JP2020053350A - Dimmer - Google Patents

Abstract

To facilitate checking a connection status of a plurality of lighting devices.SOLUTION: The dimmer for providing a plurality of lighting devices that are lit with a dimming degree according to a voltage value of a DC voltage with DC voltage via a wiring, includes: a detection unit; a comparison unit; and an output unit. The detection unit detects a current flowing through the wiring. The comparison unit compares a detection value on the basis of the current detected by the detection unit with a reference value. The output unit outputs a result of comparison by the comparison unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a light control device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a dimming device that drives and dims LED lighting by supplying a DC voltage to LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting.

Japanese Patent No. 5058778

  For example, in a facility such as a theater, there is a case where an operation of replacing an already installed lighting device such as an incandescent light bulb with LED lighting is performed. In such a case, the contractor turns on the LED lighting after completion of the replacement work, and visually confirms whether the LED lighting has been installed or if there is a broken wire. Was. However, such a checking operation requires more time and effort as the facility becomes larger, that is, as the number of LED lights installed increases.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to make it easier to check the connection status of a plurality of lighting devices.

  The light control device according to the embodiment is a light control device that supplies a DC voltage to a plurality of lighting devices that are turned on at a dimming degree corresponding to the voltage value of the DC voltage via a wiring, and includes a detection unit, And an output unit. The detection unit detects a current flowing through the wiring. The comparison unit compares a detection value based on the current detected by the detection unit with a reference value. The output unit outputs a result of comparison by the comparison unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily check the connection status of a plurality of lighting devices.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the lighting system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control unit included in the light control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a status confirmation process performed by the light control device according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a light control device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, configurations having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The light control device described in the following embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the embodiment. For example, in the following embodiments, the dimming device is assumed to be installed in various facilities such as a theater and a movie theater, but in addition to these facilities, it can be installed in any facility such as a public institution such as a public hall or a building. It can be installed. The following embodiments may be combined as appropriate within a range not inconsistent.

  The light control device 20 according to the embodiment described below applies to a plurality of lighting devices 100a to 100c (hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as “lighting devices 100”) that are turned on with a dimming degree corresponding to the voltage value of the DC voltage. The light control device supplies a DC voltage to the light control device via the wiring 30. The light control device includes a detection unit 25, a comparison unit 231, and an output unit 233. The detection unit 25 detects a current flowing through the wiring 30. The comparison unit 231 compares a detection value (for example, a detection voltage) based on the current detected by the detection unit 25 with a reference value. The output unit 233 outputs the result of the comparison by the comparing unit 231.

  In the light control device 20 according to the embodiment described below, the reference value is determined based on the number of the plurality of lighting devices 100 and the current consumption per unit.

  In addition, the light control device 20 according to the embodiment described below includes a display unit 26 that displays information, and the output unit 233 outputs a comparison result to the display unit 26.

  In the light control device 20 according to the embodiment described below, the output unit 233 outputs an alarm signal when the detected value is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio with respect to the reference value.

  Further, the dimming device 20 according to the embodiment described below applies a DC voltage of a predetermined voltage value to the wiring 30 when shifting to a status checking mode for checking the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100. The comparing unit 231 compares a detection value when a DC voltage of a voltage value predetermined by the applying unit 22 is applied to the wiring 30 with a reference value.

  Further, in the light control device 20 according to the embodiment described below, the predetermined voltage value is a voltage value for lighting the plurality of lighting devices 100 at a light control degree of 100%.

  An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the technology disclosed by the present invention.

[Embodiment]
<About the outline of the lighting system>
First, an outline of a lighting system including a light control device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, a lighting system 1 according to the embodiment includes a lighting control device 10, a light control device 20, a wiring 30, and a plurality of lighting devices 100a to 100c.

  The lighting control device 10 is realized by a device called a light control console or a control console, and controls the lighting device 100 based on an operation by an operator. For example, the lighting control device 10 includes an operation unit such as a preset fader, a fader, and a button. When the operation of changing the dimming degree of the lighting device 100 is received from the operator via the operating unit, the dimming degree after the change is changed. Is output to the lighting control device 10.

