JPH10228985A - Electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device which can surely light an electrodeless discharge lamp and be miniaturized. SOLUTION: A control circuit 8 changes the operating frequency of a drive circuit 5 at the start of an electrodeless discharge lamp 1 so that the voltage at each end of an induction coil 2 becomes greater than the triggerable voltage of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1. A starting circuit 6 applies a sine-wave- shaped high voltage to the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 via a starting electrode 7 by turning a starting switch SW2 on. When the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 turns on as the voltage at each end of the induction coil 2 becomes greater than the triggerable voltage VL, an on/off switch SW1 is switched from an oscillator OSC2 to an oscillator OSC1 . The control circuit 8 is so designed that a frequency range in which the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 changes is always higher than the frequency of the voltage that is output from the starting circuit 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device which emits light by applying a high frequency electromagnetic field to an electrodeless discharge lamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows an example of an electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device. An electrodeless discharge lamp 1 has an inert gas inside a bulb hermetically formed of a transparent material such as quartz or ceramics. Alternatively, a substance that emits light by excitation of an inert gas or a metal vapor is sealed therein, and a phosphor is applied to the inner tube surface as necessary. An induction coil 2 made of a highly conductive metal or the like is provided around the outer periphery of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1.
Are arranged close to each other. In addition, a high-frequency power supply circuit 3 for supplying high-frequency power to the induction coil 2, a DC power supply E for supplying a DC voltage to the high-frequency power supply circuit 3, and reflection by matching the impedance between the induction coil 2 and the high-frequency power supply circuit 3. A basic configuration includes a matching circuit 4 for efficiently transmitting high-frequency power to the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 and a drive circuit 5 for driving and controlling the high-frequency power supply circuit 3.

In this electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device, a high-frequency electric field of several MHz to several hundred MHz is passed from the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 to the induction coil 2, thereby generating a high-frequency electromagnetic field in the induction coil 2. 1 is supplied with high-frequency power to generate a high-frequency plasma current in the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 to generate ultraviolet light or visible light.

Meanwhile, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 has a characteristic that its impedance changes drastically from the time of starting until the lamp is turned on. Further, in order to increase the luminous efficiency when the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is turned on, the induction coil 2 and the matching circuit 4 have a very small resistance component, and the power consumed by the induction coil 2 and the matching circuit 4 is small. When the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is started, the induction coil 2 and the matching circuit 4 serving as loads on the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 are in a very high Q state. For this reason,
When the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is turned on by passing a high-frequency current of a certain frequency through the induction coil 2, the impedance change is steep, and the electrodeless discharge lamp 1
The matching circuit 4 may not be able to achieve matching due to a slight shift in the relative position of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 and the characteristics of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 with time. In such a case, there is a problem that the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 does not light or an excessive current flows to the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 to destroy the components of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3.

To solve this kind of problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
An electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device described in JP-A-6-78556
Has been proposed. This device starts the electrodeless discharge lamp.
Load circuit during operation (electrodeless discharge lamp 1 and induction coil
2) the impedance change of
Viewed as the change in the phase difference between the output voltage and current,
Driving the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 so that the phase difference is constant.
By controlling the frequency by the control circuit 8, the
The tuning circuit 4 is matched. In short, electrodeless
When the electric lamp 1 is started, the changeover switch SW₁The oscillation cycle
Oscillator OSC with variable wave number_TwoSwitch to the side
Oscillator OSC so that the phase difference is constant _TwoOscillation frequency
And the switching element Q₁, Q_TwoIs driving
By changing the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5,
The electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is turned on by matching the switching circuit 4.
After turning on the electrodeless discharge lamp 1, the changeover switch
SW₁Oscillator OSC with fixed oscillation frequency₁Switch to side
By keeping the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 constant,
Thus, the above problem is solved.

Further, in the electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-37984, a starting circuit 6 for assisting starting is provided in order to enhance the startability while preventing the device from being enlarged.
Starting electrode 7, and a like starting switch SW _2.
In this device, when the DC power supply E is turned on, a high-frequency current is first supplied to the induction coil 2 to generate a high-frequency electromagnetic field. Then, the starting switch SW ₂ is by starting circuit 6 operates on a high voltage is applied from the starting circuit 6 via the starting electrode 7 in the electrodeless discharge lamp 1. In the electrodeless discharge lamp 1, a glow discharge occurs in the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 due to the high voltage, and immediately thereafter, the glow discharge shifts to an arc discharge due to a high-frequency electromagnetic field from the induction coil 2. And
When the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is turned on, the starting switch SW
₂ turns off, and the starting circuit 6 stops.

