JP6765076B2 - Control device, lighting device, lighting equipment and lighting control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device, a lighting device, a luminaire and a lighting control method, and more particularly to a control device for lighting a solid light source, a lighting device, a luminaire and a lighting control method.

As a conventional example, the light source lighting device described in Patent Document 1 will be illustrated. The light source lighting device described in Patent Document 1 includes a DC / DC converter (power supply circuit), an LED current detection resistor, and a control circuit. The DC / DC converter has a switching element connected in series to the LED module (solid-state light source) and a smoothing capacitor connected in parallel to the LED module. The DC / DC converter supplies a current to the LED module to cause the LED module to emit light. The LED current detection resistor detects the current flowing through the LED module. A dimming signal indicating a target current value to be passed through the LED module is input to the control circuit. The control circuit compares the current detected by the LED current detection resistor with the target current value of the LED module indicated by the dimming signal, and turns on the switching element so that the current flowing through the LED module becomes the target current value. Control off. As a result, dimming control is performed on the LED module.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-222322

As described above, in the light source lighting device described in Patent Document 1, a smoothing capacitor is connected in parallel to the LED module. Therefore, when the LED module in the off state is turned on, it takes time for the smoothing capacitor to be charged until the voltage applied to the LED module reaches the voltage required for turning on the LED module. Needs. Therefore, when the dimming signal is changed with time, the dimming control at the start of lighting the LED module is different from the dimming signal initially input to the control circuit when the LED module is off. Dimming control is based on the optical signal. For example, when a dimming signal is input so that the target current value smoothly increases from zero when the LED module is off, the dimming signal input when the LED module starts lighting is zero. Instead, indicate a target current value that is large to some extent. Since the control circuit controls the on / off of the switching element so that the current flowing through the LED module becomes such a target current value, the LED module does not brighten smoothly from the off state, but suddenly brightens. Light. As described above, in the light source lighting device described in Patent Document 1, since the dimming control based on the dimming signal first input to the control circuit cannot be performed, the dimming control at the start of lighting may not be appropriate. there were.

An object of the present invention is to provide a control device, a lighting device, a luminaire, and a lighting control method capable of more appropriately performing dimming control when a solid-state light source in a turned-off state is turned on.

In order to solve the above problems, the control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls a power supply circuit to control a dimming level of a solid-state light source. The power supply circuit includes a capacitor and a switching element. The solid-state light source is connected in parallel to the capacitor. The switching element increases or decreases the electric power supplied to the solid-state light source by turning it on and off. The control device includes an input unit, an acquisition unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The input unit accepts continuous or intermittent input of the dimming level indicated value. The dimming level indicated value indicates the dimming level. The acquisition unit acquires a physical quantity. The physical quantity corresponds to the voltage applied to the solid-state light source. The storage unit retains the temporal order in which the dimming level indicated value is input to the input unit, at least from the time when the dimming level indicated value reaches the lighting threshold value until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value. And memorize it as a memorized value. The lighting threshold indicates the smallest dimming level in the lighting range of the solid-state light source. The predetermined value corresponds to the lighting voltage of the solid-state light source. The control unit controls on / off of the switching element based on the dimming level indicated value until the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value. After the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value, the control unit controls on / off of the switching element based on the stored value according to the temporal order.

The lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the control device and the power supply circuit.

The luminaire according to one aspect of the present invention includes the control device, the power supply circuit, and the solid-state light source.

The lighting control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a lighting control method that controls a power supply circuit to control a dimming level of a solid-state light source. The power supply circuit includes a capacitor and a switching element. The solid-state light source is connected in parallel to the capacitor. The switching element increases or decreases the electric power supplied to the solid-state light source by turning it on and off. The lighting control method includes an input step, an acquisition step, a storage step, a first control step, and a second control step. In the input step, continuous or intermittent input of the dimming level indicated value is accepted. The dimming level indicated value indicates the dimming level. In the acquisition step, the physical quantity is acquired. The physical quantity corresponds to the voltage applied to the solid-state light source. In the storage step, the dimming level indicated value is retained in the temporal order input in the input step, at least from the time when the dimming level indicated value reaches the lighting threshold value until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value. And memorize it as a memorized value. The lighting threshold indicates the smallest dimming level in the lighting range of the solid-state light source. The predetermined value corresponds to the lighting voltage of the solid-state light source. In the first control step, on / off of the switching element is controlled based on the dimming level indicated value until the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value. In the second control step, after the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value, the on / off of the switching element is controlled based on the stored value according to the temporal order.

In the control device, lighting device, lighting fixture, and lighting control method according to one aspect of the present invention, dimming control when a solid-state light source in a turned-off state is turned on can be performed more appropriately.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a lighting fixture according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the correspondence between the dimming level indicated value and the dimming level in the same lighting fixture. FIG. 3A is a graph showing control values in the same lighting fixture. FIG. 3B is a graph showing the voltage applied to the solid-state light source in the same luminaire. FIG. 3C is a graph showing the current flowing through the solid-state light source in the same luminaire. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same lighting fixture. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a lighting system including a plurality of the same lighting fixtures. FIG. 6A is a graph showing control values in the luminaire according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a graph showing the voltage applied to the solid-state light source in the same luminaire. FIG. 6C is a graph showing the current flowing through the solid-state light source in the same luminaire. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a lighting fixture according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the control device, the lighting device, the lighting fixture, and the lighting control method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the luminaire 4 of the present embodiment has a lighting device 2 and a solid-state light source 40. The solid-state light source 40 has a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements 41 (only two are shown in FIG. 1). However, the number of LED elements 41 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. Further, instead of the LED element 41, an organic electroluminescence element, a laser diode element, or the like can be used.

The lighting device 2 of the present embodiment includes a control device 1, an input filter 11, a rectifier circuit 12, a step-up chopper circuit 13, and a step-down chopper circuit 14 (power supply circuit).

The control device 1 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 3 and a detection circuit 21 (acquisition unit). The control unit 3 includes a control unit 30, a boost control circuit 31, a conversion circuit 32 (input unit), a storage unit 332, and an A / D conversion port 333. The control unit 30 includes a step-down control circuit 34, a processing unit 331, and a signal transmission unit 334. The processing unit 331 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The signal transmission unit 334 has a plurality of output terminals (not shown). The processing unit 331, the storage unit 332, the A / D conversion port 333, and the signal transmission unit 334 constitute a microcomputer 33 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer 33).

The input filter 11 removes unnecessary frequency components such as noise from the AC power input from the commercial power source 100.

The rectifier circuit 12 outputs a rectified voltage obtained by rectifying (full-wave rectification or half-wave rectification) the AC voltage input through the input filter 11. The rectifier circuit 12 is composed of, for example, a diode bridge.

The step-up chopper circuit 13 has an isolation transformer T1 having an inductor L1 and a diode D1. One end of the inductor L1 is connected to the output end on the high potential side of the rectifier circuit 12, and the other end is connected to the anode of the diode D1. Further, the boost chopper circuit 13 has a series circuit of the switching element Q1 and the resistor R1. As the switching element Q1, for example, an n-channel type enhancement type field effect transistor is used. The drain of the switching element Q1 is connected to the connection point between the inductor L1 and the diode D1. One end of the resistor R1 is connected to the source of the switching element Q1, and the other end is connected to the output end on the low potential side of the rectifier circuit 12. Further, the boost chopper circuit 13 has a capacitor C1 connected to the cathode of the diode D1 and the output end on the low potential side of the rectifier circuit 12. In the boost chopper circuit 13, when the switching element Q1 is turned on and off, a boost voltage is generated between both ends of the capacitor C1 (two output ends of the boost chopper circuit 13).

