JP2000357590A - Lighting dimmer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an illuminating light dimmer capable of reducing power consumption by dimming the illuminance of the illuminating lamp. SOLUTION: A full-wave rectification is performed on an AC voltage supplied to an illumination lamp, and a sawtooth wave that changes in synchronization with the full-wave rectification signal is generated. Next, an arbitrary level range between the minimum level and the maximum level of the sawtooth wave is set, and when the level of the sawtooth wave is within this level range, the “L” level is set.
When it is not within this level range, a rectangular wave signal which is at the "H" level is generated. The MOS-
Since the FET is turned on and off, the AC voltage supplied to the illumination lamp has a waveform in which the vicinity of the peak value is cut,
As a result, the illuminance of the illuminating lamp is reduced, and the light can be reduced. Further, since the power consumption can be reduced by dimming the illumination lamp, the energy saving effect is extremely large. Further, the level range can be appropriately changed by the level range adjusting means, so that the amount of dimming can be arbitrarily changed within a certain range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a discharge lamp (fluorescent lamp,
(Mercury lamps, sodium lamps, etc.), incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, etc., placed in the power supply circuit of the lamps, dimming the illuminance of the lamps,
The present invention relates to a dimming device for an illumination lamp capable of saving power consumption.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, fluorescent lamps used as lighting equipment in offices, conference rooms, railway station premises, hotel lobbies, and elsewhere are lit when humans enter and leave regardless of the surrounding brightness. It is often turned off when not in use. Therefore, even in the daytime when some light shines from the outside, the fluorescent lamp is turned on in the same manner as in the nighttime when no light shines from the outside, so that 100% brightness of the fluorescent lamp is required. 100 despite not doing
At present, it has to be turned on with the illuminance of%.

[0003] In a railway station yard, many people come and go during the morning and evening rush hours. Therefore, it is desirable to increase the illuminance.
Brightness is not so necessary, and it is desirable to reduce the power consumption by dimming. However, as described above, fluorescent lamps that are normally used do not have a function of dimming brightness, and only switch on and off by turning on and off, so that power consumption is reduced. Can not.

[0004]

As described above, the illumination lamps such as fluorescent lamps which have been conventionally used are switched on and off by an on / off switch, so that they are actually 100%. Despite the fact that illuminance of
There has been an increasing demand to reduce the illuminance and save power consumption somehow without having to turn on the illuminance at 00%.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the illuminance of an illuminating lamp within a certain range, thereby reducing power consumption. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dimming device for an illumination lamp that can be reduced and that can be used after being attached to a lighting device for an illumination lamp currently used.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 of the present application is a dimming device for dimming the illuminance of an illuminating lamp that is turned on when an AC voltage is supplied,
A means for cutting an arbitrary intermediate portion of the half-wave waveform in the AC voltage waveform is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dimming device for dimming the illuminance of an illuminating lamp which is turned on when an AC voltage is supplied, wherein the dimming device is an integral multiple of a half cycle of the AC voltage. Periodic waveform generating means for generating a periodic waveform that monotonically decreases or monotonically increases in a cycle; level range setting means for setting an arbitrary level range between a minimum level and a maximum level of the periodic waveform; A rectangular wave signal generating means for generating a rectangular wave signal whose H level and L level change depending on whether the voltage falls within the level range, and an AC voltage supplied to the illumination lamp in synchronization with the rectangular wave signal And switching means for switching between ON and OFF.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dimming device for dimming the illuminance of an illuminating lamp which is supplied with an AC voltage and is turned on, wherein the full-wave rectifying means for full-wave rectifying the AC voltage; Periodic waveform generating means for generating a sawtooth wave having the same cycle as the full-wave rectified waveform; level range setting means for setting an arbitrary level range between a minimum level and a maximum level of the sawtooth wave; A rectangular wave signal generating means for generating a rectangular wave signal having an H level when the wave falls within the level range, and an L level when not entering the level range; , When on H level,
Switching means for switching off when the signal is at the L level.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a level range adjusting means capable of appropriately changing a level range set by the level range setting means. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the level range setting means sets the level range by dividing the same level up and down from an intermediate level between the minimum level and the maximum level of the waveform generated by the periodic waveform generating means. It is characterized by. The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the switching means is constituted by one of a MOS-FET and an IGBT.

In the present invention configured as described above, the AC voltage supplied to the illumination lamp is full-wave rectified, and a sawtooth wave having the same cycle as the full-wave rectified waveform is generated. The level range setting means sets a certain level range between the minimum level and the maximum level of the sawtooth wave. In the rectangular wave generating means, when the sawtooth wave is within this level range, it is at the “L” level, and when it is not within this level range, it is at the “H” level.
Outputs a square wave signal that becomes a level.