Further, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-79517, which is another conventional example having the starting circuit 6, the starting circuit 6 has a higher frequency than the frequency (fixed frequency) of the high-frequency voltage applied to the induction coil 2. Is set so that the frequency of the output voltage becomes higher.

[0008]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional example, even if the matching cannot be achieved in the matching circuit 4 due to impedance fluctuation due to aging or the like, the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 (the high frequency power supply circuit 3 The output voltage of the starting circuit 6 is higher than the frequency of the high-frequency voltage applied to the induction coil 2 or the description that the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 can be reliably started by changing the output frequency. There is a statement to do. However, in an electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device that starts the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 by changing the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 (the output frequency of the high frequency power supply circuit 3), the operating frequency of the drive circuit and the output voltage of the starting circuit 6 No mention is made of the relationship with the frequency of

If the frequency of the output voltage of the starting circuit 6 is higher than the frequency of the high-frequency voltage applied to the induction coil 2 when the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is started, the voltage is applied to the induction coil 2. When the voltage value of the high-frequency voltage (see FIG. 8B) is small, the output voltage of the starting circuit 6 (see FIG.
(See (a)) may be applied, and there is a problem that startability is deteriorated. In order to avoid this problem, it is necessary to synchronize the drive circuit 5 and the starting circuit 6, and there is a problem that control becomes complicated and the device becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device capable of reliably lighting an electrodeless discharge lamp and capable of being downsized. is there.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrodeless discharge lamp, an induction coil disposed close to the electrodeless discharge lamp, and a DC power supply. A high-frequency power supply circuit for supplying high-frequency power to the induction coil by controlling the switching element at the operating frequency of a drive circuit, and the drive for controlling the high-frequency power supply circuit at the operating frequency. A starting circuit for applying a high voltage for starting to the electrodeless discharge lamp, and control means for changing an operating frequency of the drive circuit when starting the electrodeless discharge lamp, wherein the control means comprises: The frequency range in which the operating frequency of the drive circuit changes is set higher than the output frequency of the starting circuit. Since the operating frequency of the circuit is higher than the output frequency of the starting circuit, the high voltage from the starting circuit is applied to the electrodeless discharge lamp while the high frequency voltage is applied to the induction coil. It is possible to reliably start the electrodeless discharge lamp without the electrode discharge lamp not being turned on or an excessive current flowing in the high-frequency power supply circuit and the components of the high-frequency power supply circuit being destroyed, Moreover, since there is no need to synchronize the drive circuit and the starting circuit, the control is simple and the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a matching circuit for matching the impedance between the induction coil and the high-frequency power supply circuit is provided, so that the high-frequency power from the high-frequency power supply circuit can be efficiently used. Can be transmitted to induction coil. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the frequency range in which the operating frequency of the drive circuit changes is several MHz to several hundred MHz.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
In the invention, the control means sets the operating frequency of the drive circuit to approximately 13.
The frequency is set to 56 MHz. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the drive circuit includes a crystal resonator oscillating at a constant frequency.

The invention of claim 6 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In the invention, since the control means changes the operating frequency of the drive circuit so that the light output of the electrodeless discharge lamp becomes substantially constant after the electrodeless discharge lamp is turned on, A stable lighting state can be maintained. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a stopping means for stopping the operation of the starting circuit after the lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp. Stops, the time for generating the high voltage generated from the starting circuit is shortened, and wasteful loss can be reduced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the stopping means detects lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp based on a light output of the electrodeless discharge lamp. is there. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the stopping means detects lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp based on reflected power of the matching circuit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, since the starting circuit operates before the operation of the high frequency power supply circuit, a high frequency voltage is applied to the induction coil from the high frequency power supply circuit. In this case, the high voltage output from the starting circuit is always applied to the electrodeless discharge lamp, and the starting performance is further improved. According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to tenth aspects, the control means changes an operating frequency of the drive circuit based on a phase difference between an output voltage and an output current of the high frequency power supply circuit. In addition, matching between the high-frequency power supply circuit and the induction coil can be achieved, and the components of the high-frequency power supply circuit can be prevented from being destroyed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first to tenth aspects, the control means controls the drive circuit so that a phase difference between an output voltage and an output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit becomes substantially zero. Of the high frequency power supply circuit can be prevented from being destroyed. According to a thirteenth aspect, in the second to tenth aspects, the control means changes an operating frequency of the drive circuit so that the matching circuit matches.
Destruction of the components of the high-frequency power supply circuit can be prevented.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the first to thirteenth aspects, the output voltage of the starting circuit is substantially a sine wave voltage. Claim 15
The invention according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects is characterized in that the output voltage of the starting circuit is a pulse voltage.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device of the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, an electrodeless discharge lamp 1, an induction coil 2 arranged in proximity to the electrodeless discharge lamp 1, and a DC power supply E
A high-frequency power supply circuit 3 for converting the DC voltage to a high-frequency voltage and supplying high-frequency power to the induction coil 2; a drive circuit 5 for driving and controlling the high-frequency power supply circuit 3;
Matching Circuit 4 for Matching Induction Coil with Induction Coil 2
A starting circuit 6 for applying a high voltage to the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 via a starting electrode 7 to assist in starting the electrodeless discharge lamp 1, a control circuit 8 for controlling the drive circuit 5,
Composed of a starting circuit 6 and the starting switch SW ₂ which is connected between the DC power source E. Note that the basic circuit configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 7, and therefore the description of the same operation as the conventional configuration will be omitted.