The step-down chopper circuit 14 has a switching element Q2, an isolation transformer T2 having an inductor L2, a capacitor C2, and a resistor R2. The switching element Q2, the inductor L2, the capacitor C2, and the resistor R2 are connected in series between both ends of the capacitor C1 of the step-up chopper circuit 13 in this order. As the switching element Q2, for example, an n-channel type enhancement type field effect transistor is used. The drain of the switching element Q2 is connected to the high potential side of the capacitor C1, and the source of the switching element Q2 is connected to the inductor L2. Further, the step-down chopper circuit 14 has a regenerative diode D2 connected in parallel to a series circuit of the inductor L2 and the capacitor C2. The anode of the diode D2 is connected to the connection point between the capacitor C2 and the resistor R2. In the step-down chopper circuit 14, when the switching element Q2 is turned on and off, a step-down voltage is generated between both ends of the capacitor C2 (two output ends of the step-down chopper circuit 14).

A solid-state light source 40 is connected between both ends of the capacitor C2 of the step-down chopper circuit 14. The electric power output by the step-up chopper circuit 13 is input to the step-down chopper circuit 14 and supplied to the solid-state light source 40. The switching element Q2 increases or decreases the electric power supplied to the solid-state light source 40 by turning it on and off. Since the solid-state light source 40 is connected in parallel to the capacitor C2, the applied voltage Vo1, which is the voltage applied to the solid-state light source 40, has a waveform in which ripples are suppressed. That is, the capacitor C2 smoothes the applied voltage Vo1.

The dimming level of the solid-state light source 40 is controlled by the step-down chopper circuit 14 being controlled by the control device 1. The dimming level indicates the brightness of the solid-state light source 40. Details of dimming control by the control device 1 will be described later.

When the capacitor C2 is charged by the electric power supplied from the boost chopper circuit 13 via the switching element Q2 and the applied voltage Vo1 (voltage across the capacitor C2) reaches the lighting voltage VL1 (see FIG. 3B), a solid-state light source is used. 40 lights up. That is, the lighting voltage VL1 is a voltage at which the solid-state light source 40 starts lighting. The lighting voltage VL1 of the solid-state light source 40 is determined by the forward voltage, the number, the arrangement, and the like of the plurality of LED elements 41 constituting the solid-state light source 40.

The detection circuit 21 includes a series circuit of two resistors R3 and R4. One end of the resistor R3 is connected to the high potential side of the capacitor C2, and the other end is connected to the resistor R4 and the microcomputer 33 of the control unit 3. The end of the resistor R4 opposite to the side connected to the resistor R3 is grounded. The detection circuit 21 detects the applied voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40 as a divided voltage of the two resistors R3 and R4 (acquisition step), and detects a detected voltage value (physical quantity) which is the detected voltage value in the control unit 3. Output to the microcomputer 33 of.

The storage unit 332 of the microcomputer 33 stores a predetermined voltage value (predetermined value). The predetermined voltage value is set to a value corresponding to the lighting voltage VL1 (see FIG. 3B). Specifically, the predetermined voltage value is set so that the applied voltage Vo1 becomes substantially equal to the lighting voltage VL1 when the detected voltage value reaches the predetermined voltage value. Since the detected voltage value is output to the microcomputer 33 as a value obtained by dividing the applied voltage Vo1 by the resistors R3 and R4 of the detection circuit 21, the predetermined voltage value is the voltage dividing of the lighting voltage VL1 of the solid-state light source 40 by R3 and R4. It is set to be almost equal to the value.

The boost control circuit 31 of the control unit 3 compares the current value flowing through the inductor L1 detected by the isolation transformer T1 with the threshold value, and performs current feedback control for determining the on-timing of the switching element Q1. Further, the boost control circuit 31 detects the voltage across the resistor R1 (the value of the current flowing through the switching element Q1), compares it with the threshold value, and performs voltage feedback control for determining the off timing of the switching element Q1. The boost control circuit 31 outputs a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal according to the determined on-timing and off-timing to the gate of the switching element Q1. The boost control circuit 31 controls the boost operation of the boost chopper circuit 13 by controlling the on-timing and off-timing of the switching element Q1 with a PWM signal. That is, the boost control circuit 31 controls the boost voltage generated between both ends of the capacitor C1 to a predetermined voltage by controlling the on / off of the switching element Q1.

The conversion circuit 32 of the control unit 3 receives continuous or intermittent input of a dimming signal having a dimming level indication value X1 (input step).

As shown in FIG. 2, the dimming level indicated value X1 indicates the dimming level of the solid-state light source 40. The horizontal axis of FIG. 2 indicates the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal, and the vertical axis represents the current flowing through the solid-state light source 40 by the control device 1 after the dimming level indicated value X1 is input to the conversion circuit 32. The value to which is adjusted is shown as a percentage with the maximum value of the current as 100%. The larger the current flowing through the solid-state light source 40, the higher the dimming level of the solid-state light source 40. The dimming level is a value of 0 to 100%, and it is assumed that the larger the dimming level, the brighter the solid-state light source 40 lights up. When the dimming level indicated value X1 is 0%, the current flowing through the solid-state light source 40 becomes 0 [A], which is the minimum, the dimming level becomes 0%, and the solid-state light source 40 is turned off. When the dimming level indicated value X1 is 100%, the current flowing through the solid-state light source 40 becomes maximum, the dimming level becomes 100%, and the solid-state light source 40 is fully lit. When the dimming level indicated value X1 is less than the lighting threshold value XT3, the dimming level is 0%, and when the dimming level indicated value X1 is equal to or higher than the lighting threshold value XT3, the larger the dimming level indicated value X1, the more dimming. The level is also great. The dimming signal is, for example, a DMX (Digital Multiplex) signal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conversion circuit 32 converts the dimming signal into a DC voltage V1 and inputs it to the A / D conversion port 333 of the microcomputer 33. The larger the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal, the larger the dimming signal is converted into the DC voltage V1.

The A / D conversion port 333 converts the DC voltage V1 into A / D. Hereinafter, the DC voltage generated by A / D conversion of the DC voltage V1 at the A / D conversion port 333 will be referred to as a DC voltage signal.

The storage unit 332 of the microcomputer 33 stores in advance which value of the control value S1 the DC voltage signal corresponds to. Hereinafter, the data stored in the storage unit 332 indicating the correspondence between the DC voltage signal and the control value S1 will be referred to as a dimming table. The processing unit 331 of the microcomputer 33 determines the control value S1 based on the DC voltage signal with reference to the dimming table. The control value S1 is a value for determining the timing at which the step-down control circuit 34 turns on / off the switching element Q2. The processing unit 331 determines the control value S1 to be a larger value as the DC voltage signal becomes larger. The microcomputer 33 outputs the control value S1 to the step-down control circuit 34 by the signal transmission unit 334.

The microcomputer 33 immediately outputs the control value S1 determined by the processing unit 331 to the step-down control circuit 34, and outputs the later-described storage value S2, which is the control value S1 stored in the storage unit 332, to the step-down control circuit 34. There are cases where it is done. Details will be described later.