The switching means is switched on when the rectangular wave signal goes to "H" level, and is switched off when the rectangular wave signal goes to "L" level. The output of the AC voltage supplied to is cut near the peak point. Therefore,
The illumination lamp is dimmed by the amount of the AC voltage cut, and the power consumption is reduced. Further, the width of cutting the AC voltage can be appropriately changed by the level range adjusting means, so that the amount of dimming can be arbitrarily adjusted within a certain range.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a dimming device 1 for an illumination lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a commercial AC power supply E1 and a fluorescent lamp F.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example in which the circuit is disposed between the L1 stabilizing circuit 2 and the L1 stabilizing circuit 2; As shown in FIG. 1, the dimming device 1 is connected to an AC power supply E1 (normally 100 volts in Japan) by, for example, 2 volts.
A transformer TR1 for stepping down to a voltage of about 4 volts and a diode bridge circuit (full-wave rectifier) 3 for full-wave rectifying the stepped-down AC voltage are provided.

Further, a periodic waveform generating means 4 for generating a sawtooth wave from the full-wave rectified signal supplied from the diode bridge circuit 3, and a minimum voltage level and a maximum voltage of the sawtooth wave generated by the periodic waveform generating means. Between the levels, a level range setting means 5 for setting a predetermined level range, a level range adjusting means 7 for adjusting the level range, and when the sawtooth wave is in the level range set by the level range setting means 5 "L" level signal, otherwise "H"
Square wave generating means 6 for generating a square wave serving as a level signal
A switching means 9 disposed between the AC power supply E1 and the stabilizing circuit 2 to conduct when the rectangular wave signal is at the “H” level and to turn off when the rectangular wave signal is at the “L” level; It is composed of

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of the periodic waveform generating means 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the periodic waveform generating means 4 includes a photocoupler PC1, a waveform shaping comparator CMP1, It comprises an integrator A1, a capacitor C1, a resistor R7, a switching transistor Q1 and the like. Then, as described later, as shown in FIG. 6C, a saw-tooth wave signal s3 synchronized with the full-wave rectified waveform s1 is generated and output to the rectangular wave generation means 6. Note that the terminal T1 in FIG. 2 is connected to the terminal T1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of the level range setting means 5 and the level range adjusting means 7. As shown, the level range adjusting means 7 includes buffer amplifiers A2 and A3, VR3, etc., and a DC power supply 8
An adjustable reference voltage signal Va is generated and output from the supplied DC voltage. Level range setting means 5
Is composed of differential amplifiers A4 and A5, variable resistors VR4 and VR5, etc., and has the minimum level of the sawtooth wave s1 generated by the periodic waveform generation means 4 as shown in FIGS. It generates and outputs voltage signals Vb and Vc for setting a desired range between the maximum levels. The terminals T2 and T3 in FIG. 3 correspond to the terminals T2 and T3 shown in FIG.
Connected to

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the rectangular wave generating means 6. As shown, the rectangular wave generating means 6 includes comparators CMP2 and CMP3, diodes D3 and D4,
It is composed of an amplifying transistor Q2, an IC 30 and the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 6D, the sawtooth wave s3 falls within the range (Vc to Vb) set by the level range setting means 5.
), A rectangular wave signal having an “L” level is output when it is not within this range. Note that the terminal T4 in FIG.
4 is connected.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the switching means 9, and two MOS-FETs 1 connected in series.
0, 20, parasitic diodes D6 and D7, a coil L1 for preventing noise generation, and the like.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. When an AC voltage is supplied from the AC power supply E1 shown in FIG. 1, the AC voltage is reduced to a voltage of about 24 volts by the transformer TR1 and further full-wave rectified by the diode bridge circuit 3, so that the diode bridge circuit 3 The output is a full-wave rectified signal s1 as shown in FIG.
Becomes

Next, the full-wave rectified signal s1 is supplied to the light-emitting diode D1 of the photocoupler PC1 shown in FIG.
Does not emit light when is at the zero level, and emits light when it is not at the zero level. Therefore, a voltage signal that rises in a pulse form when the full-wave rectified signal s1 is 0 is generated on the collector side of the phototransistor PT1. The output point p1 of the waveform shaping comparator CMP1
As shown in FIG. 6B, the voltage becomes a pulse wave s2 having an "H" level when the full-wave rectified waveform is near zero level, and an "L" level at other times.

