Lighting fixture, and lighting system

Abstract

To provide a lighting fixture capable of preventing variation in the color temperature of illumination light of multiple lighting fixtures when the identical instruction signal is input to the multiple lighting fixtures.SOLUTION: A lighting fixture 1 includes light sources 2A and 2B, control units 3A and 3B, and a signal processing unit 4. Each of the control units 3A and 3B outputs current according to the input control signal to the light sources 2A and 2B. The signal processing unit 4 calculates individual dimming rate of each of the light sources 2A and 2B, and generates the control signal based on the calculated individual dimming rate. In the signal processing unit 4, a threshold value regarding the individual dimming rate is set. The signal processing unit 4 is configured to, when the individual dimming rates of the light sources 2A and 2B are less than the threshold value, output a control signal causing the control units 3A and 3B to output a constant current.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a lighting fixture and a lighting system, and more particularly to a lighting fixture that emits illumination light including a plurality of lights having different light colors, and a lighting system including the lighting fixture. [Background technology]

[0002] The lighting device described in Patent Document 1 includes a first light source unit, a second light source unit, a light source driver for neutral white, a light source driver for warm white, and a signal processing circuit. The light source driver for neutral white turns on or off the first light source unit based on a PWM signal from the signal processing circuit. The light source driver for warm white turns on or off the second light source unit based on a PWM signal from the signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit outputs a PWM signal to the light source driver for neutral white and the light source driver for warm white based on an instruction signal from a remote control device. In this lighting device, the illumination light of the lighting device is composed of the light emitted by the first light source unit and the light emitted by the second light source unit. In addition, the color temperature of the illumination light of the lighting device is controlled by an instruction signal from the remote control device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-84557 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the lighting device described in Patent Document 1, the performance of the light source driver (controller) usually varies among individual lighting devices. Therefore, even if the same instruction signal is input to multiple lighting devices, the color temperature of the illumination light of the lighting devices may vary.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting fixture that can suppress variations in the color temperature of the illumination light from multiple lighting fixtures when the same instruction signal is input to multiple lighting fixtures, and a lighting system including the above lighting fixture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A lighting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a lighting device that emits illumination light including a plurality of lights having different light colors. The lighting device includes a plurality of light sources, a plurality of control units, and at least one signal processing unit. The plurality of light sources correspond to the plurality of lights and emit the corresponding lights. The plurality of control units correspond to the plurality of light sources and output currents corresponding to the input control signals to the corresponding light sources. The signal processing unit obtains individual dimming rates of the plurality of light sources based on an instruction signal that indicates a dimming rate of the illumination light and a dimming ratio of the plurality of light sources, and generates the control signal to be output to each of the plurality of control units from the obtained individual dimming rates. A threshold value related to the individual dimming rate is set in the signal processing unit. When the individual dimming rate of a certain light source among the plurality of light sources is less than the threshold value, the signal processing unit outputs a control signal to the control unit corresponding to the certain light source, the control signal being such that a constant current is output that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the certain light source.

[0007] A lighting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes one or more lighting fixtures and a dimmer. The one or more lighting devices are each a lighting device according to the above aspect, and the dimmer outputs the same instruction signal to the one or more lighting devices. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The lighting fixtures and lighting system according to one aspect of the present disclosure have the advantage that when the same instruction signal is input to multiple lighting fixtures, variations in the color temperature of the illumination light from multiple lighting fixtures can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a lighting fixture and a lighting system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between individual dimming rates of light sources and control signals output to a control unit in a signal processing unit of the lighting fixture according to the above embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a control signal and an output current in a control unit of the lighting device according to the above embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the lighting device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of light sources are turned on in one of two lighting fixtures according to Comparative Example 1. In FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of light sources are turned on in the other of the two lighting fixtures according to Comparative Example 1. In FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of light sources are turned on in one of the two lighting fixtures according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of light sources are turned on in the other of the two lighting fixtures according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a lighting fixture according to a third modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a lighting device and a lighting system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a lighting device and a lighting system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a lighting system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration described in the following embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) (1) Overview An overview of a lighting device 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] The lighting fixture 1 according to the first embodiment is, for example, an architectural lighting fixture embedded in at least a part of a ceiling, wall, and floor as part of a building to create a space with a gradation of light. The building may be, for example, a residence such as a detached house or an apartment complex, or a non-residential building such as an office, a store, a factory, a hospital, or a warehouse.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment emits illumination light including a plurality of lights having different light colors. The lighting device 1 includes a plurality of (two in the example of FIG. 1) light sources 2A, 2B, a plurality of (two in the example of FIG. 1) control units 3A, 3B, and at least one (one in the example of FIG. 1) signal processing unit 4. The plurality of light sources 2A, 2B correspond to a plurality of lights and emit the corresponding lights. The plurality of control units 3A, 3B correspond to the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B, and output a current according to an input control signal to the corresponding light sources 2A, 2B. The signal processing unit 4 obtains an individual dimming rate of each of the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B based on the dimming rate of the illumination light and an instruction signal instructing the dimming ratio of the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B, and generates the control signal to be output to each of the plurality of control units 3A, 3B from the obtained individual dimming rate. A threshold value M1 related to the individual dimming rate is set in the signal processing unit 4 (see FIG. 2). When the individual dimming ratio of a certain light source 2A or 2B among the multiple light sources 2A, 2B is less than a threshold value M1, the signal processing unit 4 outputs a control signal to the control unit 3A or 3B corresponding to the certain light source, the control signal being such that a constant current is output regardless of the individual dimming ratio of the certain light source.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the individual dimming rate of a certain light source 2A or 2B among the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B is less than the threshold value M1 (see FIG. 2), a constant control signal that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the certain light source is output as the control signal to the control unit 3A or 3B corresponding to the certain light source. As a result, when the individual dimming rate of the certain light source is less than the threshold value M1, a control signal in which the output current of the control unit is not affected by the variation in the performance of the control unit (i.e., a control signal included in a range outside the variation range within the signal input range of the control unit) can be output as the control signal to the control unit 3A or 3B corresponding to the certain light source. As a result, when the same instruction signal is input to the plurality of lighting fixtures 1, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variation in the color temperature of the illumination light among the plurality of lighting fixtures 1.