The step-down control circuit 34 of the control unit 30 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the control value S1 determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1. That is, the step-down control circuit 34 determines the on-timing and the off-timing of the switching element Q2 based on the control value S1. Further, the step-down control circuit 34 compares the current value flowing through the inductor L2 detected by the isolation transformer T2 with the threshold value corresponding to the control value S1 and performs current feedback control for adjusting the on-timing of the switching element Q2. Further, the step-down control circuit 34 detects the voltage across the resistor R2 (the value of the current flowing through the switching element Q2), compares it with the threshold value, and performs voltage feedback control for adjusting the off timing of the switching element Q2. The step-down control circuit 34 outputs a PWM signal according to the determined / adjusted on-timing and off-timing to the gate of the switching element Q2. The step-down control circuit 34 controls the step-down operation of the step-down chopper circuit 14 by controlling the on-timing and off-timing of the switching element Q2 by the PWM signal.

More specifically, the step-down control circuit 34 outputs a PWM signal whose duty ratio is determined according to the control value S1 to the gate of the switching element Q2. As a result, the step-down control circuit 34 controls the duty ratio of the switching element Q2, and the larger the control value S1, the more the current flowing through the solid-state light source 40. That is, the larger the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal input to the conversion circuit 32, the larger the current flowing through the solid-state light source 40. As a result, the current flowing through the solid-state light source 40 is adjusted to a predetermined current according to the dimming level indicated by the dimming level indicated value X1, so that the solid-state light source 40 is indicated by the dimming level indicated value X1. It becomes a dimming level.

The dimming control for the solid-state light source 40 can be performed by controlling the on / off of the switching element Q2 of the step-down chopper circuit 14 as described above, and also by controlling the on / off of the switching element Q1 of the step-up chopper circuit 13. is there. That is, the boost control circuit 31 controls the output current of the boost chopper circuit 13 by increasing / decreasing the duty ratio of the PWM signal output to the switching element Q1 and increasing / decreasing the duty ratio of the switching element Q1 to control the solid light source 40. Dimming control can be performed.

Further, when the dimming level indicated value X1 indicates a dimming level larger (brighter) than the threshold value, the control device 1 performs DC (direct current) dimming. That is, the control unit 30 controls the switching element Q2 to increase or decrease the amplitude of the current supplied to the solid-state light source 40 according to the dimming level indicated value X1. On the other hand, when the dimming level indicated value X1 indicates a dimming level smaller than (dark) or equal to the threshold value, the control device 1 performs burst dimming. That is, the control unit 30 controls the switching element Q2 to increase or decrease the ratio per unit time of the period during which the current supplied to the solid-state light source 40 is intermittently cut off according to the dimming level indicated value X1.

By the way, the storage unit 332 stores the control threshold value ST3. The control threshold value ST3 indicates the smallest (dark) dimming level in the lighting range of the solid-state light source 40 as the control value S1 determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1. That is, the control threshold value ST3 is equal to the control value S1 determined by the microcomputer 33 based on the lighting threshold value XT3 (see FIG. 2).

Next, the operation in which the control device 1 dims the solid-state light source 40 when the solid-state light source 40 is turned on will be described.

Until the detected voltage value detected by the detection circuit 21 reaches a predetermined voltage value, the microcomputer 33 immediately controls the control value S1 determined by the processing unit 331 as the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1. It is output to the step-down control circuit 34 of the unit 30. Based on such a control value S1, the step-down control circuit 34 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2. That is, until the detected voltage value reaches the predetermined voltage value, the step-down control circuit 34 receives the dimming signal having the dimming level indicator value X1 in real time with respect to the dimming signal indicating the dimming level indicator value X1. On / off control of the switching element Q2 based on X1 is performed (first control step).

In FIGS. 3A and 3B, a dimming signal having a dimming level indicator value X1 corresponding to a control value S1 less than the control threshold value ST3 is input to the conversion circuit 32 of the control unit 3 at times t20 to t21. The microcomputer 33 outputs the control value S1 determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1 to the step-down control circuit 34 in real time. When the control value S1 is less than the control threshold value ST3, the step-down control circuit 34 of the control unit 30 controls the applied voltage Vo1 to the solid-state light source 40 to be less than the lighting voltage VL1 by controlling the on / off of the switching element Q2. To do. In the present embodiment, when the control value S1 is less than the control threshold value ST3, the on / off of the switching element Q2 is controlled so that the applied voltage Vo1 becomes 0 [V].

Then, at time t21, the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal input to the conversion circuit 32 is controlled from the dimming level indicated value X1 corresponding to the control value S1 less than the control threshold ST3 to the control threshold ST3 or higher. It is assumed that the dimming level indicated value X1 corresponding to the value S1 is changed. The microcomputer 33 determines the control value S1 based on such a dimming level indicated value X1, and outputs the control value S1 to the step-down control circuit 34 in real time. The step-down control circuit 34 of the control unit 30 has a switching element Q2 so that the current flowing through the capacitor C2 is larger according to the magnitude of the control value S1 than when the control value S1 less than the control threshold ST3 is input. Controls the on / off of. As a result, the step-down chopper circuit 14 charges the capacitor C2 by increasing the current flowing through the capacitor C2 after the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3, so that the voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40 increases. Eventually, at time t22, the detected voltage value detected by the detection circuit 21 reaches a predetermined voltage value.

When the detected voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value, it means that the applied voltage Vo1 (voltage across the capacitor C2) to the solid-state light source 40 has reached the lighting voltage VL1, so that the solid-state light source 40 is lit.

Further, after the control value S1 corresponding to the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal reaches the control threshold value ST3, the dimming signal is continuously or intermittently input to the conversion circuit 32 in the storage unit 332. The control value S1 that is determined every moment corresponding to this is stored as the storage value S2. The storage unit 332 holds the order in which the control value S1 is stored, for example, by setting the address for storing the control value S1 to a value that becomes larger as the storage order becomes later. That is, the storage unit 332 holds the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1 in the time order in which the dimming signal having the dimming level indicated value X1 is input to the conversion circuit 32, and stores the stored value S2. Memorize as (memory step). In FIG. 3A, after the time t21, the storage unit 332 stores the control value S1 as the storage value S2.

Here, after the time t22 when the solid-state light source 40 is turned on, a control value determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal input to the conversion circuit 32 in real time, similarly to the times t20 to t22. Consider a case where dimming control is performed using S1 (broken line portion in FIG. 3A). At this time, in FIG. 3A, the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal is set so that the control value S1 after the time t22 becomes larger than the control value S1 at the time points t20 to t22. Therefore, when the solid-state light source 40 is turned on, the step-down control circuit controls the on / off of the switching element based on the control value S1 (broken line portion in FIG. 3A) after the time t22, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 3C. In addition, a large current suddenly flows through the solid-state light source 40.

In this way, when dimming control is performed using the input dimming signal in real time, the dimming level indicator value X1 of the dimming signal input when the solid-state light source 40 is off is the lit solid. It cannot be used for dimming control for the light source 40. Therefore, when the dimming signal is changed with time until the solid-state light source 40 is turned on, the dimming that was first input to the conversion circuit when the solid-state light source 40 is turned off at the start of turning on the solid-state light source 40. Dimming control is performed based on a dimming signal different from the signal. Therefore, the dimming control for the solid-state light source 40 may not be an appropriate control according to the intention.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the detected voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value (time t22), the microcomputer 33 is based on the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal input to the conversion circuit 32 in real time. The control value S1 determined by the above is not output to the step-down control circuit 34. Instead, the microcomputer 33 outputs the stored value S2 (shown by a solid line after time t22 in FIG. 3A) stored in the storage unit 332 to the step-down control circuit 34 as the control value S1. In particular, the microcomputer 33 outputs the stored value S2 to the step-down control circuit 34 in the temporal order in which the dimming signal having the dimming level indicated value X1 is input to the conversion circuit 32. Therefore, the step-down control circuit 34 of the control unit 30 follows the temporal order after the detected voltage value reaches the predetermined voltage value (after the time t22), and the switching element Q2 is based on the stored value S2 stored in the storage unit 332. Controls on / off (second control step).