The pulse wave s2 is formed into an instantaneous pulse wave via a differentiating circuit including the capacitor C1 and the resistor R7 shown in FIG. The output of the differentiating circuit is supplied to the base of the switching transistor Q1 to turn on and off the transistor Q1.
The voltage stored in the capacitor C2 is discharged periodically (the same cycle as the cycle of the full-wave rectified signal s1),
As shown in FIG. 6C, the voltage at the output point p2 of the integrator A1 becomes a sawtooth wave s3 that changes in a sawtooth manner at the same cycle as the full-wave rectified signal s1. Here, the variable resistors VR1, V
By adjusting R2, the minimum level of the sawtooth wave s3 is set to 0 volts, and the maximum level is set to 5 volts. The changeover switch SW1 is a switch that switches according to the frequency of the AC power supply.
Switching at 0 hertz is possible.

On the other hand, the level range adjusting means 7 shown in FIG.
Transmits a DC voltage signal from the DC power supply 8 to the buffer amplifier A.
The voltage signal supplied to the variable resistor VR3 through the variable resistor VR3 is input to the buffer amplifier A3. Then, the output voltage signal of the buffer amplifier A3 (this voltage value is set to the set voltage Va)
Is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier A4 of the level range setting means 5. Here, as an example, the set voltage Va is set to 0 by adjusting the variable resistor VR3.
It can be changed within the range of 0.5 volt.

The differential amplifier A4 of the level range setting means 5
In the first embodiment, the set voltage Va is supplied to an inverting input terminal, and a DC reference voltage Vr1 that can be adjusted by a variable resistor VR4 is input to a non-inverting input terminal. Here, as an example, the reference voltage Vr1 is set to 1.5 volts, and
Resistance R14 = R15.

Therefore, the output voltage Vb of the differential amplifier A4
Can be expressed by the following equation (1). Vb = 2Vr1−Va (1) In equation (1), when Va = 0 volts, Vb = 3
When volts and Va = 0.5 volts, Vb = 2.5 volts.

The output voltage Vb of the differential amplifier A4 is applied to the inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier A5.
A non-inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier A5 includes a variable resistor VR.
The reference voltage Vr2 which can be adjusted at 5 is input. here,
As an example, the reference voltage Vr2 is set to 2.5 volts, and the resistance R17 = R18.

Therefore, the output voltage Vc of the differential amplifier A5
Can be expressed by the following equation (2). Vc = 2Vr2-Vb = 2Vr2- (2Vr1-Va) (2) In the equation (2), when Va = 0, Vc = 2 volts, and when Va = 0.5, Vc = 2.5.

The output voltage Vb of the differential amplifier A4
Is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP3 shown in FIG. 4, and the output voltage Vc of the differential amplifier A5 is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP2.

On the other hand, the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP3 and the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP2
The sawtooth wave generated by the periodic waveform generating means 4 (s3 in FIG. 6)
) Is given, so that in the comparator CMP2,
A comparison is made between the sawtooth wave s3 and the voltage Vc. And
When the sawtooth wave s3 is smaller than the voltage Vc, the comparator CMP2 outputs an “H” level signal. Conversely, when the sawtooth wave s3 is higher than the voltage Vc, the comparator CMP2 outputs an “L” level signal. Output.

In the comparator CMP3, the voltage V
b is compared with the sawtooth wave s3. When the sawtooth wave s3 is larger than the voltage Vb, the comparator CMP
3 outputs an "H" level signal, and conversely, a sawtooth wave s
When 3 is lower than the voltage Vb, an "L" level signal is output.

The output point p3 of the diodes D3 and D4 becomes "H" level when at least one of the outputs of the comparators CMP2 and CMP3 becomes "H" level.
When both the outputs of the comparators CMP2 and CMP3 are at the "L" level, the output goes to the "L" level. Therefore, the voltage at the point p3 becomes the sawtooth wave s as shown by the symbol s4 in FIG.
3 is higher than the voltage Vb and lower than the voltage Vc, the level becomes “H” level.
When it is between b and Vc, it is at the “L” level.

In the above example, the sawtooth wave s3 changes in the range of 0 to 5 volts, and when Va is set to 0 volt, Vb = 3 volts and Vc = 2 volts.
The signal s4 is a rectangular wave signal that becomes “L” level for a time t1 determined by this voltage. This time t1 corresponds to the peak point of the full-wave rectified waveform s1.
When Va is set to 0.5 volt, Vb =
Since Vc = 2.5 volts, the voltage at point p3 is
As shown at (e) and at symbol s5 in FIG.

