WO1990012479A1 - A method in the operation of a drive device for electric discharge lamps and a drive device - Google Patents

A method in the operation of a drive device for electric discharge lamps and a drive device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990012479A1
WO1990012479A1 PCT/SE1990/000242 SE9000242W WO9012479A1 WO 1990012479 A1 WO1990012479 A1 WO 1990012479A1 SE 9000242 W SE9000242 W SE 9000242W WO 9012479 A1 WO9012479 A1 WO 9012479A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
drive device
signal
lamp
supply voltage
voltage
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1990/000242
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lars A. Bergkvist
Original Assignee
Labino Patent Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Labino Patent Ab filed Critical Labino Patent Ab
Publication of WO1990012479A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990012479A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/24—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by high frequency ac, or with separate oscillator frequency

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method in the operation of a drive device for an electric discharge lamp, comprising applying a supply voltage to the drive device, wherewith a supply voltage for the discharge lamp is obtained.
  • the present invention also relates to a drive device with which the method is carried out.
  • Drive devices intended for this purpose include, in appropriate cases, a conversion unit which is operative to convert D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage, e.g. of sinusoidal form, and a transformer means which is operative to transform to voltages of 12V or 24V, for example.
  • a characteristic feature of a combination of an electric discharge lamp and a drive device of this kind is that the lamp is ignited and extinguished in operation and the present invention pertains to a drive device for electric discharge lamps in which the fact that the ignition/extinguishing of a lamp takes place at a very high frequency is utilized.
  • the invention relates to a method in the operation of the drive device of an electric discharge lamp, which comprises the steps of applying a supply voltage to the drive device, and, in appropriate cases, converting D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage and transforming the supply voltage of the drive device, such as to obtain a discharge-lamp supply voltage.
  • the method is particularly characterized by modulating the lamp supply voltage with the aid of the drive device, so that the Lamp will produce a signal corresponding to said modulation.
  • the present invention also relates to a drive device for electric discharge lamps intended to be supplied with a supply voltage and, in appropriate cases, said device including a conversion unit for converting D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage and a transformer means for transforming the drive-device supply voltage, said drive device being operative to provide a lamp supply voltage.
  • the drive device is mainly characterized in that it is constructed to modulate the lamp supply voltage, and in that the lamp is intended to produce a signal corresponding to said modulation.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of an arrangement provided with an inventive drive device.
  • the reference 1 in Figure 1 identifies generally an inventive drive device, which constitutes the broken line frame and which is intended to drive with the aid of an A.C. voltage an electric discharge lamp 2, such as a lamp for emitting light primarily within the ultraviolet wavelength range, UV-light.
  • the drive device 1 includes a conversion unit 3 for converting D.C. voltage, the drive- device supply voltage Ui, to A.C. voltage, and also comprises transformer means 4 operative to transform the drive-device supply voltage U 1 to a typical, lower voltage U' 1 , such as to 12 volts or 24 volts.
  • the drive device 1 is also intended to modulate the supply voltage U 2 , in appropriate cases the transformed voltage U' 1 for the discharge lamp 2 with the aid, for instance, of a separate modulating unit 5, such that a signal S corresponding to said modulation can be produced by means of the lamp.
  • This modulated supply voltage is referenced U 3 in the drawing.
  • the drive device is preferably constructed so that the lamp 2 is able to produce a digital signal S in the form of periods.
  • the drawing illustrates schematically an embodiment in which said modulation concerns the frequency of the voltage. It is conceivable, however, for modulation to concern solely the amplitude of the voltage, or a combination of amplitude and frequency.
  • modulation is effected with the aid of a separate modulating unit 5 which forms a supplement to the drive device, such as an additional auxiliary for a standard-type drive device.
  • One application of the drive device and the lamp is found in automotive vehicles, such as cars.
  • the drive device is intended to produce a coded signal S.
  • said signal S includes information concerning the registration number of the vehicle in question.
  • the signal S is intended to be received by other vehicles, with the aid of appropriate receiver devices, such as to establish communication between said vehicles.
  • Said signal can also be used to activate one or more so-called transponders for the purpose of switching said transponders in a desired manner, for signal receipting, registration or the like.
  • Modulation of the discharge-lamp supply voltage causes the lamps to produce a signal corresponding to said modulation.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

A method in the operation of a drive device for an electric discharge lamp (2) comprises the steps of supplying the drive device with a device-supply voltage (U1) and, in appropriate cases, converting D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage and transforming the drive-device supply voltage, therewith to provide a lamp-supply voltage (U2). The method is characterized mainly by modulating the lamp supply voltage (U2) with the aid of the drive device (1), so that the lamp will produce a signal corresponding to this modulation.