[0015] Furthermore, in lighting device 1, a signal input range for the control signal to be input is set for each of the multiple control units 3A, 3B. The signal input range includes a variation section W1 (see FIG. 2). The variation section W1 is a section in which variation occurs in the current output in response to the control signal input to the control units 3A, 3B in which the signal input range is set. Threshold value M1 is set such that the control signal generated from an individual dimming ratio having the value of threshold value M1 in signal processing unit 4 is included within a range outside variation section W1 in the signal input range (see FIG. 2).

[0016] According to this configuration, the threshold value M1 for the individual dimming ratios of the light sources 2A and 2B is set so that the control signal generated from the individual dimming ratios having the value of the threshold value M1 in the signal processor 4 does not fall within the variation interval W1. This makes it possible to prevent all of the control signals output from the signal processor 4 to a certain controller 3A or 3B (i.e., the controller 3A or 3B corresponding to a certain light source 2A or 2B) from falling within the variation interval W1. This makes it possible to prevent variation in the current output in response to the input control signal in the certain controller 3A or 3B. As a result, when the same instruction signal is input to a plurality of lighting fixtures 1, variation in the color temperature of the illumination light among the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 can be prevented.

[0017] (2) Details The configurations of a lighting fixture 1 and a lighting system 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0018] The lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment is a lighting device that emits illumination light including a plurality of lights (two in the example of FIG. 1) having different light colors. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 1 includes a plurality of light sources 2A and 2B (two in the example of FIG. 1), a plurality of control units 3A and 3B (two in the example of FIG. 1), and at least one signal processing unit 4 (one in the example of FIG. 1).

[0019] The lighting system 10 includes a dimmer 5 and one or more (one in the example of FIG. 1) lighting fixtures 1. The dimmer 5 outputs the same instruction signal to the one or more lighting fixtures 1. The instruction signal will be described later.

[0020] (2.1) Multiple Light Sources The multiple light sources 2A, 2B emit light of different colors. The light source 2A emits light of, for example, a color (color temperature) of 6500K. The light source 2B emits light of, for example, a color (color temperature) of 2700K. Each of the multiple light sources 2A, 2B has one or more light-emitting elements. Each of the one or more light-emitting elements is, for example, an LED (Light-Emitting Diode). The one or more light-emitting elements are, for example, connected to each other in series.

[0021] (2.2) Multiple Control Units The multiple control units 3A, 3B correspond one-to-one to the multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and output direct currents according to control signals input from the signal processing unit 4 to the corresponding light sources 2A, 2B.

[0022] More specifically, the control units 3A and 3B input a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal specifying a duty ratio as a control signal from the signal processing unit 4. The control units 3A and 3B output currents having dimming rates (individual dimming rates) according to the control signals input from the signal processing unit 4 to the corresponding light sources 2A and 2B.

[0023] More specifically, the control units 3A and 3B include a DCDC converter. The DCDC converter is a circuit that converts an input DC voltage into a desired voltage and outputs the desired voltage, thereby converting a DC current flowing with the DC voltage into a desired current. The control units 3A and 3B convert the DC voltage input from a predetermined DC power source into a voltage according to a duty ratio specified by a control signal input from the signal processing unit 4 by the DCDC converter, and output the converted voltage to the corresponding light source 2A or 2B. As a result, the control units 3A and 3B convert the DC current associated with the DC voltage input from the predetermined DC power source into a current with a dimming ratio according to a duty ratio specified by a control signal input from the signal processing unit 4 by the DCDC converter, and output the converted current to the corresponding light source 2A or 2B.

[0024] The control units 3A and 3B are configured by IC chips (Integrated Circuits). The control units 3A and 3B have variations in performance due to individual differences between the control units 3A and 3B (that is, individual differences between IC chips).

[0025] A signal input range for the input control signal is set in the control units 3A and 3B. The signal input range includes a variation section. The variation section is a section in which the current output in response to the input control signal varies in the control units 3A and 3B in which the signal input range is set. More specifically, the variation section is a section in which the light sources 2A and 2B may be turned on or off in response to the input control signal due to the individual differences of the control units 3A and 3B in which the signal input range is set. That is, when the control units 3A and 3B input a control signal within the variation section, the control units 3A and 3B output a current including variations due to the individual differences of the control units 3A and 3B (i.e., IC chips). As a result, the control units 3A and 3B may output or not output a current (i.e., the light sources 2A and 2B may be turned on or off) due to the individual differences of the control units 3A and 3B (i.e., IC chips) at the same individual dimming rate.

[0026] More specifically, the controllers 3A and 3B are configured to set the output current to the corresponding light source 2A or 2B to zero when the input control signal is equal to or lower than a certain threshold value due to performance constraints. The certain threshold value varies depending on the individual controllers 3A and 3B. That is, the certain threshold value may be shifted to a value slightly higher than the original value or slightly lower than the original value depending on the individual controllers 3A and 3B. The section between the minimum and maximum values ​​of this shift constitutes the variation section. Therefore, even if the same control signal within the variation section is input to each controller 3A of the multiple lighting fixtures 1, the controller 3A may or may not output a current to the light source 2A depending on the individual controller 3A. Similarly, even if the same control signal within the variation section is input to each controller 3B of the multiple lighting fixtures 1, the controller 3B may or may not output a current to the light source 2B depending on the individual controller 3B.

