JP2008243469A - Discharge lamp lighting device, lighting fixture, and illumination system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discharge lamp lighting device capable of more surely distinguishing lamp rated powers by alleviating fluctuation factors due to difference of initial start and restart and controlling so that rising characteristics of lamp voltages during a lamp distinction period do not greatly change. <P>SOLUTION: The discharge lamp lighting device is provided with a power conversion circuit converting power from a direct-current power source and supplying it to a discharge lamp, a lighting control circuit controlling supply power of the power conversion circuit, and a means of detecting a lighting-off time from lighting-off till re-lighting of the discharge lamp, and connects and lights one of a plurality of kinds of discharge lamps as loading objects. The kind of the discharge lamp connected is distinguished by supplying the discharge lamp with a specific power for specific period of time and detecting a rate of change of its electric characteristics. In the discharge lamp lighting device lighting a discharge lamp connected on desired electric characteristics selected based on the distinction result, a specific power at the distinction time is to be variable in accordance with the lighting-off time from the lighting-off till the re-lighting of the discharge lamp. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a discharge lamp lighting device, a lighting fixture using the same, and a lighting system, and in particular, a discharge lamp lighting device for lighting a plurality of types of discharge lamps by connecting any one of them as a load target. The type of the connected discharge lamp is determined by looking at the rate of change of the electrical characteristics of the discharge lamp over a specific period, and relates to a technique for lighting the connected discharge lamp with the desired electrical characteristics selected based on the determination result Is.

  Conventionally, a copper-iron type ballast has been the mainstream as a high pressure discharge lamp lighting device for lighting a high pressure discharge lamp (HID lamp). However, in recent years, electronic ballasts using many electronic components are becoming mainstream in order to meet demands for ballasts that are lighter, smaller, and more functional. Conventionally, when HID lamps having different rated powers are lit, it is necessary to use a lighting device having ballast characteristics suitable for the lamp to be lit. For this reason, when it is desired to change the light output in accordance with the application, it is necessary to replace the discharge lamp lighting device in addition to the lamp. For these reasons, the high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device has been desired to have a performance capable of lighting a plurality of HID lamps with rated power.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-310678) proposes a high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device for loading a plurality of types of HID lamps, and as disclosed in the same document, immediately after starting the lamp. When a certain current value is input to the lamp, multiple lamps with different rated power are distinguished without deteriorating the startability and lamp life of the lamp, and each discharge lamp is lit at the rated power according to the discrimination result. Can be made.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-310678

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, if the lamp is turned off and turned on again before the lamp temperature falls, it may be difficult to reliably determine the lamp rated power. In the first start, the lamp temperature is the same as the ambient temperature, and the lamp voltage rising characteristics are different, so that the lamp rated power can be determined. For example, the rising characteristics of the lamp voltage at the initial start of the Philips CDM35 (rated power of 35 W) and CDM70 (rated power of 70 W) are as shown in FIG. However, when the lamp is started again several minutes after the lamp is extinguished, the ramp voltage rise characteristic becomes as shown in FIG. 34, and the difference between the ramp voltage rise characteristics of CDM 35 and CDM 70 becomes small. This is considered to be because when the lamp is restarted at a relatively high temperature, the rise of the lamp voltage is accelerated, and the influence of the difference in lamp shape and the difference in rated power is reduced. For this reason, it may be difficult to reliably determine the rated lamp power only by the technique of Patent Document 1.

  Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to more reliably discriminate the rated lamp power by reducing the variation factor due to the difference between the initial start and the restart, and by controlling so that the rise characteristic of the lamp voltage at the time of lamp discrimination does not change greatly. It is an object to provide a discharge lamp lighting device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a discharge lamp lighting device according to the present invention converts a power from a DC power source to supply power to a discharge lamp, and a lighting control for controlling power supplied to the power conversion circuit Discharge lamp lighting comprising a circuit and a means for detecting a turn-off time from when the discharge lamp is turned off to when it is turned on again, with a plurality of types of discharge lamps as load targets and connecting any one of them The type of connected discharge lamp is determined by supplying a specific power during a specific period of the discharge lamp, detecting a change rate of its electrical characteristics, and selecting a desired one based on the determination result. In a discharge lamp lighting device for lighting a discharge lamp connected with electrical characteristics, the specific power at the time of the determination is variable depending on a turn-off time from when the discharge lamp is turned off to when it is turned on again It is.