The high frequency power supply circuit 3 includes switching elements Q ₁ , Q
₂ are connected, and the switching elements Q ₁ and Q ₂
Are alternately turned on and off by the drive circuit 5 to supply high frequency power to the induction coil 2 via the matching circuit 4. Note that a series circuit of capacitors C ₄ and C ₅ is connected in parallel between the drain and source of the switching element Q ₂ , and a series connection of the inductor L ₁ and the capacitor C ₁ is provided at the connection point between the two switching elements Q ₁ and Q _2. One end of the circuit is connected.

The matching circuit 4 includes a capacitor C₁And invitation
Resonant capacitor connected in series with conductive coil 2
C_TwoAnd a capacitor C connected in parallel to the induction coil 2._Three
And each capacitor C_Two, C_ThreeQ is high
It is set to become. The drive circuit 5 oscillates
With a crystal oscillator whose frequency is set to 13.56 MHz
Oscillator OSC₁The oscillation frequency is variable and the control described later
Oscillation frequency from several MHz to several hundred M depending on the output of the circuit 8
Oscillator OSC controlled in the range of Hz_TwoWith
OSC₁And oscillator OSC_TwoOutput switch
SW₁Selects one of them. That is, drive times
Path 5 is the oscillator OSC₁And oscillator OSC _TwoAnd either
High-frequency power supply circuit 3 using one oscillation frequency as an operating frequency
Switching element Q₁, Q_TwoOn and off alternately
You.

The high-frequency power supply circuit 3 has a current transformer CT for detecting the output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 between the connection point of the two switching elements Q ₁ and Q ₂ and one end of the capacitor C _1. And a capacitor C ₄ , between the drain and source of the switching element Q ₂ .
A series circuit of C ₅ are connected in parallel. The control circuit 8 calculates the phase difference between the output voltage and the output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 based on the voltage at the connection point between the capacitors C ₄ and C ₅ and the current detected by the current transformer CT. phase difference can change the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 to control the oscillation frequency of the oscillator OSC ₂ so as to be approximately constant or substantially zero in response to the phase difference.

Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 2A shows the starting circuit 6.
(B) shows the change in the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5, FIG. (C) shows the phase difference between the output voltage and the output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3, and FIG. The voltage between both ends of the coil 2 is shown. In this embodiment, when the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is started, the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 is set such that the voltage across the induction coil 2 shown in FIG. 2D becomes higher than the startable voltage _VL of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1. The operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 is changed as shown in FIG.
reference). Here, the starting circuit 6, the time t ₁ starting switch SW ₂ is turned on is sinusoidal high voltage via the starting electrode 7 an electrodeless discharge lamp as shown in FIG. 2 (a) by at 1 Is applied. Then, the voltage between both ends of the induction coil 2 becomes higher than the startable voltage _VL and the time t ₂
When the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is turned on, the drive circuit 5
Switch SW ₁ of the oscillator OSC ₂ to the oscillator O
It switched to the SC ₁ side. That is, after the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is turned on, the drive circuit 5 drives and controls each of the switching elements Q ₁ and Q ₂ of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 using the oscillation frequency (13.56 MHz) of the oscillator OSC ₁ as the operating frequency. Thus, the light output of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is made substantially constant. Furthermore, when detecting the lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp lamp 1 by detecting means (not shown), a starting circuit 6 is stopped by turning off the starting switch SW ₂ at time t _3.