  The light control device 20 is realized by, for example, a distribution board or the like that is arranged separately from the lighting device 100. The dimming device 20 controls the dimming degree of the lighting device 100 based on the dimming signal input from the lighting control device 10. Specifically, the light control device 20 converts the light control signal into a voltage value, generates a DC voltage having the converted voltage value, and applies the DC voltage to the wiring 30.

  The lighting device 100 is a lighting device that uses a DC voltage supplied via the wiring 30 as a driving source. Illumination device 100 is, for example, an LED illumination having an LED light source, uses a DC voltage supplied via wiring 30 as a driving source, and turns on the LED light source with a dimming degree corresponding to the voltage value of the supplied DC power. The lighting device 100 is installed in, for example, a stage facility or the like, and illuminates a seat, a corridor, a guide light, an entrance, and the like.

<Specific configuration example of lighting system>
Next, an example of a specific configuration of the lighting system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the lighting system 1 according to the embodiment.

  First, a configuration example of the lighting control device 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the lighting control device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a display unit 12, a control unit 13, and an operation unit 14.

  The communication unit 11 is a communication interface with the light control device 20. For example, the communication unit 11 is configured to include a DMX terminal or the like, and outputs a DMX signal to the dimmer 20. The DMX signal is a signal conforming to the DMX standard, and is an example of a dimming signal. Note that the communication unit 11 may output, for example, a signal conforming to DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) as a dimming signal, instead of the DMX signal.

  The display unit 12 is a display device for displaying various information related to dimming control, and is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal panel or the like. For example, under the control of the control unit 13, the display unit 12 displays the dimming degree of the lighting device 100, the correspondence between the lighting device 100 and the fader, and the like.

  The control unit 13 is an arithmetic device that executes various types of information processing. For example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable) An integrated circuit such as a Gate Array can be employed. For example, when an operation of changing the dimming degree of the lighting device 100 is performed on the operation unit 14, the control unit 13 dims a dimming signal indicating the changed dimming degree via the communication unit 11. Output to the device 20.

  The operation unit 14 is configured to include, for example, a fader and the like, and receives control of the lighting device 100, such as a change in dimming degree.

  Subsequently, a configuration example of the light control device 20 will be described. The light control device 20 includes a conversion unit 21, an application unit 22, a control unit 23, a storage unit 24, a detection unit 25, a display unit 26, and an operation unit 27.

  The converter 21 converts the dimming signal input from the lighting control device 10 into a voltage value. For example, the conversion unit 21 is configured to include a DMX-PWM converter and a PWM-DC converter. When a DMX signal is input from the illumination control device 10, the DMX-PWM converter generates a PWM signal having a waveform corresponding to the dimming degree indicated by the DMX signal, and outputs the PWM signal to the PWM-DC converter. When a PWM signal is input from the DMX-PWM converter, the PWM-DC converter applies to the application unit 22 such that a DC voltage for lighting the lighting device 100 with the dimming degree indicated by the PWM signal is applied to the wiring 30. To instruct. For example, the PWM-DC converter generates a DC signal indicating a voltage value corresponding to the PWM signal, and outputs the DC signal to the application unit 22.

  The conversion unit 21 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured to include, for example, a DMX-DC converter that directly converts a DMX signal input from the illumination control device 10 into a DC signal.

  The application unit 22 generates a DC voltage having a voltage value indicated by the DC signal and applies the DC voltage to the wiring 30. For example, the application unit 22 includes a rectifier circuit, a power factor improvement circuit, a smoothing circuit, a power conversion circuit, and the like.

  The rectifier circuit rectifies the AC voltage supplied from the system power supply and converts it into a pulsating AC voltage. For example, the rectifier circuit is a full-wave rectifier circuit and is configured by a diode bridge. The power factor improvement circuit is a circuit that converts a pulsating AC voltage output from a rectifier circuit into a DC voltage and outputs the DC voltage, and is realized by, for example, a boost power supply circuit, a step-up / step-down power supply circuit, a step-down power supply circuit, or the like. Such a power factor improvement circuit can reduce distortion of an input current waveform and suppress harmonics. The smoothing circuit is a smoothing circuit that absorbs fluctuations of an input current and supplies a stable DC voltage to a power conversion circuit at a subsequent stage, and is realized by, for example, a smoothing capacitor such as an electrolytic capacitor. The power conversion circuit converts the DC voltage supplied via the smoothing circuit into a DC voltage having a voltage value indicated by the DC signal input from the conversion unit 21 and applies the DC voltage to the wiring 30.