  According to the present invention, even when the discharge lamp is restarted, the power supplied to the discharge lamp at the time of determination of the discharge lamp can be changed depending on the turn-off time from when the discharge lamp is turned off until it is turned on again. It is possible to reduce the variation factors of start and restart, and more reliably determine the type of discharge lamp.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of the discharge lamp lighting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This circuit includes a discharge lamp discriminating circuit 6 including a microcomputer IC1 that detects the lamp voltage of the discharge lamp DL as a divided voltage of the resistors R4 and R5. When the power is turned on, the extinction detected by the extinction time detection circuit 7 By supplying specific power according to time to the discharge lamp DL, and measuring the time until the lamp voltage changes from the first voltage (30V) to the second voltage (40V), the type of the discharge lamp DL Is determined. When restarting in a state where the turn-off time is short, the difference in electrical characteristics of different types of lamps can be increased by reducing the specific power at the time of lamp discrimination. Therefore, the accuracy of lamp discrimination can be increased.

  The circuit configuration of FIG. 1 will be described. For example, a DC voltage obtained by rectifying and smoothing a commercial AC power supply by a boost chopper circuit is applied to the electrolytic capacitor C0 as a DC power supply. In this circuit, this DC voltage is kept constant at, for example, about 300 V, and this is the lamp end-to-end voltage (no-load secondary voltage) required for starting the HID lamp. Yes.

  The control power supply circuit 1 is composed of voltage dividing resistors r1 and r2 and a Zener diode ZD1, and generates a voltage Vcc to be supplied to the control circuit.

  The step-down chopper circuit 2 includes a switching element Q1, a regenerative diode D2, an inductor L1, and a capacitor C2. When the switching element Q1 switches at a high frequency, the DC voltage stored in the electrolytic capacitor C0 is necessary for the lamp DL. Convert to electricity.

  The polarity inversion circuit 3 is composed of a full bridge circuit of switching elements Q2, Q3, Q4, and Q5. Under the control of the full bridge control circuit, the DC voltage of the capacitor C2 of the step-down chopper circuit 2 is several tens Hz to several hundreds Hz. Convert to low frequency rectangular wave.

  The igniter circuit 4 includes a pulse transformer and a pulse generation circuit, and generates a high-pressure pulse (about 3 to 5 kV) necessary for starting the lamp.

  The discharge lamp discriminating circuit 6 detects the lamp voltage of the discharge lamp DL and discriminates a plurality of types of discharge lamps. For example, it is composed of a general-purpose microcomputer IC1 such as a PIC12F675 (8-bit microcomputer with A / D conversion function / flash memory) manufactured by Microchip Corporation. By monitoring the voltage at the voltage dividing points of the resistors R4 and R5, the lamp The voltage is detected, and the rated power of the lamp as a load is determined according to the detected value. For this purpose, the 7th pin is set as an A / D conversion input, and the lamp voltage value obtained from the voltage across the capacitor C2 is read. The second and third pins are set to binary output and connected to the control circuit 5. The 4th and 5th pins are connected to the extinction time detection circuit 7, one being set as an output terminal and the other being set as an input terminal. Pin 1 is a power supply terminal, and pin 8 is a ground terminal.

  The control circuit 5 supplies the desired power to the lamp DL by controlling the switching element Q1 of the step-down chopper circuit 2. As described above, when the voltage of the electrolytic capacitor C0 is constant (about 300 V), the power supplied to the lamp as the load can be determined by adjusting the current value supplied from the power source. For example, when 70 W of electric power is supplied to the lamp, if 70 W / 300 V≈0.23 A is supplied from the capacitor C0 as the DC power source, the load consumes approximately 70 W. Based on this principle, the current value supplied from the DC power source is detected by the current detection resistor R3, and the current value is adjusted by the error amplifier OP1.

  Specifically, the on / off operation of the switching element Q1 of the step-down chopper circuit 2 is adjusted by comparing the output voltage of the error amplifier OP1 with the triangular wave signal at the minus terminal of the comparator OP2, and the supplied power is adjusted. . FIG. 2 shows an operation of generating a drive signal for the switching element Q1 by the comparator OP2.

  2A shows the H / L output state of the 2nd pin of the microcomputer IC1, and FIG. 2B shows the voltage of the capacitor C4 applied to the negative terminal of the comparator OP2, FIG. 2C. The solid line indicates the reference voltage applied to the plus terminal of the comparator OP2, the broken line indicates the voltage of the capacitor C4, and the figure (d) indicates the output of the comparator OP2. The comparator OP2 and the error amplifier OP1 can be constructed at low cost with an IC or the like in which two operational amplifiers are incorporated in one package, and the control power is supplied from the voltage Vcc.

  When the second pin of the microcomputer IC1 is at the H level, the switching element Q8 is turned on, whereby the capacitor C4 is short-circuited and the accumulated charge is discharged. When the second pin of the microcomputer IC1 becomes L level, the switching element Q8 is turned off, so that the capacitor C4 is charged through the resistor R14 and the voltage rises. The voltage of the capacitor C4 is applied to the negative terminal of the comparator OP2. The output voltage of the error amplifier OP1 is applied as a reference voltage to the plus terminal of the comparator OP2. During the period when the voltage of the capacitor C4 is lower than the reference voltage, the output of the comparator OP2 becomes H level. Accordingly, the switching element Q1 is driven on and off at the frequency output from the second pin of the microcomputer IC1, and the pulse width thereof increases as the output voltage of the error amplifier OP1 increases. Therefore, by changing the reference voltage of the plus terminal of the error amplifier OP1, it is possible to adjust the current value (and hence the supplied power) supplied from the DC power supply.