Description

A Method in the Operation of a Drive Device for Electric Discharge Lamps and a Drive Device. The present invention relates to a method in the operation of a drive device for an electric discharge lamp, comprising applying a supply voltage to the drive device, wherewith a supply voltage for the discharge lamp is obtained. The present invention also relates to a drive device with which the method is carried out.
Drive devices intended for this purpose are previously known and include, in appropriate cases, a conversion unit which is operative to convert D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage, e.g. of sinusoidal form, and a transformer means which is operative to transform to voltages of 12V or 24V, for example.
A characteristic feature of a combination of an electric discharge lamp and a drive device of this kind is that the lamp is ignited and extinguished in operation and the present invention pertains to a drive device for electric discharge lamps in which the fact that the ignition/extinguishing of a lamp takes place at a very high frequency is utilized.
Accordingly, the invention relates to a method in the operation of the drive device of an electric discharge lamp, which comprises the steps of applying a supply voltage to the drive device, and, in appropriate cases, converting D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage and transforming the supply voltage of the drive device, such as to obtain a discharge-lamp supply voltage.
The method is particularly characterized by modulating the lamp supply voltage with the aid of the drive device, so that the Lamp will produce a signal corresponding to said modulation.
The present invention also relates to a drive device for electric discharge lamps intended to be supplied with a supply voltage and, in appropriate cases, said device including a conversion unit for converting D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage and a transformer means for transforming the drive-device supply voltage, said drive device being operative to provide a lamp supply voltage.
The drive device is mainly characterized in that it is constructed to modulate the lamp supply voltage, and in that the lamp is intended to produce a signal corresponding to said modulation. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an exemplifying embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which
- Figure 1 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of an arrangement provided with an inventive drive device.
The reference 1 in Figure 1 identifies generally an inventive drive device, which constitutes the broken line frame and which is intended to drive with the aid of an A.C. voltage an electric discharge lamp 2, such as a lamp for emitting light primarily within the ultraviolet wavelength range, UV-light. In appropriate cases, the drive device 1 includes a conversion unit 3 for converting D.C. voltage, the drive- device supply voltage Ui, to A.C. voltage, and also comprises transformer means 4 operative to transform the drive-device supply voltage U1 to a typical, lower voltage U'1, such as to 12 volts or 24 volts.
The drive device 1 is also intended to modulate the supply voltage U2, in appropriate cases the transformed voltage U'1 for the discharge lamp 2 with the aid, for instance, of a separate modulating unit 5, such that a signal S corresponding to said modulation can be produced by means of the lamp. This modulated supply voltage is referenced U3 in the drawing. The drive device is preferably constructed so that the lamp 2 is able to produce a digital signal S in the form of periods. The drawing illustrates schematically an embodiment in which said modulation concerns the frequency of the voltage. It is conceivable, however, for modulation to concern solely the amplitude of the voltage, or a combination of amplitude and frequency. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment, preferred in some circumstances, modulation is effected with the aid of a separate modulating unit 5 which forms a supplement to the drive device, such as an additional auxiliary for a standard-type drive device.
One application of the drive device and the lamp is found in automotive vehicles, such as cars.
In this application, and also in other applications, the drive device, according to one embodiment, is intended to produce a coded signal S.
A development in the application of the invention with automotive vehicles is found in which said signal S includes information concerning the registration number of the vehicle in question. Embodiments are also conceivable in which the signal S is intended to be received by other vehicles, with the aid of appropriate receiver devices, such as to establish communication between said vehicles. Said signal can also be used to activate one or more so-called transponders for the purpose of switching said transponders in a desired manner, for signal receipting, registration or the like.
The method and the operating function of the inventive device will be understood essentially from the aforegoing. Modulation of the discharge-lamp supply voltage causes the lamps to produce a signal corresponding to said modulation.
As will also be understood from the aforegoing, the inventive method and arrangement afford important technical advantages and also provide many new possibilities of communcation, etc.
Although the invention has been described in the aforegoing with reference to an exemplifying embodiment, it will be understood that other embodiments are conceivable and that minor modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept.
Consequently, the invention is only restricted by the scope of the following Claims.