[0027] (2.3) Signal Processing Unit The signal processor 4 is configured with, for example, a microcomputer. The signal processor 4 generates a control signal to be output to each of the multiple controllers 3A, 3B based on an instruction signal input from the dimmer 5, and inputs the generated control signal to a corresponding controller among the multiple controllers 3A, 3B. That is, the signal processor 4 generates a control signal to be output to the controller 3A based on an instruction signal input from the dimmer 5, and outputs the generated control signal to the controller 3A. The signal processor 4 also generates a control signal to be output to the controller 3B based on an instruction signal input from the dimmer 5, and outputs the generated control signal to the controller 3B. The instruction signal is a signal that indicates the dimming rate of the illumination light of the lighting fixture 1 and the dimming ratio of the multiple light sources 2A, 2B (hereinafter, simply referred to as "dimming ratio"). The dimming ratio indicates the ratio of the individual dimming rates of the multiple light sources 2A, 2B. If any one of the color temperature, chromaticity coordinates, and color palette of the illumination light is specified, it is possible to specify the individual dimming ratios of the multiple light sources 2A and 2B from the specified information. Therefore, the dimming ratio may be, for example, the content indicating the color temperature, chromaticity coordinates, or color palette of the illumination light.

[0028] More specifically, the signal processor 4 receives an instruction signal from the dimmer 5, and obtains individual dimming rates, which are dimming rates of each of the multiple light sources 2A and 2B, based on the received instruction signal. The individual dimming rates specify the dimming rates required for the light emitted by the light sources 2A and 2B. More specifically, the individual dimming rates specify the dimming rates required for the light emitted by the light sources 2A and 2B in order to control the illumination light of the lighting fixture 1 to illumination light with a dimming rate and dimming ratio specified by the instruction signal. Then, the signal processor 4 generates a control signal to be output to each of the multiple controllers 3A and 3B from the obtained individual dimming rates (individual dimming rates corresponding to the controllers to which the control signals are output). That is, the signal processor 4 generates a control signal to be output to the controller 3A from the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A corresponding to the controller 3A. Also, the signal processor 4 generates a control signal to be output to the controller 3B from the individual dimming rate of the light source 2B corresponding to the controller 3B. Then, the signal processing unit 4 outputs the generated control signal to the corresponding control units 3A and 3B.

[0029] The signal processor 4 is set with a threshold value for each individual dimming rate of the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B. That is, the signal processor 4 is set with a threshold value for each individual dimming rate of the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B. In the first embodiment, for example, the threshold values ​​for each individual dimming rate of the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B are set to the same value. When the individual dimming rate of a certain light source (for example, the light source 2A) among the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B is less than the threshold value, the signal processor 4 outputs a constant control signal that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the certain light source as a control signal to a control unit (for example, the control unit 3A) corresponding to the certain light source. Note that the "constant control signal" is a control signal with a duty ratio fixed to a certain value, that is, a control signal that causes a constant current to be output. In addition, when the individual dimming rate of the certain light source (for example, the light source 2A) is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the signal processor 4 outputs a control signal according to the individual dimming rate of the certain light source as a control signal to a control unit (for example, the control unit 3A) corresponding to the certain light source. The "control signal according to the individual dimming ratio" is, for example, a control signal whose duty ratio increases as the individual dimming ratio increases.

[0030] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the signal processor 4 has a correspondence relationship between the individual dimming ratio and the control signal for each of the light sources 2A and 2B. In the example of FIG. 2, the correspondence relationship is given by a graph G1. The horizontal axis of FIG. 2 indicates the individual dimming ratio of the light source 2A, and the vertical axis of FIG. 2 indicates the control signal (duty ratio). Note that the shape of the graph G1 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and is not limited to the shape of FIG. 2. The threshold value M1 set on the horizontal axis of FIG. 2 is the above-mentioned threshold value related to the individual dimming ratio of the light source 2A. In the graph G1, an individual dimming ratio that is equal to or greater than 0 and less than the threshold value M1 corresponds to a constant control signal fixed to a certain value N1. Also, in the graph G1, an individual dimming ratio that is equal to or greater than the threshold value M1 corresponds to a control signal that increases with an increase in the individual dimming ratio. The signal processor 4 generates a control signal to be output to the controller 3A from the individual dimming ratio of the light source 2A based on this graph G1. That is, when the individual dimming rate of light source 2A is equal to or greater than 0 and less than threshold value M1, signal processor 4 outputs a constant (certain value N1) control signal as the control signal. As a result, when the individual dimming rate of light source 2A corresponds to the control signal within variation section W1, signal processor 4 converts the control signal to be output to controller 3A from the control signal within variation section W1 to a control signal of certain value N1 corresponding to threshold value M1 and outputs the converted control signal. Also, when the individual dimming rate of light source 2A is equal to or greater than threshold value M1, signal processor 4 outputs a control signal that increases in accordance with an increase in the individual dimming rate of light source 2A based on the slope portion of graph G1 as the control signal.

[0031] 2, the certain value N1 is set to a value corresponding to the threshold value M1. However, the certain value N1 is not limited to a value corresponding to the threshold value M1, and may be any value within a range outside the interval W1 (a range larger than the interval W1 or a range smaller than the interval W1). In other words, when the individual dimming rate is equal to or smaller than the threshold value M1 (or less than the threshold value M1), the certain value N1 may be any value within a range outside the interval W1. In this case, the dimming ratios (e.g., color temperatures) of the multiple light sources 2A and 2B are kept constant.

[0032] The vertical axis in FIG. 2 indicates the possible range of the control signal. In other words, it indicates the signal input range related to the control signal input to the control unit 3A. This signal input range includes the variation interval (variation interval W1 in FIG. 2) as described above. The value N1 on the vertical axis indicates the value of the control signal corresponding to the threshold value M1. In the lighting device 1, the threshold value M1 is set so that the value N1 of the control signal corresponding to the threshold value M1 is included in a range outside the variation interval W1 on the vertical axis in FIG. 2 (more specifically, a range larger than the variation interval W1 or a range smaller than the variation interval W1). In other words, the threshold value M1 is set so that the control signal generated from the individual dimming rate of the threshold value M1 (i.e., the control signal of the value N1) is included in a range outside the variation interval W1 on the vertical axis in FIG. 2 (a range larger than the variation interval W1 in the example of FIG. 2). In the example of FIG. 2, the threshold value M1 is set so that the value N1 is a value slightly above the variation interval W1.