  The control unit 23 is an arithmetic device that executes various types of information processing, and may employ, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU and an MPU, and an integrated circuit such as an ASIC and an FPGA. The control unit 23 has a dimming mode in which dimming of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is performed according to a dimming signal input from the lighting control device 10, and a status checking mode in which the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is checked. For example, the control unit 23 may shift to the status confirmation mode when the power of the light control device 20 is turned on. When shifting to the status checking mode, the control unit 23 executes a status checking process for checking the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100. The details of the status confirmation processing will be described later. Note that the control unit 23 may shift to the status confirmation mode in accordance with an instruction from the lighting control device 10 or may shift to the status confirmation mode in accordance with an operation on the operation unit 27 provided in the light control device 20.

  The storage unit 24 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 24 stores, for example, the number of the plurality of lighting devices 100 connected to the wiring 30 and the current consumption per lighting device 100.

  The control unit 23 determines a reference value used in a situation confirmation process described later, based on information on the number of lighting devices 100 and current consumption per lighting device stored in the storage unit 24. For example, the reference value is a voltage value, and the control unit 23 determines whether the lighting device 100 is in the all-light state (a state in which the lighting apparatus 100 is lit at a dimming degree of 100%) and the current consumption per unit is reduced. The reference value is determined by multiplying the number of devices 100 by a value stored in advance as a resistance value of the detection unit 25. The control unit 23 may cause the storage unit 24 to store the determined reference value.

  The control unit 23 can change the information on the number of the lighting devices 100 and the current consumption per one stored in the storage unit 24, for example, according to an input operation to the operation unit 27. This makes it possible to appropriately perform the situation confirmation processing in various facilities where the number and types of the lighting devices 100 to be installed are different.

  The detection unit 25 is, for example, a detection resistor, and detects a current flowing through the wiring 30 as a voltage. A detection result by the detection unit 25 (hereinafter, referred to as “detection voltage”) is input to the control unit 23.

  The display unit 26 displays various information under the control of the control unit 23. For example, the display unit 26 displays a comparison result between the detected voltage and the reference value under the control of the control unit 23.

  The operation unit 27 is realized by, for example, a physical button such as a numeric keypad, a touch pad, or the like, and receives an operation of an operator.

  Subsequently, a configuration example of the wiring 30 will be described. The wiring 30 is a wiring that transmits DC power from the light control device 20 to the lighting device 100. For example, in the facility where the lighting system 1 is installed, the wiring 30 includes a power line extending from the dimmer 20 to the installation position where each lighting device 100 is installed, and a power source returning from the installation position to the dimmer 20. Line and is realized. The detection unit 25 described above is provided, for example, on a power supply line that returns from the installation position to the light control device 20 in the wiring 30.

  Next, a configuration example of the lighting device 100 will be described. The lighting device 100 includes a power receiving unit 101, a measuring unit 102, a control unit 103, and a light source unit 104.

  Power receiving unit 101 receives DC power supplied via wiring 30. The measurement unit 102 measures a DC voltage value received by the power receiving unit 101 at predetermined time intervals. Then, the control unit 103 controls the light source unit 104 so that the light source unit 104 is lit at a dimming degree corresponding to the DC voltage value measured by the measurement unit 102. The light source unit 104 is a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED that is turned on using a DC voltage based on the voltage value received by the power receiving unit 101.

<Example of configuration of control unit included in light control device>
The value of the detection voltage detected by the detection unit 25 changes according to the number of the lighting devices 100 connected to the wiring 30. For this reason, for example, when there is a lighting device 100 that is not properly connected to the wiring 30 due to a disconnection or the like and a lighting device 100 that is forgotten to be installed, the detection voltage detected by the detection unit 25 becomes the expected voltage. It will deviate from the value. Specifically, the value of the detection voltage detected by the detection unit 25 is lower than the assumed value. The control unit 23 performs a status check process of checking the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 using this phenomenon.