In this embodiment, the high frequency power applied to the induction coil 2 from the high frequency power supply circuit 3 by changing the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 from the start of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 to the time of stable lighting. Since the frequency of the voltage is increased to a value at which the voltage applied to the induction coil 2 is higher than the startable voltage _{VL of the} electrodeless discharge lamp 1, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 can be reliably turned on.

In the present embodiment, the frequency range in which the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 changes is set so as to be always higher than the frequency of the voltage output from the starting circuit 6. Since the high voltage is always applied to the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 by the output from the starting circuit 6 while the high-frequency voltage is being applied, the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 can be reliably started.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of this embodiment. Since the basic circuit configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, only the features will be described with reference to FIG. 4A shows the output voltage of the starting circuit 6, FIG. 4B shows the change in the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5, and FIG. 4C shows the output voltage and output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3. FIG. 3D shows the voltage across the induction coil 2.

The present embodiment differs from the control circuit 8 in that a pulse-like voltage (see FIG. 4A) is output from the starting circuit 6.
Changes the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 by controlling the oscillation frequency of the oscillator OSC ₂ of the drive circuit 5 (see FIG. 4B), and controls the start-up switch SW ₂ to turn on and off the induction coil 2. Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that the output voltage of the starting circuit 6 is applied to the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 before the high frequency voltage is applied. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
_{In 1} , the starting switch SW ₂ is turned on to apply a high voltage to the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 from the starting circuit 6, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, control of the oscillation frequency of the oscillator OSC ₂ of the drive circuit 5 is started. Thereafter, the control circuit 8 changes the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5 so that the voltage between both ends of the induction coil 2 becomes higher than the startable voltage _VL as shown in FIG. 4D (see FIG. 4B). ). Note that time t
When the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 in ₂ is turned, the control circuit 8, to vary the oscillation frequency of the oscillator OSC ₂ so that the reflected power is the light output of substantially zero next electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is substantially constant, the time t ₃ and it stops the starting circuit 6 turns off the starting switch SW ₂ (refer to Figure 4 (a)).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a high-frequency voltage from the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 is applied to the induction coil 2, the high voltage output from the starting circuit 6 is always applied. Startability is further improved. (Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of this embodiment. Since the basic circuit configuration and the basic operation of this embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first and second embodiments, only the characteristic points will be described with reference to FIG. 6A shows the output voltage of the starting circuit 6, FIG. 6B shows the change in the operating frequency of the drive circuit 5, and FIG. 6C shows the output voltage and output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3. FIG. 3D shows the voltage across the induction coil 2.

In the present embodiment, the output voltage and the output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 are determined based on the voltage at the connection point between the capacitors C ₄ and C ₅ of the high-frequency power supply circuit 3 and the current detected by the current transformer CT. The first embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is detected based on the phase difference, and the starting circuit 6 is stopped as soon as the lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 is detected. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the generation time of the high voltage generated from the starting circuit 6 is shortened,
Useless loss can be reduced.

The lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp 1 may be detected based on reflected power instead of the phase difference.

[0031]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrodeless discharge lamp, an induction coil disposed in close proximity to the electrodeless discharge lamp, and a switching element connected to a DC power supply, wherein the switching element is driven. A high-frequency power supply circuit that supplies high-frequency power to the induction coil by being controlled at an operating frequency of the circuit; a drive circuit that drives and controls the high-frequency power supply circuit at the operating frequency; A starting circuit for applying a high voltage; andcontrol means for changing an operating frequency of the drive circuit when starting the electrodeless discharge lamp, wherein the control means sets a frequency range in which an operating frequency of the drive circuit changes. Since the output frequency of the starting circuit is higher than that of the starting circuit, the high voltage from the starting circuit is applied while the high-frequency voltage is applied to the induction coil. Since the electrodeless discharge lamp is applied to the electrodeless discharge lamp, the electrodeless discharge lamp does not light up or an excessive current flows in the high-frequency power supply circuit, and the components of the high-frequency power supply circuit are not destroyed. Since the electrodeless discharge lamp can be reliably started, and there is no need to synchronize the drive circuit and the start circuit, there is an effect that control is simple and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a matching circuit for matching the impedance between the induction coil and the high-frequency power supply circuit is provided, so that the high-frequency power from the high-frequency power supply circuit can be efficiently used. There is an effect that it can be transmitted to the induction coil. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the control means controls the drive circuit so that the light output of the electrodeless discharge lamp becomes substantially constant after the electrodeless discharge lamp is turned on. Since the operating frequency of the electrodeless discharge lamp is varied, there is an effect that a stable lighting state of the electrodeless discharge lamp can be maintained.