[0033] In this way, by setting the threshold value M1 for the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A, only a control signal equal to or greater than a certain value N1 is output from the signal processor 4 to the controller 3A, regardless of the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A (see FIG. 3). In other words, when the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A is an individual dimming rate corresponding to the control signal within the variation range W1, the control signal output to the controller 3A is converted from the control signal within the variation range W1 to a control signal of the value N1 corresponding to the threshold value M1 and output. Therefore, the control signal within the variation range is not input from the signal processor 4 to the controller 3A. Therefore, by inputting a control signal within the variation range to the controller 3A, variation occurs in the current output from the controller 3A to the light source 2A, and the controller 3A is prevented from outputting or not outputting a current to the light source 2A. As a result, when the same instruction signal is input to multiple lighting fixtures 1, variation in the color temperature of the illumination light of multiple lighting fixtures 1 can be prevented.

[0034] In the above description, attention has been focused on the threshold value M1 related to the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A, but the same applies to the threshold value related to the individual dimming rate of the light source 2B.

[0035] (3) Operation Description The operation of lighting fixture 1 will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] When an instruction signal from the dimmer 5 is input to the signal processor 4 (step S1), the signal processor 4 obtains the individual dimming ratio of each of the light sources 2A and 2B based on the input instruction signal (step S2). The signal processor 4 determines whether the obtained individual dimming ratio of the light source 2A is less than the threshold value related to the individual dimming ratio of the light source 2A (step S3). If the result of the determination is that the individual dimming ratio of the light source 2A is less than the threshold value (Yes in step S3), the signal processor 4 outputs a constant control signal that does not depend on the obtained individual dimming ratio of the light source 2A to the controller 3A (step S4). Then, the controller 3A outputs a current (i.e., a constant current) according to the constant control signal from the signal processor 4 to the light source 2A (step S5). As a result, the light source 2A emits light at a constant individual dimming ratio (i.e., a constant brightness) that does not depend on the individual dimming ratio of the light source 2A obtained in step S3.

[0037] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S3 is that the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A is equal to or higher than the threshold value (No in step S3), the signal processor 4 outputs a control signal corresponding to the determined individual dimming rate of the light source 2A to the controller 3A (step S6). Then, the controller 3A outputs a current corresponding to the control signal from the signal processor 4 to the light source 2A (step S7). As a result, the light source 2A emits light with a brightness corresponding to the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A determined in step S2.

[0038] Next, the signal processing unit 4 determines whether the individual dimming rate of the light source 2B obtained in step S2 is less than the threshold value for the individual dimming rate of the light source 2B (step S8). If the result of the determination is that the individual dimming rate of the light source 2B is less than the threshold value (Yes in step S8), the signal processing unit 4 outputs a constant control signal that does not depend on the obtained individual dimming rate of the light source 2B to the control unit 3B (step S9). Then, the control unit 3B outputs a current corresponding to the constant control signal from the signal processing unit 4 (i.e., a constant current) to the light source 2B (step S10). As a result, the light source 2B emits light at a constant individual dimming rate (i.e., a constant brightness) that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the light source 2B obtained in step S2. Then, the process returns to step S1.

[0039] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S8 is that the individual dimming ratio of light source 2B is equal to or greater than the threshold value (No in step S8), the signal processing unit 4 outputs a control signal corresponding to the determined individual dimming ratio of light source 2B to the control unit 3B (step S11). Then, the control unit 3B outputs a current corresponding to the control signal from the signal processing unit 4 to the light source 2B (step S12). As a result, the light source 2B emits light with a brightness corresponding to the individual dimming ratio of light source 2B determined in step S3. Then, the process returns to step S1.

[0040] (4) Comparative Example As Comparative Example 1, consider a case where the above threshold value for the individual dimming rate of each light source 2A, 2B is not set in the signal processing unit 4 in the lighting fixture 1 of the first embodiment. In this case, the signal processing unit 4 of Comparative Example 1 outputs a control signal corresponding to the individual dimming rate of the light sources 2A, 2B to the control units 3A, 3B when the individual dimming rate of the light sources 2A, 2B is in a range of 0 or more. As a result, the control units 3A, 3B of Comparative Example 1 input a control signal of zero or more according to the individual dimming rate. That is, the control units 3A, 3B of Comparative Example 1 can input a control signal within the above-mentioned variation range. Note that in the first modification, as in the first embodiment, the light color of the light source 2A is 6500K and the light color of the light source 2B is 2700K.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, two lighting fixtures 100X and 100Y according to Comparative Example 1 are prepared. The same instruction signal (for example, an instruction signal instructing a dimming rate of 5% and a color temperature of 6000K as the dimming rate and dimming ratio (for example, color temperature) of the illumination light) is input to both lighting fixtures 100X and 100Y. In this case, it is assumed that, in both lighting fixtures 100X and 100Y, a control signal with a duty ratio of 5% based on the instruction signal is input to controller 3A, and a control signal with a duty ratio of 0.5% based on the instruction signal is input to controller 3B.

[0042] In Comparative Example 1, the control signal with a duty ratio of 0.5% is a control signal included in the above-mentioned variation range, and the control signal with a duty ratio of 5% is a control signal not included in the above-mentioned variation range. Therefore, since a control signal outside the above-mentioned variation range (a control signal with a duty ratio of 5%) is input to the control unit 3A, the control unit 3A outputs a current according to the control signal with a duty ratio of 5% to the light source 2A regardless of the individual difference of the control unit 3A. However, since a control signal within the above-mentioned variation range (a control signal with a duty ratio of 0.5%) is input to the control unit 3B, the control unit 3B may or may not output a current to the light source 2B depending on the individual difference of the control unit 3B.