Accordingly, when the voltage Va is changed in the range of 0 to 0.5 volt by adjusting the variable resistor VR3 of the level range adjusting means 7, the rectangular wave signal generated at the point p3 becomes as shown in FIG. ) And (f), the time of the “L” level is appropriately changed in the range of 0 to t1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the rectangular wave signal generated at the point p3 is supplied to the transistor Q2 and the amplifying IC3.
0, and the MOS-FET 10 shown in FIG.
20 gates. MOS-FETs 10, 20
Changes to an on state when an “H” level signal is applied to the gate and an off state when an “L” level signal is applied to the gate. For example, assuming that the set voltage Va is 0 volt, FIG. The square wave signal s4 shown in FIG.
When given the gates of ET10 and ET20, the MO
The S-FETs 10 and 20 operate so as to be turned off near the peak value of the AC voltage and turned on at other portions.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 (g), the AC voltage supplied from the AC power supply E1 has a voltage waveform s6 in which the vicinity of the peak point is cut for a fixed time (t1). Then, this voltage waveform s6 is supplied to the stabilizing circuit 2 shown in FIG. 1 to turn on the fluorescent lamp FL1, so that the fluorescent lamp FL1 is turned on.
1 means that the light is dimmed by an amount corresponding to the cut voltage waveform. Accordingly, power consumption can be reduced.

When the set voltage Va is set to 0.5 volt, the signal s5 shown in FIG.
When applied to the gates 0 and 20, the MOS-F
The ET10 and ET20 will always be kept on,
Since the AC voltage supplied from the AC power supply E1 is not cut, the fluorescent lamp FL1 is turned on with 100% illuminance.

By adjusting the variable resistor VR3 of the level range adjusting means 7, the width of the AC voltage cut can be changed continuously within a certain range (0 to t1). Accordingly, the fluorescent lamp FL1 can be appropriately dimmed, and the power consumption can be reduced accordingly.

As described above, in the dimming device for an illumination lamp according to the present embodiment, the AC voltage supplied to the fluorescent lamp FL1 can be cut off for a certain period of time near the peak value of the AC voltage. The illuminance of the lamp FL1 can be reduced. Also, by adjusting the variable resistor VR3,
Since the amount of light reduction can be changed, the illuminance can be appropriately adjusted according to the surrounding brightness.

Further, since the power consumption can be reduced by reducing the illuminance, the energy saving effect is extremely large. Furthermore, since it can be retrofitted to an existing fluorescent lamp, the cost for installation can be reduced. In the above-described embodiment, the periodic waveform generation unit 4
As an example, the sawtooth wave s3 varying in the range of 0 to 5 volts is used as the periodic waveform generated in the above. The adjustable range of the voltage Vb is 2.5 to 3 volts, and the adjustable range of the voltage Vc is Is set to 2.5 to 2 volts, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the voltage setting can be appropriately changed according to the state of use.

In the above embodiment, the voltages Vb, Vc
Has been described above in which the vicinity of the peak point of the AC voltage is cut by distributing the voltage vertically from 2.5 volts. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can be. That is, in this embodiment, the light can be efficiently dimmed,
In addition, in order to obtain a high energy saving effect, the configuration is such that the vicinity of the peak value of the AC voltage is cut. However, when such an effect is not so much a problem, the vicinity of the peak point of the AC voltage is not necessarily cut. You don't have to.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the AC voltage supplied from the AC power supply E1 is full-wave rectified, and has the same cycle as the full-wave rectified signal s1 (that is, 1 / の of the AC voltage signal before rectification).
Although a periodic waveform (sawtooth wave s3) that changes in two cycles is generated, the present invention is not limited to this, and changes in a cycle that is an integral multiple of a half cycle of the AC voltage signal. It is also possible to use a periodic waveform.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the AC voltage s11 is subjected to half-wave rectification to obtain a half-wave rectified signal s12.
Then, a saw-tooth wave s13 shown in FIG. 9C is generated based on the half-wave rectified signal s12, and the portion of the AC voltage s11 indicated by the symbol t11 may be cut in the same procedure as described above. . Even in such a configuration, the illuminance of the fluorescent lamp FL1 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the periodic waveform generating means 4 generates the sawtooth wave s3 as shown in FIG. 6C, but the present invention is not limited to this. Various waveforms can be used as long as the waveform has a characteristic of monotonically increasing or decreasing during one cycle.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a periodic waveform s21 changing exponentially, or a sawtooth wave s22 having a characteristic that increases with time as shown in FIG. 8B can be used. is there.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the fluorescent lamp FL1 has been described as an example of an illuminating lamp to be turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and discharge lamps such as mercury lamps and sodium lamps, incandescent lamps and the like can be used. The present invention is also applicable to an illumination lamp such as a halogen lamp. In this embodiment, an example in which the MOS-FETs 10 and 20 are used as the switching means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is replaced with a switching element having an equivalent function such as an IGBT. Is possible.