  In order to simplify the circuit configuration in this circuit, a control signal for turning on / off the switching element Q8 is supplied from the second pin of the microcomputer IC1, but a high frequency oscillation circuit is provided separately from the microcomputer IC1. The switching element Q8 may be on / off controlled by the oscillation output.

  The chopper current flowing through the current detection resistor R3 is averaged by the resistor R6 and the capacitor C3, converted into a DC voltage, and applied to the inverting input terminal of the error amplifier OP1 via the input resistor R10. A feedback resistor R11 is connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the error amplifier OP1, and the amplification factor is determined by the ratio of the input resistor R10 and the feedback resistor R11. The voltage of the capacitor C5 is applied to the non-inverting input terminal of the error amplifier OP1.

  A PWM signal is output as a lamp power command value from the third pin of the microcomputer IC1. This PWM signal is a rectangular wave voltage whose pulse width changes according to the command value of lamp power. When the PWM signal becomes H level, the capacitor C5 is charged via the resistor R12, and when it becomes L level, the capacitor C5 passes through the resistor R12. C5 is discharged, and as a result, a DC voltage corresponding to the pulse width of the PWM signal is charged to the capacitor C5 as a target value for feedback control. As a result, the power supplied to the discharge lamp DL can be arbitrarily adjusted under the control of the microcomputer IC1, and an arbitrary lamp can be selected according to the detected value of the lamp voltage Vla (by referring to the memory table in the microcomputer IC1). Since power can be supplied, an arbitrary ballast characteristic can be realized.

  FIG. 3 shows the ballast characteristics used for discriminating the lamp type in the present embodiment. The solid line shows the case where the lamp temperature is substantially the same as the ambient temperature (referred to as the initial start), and the dotted line shows the lamp temperature at the initial start. This is a case where it is higher than that at the time (referred to as restart). The lamp is started (initial start or restarted) with ballast characteristics as shown in FIG. 3, and after the lamp is started, the lamp power type is determined by measuring the time for the lamp voltage to change from 30V to 40V.

  The time when the lamp voltage is changed from 30 V to 40 V can be detected by, for example, counting the number of A / D conversions (lamp voltage detection) of the microcomputer IC1. It can also be measured by using a built-in timer of the microcomputer IC1.

  This discharge lamp lighting device has a mode as shown in FIG. In the current value selection mode for discriminating the lamp rated power in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 5, the current value Ila ′ for discriminating the lamp rated power is controlled to increase as the lamp extinguishing time T becomes longer. . However, the maximum current value Ila ′ [MAX] and the minimum current value Ila ′ [MIN] are provided. The maximum current value is the maximum current value defined in the lamp specifications of the smallest rated power of a plurality of types of high-pressure discharge lamps. Further, the minimum current value is a current value that reaches the rated power in the lamp rated voltage range described in the lamp specifications of the smallest rated power of the plurality of types of high-pressure discharge lamps. It is assumed that the current value Ila ′ for determining the lamp rated power is varied within the range.

  In the current value selection mode for determining the rated power of the lamp, the microcomputer IC 1 detects the lamp turn-off time by the turn-off time detection circuit 7 to detect the lamp state (temperature, etc.), and the lamp rated power in that lamp state. This is a mode for selecting the optimum current value Ila ′ for discriminating.

  First, before starting the lamp, the turn-off time detection circuit 7 in FIG. 1 detects the elapsed time since the last power-off as the turn-off time. The lamp rated power discriminating current value Ila 'is selected based on the turn-off time. When the turn-off time is short, the lamp rated power discrimination current value is reduced as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3, and when the turn-off time is long, the lamp rated power discrimination current value is increased as shown by the solid line in FIG. The following describes the CDM35 (rated power 39W) and CDM70 (rated power 70W) manufactured by Philips.

  FIG. 6 shows changes in the lamp voltage Vla and the lamp current Ila of the lamps CDM35 and CDM70 at the initial start. The solid line is the characteristic of CDM35, and the alternate long and short dash line is the characteristic of CDM70. In the lamp rated power discrimination mode, the lamp is started with a predetermined current Ila1, and the rated power of the lamp is discriminated from the difference in lamp voltage Vla. In the rated power transition mode, the operation is shifted to the operation of lighting the lamp with the determined rated power, and then the lamp is stably lit. As described above, since there is a clear difference in the voltage rise characteristics of the CDM 35 and the CDM 70 at the initial start, the lamp rated power can be determined by detecting the lamp voltage.