[0043] In the lighting fixture 100X shown in FIG. 5, the controller 3A outputs a current corresponding to a control signal (duty ratio 5%) based on the instruction signal to the light source 2A, and the controller 3B does not output a current to the light source 2B (i.e., does not output a current based on the instruction signal). Note that a circle (○) between the controller 3A and the light source 2A in FIG. 5 indicates that the controller 3A outputs a current based on the instruction signal to the light source 2A. Also, a cross (×) between the controller 3B and the light source 2B in FIG. 5 indicates that the controller 3B does not output a current to the light source 2B. In this case, in the lighting fixture 100X, the light source 2A emits light at an individual dimming rate (e.g., 5%) corresponding to the control signal (duty ratio 5%) based on the instruction signal, and the light source 2B does not emit light because it is not based on the instruction signal and there is no current from the controller 3B. For this reason, the illumination light from lighting fixture 100X does not become illumination light with a dimming rate of 5% and a color temperature of 6000K as instructed by the instruction signal, but becomes illumination light with a dimming rate of 5% and a color temperature of 6500K, for example.

[0044] In addition, in the lighting fixture 100Y shown in FIG. 6, the controllers 3A and 3B both output currents to the light sources 2A and 2B in response to the control signal based on the instruction signal. That is, the controller 3A outputs currents to the light source 2A in response to the control signal with a duty ratio of 5%, and the controller 3B outputs currents to the light source 2B in response to the control signal with a duty ratio of 0.5%. Note that the open circle (◯) between the controller 3A and the light source 2A in FIG. 6 indicates that the controller 3A outputs currents to the light source 2A in response to the instruction signal. In addition, the open circle (◯) between the controller 3B and the light source 2B in FIG. 6 indicates that the controller 3B outputs currents to the light source 2B in response to the instruction signal. In this case, the light sources 2A and 2B both emit light at individual dimming rates corresponding to the control signals based on the instruction signals. That is, light source 2A emits light at an individual dimming rate (e.g., 5%) corresponding to a control signal with a duty ratio of 5%, and light source 2B emits light at an individual dimming rate (e.g., 0.5%) corresponding to a control signal with a duty ratio of 0.5%. As a result, the illumination light of lighting device 100Y becomes illumination light with a dimming rate of 5% and a color temperature of 6000K as instructed by the instruction signal.

[0045] In this way, in the lighting fixtures 100X and 100Y of comparison example 1, a control signal within the variation range is input to, for example, control unit 3B of the control units 3A and 3B, and as a result, for example, light source 2A may or may not emit light due to individual differences in control unit 3B (i.e., individual differences between lighting fixtures 100X and 100Y), resulting in individual differences in the color temperature of the illumination light of the lighting fixtures 100X and 100Y, as described above.

[0046] In contrast, in the case of embodiment 1, two lighting fixtures 1X, 1Y according to embodiment 1 are prepared (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Then, as in comparative example 1, the same instruction signal (e.g., an instruction signal instructing a dimming rate of 5% and a color temperature of 6000K as the dimming rate and dimming ratio (e.g., color temperature) of the illumination light) is input to both lighting fixtures 1X, 1Y. In the case of embodiment 1, as in comparative example 1, the control signal with a duty ratio of 0.5% is a control signal included in the above-mentioned variation range, and the control signal with a duty ratio of 5% is a control signal not included in the above-mentioned variation range.

[0047] In the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a control signal with a duty ratio of 5% is input to the controller 3A of the lighting fixtures 1X and 1Y, as in the case of the first comparative example. However, unlike the case of the first comparative example, a control signal with a duty ratio of 0.5% is not input to the controller 3B of the lighting fixtures 1X and 1Y, but a control signal with a constant duty ratio (for example, 1%) that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the light source 2B is input. The control signal with the constant duty ratio (for example, 1%) is a control signal with a value corresponding to the threshold value related to the individual dimming rate of the light source 2B. That is, in the first embodiment, the threshold value related to the individual dimming rate of the light sources 2A and 2B is set. Therefore, when the individual dimming rate of the light sources 2A and 2B is an individual dimming rate corresponding to the control signal within the variation range, the control signal input from the signal processor 4 to the controllers 3A and 3B is converted from the control signal within the variation range to a control signal with a constant duty ratio outside the variation range.

[0048] Therefore, a control signal with a duty ratio of 0.5% within the above-mentioned variation range is not input to the control unit 3B of the lighting fixtures 1X, 1Y, but a control signal with a constant duty ratio (for example, 1%) outside the above-mentioned variation range is input. As a result, the control unit 3A of the lighting fixtures 1X, 1Y outputs a current with an individual dimming rate (for example, 5%) corresponding to a duty ratio of 5% to the light source 2A. Also, the control unit 3B of the lighting fixtures 1X, 1Y outputs a current with an individual dimming rate (for example, 1%) that is higher than the duty ratio of 0.5% and corresponds to a constant duty ratio (for example, 1%) outside the above-mentioned variation range to the light source 2B. In this way, since a control signal with a constant duty ratio (for example, 1%) outside the above-mentioned variation range is input to the control unit 3B, there is no variation due to individual differences in the control unit 3B in the current output from the control unit 3B to the light source 2B, and the current is the same for each individual control unit 3B. That is, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the current output from the control unit 3B to the light source 2B between the lighting fixtures 1X and 1Y is the same. In Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, a circle (○) between the control unit 3A and the light source 2A indicates that the control unit 3A outputs a current based on the instruction signal to the light source 2A. In Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, a square (□) between the control unit 3B and the light source 2B indicates that the control unit 3B outputs a current to the light source 2B, but that the current is a constant current that is not based on the instruction signal.