That is, after the solid-state light source 40 is turned on (after time t22), it becomes a control value S1 (storage value S2) determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal input after time t21. Based on this, the control device 1 controls dimming. In the example of FIG. 3A, the control value S1 gradually increases from a small value after the time t21. That is, the stored value S2 (solid line portion in FIG. 3A) output to the step-down control circuit 34 after time t22 gradually increases from a small value. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3C, the step-down control circuit 34 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 so that the current flowing through the solid-state light source 40 after the time t22 gradually increases from a small value. As a result, the amount of light of the solid-state light source 40 gradually increases from the state where the amount of light is small.

As described above, in the dimming control by the control device 1 of the present embodiment, after the dimming signal corresponding to the control value S1 having the control threshold value ST3 or higher is input to the conversion circuit 32, the adjustment should be made after the solid-state light source 40 is turned on. The input of a dimming signal having a dimming level indicated value X1 according to the dimming level may be accepted. When the solid-state light source 40 is turned off, the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1 is stored in the storage unit 332 as a storage value S2. Then, after the solid-state light source 40 is turned on, dimming control based on the stored value S2 is performed. Therefore, the dimming control performed after the solid-state light source 40 is turned on is more appropriate control based on the dimming signal that has been input since the solid-state light source 40 was turned off.

As described above, the control device 1 of the present embodiment can more appropriately perform dimming control by the dimming signal (dimming level indicated value X1) when the solid-state light source 40 is lit, and thus is used for the stage. It can be effectively used for lighting equipment and other general-purpose production lighting equipment.

Next, the lighting fixture 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The luminaire 4 includes a light source unit 5 having a solid light source 40 (see FIG. 1) and a power supply unit 6 having a lighting device 2 (see FIG. 1).

In the following description, in FIG. 4, each direction of front-back, left-right, and up-down is defined. That is, in the direction in which the light source unit 5 and the power supply unit 6 are arranged side by side, the light source unit 5 side is on the top and the power supply unit 6 side is on the bottom. Further, the rotation axis direction in which the light source unit 5 rotates with respect to the power supply unit 6 about the knob bolt 62 described later is set to the left-right direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to both the direction in which the light source unit 5 and the power supply unit 6 are arranged and the direction in which the light source unit 5 is rotated is defined as the front-rear direction.

The lighting fixture 4 is a so-called horizont light used for illuminating a background wall surface (horizont) such as a studio or a stage of a television station. However, the application of the lighting device 2 (see FIG. 1) is not limited to the horizont light, and can be used for various lighting fixtures such as a ceiling light, a base light, and a downlight.

The light source unit 5 includes four light source modules 50, a first housing 51, a reflector block 52, and a heat dissipation plate block 53. Each light source module 50 is configured by mounting a solid light source 40 (see FIG. 1) on the surface of a rectangular substrate.

The first housing 51 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape by a metal plate. The first housing 51 has a rectangular window hole 510 opened on the front surface. Inside the first housing 51, four light source modules 50 are housed side by side in two vertical rows and two horizontal rows so that the surface of the first housing 51 faces the window hole 510.

The reflector block 52 includes a plurality of reflectors 520 and a light-shielding plate 521. The plurality of reflectors 520 and the light-shielding plate 521 are arranged between the window hole 510 and the surface of each light source module 50 in the first housing 51, and distribute the light emitted from each light source module 50. Is configured to control.

The heat radiating plate block 53 includes a plurality of heat radiating plates 530. The plurality of heat radiating plates 530 are arranged at equal intervals along the plate thickness direction. The heat radiating plate block 53 is provided on the rear surface of the first housing 51. It is preferable that the heat radiating plate block 53 is thermally coupled to the substrates of the four light source modules 50 in the first housing 51.

The power supply unit 6 includes a lighting device 2 (see FIG. 1), a second housing 60 that houses the lighting device 2 inside, and a pair of arms 61.

The second housing 60 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape by a metal plate. The pair of arms 61 are provided so as to stand up from the left and right ends of the second housing 60. The pair of arms 61 are formed so as to gradually narrow the width dimension in the front-rear direction toward the tip (upper end). An insertion hole through which a so-called knob bolt 62 is inserted is provided at the tip of each arm 61. That is, the pair of arms 61 is configured to rotatably support the light source unit 5 by screwing bolts inserted into the insertion holes at the tip portions into female screws provided on both left and right side surfaces of the first housing 51. Has been done.

The lighting fixture 4 is installed, for example, on a floor with the window hole 510 of the light source unit 5 facing the background wall surface and away from the background wall surface. The luminaire 4 can irradiate the illuminating light substantially uniformly from the lower part to the upper part near the floor of the background wall surface.

Next, the lighting system 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The lighting system 7 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 4 and a dimming operation console 8 as a controller. The plurality of lighting fixtures 4 are fed and connected to the dimming control console 8 via the communication cable 80. The dimming control console 8 transmits a dimming signal having a dimming level indication value X1 to a plurality of lighting fixtures 4 via a communication cable 80. The dimming level indicated value X1 transmitted from the dimming control console 8 is input to the conversion circuit 32 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 3 (see FIG. 1) of each luminaire 4.

As described above, the control device 1 according to the present embodiment is a control device that controls the power supply circuit (step-down chopper circuit 14) to control the dimming level of the solid-state light source 40. The power supply circuit includes a capacitor C2 and a switching element Q2. A solid light source 40 is connected in parallel to the capacitor C2. The switching element Q2 increases or decreases the power supplied to the solid-state light source 40 by turning it on and off. The control device 1 includes an input unit (conversion circuit 32), an acquisition unit (detection circuit 21), a storage unit 332, and a control unit 30. The conversion circuit 32 receives a continuous or intermittent input of the dimming level indicated value X1. The dimming level indicated value X1 indicates a dimming level. The detection circuit 21 acquires a physical quantity (detection voltage value). The physical quantity corresponds to the voltage applied to the solid-state light source 40 (applied voltage Vo1). The storage unit 332 has at least the dimming level indicated value X1 from the time when the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) reaches the lighting threshold value XT3 (control threshold value ST3) until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value (predetermined voltage value). (Control value S1) is stored as a storage value S2 while maintaining the temporal order input to the conversion circuit 32. The lighting threshold value XT3 indicates the smallest dimming level in the lighting range of the solid-state light source 40. The predetermined value corresponds to the lighting voltage VL1 of the solid-state light source 40. The control unit 30 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value. After the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 30 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the stored value S2 according to the temporal order.

By the way, the dimming level indicated value X1 may be input from the time when the applied voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40 is less than the lighting voltage VL1 and the solid-state light source 40 is turned off. When dimming control is performed using the dimming level indicated value X1 in real time in response to the dimming level indicated value X1 being input, the dimming level input when the solid-state light source 40 is turned off. The indicated value X1 cannot be used for dimming control.