  However, when the lamp is restarted, if the same current Ila1 as in the initial start (FIG. 6) is applied as shown in FIG. 7, the difference in the rising characteristics of the lamp voltage Vla between the CDM 35 and the CDM 70 becomes small, and the lamp rated power discrimination mode. It may be difficult to determine the rated power of the lamp. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the current used for the lamp rated power discrimination is made small to make the difference in lamp voltage rise remarkable, and the lamp rated power discrimination in the lamp rated power discrimination mode can be performed reliably. Ila1 in FIG. 6 and Ila2 in FIG. 8 have a relationship of Ila1> Ila2.

  From the above, it is necessary to control the current Ila 'for determining the turn-off time T and the rated power of the lamp as shown in FIG.

Next, the circuit operation of the turn-off time detection circuit 7 in FIG. 1 will be described. The turn-off time detection circuit 7 is a circuit that detects the time from when the power is turned off until the power is turned on again. FIG. 10 shows a specific circuit example of the turn-off time detection circuit 7 of FIG. In this circuit, the resistor R1 is connected to the output terminal of the microcomputer IC1, and the resistor R2, the thermistor Rt, and the input terminal of the microcomputer IC1 are connected to the other end of the resistor R1. The other ends of the resistor R2 and the thermistor Rt are connected to the cathode side (ground terminal) of the output terminal of the microcomputer IC1. Vout is as follows.
Vout = Vin × (R2 // Rt) / (R1 + R2 // Rt)

  The microcomputer IC1 is controlled so as to continue supplying a DC voltage of 5V from the microcomputer output terminal while the power supply of the lighting device shown in FIG. 1 is on. During this time, since the current continues to flow through the thermistor Rt, the temperature of the thermistor Rt is high and the impedance is small, so that the voltage Vout generated between the thermistors Rt is small. When the power supply of the lighting device is turned off, the DC voltage supply from the microcomputer IC1 is lost, and the temperature of the thermistor Rt decreases. Therefore, the resistance value of the thermistor Rt gradually increases.

  When the power source of the lighting device is turned on again, the DC voltage 5V is again applied as Vin from the microcomputer IC1. Vout varies depending on the resistance value of the thermistor Rt. By detecting the voltage Vout by the input terminal of the microcomputer IC1, the extinguishing time T of the lighting device is detected, and the current value Ila ′ for determining the lamp rated power is set based on the extinguishing time T.

  In the case of FIG. 11, the time T from when the power is turned off to when the power is turned on again is relatively short. In this case, since the power supply is turned on again in a state where the temperature of the thermistor Rt is high, the resistance value of the thermistor Rt is relatively small, so that the voltage Vout generated between both ends of the thermistor Rt is small. At this time, since the lamp temperature is relatively high, the rated power determination current is reduced.

  FIG. 12 shows a case where the time T from when the power is turned off to when the power is turned on again is relatively long. In this case, since the power supply is turned on again in a state where the temperature of the thermistor Rt is low, the resistance value of the thermistor Rt is relatively large, so that the voltage Vout generated between both ends of the thermistor Rt is large. At this time, since the temperature of the lamp is relatively low, the rated power discrimination current is increased.

  FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the lamp turn-off time T and Vout when the power is turned on, and FIG. 14 shows the relationship between Vout when the power is turned on and the current value Ila ′ for determining the lamp rated power.

  If the thermistor Rt is arranged near a heat-generating component (such as an FET or a diode), the temperature difference between when the power is on and when it is off is large, so that the turn-off time can be detected more accurately.

(Embodiment 2)
The basic circuit configuration of the lighting device of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. This lighting device has a lamp voltage-current characteristic as shown in FIG. The solid line in FIG. 15 is the case of the initial lamp start, and the dotted line is the case of the lamp restart.

  This discharge lamp lighting device has a mode as shown in FIG. In the power value selection mode for discriminating the lamp rated power in FIG. 16, the control is performed so that the power value Wla ′ for discriminating the lamp rated power increases as the lamp extinguishing time T becomes longer as shown in FIG. To do. However, the maximum power value Wla ′ [MAX] and the minimum power value Wla ′ [MIN] are provided. The maximum power value is the rated power defined in the lamp specification of the smallest rated power of the plurality of types of high-pressure discharge lamps. The minimum power value is a power value Wla ′ that does not cause the lamp to go out or cause sputtering. It is assumed that the power value Wla ′ for determining the lamp rated power is varied within the range.

  The power value selection mode for determining the lamp rated power is the optimum power value for detecting the lamp state (temperature, etc.) by detecting the lamp turn-off time T and determining the lamp rated power in the lamp state. In this mode, Wla ′ is selected.