[0049] Therefore, light sources 2A of lighting fixtures 1X and 1Y both emit light at individual dimming rates (e.g., 5%) corresponding to a duty ratio of 5% based on the instruction signal, and light sources 2B of lighting fixtures 1X and 1Y both emit light at individual dimming rates (e.g., 1%) corresponding to a duty ratio of a constant value (e.g., 1%) higher than the duty ratio of 0.5% based on the instruction signal. As a result, the illumination light of lighting fixtures 1X and 1Y does not become illumination light with a dimming rate of 5% and a color temperature of 6000K specified by the instruction signal, but both become illumination light with the same dimming rate (e.g., 6%) and color temperature (e.g., 5500K). That is, in the first embodiment, when the same instruction signal is input to lighting fixtures 1X and 1Y, it is possible to suppress variation in the color temperature of the illumination light between individual lighting fixtures 1X and 1Y.

[0050] (5) Effects As described above, the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment emits illumination light including a plurality of lights having different light colors. The lighting device 1 includes a plurality of (two in the example of FIG. 1) light sources 2A, 2B, a plurality of (two in the example of FIG. 1) control units 3A, 3B, and at least one (one in the example of FIG. 1) signal processing unit 4. The plurality of light sources 2A, 2B correspond to a plurality of lights and emit the corresponding lights. The plurality of control units 3A, 3B correspond to the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B, and output a current according to the input control signal to the corresponding light sources 2A, 2B. The signal processing unit 4 receives an instruction signal instructing the dimming rate of the illumination light and the dimming ratio of the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B, calculates an individual dimming rate of each of the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B based on the input instruction signal, and generates the control signal to be output to each of the plurality of control units 3A, 3B from the calculated individual dimming rate. A threshold value M1 related to the individual dimming rate is set in the signal processing unit 4. When the individual dimming ratio of a certain light source 2A or 2B among the multiple light sources 2A, 2B is less than a threshold value M1, the signal processing unit 4 outputs a constant control signal that is not dependent on the individual dimming ratio of the certain light source as the control signal to the control unit 3A or 3B corresponding to the certain light source.

[0051] According to this configuration, when the individual dimming rate of a certain light source 2A or 2B among the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B is less than the threshold value M1, a constant control signal that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the certain light source is output as the control signal to the control unit 3A or 3B corresponding to the certain light source. As a result, when the individual dimming rate of the certain light source is less than the threshold value M1, a control signal in which the output current of the control unit is not affected by the variation in the performance of the control unit (i.e., a control signal included in a range outside the variation range within the signal input range of the control unit) can be output as the control signal to the control unit 3A or 3B corresponding to the certain light source. As a result, when the same instruction signal is input to the plurality of lighting fixtures 1, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variation in the color temperature of the illumination light among the plurality of lighting fixtures 1.

[0052] Furthermore, in lighting device 1, a signal input range for the control signal to be input is set for each of multiple control units 3A, 3B. The signal input range includes a variation section W1. The variation section W1 is a section in which variation occurs in the current output in response to the control signal input to control units 3A, 3B in which the signal input range is set. Threshold value M1 is set so that the control signal generated from an individual dimming ratio having the value of threshold value M1 in signal processing unit 4 is included within a range outside variation section W1 in the signal input range.

[0053] According to this configuration, the threshold value M1 for the individual dimming ratios of the light sources 2A and 2B is set so that the control signal generated from the individual dimming ratios having the value of the threshold value M1 in the signal processor 4 does not fall within the variation interval W1. This makes it possible to prevent all of the control signals output from the signal processor 4 to a certain controller 3A or 3B (i.e., the controller 3A or 3B corresponding to a certain light source 2A or 2B) from falling within the variation interval W1. This makes it possible to prevent variation in the current output in response to the input control signal in the certain controller 3A or 3B. As a result, when the same instruction signal is input to a plurality of lighting fixtures 1, variation in the color temperature of the illumination light among the plurality of lighting fixtures 1 can be prevented.

[0054] Furthermore, the lighting device 1 includes a DC-DC converter that converts the DC current output from the DC power supply into a current corresponding to the input control signal. With this configuration, the control units 3A and 3B can be configured simply by using the DC-DC converter.

[0055] Furthermore, in the lighting device 1, the light sources 2A and 2B each have one or more light emitting elements. According to this configuration, by using one or more light emitting elements for the light sources 2A and 2B, the light sources (2A and 2B) can be configured with a simple configuration.

[0056] Furthermore, the lighting fixture 1 has two light sources as the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B. With this configuration, when the lighting fixtures 1 are provided with two light sources 2A, 2B that emit light of different colors, it is possible to prevent variation in the color temperature of the illumination light among the lighting fixtures 1 when the same instruction signal is input to the lighting fixtures 1.

[0057] Furthermore, in the lighting fixture 1, the threshold value M1 is set using a data table. With this configuration, multiple threshold values ​​M1 can be easily set.

[0058] (6) Variations A description will be given of a modified example of embodiment 1. In the following description, the same components as those in embodiment 1 will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0059] (6.1) Variation 1 In the first embodiment, the thresholds for the individual dimming rates of the light sources 2A and 2B are set to the same value. However, the thresholds for the individual dimming rates of the light sources 2A and 2B may include different thresholds. In this case, all of the thresholds for the individual dimming rates of the light sources 2A and 2B may be different from each other.

[0060] According to the first modification, the multiple thresholds can be set to different values ​​from each other, which allows optimal threshold values ​​to be set for each of the control units 3A, 3B, taking into consideration the difference in performance of the control units 3A, 3B due to individual differences between the control units 3A, 3B.

[0061] (6.2) Variation 2 In the first embodiment, although not particularly limited, the thresholds for the individual dimming rates of the multiple light sources 2A and 2B may be set to the same value between individual lighting fixtures 1. That is, between individual lighting fixtures 1, the thresholds for the individual dimming rates of the light sources 2A may be set to the same value, and the thresholds for the individual dimming rates of the light sources 2B may be set to the same value. As described above, the thresholds are set so that the corresponding control signals corresponding to the thresholds are included in the range outside the variation range. For this reason, for example, when the thresholds for the individual dimming rates of the light sources 2A are set to the same value between individual lighting fixtures 1, the threshold of the individual lighting fixture 1 with the smaller variation range may be adjusted to the threshold of the individual lighting fixture 1 with the larger width of the variation range.