On the other hand, in the control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the storage unit 332 stores the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) input to the input unit (conversion circuit 32) as the storage value S2. As for the stored value S2, at least after the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) reaches the lighting threshold value XT3 (control threshold value ST3), the physical quantity (detection voltage value) corresponding to the applied voltage Vo1 corresponds to the lighting voltage VL1. It is stored until it reaches a predetermined value (predetermined voltage value). That is, the storage unit 332 stores the dimming level indicated value X1 input to the conversion circuit 32 as the storage value S2 at least during the period when the solid-state light source 40 is turned off. When the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value and the solid-state light source 40 is turned on, the control unit 30 controls the dimming level of the solid-state light source 40 by controlling the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the stored value S2. ..

As described above, in the control device 1 of the present embodiment, the dimming control when the solid-state light source 40 in the turned-off state is turned on is performed based on the stored value S2, so that the input is made when the solid-state light source 40 is turned off. The dimming control can be performed more appropriately by using the dimming level indicated value X1. That is, as compared with the case where the dimming control when the solid-state light source 40 in the extinguished state is turned on is performed by using the dimming level indicated value X1 in real time in response to the input of the dimming level indicated value X1. , Dimming control can be performed more appropriately.

For example, when the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) is smoothly increased before the solid-state light source 40 is turned on, the storage unit 332 has such a dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1). Is stored as the storage value S2. Therefore, when the solid-state light source 40 is turned on, fade-in that smoothly increases the amount of light of the solid-state light source 40 can be performed based on the stored value S2.

Further, the lighting device 2 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 1 and a power supply circuit (step-down chopper circuit 14).

With the above configuration, in the lighting device 2 of the present embodiment, the physical quantity (detection voltage value) becomes a predetermined value at least after the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) reaches the lighting threshold XT3 (control threshold ST3). The storage unit 332 stores the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) as the storage value S2 until the predetermined voltage value) is reached. When the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 30 controls on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the stored value S2. Thereby, the dimming control when the solid-state light source 40 in the extinguished state is turned on can be performed more appropriately.

Further, the luminaire 4 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 1, a power supply circuit (step-down chopper circuit 14), and a solid-state light source 40.

With the above configuration, in the luminaire 4 of the present embodiment, dimming control when the solid-state light source 40 in the extinguished state is turned on can be performed more appropriately.

Further, the lighting control method according to the present embodiment is a lighting control method that controls the power supply circuit (step-down chopper circuit 14) to control the dimming level of the solid-state light source 40. The power supply circuit includes a capacitor C2 and a switching element Q2. A solid light source 40 is connected in parallel to the capacitor C2. The switching element Q2 increases or decreases the power supplied to the solid-state light source 40 by turning it on and off. The lighting control method includes an input step, an acquisition step, a storage step, a first control step, and a second control step. In the input step, continuous or intermittent input of the dimming level indicated value X1 is accepted. The dimming level indicated value X1 indicates a dimming level. In the acquisition step, the physical quantity (detected voltage value) is acquired. The physical quantity corresponds to the voltage applied to the solid-state light source 40 (applied voltage Vo1). In the storage step, at least the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) is reached after the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) reaches the lighting threshold value XT3 (control threshold value ST3) until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value (predetermined voltage value). The control value S1) is stored as the storage value S2 while maintaining the temporal order input in the input step. The control threshold value ST3 indicates the smallest dimming level in the lighting range of the solid-state light source 40. The predetermined value corresponds to the lighting voltage VL1 of the solid-state light source 40. In the first control step, on / off of the switching element Q2 is controlled based on the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value. In the second control step, after the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value, the on / off of the switching element Q2 is controlled based on the stored value S2 according to the temporal order.

According to the above method, in the lighting control method of the present embodiment, the dimming control when the solid-state light source 40 in the extinguished state is turned on can be performed more appropriately.

By the way, in the present embodiment, after the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3, the storage unit 332 stores the control value S1 as the storage value S2. On the other hand, the storage unit 332 may stop storing the control value S1 when a predetermined condition is satisfied after starting to store the control value S1. For example, after the microcomputer 33 monitors the temporal transition of the control value S1 and the control value S1 changes substantially constant in time, the storage unit 332 stops storing the control value S1. You may. When the control unit 30 finishes the dimming control by the storage value S2 stored in the storage unit 332, the control unit 30 receives the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal input to the control unit 30 instead of the storage value S2. It may be used in real time to control the on / off of the switching element Q2.

However, the storage unit 332 stores the control value S1 in the temporal order in which the dimming signal is input to the conversion circuit 32, at least from the time when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 until the detection voltage value reaches the predetermined voltage value. Is stored and stored as a storage value S2. That is, the storage unit 332 stores the control value S1 at least until the voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40 reaches the lighting voltage VL1 and the solid-state light source 40 lights up. Further, the stored value S2 stored at least between the time t21 and the time t22 is output to the step-down control circuit 34 according to the stored temporal order after the solid-state light source 40 is turned on (after the time t22), and is solid. It is used for dimming control for the light source 40.

In the present embodiment, after the control value S1 determined according to the dimming level indicated value X1 reaches the control threshold ST3, the storage unit 332 stores the control value S1, but the storage unit 332 stores the control value. Instead of S1, the dimming level indicated value X1 itself may be stored as a storage value. Then, after the detected voltage value reaches the predetermined voltage value, the control unit 30 determines the switching element based on the value (control value S1) based on the dimming level indicated value X1 (stored value) stored in the storage unit 332. The on / off of Q2 may be controlled.

Alternatively, the storage unit 332 may store a value generated based on the dimming level indicated value X1 such as a DC voltage V1 corresponding to the dimming level indicated value X1 as a stored value.

Further, the condition for the storage unit 332 to start storing the control value S1 or the dimming level indicated value X1 is not that the control value S1 reaches the control threshold ST3, but the dimming level indicated value X1 is the lighting threshold XT3 (FIG. 2) may be reached. That is, the processing unit 331 may compare the dimming level indicated value X1 itself with the lighting threshold value XT3, or compare the value generated based on the dimming level indicated value X1 (for example, the control value S1) with the lighting threshold value XT3. It may be compared with the control threshold value ST3 corresponding to.

Even in each of these modifications, the control device 1, the lighting device 2, the lighting fixture 4, and the lighting control method can more appropriately perform dimming control when the solid-state light source 40 in the extinguished state is turned on. ..

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the control device, the lighting device, and the lighting fixture according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C. The same components as those of the control device 1, the lighting device 2, and the lighting fixture 4 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the control device 1 of the present embodiment is a control value from the time when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 (time t31) until the detected voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value (time t32). It differs from the first embodiment in that the value of S1 is changed.

In the storage unit 332 of the present embodiment, in addition to the correspondence between the DC voltage signal and the control value S1 (dimming table), the control threshold value ST3, and the predetermined voltage value, the control value corresponding to the predetermined dimming level indicated value X1 (the dimming table) Hereinafter, the set value (referred to as S31) is stored in advance. From the time when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 until the detected voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value, the microcomputer 33 determines the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1 of the input dimming signal. Instead, the set value S31 is output to the step-down control circuit 34. The set value S31 functions as the control value S1. That is, the set value S31 is a value indicating the timing at which the switching element Q2 is turned on / off in the step-down control circuit 34. Therefore, after the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 (time t31) until the detected voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value (time t32), the step-down control circuit 34 of the control unit 30 switches based on the set value S31. Controls the on / off of the element Q2.