  First, before starting the lamp, the turn-off time detection circuit 7 in FIG. 1 detects the elapsed time after the power is turned off as the turn-off time T. The lamp rated power discriminating power value Wla 'is selected based on the turn-off time T. When the turn-off time is short, the power value for determining the lamp rated power is decreased, and when the turn-off time is long, the power value for determining the lamp rated power is increased. The following describes the CDM35 (rated power 39W) and CDM70 (rated power 70W) manufactured by Philips.

  FIG. 18 shows changes in the lamp voltage Vla and the lamp power Wla of the CDM 35 and CDM 70 when the lamp temperature is relatively low (at the time of initial startup). At this time, since there is a difference in the voltage rise between the CDM 35 and the CDM 70, the rated lamp power can be determined by detecting the lamp voltage Vla.

  When the lamp temperature is relatively high (at the time of restart), the difference in the lamp voltage rising characteristics between the CDM 35 and the CDM 70 becomes small as shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to more reliably discriminate the lamp rated power, the power value Wla ′ for discriminating the lamp rated power is reduced, and as shown in FIG. To do. Wla1 in FIG. 18 and Wla2 in FIG. 20 have a relationship of Wla1> Wla2.

  If the elapsed time after the light is turned off is long enough (at the time of initial start-up), if a low power such as Wla2 in FIG. 20 is applied to the lamp rated power discrimination, the lamp will turn off and sputtering will occur. Or adversely affects the lamp life. Therefore, when starting in a state where the lamp temperature is relatively low, it is necessary to increase the power applied to the determination of the lamp rated power to some extent.

  As described above, the power Wla ′ for determining the turn-off time T and the lamp rated power needs to be controlled as shown in FIG.

  Next, the circuit operation of the turn-off time detection circuit 7 in FIG. 1 will be described. The turn-off time detection circuit 7 is a circuit that detects the time from when the power is turned off until the power is turned on again. FIG. 22 shows a specific circuit example of the turn-off time detection circuit 7 used in the present embodiment. In this circuit, the anode of the diode D1 is connected to the anode side of the output terminal of the microcomputer IC1, and the resistor R1 is connected to the cathode of the diode D1. The other end of the resistor R1 is connected to the capacitor C1, the resistor R2, and the input terminal of the microcomputer IC1, and the other end of the capacitor C1 and the resistor R2 is connected to the cathode side (ground terminal) of the output terminal of the microcomputer IC1.

  The microcomputer IC1 is controlled so as to continue supplying a DC voltage of 5V after a few seconds have passed since the power of the lighting device shown in FIG. 1 is turned on. If the resistor R1 is sufficiently smaller than the resistor R2, the voltage across the capacitor C1 is approximately 5V. When the power supply of the lighting device is turned off, the DC voltage is not supplied from the output terminal of the microcomputer IC1, and the capacitor C1 is discharged through the resistor R2. When the lighting device is turned on again, the voltage Vout across the capacitor C1 is detected by the input terminal of the microcomputer IC1 to detect the turn-off time T of the lighting device, and the power value for determining the lamp rated power based on the turn-off time. Set Wla '.

  FIG. 23 shows a case where the time T from when the power is turned off to when the power is turned on again is relatively short. In this case, since the power supply is turned on again with the voltage across the capacitor C1 in FIG. 22 being high, Vout shown in FIG. 22 is large. At this time, since the lamp temperature is relatively high, the specific power at the time of rated power determination is reduced.

  FIG. 24 shows a case where the time T from when the power is turned off to when the power is turned on again is relatively long. In this case, since the power supply is turned on again with the voltage across the capacitor C1 in FIG. 22 being low, Vout shown in FIG. 22 is small. At this time, since the temperature of the lamp is relatively low, the specific power at the time of rated power determination is increased.

  FIG. 25 shows the relationship between the lamp turn-off time T and Vout shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, and FIG. 26 shows the relationship between Vout and the power value Wla 'when determining the lamp rated power.

  By using this turn-off time detection circuit 7, it can be realized with a relatively simple circuit, and the lamp rated power can be reliably determined.

(Embodiment 3)
The basic circuit configuration of the lighting device of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. This lighting device divides and detects the voltage across the capacitor C2, which is the output voltage of the step-down chopper circuit 2 substantially equal to the lamp voltage, using resistors R4 and R5, thereby detecting the ballast characteristic (lamp voltage as shown in FIG. 15). -Current characteristics). The lamp is started with ballast characteristics as shown in FIG. 15, and after the lamp is started, the discharge lamp discrimination circuit 6 detects the time for the lamp voltage to change from 30V to 40V. The detection of the time at this time can be realized, for example, by counting the number of A / D conversions (lamp voltage detection) of the microcomputer. This can also be realized by using a built-in timer of the microcomputer.