  An example of the configuration of the control unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the control unit 23 included in the light control device 20 according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 23 includes a comparison unit 231, a determination unit 232, and an output unit 233.

  The comparing unit 231 compares the detected voltage input from the detecting unit 25 with the reference value stored in the storage unit 24. Specifically, comparison section 231 calculates the ratio of the detected voltage to the reference value, and outputs the calculation result to determination section 232 and output section 233.

  The determination unit 232 determines whether the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is normal. Specifically, the determination unit 232 determines that the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is normal when the calculation result by the comparison unit 231, that is, the ratio of the detected voltage to the reference value exceeds the threshold. For example, when the value of the detected voltage exceeds 90% of the reference value, the determination unit 232 determines that the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is normal, and outputs the determination result to the output unit 233. Output. On the other hand, when the ratio of the detected voltage to the reference value is equal to or less than the threshold, the control unit 23 determines that the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is abnormal, and outputs the determination result to the output unit 233.

  The output unit 233 outputs the comparison result input from the comparison unit 231 to the display unit 26. As a result, the display unit 26 displays the result of comparison between the detected voltage and the reference value, that is, the ratio of the detected voltage to the reference value. In addition, the display unit 26 may display, for example, a detected voltage or a reference value. By viewing the comparison result displayed on the display unit 26, the operator can determine the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100, that is, how much of the lighting devices 100 are normally connected to the wiring 30 ( Or, if the connection is not made normally).

  Note that the output unit 233 may output the comparison result input from the comparison unit 231 to the outside of the light control device 20. For example, the output unit 233 may output the comparison result to the lighting control device 10.

  The output unit 233 also performs a process of outputting an alarm signal when the determination result input from the determination unit 232 indicates an abnormality. For example, the output unit 233 causes the display unit 26 to display that the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is abnormal by outputting a display control signal as an alarm signal to the display unit 26. Note that the display control signal as an alarm signal may be output to the display unit 12 of the lighting control device 10. The output unit 233 outputs a drive control signal as an alarm signal to a not-shown indicator light, a speaker, or the like included in the dimmer 20 to turn on the indicator light or output an alarm sound from the speaker. You may. By outputting the alarm signal in this manner, the operator can easily recognize that there is an abnormality in the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100.

<Example of status confirmation processing flow>
Next, an example of a procedure of a status confirmation process performed by the light control device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a status confirmation process performed by the light control device 20 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light control device 20 determines whether or not to shift to the status confirmation mode (step S101). For example, the light control device 20 may shift to the status confirmation mode when the power of the light control device 20 is turned on. In addition, the control unit 23 may shift to the status confirmation mode in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 14 of the lighting control device 10 or the operation unit 27 of the light control device 20.

  When the mode shifts to the status checking mode (Step S101, Yes), the light control device 20 first sets the plurality of lighting devices 100 to the all-light state (Step S102). Specifically, the dimming device 20 generates a DC voltage having a predetermined voltage value as a voltage value necessary for lighting the plurality of lighting devices 100 at a dimming degree of 100%, and applies the DC voltage to the wiring 30. . Accordingly, the plurality of lighting devices 100 are in the all-light state, so that the operator can easily check the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 visually. Further, by applying a DC voltage having a predetermined voltage value, it is possible to appropriately compare the detection voltage with the reference value.

  Subsequently, the light control device 20 acquires the detection voltage input from the detection unit 25 (step S103), and compares the acquired detection voltage with the reference value stored in the storage unit 24 (step S104). Specifically, the light control device 20 calculates the ratio of the detected voltage to the reference value.

  Subsequently, the light control device 20 determines whether or not the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is normal (step S105). Specifically, the dimming device 20 determines whether the ratio of the detected voltage to the reference value exceeds a threshold, and when the ratio exceeds the threshold, the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is normal. Is determined. On the other hand, when the ratio of the detected voltage to the reference value is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the dimmer 20 determines that the connection of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is abnormal.