The set value S31 is a constant value. The set value S31 is a value larger than the control threshold value ST3. The set value S31 is a control value S1 (broken line in FIG. 6A) determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1 from the time when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 until the detected voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value. Part) is preferably a larger value. That is, it is preferable that the set value S31 indicates a dimming level larger (brighter) than the control value S1. As a result, the current flowing through the capacitor C2 increases and the capacitor C2 becomes faster than when the control unit 30 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1. It will be charged. That is, the voltage applied to the solid-state light source 40 (shown by the solid line in FIG. 6B) is when the control unit 30 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1 (shown by the solid line). It increases faster than (shown by the broken line in FIG. 6B). As a result, the time required for the applied voltage Vo1 to reach the lighting voltage VL1 and the solid-state light source 40 to light up (time t32) is shortened.

Further, the set value S31 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the set value S31, from the time when the dimming level indicated value X1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 until the detected voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value. Time is set to a value within a predetermined time. That is, the set value S31 means that the time (time between time t31 and time t32) required from when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 until the solid-state light source 40 which is turned off is turned on is within a predetermined time. It is set to the value of. The predetermined time is, for example, 0.1 to 0.5 seconds.

Similar to the first embodiment, after the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 (time t31 or later), the storage unit 332 stores the control value S1 as the storage value S2. At this time, the control value S1 stored in the storage unit 332 is not the set value S31 but the control value S1 determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal input to the conversion circuit 32 (FIG. 6A). (Dashed line part). After the time t32 when the detected voltage value reaches the predetermined voltage value, the step-down control circuit 34 of the control unit 30 switches based on the stored value S2 stored in the storage unit 332 (shown by a solid line after the time t32 in FIG. 6A). Controls the on / off of element Q2.

As described above, in the control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the physical quantity (detection voltage value) becomes a predetermined value (predetermined voltage) after the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) reaches the lighting threshold XT3 (control threshold ST3). The control unit 30 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the set value S31 until the value) is reached. The set value S31 indicates a dimming level larger than the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1). The set value S31 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the set value S31, so that the time from when the dimming level indicated value X1 reaches the lighting threshold value XT3 until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value is a predetermined time. It is a value within.

With the above configuration, in the control device 1 according to the present embodiment, after the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) reaches the lighting threshold value XT3 (control threshold value ST3), the physical quantity (detection voltage value) becomes a predetermined value (detection voltage value). The control unit 30 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the set value S31 until the predetermined voltage value) is reached. The set value S31 indicates a dimming level that is larger (brighter) than the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1). As a result, the electric power controlled by the switching element Q2 and supplied to the capacitor C2 increases, and the capacitor C2 is charged faster. That is, the time required for the voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40 in the extinguished state to reach the lighting voltage VL1 and the solid-state light source 40 to light up is shortened. Therefore, the time required for the input dimming level indicated value X1 to be reflected in the dimming level of the solid-state light source 40 is shortened. That is, the responsiveness of the dimming level of the solid-state light source 40 to the input of the dimming level indicated value X1 to the input unit (conversion circuit 32) is improved.

Further, in the control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the set value S31 is a constant value.

Since the set value S31 is a constant value, the control device 1 stabilizes the length of time required for the applied voltage Vo1 of the solid light source 40 that is turned off to reach the lighting voltage VL1 and the solid light source 40 to light. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the set value S31 is a constant value, but the set value S31 is, for example, a value that changes according to the control value S1 determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1 and the applied voltage Vo1. There may be.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 30 uses the set value S31 as the control value S1 from the time when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 until the detection voltage value reaches a predetermined voltage value. On the other hand, the condition for the control unit 30 to start using the set value S31 as the control value S1 is not that the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3, but that the dimming level indicated value X1 is the lighting threshold value XT3 (FIG. 2) may be reached.

Further, instead of using the set value S31 instead of the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1, a predetermined set value may be used instead of the dimming level indicated value X1 itself. The predetermined set value is larger (brighter) than the dimming level indicated value X1 from the time when the dimming level indicated value X1 reaches the lighting threshold value XT3 (see FIG. 2) until the detected voltage value reaches the predetermined voltage value. It is preferable to indicate the light level. Further, the predetermined set value controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the predetermined set value, so that the detected voltage value becomes the predetermined voltage value after the dimming level indicated value X1 reaches the lighting threshold value XT3. It is also preferable that the time to reach the value is set to a value within a predetermined time. The control unit 30 determines a control value S1 corresponding to a predetermined set value, and controls on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the determined control value S1.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the control device, the lighting device, and the lighting fixture according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The same components as those of the control device 1, the lighting device 2, and the lighting fixture 4 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the luminaire 4a of the present embodiment includes a plurality of (two in FIG. 7) lighting devices 2a and a plurality of (two in FIG. 7) solid-state light sources 40. The two lighting devices 2a share one control device 1a. In addition to the control device 1a, each lighting device 2a includes an input filter 11, a rectifier circuit 12, a step-up chopper circuit 13, and a step-down chopper circuit 14 (power supply circuit). That is, the luminaire 4a includes a plurality (two) of step-down chopper circuits 14. The two solid-state light sources 40 have a one-to-one correspondence with the two step-down chopper circuits 14, and each solid-state light source 40 is connected to the corresponding step-down chopper circuit 14. Further, the two solid-state light sources 40 emit light of different colors from each other. Specifically, one of the two solid-state light sources 40 emits light bulb-colored light and the other emits white light.

The control device 1a includes a central block 36 and a plurality of (two in FIG. 7) operation blocks 37. The operation blocks 37 are provided in the same number as the step-down chopper circuits 14, and have a one-to-one correspondence with the step-down chopper circuits 14. The function of the control unit 3 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment is shared by the central block 36 and the two operation blocks 37. Hereinafter, a more detailed description will be given.

The central block 36 includes a conversion circuit 32, a processing unit 361, a storage unit 362, an A / D conversion port 363, a signal transmission unit 364, and a timer 365 (acquisition unit). The processing unit 361 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing unit 361, the storage unit 362, the A / D conversion port 363, the signal transmission unit 364, and the timer 365 constitute a microcomputer 360 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer 360).

The operation block 37 includes a step-up control circuit 31, a microcomputer 370 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer 370), and a step-down control circuit 34 (execution unit). The step-down control circuit 34 in each operation block 37 has a one-to-one correspondence with the step-down chopper circuit 14.

The processing unit 361 and signal transmission unit 364 of the central block 36, the microcomputer 370 of the plurality of (two) operation blocks 37, and the step-down control circuit 34 constitute the control unit 30a. That is, the control unit 30a includes a processing unit 361, a signal transmission unit 364, a plurality of (two) microcomputers 370, and a plurality (two) step-down control circuits 34.

In addition, unlike the control device 1 (see FIG. 1) of the first and second embodiments, the control device 1a is a detection circuit 21 (see FIG. 1) corresponding to an acquisition unit for detecting the applied voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40. ) Is not provided. In the present embodiment, the timer 365 of the microcomputer 360 corresponds to the acquisition unit. The timer 365 acquires the elapsed time from when the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 as the acquisition time length (physical quantity) (acquisition step). That is, the timer 365 measures the time during which power is supplied to the capacitor C2 via the switching element Q2. As a result, the applied voltage Vo1 to each solid-state light source 40 can be estimated, so that the acquisition time length is a value corresponding to the applied voltage Vo1. That is, the acquisition time length is a value corresponding to both the applied voltage Vo1 to one solid-state light source 40 and the applied voltage Vo1 to the other solid-state light source 40 of the two solid-state light sources 40.