  FIG. 27 shows the time elapsed from the lamp voltage 30V to 40V when the lamp is started with the lighting device having the ballast characteristic shown in FIG. In the figure, the graph without hatching indicates the elapsed time at the initial start, and the graph with hatching indicates the elapsed time at restart. The target lamps are data of 5 lamps each having a color temperature of 3000K, 3500K, and 4200K of 35W and 70W (made by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) of Cerameta Premier S. From FIG. 27, it is possible to discriminate between 35 W and 70 W if the time elapsed from the lamp voltage 30 V to 40 V is determined using, for example, about 3.0 seconds as a threshold.

  In the present embodiment, the lamp discrimination period is set so that the ballast characteristic during the period in which the lamp voltage changes from 30 V to 40 V, for example, becomes a constant power characteristic as shown in FIG. The lamp power value in the period for determining the type of the high-pressure discharge lamp is set to be equal to or lower than the smallest power among the rated powers of the plurality of types of high-pressure discharge lamps.

  With this ballast characteristic, the rise characteristic of the lamp voltage when the lamp is started is as shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 28, the rising characteristic of the lamp voltage until the lamp voltage is stabilized is linear. Therefore, if a plurality of types of lamps are discriminated by the high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device of the present invention, discrimination can be performed more reliably.

(Embodiment 4)
In the present embodiment, after a predetermined time after the start of the high pressure discharge lamp, and the determination by the time when the first lamp voltage Vla1 changes from the first lamp voltage Vla1 to the second lamp voltage Vla2 (> Vla1) according to the substantially constant lamp power characteristic. The type of the high-pressure discharge lamp is determined based on the lamp voltage. The configuration of the lighting device may be the same as in FIG.

  FIG. 29 shows the lamp voltage rise characteristics of three 35 W and 70 W lamps of Cerameta Premier S (manufactured by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) when the high pressure discharge lamp lighting device of the third embodiment is lit. From FIG. 29, it can be seen that, for example, a lamp voltage of less than 40 V after 20 seconds after lighting can be reliably determined to be a 70 W lamp. Therefore, by adding the determination method of the fourth embodiment to the high pressure discharge lamp lighting device of the above embodiment, it is possible to more reliably determine the lamp type. The operation flow at that time is shown in FIGS. FIG. 30 shows the overall flow, and FIG. 31 shows the detailed flow of the discrimination process.

  When the power is turned on, information about the turn-off time is acquired from the turn-off time detection circuit 7 in step # 1 of FIG. Specifically, the output voltage Vout in FIG. 10 or FIG. 22 is read by the A / D conversion function of the microcomputer IC1. The detected value of the voltage Vout is used when setting a constant power value Wla ′ to be supplied at the time of lamp discrimination in step # 22 described later. Specifically, by referring to a memory table in the microcomputer IC1 in accordance with the detected value of the voltage Vout, the constant power value Wla 'input at the time of lamp determination is set as shown in FIG. When the information about the turn-off time is acquired, the output voltage (voltage of the capacitor C2) of the step-down chopper circuit 2 is increased by the control circuit 5 under the control of the microcomputer IC1, and the lamp start process is started.

  When the lamp starting process is started, a high voltage starting voltage is applied by the igniter circuit 4, and it is determined in step # 2 whether the lamp has started. Whether or not the lamp has started can be determined by the microcomputer IC1 by dividing and detecting the voltage across the capacitor C2, which is the output voltage of the step-down chopper circuit 2, which is substantially equal to the lamp voltage, by the resistors R4 and R5.

  When the discrimination process is started in step # 3, the process waits for discriminations A and B in FIG. 31 to be described later (# 4). When the discrimination process is finalized, the discrimination process is terminated (# 5). The output power is switched according to (# 6, # 7). Steps # 8 to # 10 in FIG. 30 are operations for performing rated lighting control according to the determination result after the determination process is completed.

  FIG. 31 is a detailed flow of the discrimination process, corresponding to steps # 3 to # 5 in FIG.

  When the discrimination process is started in step # 11, control is performed so that a constant lamp current is obtained in step # 12, and measurement of time t1 is started in step # 13. Specifically, the variable t1 inside the microcomputer IC1 may be reset to 0, a timer interrupt at regular intervals may be permitted, and the variable t1 may be incremented each time the timer interrupt occurs.

  In steps # 14 and # 15, the process waits until the lamp voltage becomes Vla ≧ 30 V or the measured value of time t1 becomes 20 seconds or more.

  If t1 ≧ 20s before Vla ≧ 30V, the measurement of time t1 is terminated in step # 16. Specifically, the variable t1 in the microcomputer IC1 is reset to 0, and the timer interrupt is prohibited. This is to prevent re-determination of t1 ≧ 20 s in step # 23 described later.

