeded is control for turning off the light source. The lighting device according to claim 1.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source includes at least one of an electrodeless discharge lamp and a solid-state light emitting element.   A lighting fixture comprising: the lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a fixture main body that holds the lighting device.

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