Claims

Claims
1. A method in the operation of a drive device for electric discharge lamps, comprising supplying the drive device with a supply voltage and, in appropriate cases, converting D.C. voltage to A.C. voltage and transforming the drive-device supply voltage, wherein a dischargelamp supply voltage is obtained, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by modulating the lamp supply voltage (U2) with the aid of the drive device (1), such that the lamp is able to produce a signal (S) corresponding to said modulation.
2. A method according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by modulating the supply voltage (U2) with respect to frequency.
3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a ct e r i z e d by transmitting a digital signal (S) in the form of periods with the aid of the lamp (2).
4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by effecting said modulation with the aid of a separate unit
(5) of the drive device (1), said separate unit forming a complementary part of the drive device.
5. A method according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by causing an electric discharge lamp (2) of an automotive vehicle, such as a car, to produce a signal as a result of said modulation.
6. A method according to Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by producing a coded signal with the aid of the lamp (2).
7. A method according to Claim 5 or 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by causing said signal to contain information relating to the registration number of the vehicle.
8. A method according to Claim 5, 6 or 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by causing said signal to be received by other vehicles as a form of communication.
9. A method according to Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8,
c h a r a c t e r i z e d by causing said signal to activate at least one so-called transponder for the purpose of switching said transponder, signal receipting, registration or some like purpose.
10. A drive device for an electric discharge lamp intended to be supplied with a supply voltage, said device, in appropriate cases, including a conversion unit for converting D.C. voltage to A.C.
voltage and a transformer means for transforming the drive-device supply voltage, wherein the lamp supply voltage is obtained with the aid of the drive device, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the drive device (1) is operative to modulate the lamp supply voltage (U2), and in that the lamp (2) is operative to produce a signal (S) corresponding to said modulation.
11. A drive device according Claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the supply voltage (U2) is modulated with respect to frequency.
12. A drive device according to Claim 10 or 11 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the drive device (1) is so constructed that the lamp produces a digital signal (S) in the form of periods.
13. A drive device according to Claim 10, 11 or 12 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a separate unit (5) operative to achieve said modulation, said unit (5) being intended to form a complementary part of the drive device (1).
14. A drive device according to Claim 10, 11, 12 or 13,
c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the drive device (1) and the lamp (2) are intended for an automotive vehicle, such as a car.
15. A drive device according to Claim 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14,
c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the drive device (1) is constructed for producing a coded signal.
16. A drive device according to Claim 14 or 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said signal includes information concerning the vehicle registration number.
17. A drive device according to Claim 14, 15 or 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the signal is intended to be received by other vehicles as a form of communication.
18. A drive device according to Claim 10, 12, 13. 14, 15, 16 or 17, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the signal is operative to activate at least one so-called transponder for switching said transponder, signal receipting, registering or like purpose.
PCT/SE1990/000242 1989-04-06 1990-04-06 A method in the operation of a drive device for electric discharge lamps and a drive device WO1990012479A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8901228-0 1989-04-06
SE8901228A SE8901228L (en) 1989-04-06 1989-04-06 DRIVDON DRIVING PROCEDURES FOR URL WASHING LAMP AND DRIVDON

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990012479A1 true WO1990012479A1 (en) 1990-10-18

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1990/000242 WO1990012479A1 (en) 1989-04-06 1990-04-06 A method in the operation of a drive device for electric discharge lamps and a drive device

Country Status (2)

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SE (1) SE8901228L (en)
WO (1) WO1990012479A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0779769A1 (en) * 1995-12-12 1997-06-18 Osram Sylvania Inc. Neon gas discharge lamp and method of pulsed operation
DE102006037042A1 (en) * 2006-08-08 2008-02-21 Siemens Ag Data transmission arrangement has electronic ballast formed in such manner that data is imposed to light, produced by fluorescent lamp, and is transmitted by phase modulation or frequency modulation of alternating voltage

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1071292A (en) * 1977-04-27 1980-02-05 Robert Bachelor Signalling device

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1071292A (en) * 1977-04-27 1980-02-05 Robert Bachelor Signalling device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, Vol. 237, February 1977, W.S. BOYLE: "Light-Wave Communications", see page 40, column 1- page 48. *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0779769A1 (en) * 1995-12-12 1997-06-18 Osram Sylvania Inc. Neon gas discharge lamp and method of pulsed operation
DE102006037042A1 (en) * 2006-08-08 2008-02-21 Siemens Ag Data transmission arrangement has electronic ballast formed in such manner that data is imposed to light, produced by fluorescent lamp, and is transmitted by phase modulation or frequency modulation of alternating voltage

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE8901228L (en) 1990-10-07
SE8901228D0 (en) 1989-04-06

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