[0033] The invention of claim 7 is the first to sixth aspects of the present invention.
In the invention of the present invention, since there is a stop means for stopping the operation of the starting circuit after lighting the electrodeless discharge lamp, since the starting circuit is stopped after lighting the electrodeless discharge lamp,
There is an effect that the time for generating the high voltage generated from the starting circuit is shortened, and unnecessary loss can be reduced.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to ninth aspects, since the starting circuit operates before the high-frequency power supply circuit operates, a high-frequency voltage is applied to the induction coil from the high-frequency power supply circuit. In this case, the high voltage output from the starting circuit is always applied to the electrodeless discharge lamp, so that the starting performance is further improved.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to tenth aspects, the control means adjusts an operating frequency of the drive circuit based on a phase difference between an output voltage and an output current of the high frequency power supply circuit. Since the change is made, matching between the high-frequency power supply circuit and the induction coil can be achieved, and there is an effect that the components of the high-frequency power supply circuit can be prevented from being destroyed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first to tenth aspects, the control means controls the drive circuit so that a phase difference between an output voltage and an output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit becomes substantially zero. Since the operating frequency of the high-frequency power supply circuit is changed, it is possible to prevent the components of the high-frequency power supply circuit from being destroyed. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second to tenth aspects of the present invention, the control means changes an operating frequency of the drive circuit so that the matching circuit is matched. There is an effect that destruction can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the above.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of the above.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the above.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 electrodeless discharge lamp 2 induction coil 3 high-frequency power supply circuit 4 matching circuit 5 drive circuit 6 starting circuit 7 starting electrode 8 control circuit E DC power supply Q ₁ , Q ₂ switching element SW ₁ changeover switch SW ₂ start switch

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An electrodeless discharge lamp, an induction coil disposed close to the electrodeless discharge lamp, and a switching element connected to a DC power supply, wherein the switching element is controlled by an operating frequency of a drive circuit. A high-frequency power supply circuit for supplying high-frequency power to the induction coil, a drive circuit for driving and controlling the high-frequency power supply circuit at the operating frequency, and a starting circuit for applying a high voltage for starting to the electrodeless discharge lamp. And control means for changing the operating frequency of the drive circuit at the time of starting the electrodeless discharge lamp, wherein the control means sets the frequency range in which the operating frequency of the drive circuit changes to be higher than the output frequency of the starting circuit. An electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device characterized by increasing the height. 2. The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a matching circuit for matching impedance between said induction coil and said high frequency power supply circuit. 3. The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a frequency range in which the operating frequency of the drive circuit changes is several MHz to several hundred MHz. 4. The control means sets the operating frequency of the drive circuit to approximately 13.5 after the electrodeless discharge lamp is turned on.
The frequency is set to 6 MHz.
The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device as described in the above. 5. The drive circuit according to claim 1, wherein the drive circuit includes a crystal oscillator that oscillates at a constant frequency.
The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 4. 6. The operating frequency of the drive circuit so that the light output of the electrodeless discharge lamp becomes substantially constant after the electrodeless discharge lamp is turned on. The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 7. An electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a stop means for stopping the operation of said starting circuit after lighting of said electrodeless discharge lamp. 8. The apparatus for lighting an electrodeless discharge lamp according to claim 7, wherein said stopping means detects lighting of said electrodeless discharge lamp based on a light output of said electrodeless discharge lamp. 9. The electrodeless lamp lighting device according to claim 7, wherein said stopping means detects the lighting of said electrodeless discharge lamp based on the reflected power of said matching circuit. 10. The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the starting circuit operates before the operation of the high-frequency power supply circuit. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes an operating frequency of the drive circuit based on a phase difference between an output voltage and an output current of the high-frequency power supply circuit. Electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device. 12. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said control means changes an operating frequency of said drive circuit such that a phase difference between an output voltage and an output current of said high frequency power supply circuit becomes substantially zero. Item 10. An electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to item 10. 13. The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 2, wherein said control means changes an operating frequency of said drive circuit so that said matching circuit matches. 14. An electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein an output voltage of said starting circuit is a substantially sinusoidal voltage. 15. The electrodeless discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein an output voltage of the starting circuit is a pulse voltage.