  In step # 17, the lamp voltage is detected, and the detected value is set to Vla3. In step # 18, it is determined whether Vla3 <40V. If the lamp voltage is less than 40 V even after 20 seconds have elapsed from the start, it can be determined from FIG. 29 that the lamp is a 70 W lamp, so the process proceeds to step # 19, and the first determination result (determination A) is 70 W lamp. determine. In other cases, the process proceeds to step # 20 and the first determination result (determination A) is unknown.

  The same determination process as in steps # 15 to # 20 is also provided in steps # 23 to # 28, but the latter determination process is performed before V1 ≧ 30V before t1 ≧ 20s in the loop of steps # 14 and # 15. It is executed only when If step # 16 is passed once, t1 = 0 at that time, and the count of variable t1 stops. Therefore, when returning to step # 14 from step # 19 or # 20, t1 is passed through step # 15. Since it is = 0, it does not shift to step # 16, but waits for Vla ≧ 30 V in the loop of steps # 14 and # 15, and the result of discrimination A once confirmed is changed. No.

  When Vla ≧ 30V is satisfied in step # 14, the process proceeds to step # 21, and measurement of time t2 is started. Specifically, the variable t2 inside the microcomputer IC1 may be reset to 0, a timer interrupt at regular intervals may be permitted, and the variable t2 may be incremented each time the timer interrupt occurs.

  In step # 22, the control of the constant lamp power Wla ′ (according to the turn-off time acquired in step # 1) is set, and in step # 23, t1 ≧ 20 s, or in step # 29, the detected value of the lamp voltage is Wait for Vla2 ≧ 40V. If t1 ≧ 20s in step # 23, the operations of steps # 24 to # 28 (the same operations as described in steps # 15 to # 20) are executed only once, and then t1 = 0. Thus, the loop of steps # 22 → # 23 → # 29 is repeated.

  If Vla2 ≧ 40V in step # 29, the process proceeds to step # 30, and the measurement of time t2 is ended. Specifically, the timer interrupt may be prohibited while keeping the value of the variable t2. This variable t2 starts counting from t2 = 0 in step # 21 immediately after Vla ≧ 30 V in step # 14, and stops counting in step # 30 immediately after Vla2 ≧ 40 V in step # 29. Therefore, it corresponds to the time when the lamp voltage changes from 30V to 40V.

  In step # 31, it is determined whether or not the time t2 is less than 3 seconds. If t2 <3 s, it can be determined that the lamp is a 35 W lamp from FIG. 27, and therefore the second determination result (determination B) is determined to be a 35 W lamp in step # 32. If t2 ≧ 3 s, it can be determined from FIG. 27 that the lamp is a 70 W lamp, so the second determination result (determination B) is determined to be a 70 W lamp in step # 33. In step # 34, the determination result is confirmed, and the determination process in step # 5 in FIG. 30 ends.

  In step # 6 of FIG. 30, the first determination result (determination A) is preferentially referred to. If the determination A is 70 W, the process proceeds to 70 W rated lighting control in step # 8. If discrimination A is not 70 W, the second discrimination result (discrimination B) is referred to in step # 7. If discrimination B is 70 W, 70W rated lighting control in step # 9 is performed and if discrimination B is 35 W. Then, the process shifts to 35 W rated lighting control in step # 10.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, as a first determination method, the lamp voltage 20 seconds after the start is measured, and when the lamp voltage 20 seconds after the start is less than 40 V, it is determined as 70 W.

  As a second determination method, the time until the lamp voltage reaches 30V to 40V is measured, and when the required time from 30V to 40V is less than 3 seconds, it is determined as 35W. Moreover, when the time required from 30V to 40V exceeds 3 seconds, it is determined as 70W.

  In the present embodiment, the first determination result (determination A) is preferentially referred to, but the second determination result (determination B) may be preferentially referred to.

  In addition, although the determination is made by combining two measured values, only one of them may be used. For example, it is possible to determine only by the lamp voltage after a predetermined time from the restart. In this case, steps # 21 to # 33 and # 14 in FIG. 31 are omitted, and it is determined that the lamp is a 35 W lamp in step # 20. Just do it.

  Alternatively, it is possible to determine only by the time required for the lamp voltage to rise from 30V to 40V. In this case, steps # 15 to # 20, # 23 to # 28, and # 13 in FIG. 31 are omitted. Just do it.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 32 shows a configuration example of a lighting fixture using the discharge lamp lighting device of the present invention. (A), (b) is an example applied to a spotlight, (c) is an example applied to a downlight. In the figure, 11 is an electronic ballast storing a circuit of a lighting device, and 12 is a high pressure discharge lamp. The lamp body 13 is a wiring. In any lighting fixture, a plurality of types of high-pressure discharge lamps such as 35 W and 70 W can be appropriately selected and mounted. A plurality of these lighting fixtures may be combined to construct an illumination system, and a plurality of different types of high-pressure discharge lamps may be used in combination depending on the required illuminance, emission color, design, and the like.