The conversion circuit 32 of the central block 36 receives continuous or intermittent input of a dimming signal having a dimming level indication value X1. The conversion circuit 32 converts the dimming signal into a DC voltage V1 according to the dimming level indicated value X1. The conversion circuit 32 inputs the DC voltage V1 to the A / D conversion port 363 of the microcomputer 360. The A / D conversion port 363 A / D converts the DC voltage V1 into a DC voltage signal. The processing unit 361 of the microcomputer 360 refers to the dimming table stored in the storage unit 362 and determines the control value S1 according to the DC voltage signal. The control value S1 corresponds to a control signal for controlling the on / off of the switching element Q2.

The signal transmission unit 364 of the microcomputer 360 has a plurality of output terminals (not shown). The signal transmission unit 364 transmits the control value S1 to the microcomputer 370 of each operation block 37. In each operation block 37, the microcomputer 370 transmits the control value S1 to the step-down control circuit 34. The step-down control circuit 34 in each operation block 37 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 of the corresponding step-down chopper circuit 14 based on the control value S1, so that the solid-state light source 40 receives the dimming level indicated value X1. Adjusted to the indicated dimming level.

The signal transmission unit 364 immediately outputs the control value S1 (control signal) determined by the processing unit 361 to the microcomputer 370, and the storage value S2 which is the control value S1 (control signal) stored in the storage unit 362. It may be output to the microcomputer 370. Details will be described later.

The storage unit 362 of the microcomputer 360 stores the control threshold value ST3, and the control value S1 determined by the processing unit 361 of the microcomputer 360 is compared with the control threshold value ST3 in the processing unit 361. Further, the storage unit 362 stores a predetermined time length (predetermined value). The predetermined time length is set substantially equal to the length of time required for the voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40 to reach the lighting voltage VL1 of the solid-state light source 40 after the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3. That is, the predetermined time length is set to a value corresponding to the lighting voltage VL1 of the solid-state light source 40. The predetermined time length is set in advance, for example, based on an actually measured value of the time required for the applied voltage Vo1 to reach the lighting voltage VL1. The predetermined time length may be set, for example, based on the integrated value of the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1 of the input dimming signal.

Further, the storage unit 362 of the microcomputer 360 stores the control value S1 as the storage value S2 after the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3. The storage unit 362 may store the control value S1 as the storage value S2 at least from the time when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 until the acquisition time length reaches a predetermined time length.

Next, the operation of the control device 1a dimming the solid-state light source 40 when the solid-state light source 40 is turned on will be described.

As described above, when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3, the timer 365 of the microcomputer 360 measures the length of time elapsed after that as the acquisition time length.

The processing unit 361 of the microcomputer 360 determines the control value S1 based on the dimming level indicated value X1 of the dimming signal input to the conversion circuit 32. Until the acquisition time length reaches a predetermined time length, the signal transmission unit 364 sets the control value S1 determined by the processing unit 361 to the microcomputer 370 of each operation block 37 in real time in response to the input of the dimming signal. It is transmitted to the step-down control circuit 34 via. Therefore, the step-down control circuit 34 of each operation block 37 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the control value S1.

When the acquisition time length reaches a predetermined time length, the signal transmission unit 364 transmits the stored value S2 stored in the storage unit 362 to the step-down control circuit 34 via the microcomputer 370 of each operation block 37. Therefore, the step-down control circuit 34 of each operation block 37 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the stored value S2.

As described above, the central block 36 has a function from the input of the dimming signal having the dimming level indication value X1 to the output of the control value S1 or the storage value S2 to the microcomputer 370 of each operation block 37. There is. Further, in the central block 36, when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3, the timer 365 of the microcomputer 360 measures the length of time elapsed after that as the acquisition time length, and the storage unit 362 of the microcomputer 360 measures. The control value S1 is stored as the storage value S2.

Since the luminaire 4a includes a plurality of (two) lighting devices 2a, one central block 36 in one control device 1a has these functions, so a plurality of central blocks 36 are provided. Therefore, the circuit configuration of the lighting fixture 4a can be simplified.

As described above, in the control device 1a according to the present embodiment, the acquisition unit (timer 365) determines the elapsed time from when the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) reaches the lighting threshold value XT3 (control threshold value ST3). , Acquire as a physical quantity (acquisition time length).

As described above, the acquisition unit (timer 365) sets the elapsed time after the dimming level indicated value X1 (control value S1) reaches the lighting threshold XT3 (control threshold ST3) as a physical quantity corresponding to the applied voltage Vo1. Acquisition time length). Since the acquisition time length corresponds to the time during which power is supplied to the capacitor C2, the voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40 can be estimated from the acquisition time length. In this way, the control device 1a acquires the acquisition time length corresponding to the applied voltage Vo1 without modifying the existing solid-state light source 40 and the power supply circuit (step-down chopper circuit 14), and obtains the acquisition time length corresponding to the applied voltage Vo1 with respect to the solid-state light source 40. More appropriate dimming control can be performed using the stored value S2.

Further, the luminaire 4a according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of power supply circuits (step-down chopper circuits 14). The luminaire 4a further includes a plurality of solid-state light sources 40. The plurality of solid-state light sources 40 have a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of power supply circuits. The acquisition unit (timer 365) acquires a physical quantity (acquisition time length). The physical quantity corresponds to at least one of the voltages (applied voltage Vo1) individually applied to the plurality of solid-state light sources 40. The control unit 30a includes a signal transmission unit 364 and a plurality of execution units (step-down control circuit 34). The processing unit 361 transmits a control signal (control value S1, storage value S2). The control signal (control value S1, storage value S2) is a signal for controlling the on / off of the switching element Q2. The plurality of step-down control circuits 34 have a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of power supply circuits. The plurality of step-down control circuits 34 control on / off of the switching element Q2 of the corresponding power supply circuit among the plurality of power supply circuits based on the control signals (control value S1, storage value S2) input from the signal transmission unit 364. To do. The signal transmission unit 364 transmits a control signal (control value S1) based on the dimming level indicated value X1 to the plurality of step-down control circuits 34 until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value (predetermined time length). After the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value, the processing unit 361 transmits a control signal (storage value S2) based on the storage value S2 to the plurality of step-down control circuits 34 in chronological order.

With the above configuration, in the luminaire 4a of the present embodiment, one acquisition unit (timer 365) of one control device 1a obtains a physical quantity (acquisition time length) corresponding to the applied voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40. get. Therefore, the circuit configuration of the luminaire 4a can be simplified and the manufacturing cost of the luminaire 4a can be reduced without providing a plurality of timers 365 for the plurality of power supply circuits (step-down chopper circuit 14). Further, the signal transmission unit 364 transmits a plurality of control signals (control value S1, storage value S2) to a plurality of execution units (step-down control circuit 34) according to whether or not the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value (predetermined time length). Send to. Each of the plurality of step-down control circuits 34 controls on / off of the switching element Q2 of the corresponding power supply circuit. Therefore, it is possible to synchronize the dimming timing with respect to the plurality of solid-state light sources 40 connected to the plurality of power supply circuits on a one-to-one basis. Further, by inputting the dimming level indication value X1 to one input unit (conversion circuit 32), dimming control for the solid-state light source 40 connected to each of the plurality of power supply circuits can be collectively performed.

When the stored value S2 is stored in the storage unit 362 in a form that can be used as it is in the step-down control circuit 34 as in the present embodiment, the signal transmitting unit 364 transmits the stored value S2 as a control signal as it is. do it. On the other hand, when the stored value is stored as, for example, the dimming level indicated value X1 and needs to be converted to the control value S1 for use in the step-down control circuit 34, the processing unit 361 of the control unit 30a stores it. The control value S1 may be determined based on the dimming level indicated value X1. Further, the signal transmission unit 364 may transmit such a control value S1 as a control signal to the step-down control circuit 34.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the two lighting devices 2a share the control device 1a has been described, but one lighting device 2a may have one control device 1a, or three or more. The lighting device 2a may share one control device 1a.