  When it is determined that the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is normal (step S105, Yes), the dimmer 20 outputs the comparison result of step S104 to the display unit 26 or the like (step S106), and performs a status check process. To end. When the status check processing is completed, the dimmer 20 shifts from the status check mode to the normal dimming mode.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100 is abnormal (step S105, No), the dimmer 20 outputs an alarm signal (step S107) and outputs a comparison result (step S108). ), End the status confirmation processing. When the status check processing is completed, the dimmer 20 shifts from the status check mode to the normal dimming mode.

  As described above, in the light control device 20 according to the embodiment, the detection unit 25 detects the current flowing through the wiring 30, and the comparison unit 231 uses the detection value based on the current detected by the detection unit 25 as the reference value. And the output unit 233 outputs the result of comparison by the comparison unit 231. Accordingly, the operator can easily grasp the connection status of the plurality of lighting devices 100, that is, how much the lighting devices 100 are normally connected to the wiring 30 by checking the comparison result. can do. Therefore, according to the light control device 20 according to the embodiment, it is possible to easily check the connection status of a plurality of lighting devices.

<Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the comparison target in the comparison unit 231 is “voltage value” has been described. However, the comparison target in the comparison unit 231 does not necessarily need to be “voltage value”. It may be a "current value" or the like. When the comparison target is the “current value”, the detection unit 25 may output the value of the current flowing through the wiring 30, and the storage unit 24 multiplies the current consumption per unit by the number of the lighting devices 100. The stored value may be stored as a reference value.

  In addition, the comparison target in the comparison unit 231 may be “power value”. As described above, the comparison unit 231 may have any configuration as long as the detection value based on the current detected by the detection unit 25 is compared with the reference value.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the situation confirmation processing, the plurality of lighting devices 100 are set to the all-light state, but the dimming device 20 does not necessarily need to set the plurality of lighting devices 100 to the all-light state. do not do. That is, the dimming device 20 may apply a direct current having a predetermined voltage value to the wiring 30 in the situation confirmation processing, and is not necessarily required to light the plurality of lighting devices 100 at a dimming degree of 100%. It is not necessary to apply a direct current having a high voltage value to the wiring 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, the comparison result of the comparison unit 231 is output to the display unit 26 or the like. However, the output unit 233 includes, for example, the illumination normally connected to the wiring 30 in addition to the comparison result. Information on the number of devices 100 may be output. The number of the lighting devices 100 normally connected to the wiring 30 may be determined, for example, by comparing the number of lighting devices stored in the storage unit 24 with respect to the comparison result of the comparing unit 231 (that is, the ratio of the detected voltage to the reference value). It can be obtained by multiplying the number of lighting devices 100 (that is, the number of lighting devices 100 to be installed).

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Reference Signs List 1 lighting system 10 lighting control device 11 communication unit 12 display unit 13 control unit 14 operation unit 20 light control device 21 conversion unit 22 application unit 23 control unit 24 storage unit 25 detection unit 26 display unit 30 wiring 100, 100a to 100c lighting equipment 101 power receiving unit 102 measuring unit 103 control unit 104 light source unit 231 comparing unit 232 determining unit 233 output unit

Claims (6)

A dimmer that supplies the DC voltage to a plurality of lighting devices that are turned on at a dimming degree corresponding to the voltage value of the DC voltage via wiring,
A detection unit for detecting a current flowing through the wiring;
A comparison unit that compares a detection value based on the current detected by the detection unit with a reference value;
An output unit for outputting a comparison result by the comparison unit;
A light control device comprising: The light control device according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is determined based on a number of the plurality of lighting devices and a current consumption per unit. A display for displaying information;
With
The light control device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the comparison result to the display unit. The dimmer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output unit outputs an alarm signal when a ratio of the detection value to the reference value is equal to or less than a threshold value. An application unit that applies the DC voltage having a predetermined voltage value to the wiring when the mode shifts to a status confirmation mode for confirming a connection status of the plurality of lighting devices;
With
The comparing unit includes:
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection value when the DC voltage having the predetermined voltage value is applied to the wiring by the application unit is compared with the reference value. The light control device as described in the above. The light control device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined voltage value is a voltage value for lighting the plurality of lighting devices at a dimming degree of 100%.

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