  In addition, a high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device that obtains light output by simply connecting the high-pressure discharge lamp and the ballast, an illumination system that uses a combination of multiple lighting fixtures with different ratings, and a lamp and ballast or reflector are required as appropriate. It is also possible to take the form of a lighting system composed of any number of combinations. Alternatively, it may be used in an illumination system in which the lamp and the light output unit are installed at positions separated from each other by using a means for conducting light, or in combination with other light sources.

It is a circuit diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a wave form diagram which shows the control action of the circuit of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the ballast characteristic at the time of discrimination | determination of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation mode of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the electric current value at the time of starting of FIG. 3, and a light extinction time. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of the initial start of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of restarting with the same electric current as FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of restart of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the electric current value at the time of starting of FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, and a light extinction time. It is a circuit diagram of the light extinction time detection circuit used in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an operation waveform diagram when the turn-off time of the circuit of FIG. 10 is short. FIG. 11 is an operation waveform diagram when the turn-off time of the circuit of FIG. It is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between the output voltage of the circuit of FIG. 10, and a light extinction time. It is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between the output voltage of the circuit of FIG. 10, and the electric current value at the time of starting. It is explanatory drawing which shows the ballast characteristic at the time of discrimination | determination of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation mode of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the electric power value at the time of starting of FIG. 15, and a light extinction time. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of the initial start of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of restarting with the same electric power as FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of restart of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the electric power value at the time of starting of FIG. 18 and FIG. 20, and a light extinction time. It is a circuit diagram of the light extinction time detection circuit used in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 23 is an operation waveform diagram when the turn-off time of the circuit of FIG. 22 is short. FIG. 23 is an operation waveform diagram when the turn-off time of the circuit of FIG. 22 is long. It is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between the output voltage of the circuit of FIG. 22, and a light extinction time. It is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between the output voltage of the circuit of FIG. 22, and the electric power value at the time of starting. It is a figure which shows the result of having measured the characteristic of the lamp used as the load object of the lighting device of Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 16 is a characteristic diagram showing a rising characteristic of a lamp voltage when the lamp is started with the ballast characteristic of FIG. 15. FIG. 28 is a characteristic diagram showing a rise characteristic of a lamp voltage when the lamp of FIG. 27 is started. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the lamp | ramp discrimination | determination process of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the lighting fixture of this invention. It is a characteristic view which shows the difference in the rising characteristic of the lamp voltage at the time of the initial start of the HID lamp from which rated power differs. It is a characteristic view which shows the difference in the rising characteristic of the lamp voltage at the time of restart of the HID lamp from which rated power differs.

Explanation of symbols

DL High pressure discharge lamp (HID lamp)
2 Step-down Chopper Circuit 5 Control Circuit 6 Discharge Lamp Discriminating Circuit 7 Turn-off Time Detection Circuit IC1 Microcomputer

Claims (7)

A power conversion circuit that converts power from a DC power source to supply power to the discharge lamp, a lighting control circuit that controls the power supplied to the power conversion circuit, and a turn-off time from when the discharge lamp turns off until it turns on again A discharge lamp lighting device for lighting a plurality of types of discharge lamps as a load target, and connecting any one of them, the type of the connected discharge lamp being a discharge lamp In a discharge lamp lighting device that supplies a specific power during a specific period, detects and determines a change rate of the electric characteristics, and lights a discharge lamp connected with a desired electric characteristic selected based on the determination result. A discharge lamp lighting device characterized in that the specific power at the time of the determination is variable depending on a turn-off time from when the lamp is turned off to when it is turned on again. When the turn-off time is longer than the reference time sufficient for the discharge lamp to cool and become almost stable, the turn-off time is shorter than the reference time, with the specific power applied at the time of determination being the reference power. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the specific power at the time of the determination is made smaller than the reference power. The period for discriminating the type of the discharge lamp is until the illuminance or lamp voltage of the discharge lamp is stabilized, and the discharge lamp is lit with substantially constant lamp power, and the lamp voltage within the discrimination period is the first lamp. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the type of the discharge lamp is determined based on a time during which the voltage changes from the voltage to a second lamp voltage that is larger than the first lamp voltage. 4. The discharge according to claim 1, wherein the substantially constant lamp power value in the period for determining the type of the discharge lamp is equal to or less than the lowest power among a plurality of types of discharge lamp rated power. Electric light lighting device. The type of the discharge lamp is determined based on a time when the first lamp voltage changes to the second lamp voltage and a lamp voltage after a predetermined time has elapsed after the discharge lamp starts. 5. The discharge lamp lighting device according to 3 or 4. The lighting fixture provided with the discharge lamp lighting device in any one of Claims 1-5. The lighting system containing the discharge lamp lighting device or lighting fixture in any one of Claims 1-6.

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