Further, in the present embodiment, the colors of the light emitted by the two solid-state light sources 40 may be the same color as each other. Alternatively, for example, one type of each of the red, green, blue, and white solid-state light sources 40 may be connected to the step-down chopper circuits 14 of the four lighting devices 2a.

Further, also in the control device 1a of the present embodiment, the set value S31 may be used as the control value S1 as in the control device 1 of the second embodiment. That is, even if the step-down control circuit 34 controls the on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the set value S31 from the time when the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3 until the acquisition time length reaches the predetermined time length. Good.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the detection circuit 21 (acquisition unit) having the resistors R3 and R4 detects the voltage Vo1 applied to the solid-state light source 40. However, in the first and second embodiments, the detection circuit 21 is provided. Alternatively, the microcomputer 33 may have a timer function. That is, the timer of the microcomputer 33 may function as the acquisition unit in the first and second embodiments, following the timer 365 of the microcomputer 360 of the third embodiment. Further, the timer of the microcomputer 33 may acquire the acquisition time length (physical quantity) which is the elapsed time since the control value S1 reaches the control threshold value ST3. The control unit 30 controls on / off of the switching element Q2 based on the control value S1 until the acquisition time length reaches the predetermined time length, and after the acquisition time length reaches the predetermined time length, is based on the storage value S2. The on / off of the switching element Q2 may be controlled.

A plurality of step-down chopper circuits 14 may be provided in one lighting device 2 (2a) of each embodiment. That is, a plurality of step-down chopper circuits 14 may be connected in parallel to the output end of the step-up chopper circuit 13. Further, a plurality of control units 30 (30a) may be provided in one lighting device 2 (2a). As a result, a plurality of solid-state light sources 40 of different colors are connected to the plurality of step-down chopper circuits 14, and the plurality of control units 30 (30a) perform dimming control according to the lighting voltage VL1 of each solid-state light source 40. be able to. For example, a red, green, blue, and white solid-state light source 40 can be connected to each of the four step-down chopper circuits 14, one type each, to form a lighting fixture 4 (4a) in which the color of light is variable.

Further, in each embodiment, the step-down chopper circuit 14 is used as the power supply circuit, but the power supply circuit is not limited to the step-down chopper circuit 14, and a well-known switching circuit such as a flyback circuit may be used.

Further, in each embodiment, the dimming signal input to the conversion circuit 32 may be an analog signal such as DC0V to 10V or a digital signal such as a PWM signal.

Further, in each embodiment, the predetermined value (predetermined voltage value or predetermined time length) is a physical quantity (detection voltage value or acquisition time) when the applied voltage Vo1 reaches the lighting voltage VL1 which is the voltage at which the solid-state light source 40 starts lighting. However, the predetermined value is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined value is a value that is increased or decreased with respect to the physical quantity when the applied voltage Vo1 reaches the lighting voltage VL1 in consideration of the detection error of the physical quantity, the value of the assumed dimming level indicated value X1 and the like. You may. When the solid-state light source 40 starts lighting, it is preferable that the dimming control based on the stored value S2 stored in the storage unit 332 (362) starts. Therefore, it is preferable to set a predetermined value so that the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value immediately before the applied voltage Vo1 reaches the lighting voltage VL1.

Even in each of the above modifications, the control device 1 (1a), the lighting device 2 (2a), the lighting fixture 4 (4a), and the lighting control method are dimming when the solid-state light source 40 in the extinguished state is lit. Control can be performed more appropriately.

The embodiment described above is an example of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1, 1a Control device 2, 2a Lighting device 4, 4a Lighting equipment 14 Step-down chopper circuit (power supply circuit)
21 Detection circuit (acquisition unit)
30, 30a Control unit 32 Conversion circuit (input unit)
34 Step-down control circuit (execution unit)
40 Solid light source 332, 362 Storage unit 364 Signal transmission unit 365 Timer (acquisition unit)
C2 Capacitor Q2 Switching element S1 Control value (control signal)
S2 storage value (control signal)
S31 Set value Vo1 Applied voltage VL1 Lighting voltage X1 Dimming level indicated value XT3 Lighting threshold

Claims (8)

A power supply circuit having a capacitor to which a solid-state light source is connected in parallel and a switching element that increases or decreases the power supplied to the solid-state light source by turning it on and off is controlled to control the dimming level of the solid-state light source. It ’s a control device,
An input unit that accepts continuous or intermittent input of a dimming level indication value indicating the dimming level, and
An acquisition unit that acquires a physical quantity corresponding to the voltage applied to the solid-state light source, and
At least, from the time when the dimming level indicated value reaches the lighting threshold value indicating the dimming level, which is the smallest in the range in which the solid-state light source is lit, until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value corresponding to the lighting voltage of the solid-state light source. A storage unit that stores the dimming level indication value as a storage value while maintaining the temporal order input to the input unit, and
The on / off of the switching element is controlled based on the dimming level indicated value until the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value, and after the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value, the stored value is in accordance with the temporal order. A control device including a control unit that controls on / off of the switching element based on the above. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the elapsed time from when the dimming level indicated value reaches the lighting threshold value as the physical quantity. From the time when the dimming level indicated value reaches the lighting threshold value until the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value, the control unit uses the set value indicating the dimming level larger than the dimming level indicated value. Controls the on / off of the switching element,
The set value is the time from when the dimming level indicated value reaches the lighting threshold value to when the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value by controlling the on / off of the switching element based on the set value. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the value is within a predetermined time. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the set value is a constant value. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A lighting device including the power supply circuit. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
With the power supply circuit
A luminaire comprising the solid light source. With a plurality of the power supply circuits
Further, a plurality of the solid-state light sources are provided so as to have a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of power supply circuits.
The acquisition unit acquires the physical quantity corresponding to at least one of the voltages individually applied to the plurality of solid-state light sources.
The control unit
A signal transmitter that transmits a control signal for controlling the on / off of the switching element, and
A plurality of power supply circuits having one-to-one correspondence and controlling on / off of the switching element of the corresponding power supply circuit among the plurality of power supply circuits based on the control signal input from the signal transmission unit. Has an execution part,
The signal transmitter
Until the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value, the control signal based on the dimming level indicated value is transmitted to the plurality of execution units.
The luminaire according to claim 6, wherein after the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value, the control signal based on the stored value is transmitted to the plurality of execution units in accordance with the temporal order. A power supply circuit having a capacitor to which a solid-state light source is connected in parallel and a switching element that increases or decreases the power supplied to the solid-state light source by turning it on and off is controlled to control the dimming level of the solid-state light source. It is a lighting control method
An input step that accepts continuous or intermittent input of a dimming level indication value indicating the dimming level, and
The acquisition step of acquiring the physical quantity corresponding to the voltage applied to the solid-state light source, and
At least, from the time when the dimming level indicated value reaches the lighting threshold value indicating the dimming level, which is the smallest in the range in which the solid-state light source is lit, until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined value corresponding to the lighting voltage of the solid-state light source. A storage step in which the dimming level indicated value is stored as a storage value while maintaining the temporal order input in the input step,
A first control step of controlling the on / off of the switching element based on the dimming level indicated value until the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value.
A lighting control method comprising:, after the physical quantity reaches the predetermined value, a second control step of controlling on / off of the switching element based on the stored value according to the temporal order.

Images