[0062] (6.3) Variation 3 In the first embodiment, the case where one signal processor 4 is provided as the at least one signal processor 4 is exemplified. However, as the at least one signal processor, multiple signal processors 4A, 4B in one-to-one correspondence with multiple controllers 3A, 3B may be provided (see FIG. 9). In this case, the multiple signal processors 4A, 4B in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple light sources 2A, 2B. Then, the multiple signal processors 4A, 4B each receive the same instruction signal (an instruction signal instructing the dimming rate and dimming ratio (e.g., color temperature) of the illumination light) from the dimmer 5, and obtain the individual dimming rate of the corresponding light source 2A, 2B based on the input instruction signal. Then, the multiple signal processors 4A, 4B obtain a control signal to be output to the corresponding controller 3A, 3B from the obtained individual dimming rate, and output the obtained control signal to the corresponding controller 3A, 3B.

[0063] The signal processing unit 4A performs the same processing related to the light source 2A and the control unit 3A as that performed by the signal processing unit 4 in embodiment 1. Moreover, the signal processing unit 4B performs the same processing related to the light source 2B and the control unit 3B as that performed by the signal processing unit 4 in embodiment 1. Therefore, detailed description of the signal processing units 4A and 4B will be omitted.

[0064] According to the third modification, at least one signal processing unit is provided, which are a plurality of signal processing units 4A, 4B in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of control units 3A, 3B. This allows the processing of the signal processing unit to be distributed to the plurality of signal processing units 4A, 4B, thereby reducing the processing load on each of the plurality of signal processing units 4A, 4B.

[0065] (Embodiment 2) A lighting device 1B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the first and second embodiments may be combined.

[0066] (1) Composition As shown in FIG. 10, a lighting fixture 1B and a lighting system 10B according to the second embodiment are configured in the same manner as the signal processing unit 4 of the first embodiment, except that the signal processing unit 4 further includes an output adjustment unit 6.

[0067] The output adjustment unit 6 adjusts the control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to each of the multiple control units 3A, 3B so that the luminous flux (brightness) of the light sources 2A, 2B corresponding to the multiple control units 3A, 3B matches the target luminous flux.

[0068] More specifically, the output adjustment unit 6 detects the current output from each of the multiple control units 3A, 3B to the light sources 2A, 2B corresponding to each control unit 3A, 3B. The output adjustment unit 6 determines the luminous flux of each of the multiple light sources 2A, 2B based on the detection result of the current output from each of the multiple control units 3A, 3B to the light sources 2A, 2B corresponding to each control unit 3A, 3B. The output adjustment unit 6 adjusts the control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to each of the multiple control units 3A, 3B so that the determined luminous flux of the light sources 2A, 2B coincides with a target luminous flux.

[0069] In the above description, the output adjustment unit 6 detects the output current from each of the control units 3A, 3B to the corresponding light sources 2A, 2B. However, instead of the output adjustment unit 6, an external processing unit other than the output adjustment unit 6 may detect the output current from each of the control units 3A, 3B to the corresponding light sources 2A, 2B. Also, in the above description, the output current from each of the control units 3A, 3B to the corresponding light sources 2A, 2B is detected, but instead of the output current, the luminous flux of the multiple light sources 2A, 2B may be directly measured.

[0070] More specifically, in the default setting, the signal processor 4B is set so as to output a control signal with a duty ratio of, for example, 80% to the controllers 3A and 3B when the individual dimming ratio of the light sources 2A and 2B obtained from the instruction signal is 100%. Then, when the signal processor 4 outputs a control signal with a duty ratio of 80% to the controllers 3A and 3B, if the luminous flux (brightness) of the light sources 2A and 2B does not reach the target luminous flux, for example, the output adjuster 6 adjusts the control signal output from the signal processor 4 to the controller 3A to a control signal that outputs a larger current (i.e., a control signal with a larger duty ratio). In this case, the output adjuster 6 increases the value of the control signal output from the signal processor 4 to the controller 3A by, for example, 5% or 10%.

[0071] Furthermore, when the signal processing unit 4 outputs a control signal with a duty ratio of, for example, 80% to the control units 3A and 3B, if the luminous flux of the light source 2A exceeds the target luminous flux, the output adjustment unit 6 adjusts the control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to the control unit 3A to a control signal that outputs a smaller current (i.e., a control signal with a smaller duty ratio (adjusted control signal)). In this case, the output adjustment unit 6 reduces, for example, the value (duty ratio) of the control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to the control unit 3A by 5% or 10%.

[0072] In the second embodiment, the variation range of the control units 3A and 3B is assumed to be, for example, 0.41% or more and 0.49% or less.

[0073] Here, consider the case where the individual dimming rate of light source 2A obtained from the instruction signal is 1%. Furthermore, consider the case where output adjustment unit 6 reduces, for example, the value of the control signal output from signal processing unit 4 to control unit 3A by 10%, as described above. That is, consider the case where output adjustment unit 6 adjusts the control signal output from signal processing unit 4 to control unit 3A to an adjusted control signal that causes a smaller current to be output (for example, a control current with a duty ratio reduced by 10%).

[0074] In this case, the adjusted control signal (adjustment control signal) output from signal processing unit 4 to controller 3A will have a duty ratio of approximately 0.72%, which may fall within the above-mentioned variation range. If the adjustment control signal output from signal processing unit 4 to controller 3A falls within the above-mentioned variation range, when the same instruction signal is input to multiple lighting fixtures 1B, variation will occur in the light emission state of light source 2A among the multiple lighting fixtures 1B, and variation will occur in the color temperature of the illumination light among the multiple lighting fixtures 1B.