[0043]

As described above, in the illumination light dimming device according to the present invention, an arbitrary intermediate portion of the AC power supply voltage waveform supplied to the illumination lamp can be cut. The illuminance of the lighting will be dimmed,
In addition, power consumption for the reduced light can be reduced.

Further, by adjusting the level range setting means, the width of cutting the voltage waveform can be appropriately changed, so that the amount of dimming can be appropriately adjusted within a predetermined range. Therefore, for example, when no light is emitted from outside, such as at night, the illumination lamp is turned on at 100% illuminance, and when some light is emitted from outside, such as during daytime, It is possible to perform an operation such as reducing illuminance and power consumption. Furthermore, since it can be easily retrofitted to the already installed lighting lamp, the labor required for the installation work can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a dimming device for an illumination lamp to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of a periodic waveform generation unit.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of a level range adjusting unit and a level range setting unit.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of a rectangular wave generating means.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of a switching unit.

6A and 6B are timing charts showing the operation of the present embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is a full-wave rectified waveform, FIG. 6B is a voltage signal at a point p1, FIG. 6C is a sawtooth wave, and FIG. The voltage signal at point p3 when 0 is set, and (e) and (f) are V
the voltage signal at point p3 when a = 0.5, (g)
Indicates an AC voltage waveform in which the vicinity of the peak point has been cut.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are timing charts showing an operation according to a modification of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows an AC voltage waveform, FIG. 7B shows a half-wave rectified waveform, and FIG. 7C shows a half-wave rectified waveform. 4 shows a sawtooth wave.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the periodic waveform, and FIG.
Indicates an exponentially changing periodic waveform, and (b) a monotonically increasing sawtooth wave.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dimming device 2 Stabilization circuit 3 Diode bridge circuit 4 Periodic waveform generation means 5 Level range setting means 6 Square wave generation means 7 Level range adjustment means 8 DC power supply 9 Switching means 10, 20 MOS-FET E1 AC power supply FL1 Fluorescent lamp (Illumination light) TR1 Transformer CMP1 to CMP3 Comparator A1 Integrator A2, A3 Buffer amplifier A4, A5 Differential amplifier

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A dimming device for dimming the illuminance of an illuminating lamp that is turned on when supplied with an AC voltage, comprising: means for cutting an arbitrary intermediate portion of a half-wave waveform in the AC voltage waveform. An illumination light dimming device, comprising: 2. A dimming device for dimming the illuminance of an illuminating lamp that is turned on when supplied with an AC voltage, wherein the dimming monotonically decreases or monotonically increases in a cycle that is an integral multiple of a half cycle of the AC voltage. Periodic waveform generating means for generating a periodic waveform; level range setting means for setting an arbitrary level range between a minimum level and a maximum level of the periodic waveform; and whether or not the periodic waveform falls within the level range Depending on
A rectangular wave signal generating means for generating a rectangular wave signal whose level and L level change; and a switching means for turning on and off an AC voltage supplied to the illumination lamp in synchronization with the rectangular wave signal. Light dimming device for lighting lamps. 3. A dimming device for dimming the illuminance of an illuminating lamp that is turned on when supplied with an AC voltage, wherein: a full-wave rectifier for full-wave rectifying the AC voltage; Periodic waveform generating means for generating a sawtooth wave of the following; level range setting means for setting an arbitrary level range between a minimum level and a maximum level of the sawtooth wave; and wherein the sawtooth wave falls within the level range. A rectangular wave signal generating means for generating a rectangular wave signal which is H level when the signal is input and L level when the signal is not input; and turns on the AC voltage supplied to the illumination lamp when the rectangular signal is at the H level. Switching means for switching off when the signal is at the L level. 4. The illuminating lamp according to claim 2, further comprising a level range adjusting unit capable of appropriately changing a level range set by said level range setting unit. Dimming device. 5. The level range setting means, wherein the level range is set by distributing the same level up and down from an intermediate level between the minimum level and the maximum level of the waveform generated by the periodic waveform generating means. The dimming device for an illumination lamp according to any one of claims 2 to 4. 6. The switching means includes a MOS-FE.
The dimming device for an illumination lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dimming device is formed of one of T and IGBT.