[0075] In the above description, the case where the light source 2A is focused on is illustrated, but the same applies to the case where the light source 2B is focused on. That is, when the individual dimming ratio of the light source 2B determined from the instruction signal is a predetermined value (for example, a deep dimming ratio, for example, 1%), if the output adjustment unit 6 further reduces, for example, the value of the control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to the control unit 3B by 10%, the adjusted control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to the control unit 3B will have a duty ratio of, for example, 0.72%, which may be included in the above-mentioned variation range.

[0076] In order to eliminate the above-mentioned variations, in the second embodiment, the threshold value for the individual dimming ratios of the light sources 2A and 2B is set as follows: That is, the threshold value for the individual dimming ratios of the light sources 2A and 2B is set so that, when the individual dimming ratios of the light sources 2A and 2B calculated from the instruction signal are equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the signal processor 4 outputs, as the adjustment control signal, a control signal having a certain value corresponding to the threshold value for the individual dimming ratios of the light sources 2A and 2B.

[0077] For example, the threshold value M1 regarding the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A (see FIG. 2) is set so that when the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A obtained from the instruction signal is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the signal processing unit 4 outputs a control signal of a certain value N1 corresponding to the threshold value M1 regarding the individual dimming rate of the light source 2A as the adjustment control signal to be output to the control unit 3A.

[0078] In this way, by setting the threshold value for the individual dimming ratios of light sources 2A, 2B, when the individual dimming ratios of light sources 2A, 2B determined from the instruction signal are equal to or lower than the predetermined value, when output adjustment unit 6 adjusts the control signal output from signal processing unit 4 to controllers 3A, 3B to an adjustment control signal, the adjustment control signal becomes a control signal of a certain value corresponding to the threshold value for the individual dimming ratios of light sources 2A, 2B, i.e., a control signal outside the variation range. Therefore, when the individual dimming ratios of light sources 2A, 2B determined from the instruction signal are equal to or lower than the predetermined value, when the control signal output from signal processing unit 4 to controllers 3A, 3B is adjusted by output adjustment unit 6 to an adjustment control signal, it is possible to suppress variation in the color temperature of the illumination light of multiple lighting fixtures 1B when the same instruction signal is input to multiple lighting fixtures 1B.

[0079] (2) Effects As described above, the lighting device 1B includes an output adjustment unit 6. The output adjustment unit 6 adjusts the control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to each of the multiple control units 3A, 3B. A certain light source 2A or 2B among the multiple light sources 2A, 2B and a certain control unit 3A or 3B among the multiple control units 3A, 3B correspond to each other. When the control signal is output from the signal processing unit 4 to the certain control unit, if the luminous flux of the certain light source is greater than the target luminous flux, the output adjustment unit 6 adjusts the control signal output to the certain control unit to an adjustment control signal. The adjustment control signal is a control signal that causes a smaller current to be output. The threshold value M1 related to the individual dimming rate of the certain light source is set so that, when the individual dimming rate of the certain light source determined from the instruction signal is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 1%), the signal processing unit 4 outputs a constant control signal that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the certain light source as the adjustment control signal.

[0080] With this configuration, when the output adjustment unit 6 adjusts the control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to the certain controller to the adjusted control signal, the adjusted control signal can be prevented from falling within the variation section W1. As a result, when the control signal output from the signal processing unit 4 to the certain controller is adjusted by the output adjustment unit 6 to the adjusted control signal, it is possible to suppress variations in the color temperature of the illumination light among the multiple lighting devices 1B when the same instruction signal is input among the multiple lighting devices 1B.

[0081] (Embodiment 3) A lighting device 1C and a lighting system 10C according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0082] (1) Composition Lighting device 1C of embodiment 3 further comprises, in lighting device 1 of embodiment 1, a plurality (two in the example of FIG. 11) of light sources 12A, 12B (second light sources), a plurality (two in the example of FIG. 11) of control units 13A, 13B (second control units), and one or more (one in the example of FIG. 11) signal processing units 40 (second signal processing units).

[0083] The signal processing unit 4 (first signal processing unit), the multiple light sources 2A, 2B (first light sources), and the multiple control units 3A, 3B (second control units) shown in Figure 11 are configured in the same way as the signal processing unit 4 (first signal processing unit), the multiple light sources 2A, 2B (multiple first light sources), and the multiple control units 3A, 3B (multiple first control units) of embodiment 1, so detailed explanations are omitted.

[0084] The “control signal,” “individual dimming ratio,” “plurality of lights,” “threshold value (related to individual dimming ratio),” “signal input range,” and “variation range” of embodiment 1 used in lighting fixture 1C of embodiment 3 correspond to the “first control signal,” “first individual dimming ratio,” “plurality of first lights,” “first threshold value,” “first signal input range,” and “first variation range” described in the claims, respectively.

[0085] The multiple light sources 12A and 12B emit light (second light) of different colors. The color of the light emitted by the multiple light sources 12A and 12B is different from the color of the light emitted by the multiple light sources 2A and 2B. The color of the light emitted by the multiple light sources 12A and 12B may include the same color as the color of the light emitted by the multiple light sources 2A and 2B.

[0086] The illumination light of lighting device 1C includes light emitted by multiple light sources 2A and 2B (multiple first lights) and light emitted by multiple light sources 12A and 12B (multiple second lights).

[0087] The multiple control units 13A, 13B correspond one-to-one to the multiple light sources 12A, 12B, and output a current according to a control signal (second control signal) input from the signal processing unit 40 to the corresponding light source 12A or 12B. The multiple control units 13A, 13B are configured similarly to the multiple control units 3A, 3B, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] The signal processing unit 40 generates a control signal to be output to each of the multiple control units 13A, 13B based on an instruction signal input from the dimmer 5, and inputs the generated control signal to a corresponding one of the multiple control units 13A, 13B. Since the signal processing unit 40 is configured similarly to the signal processing unit 4 in the first embodiment, detailed description will be omitted below and only the main points will be described.

[0089] More specifically, the signal processor 40 receives an instruction signal instructing the dimming rate and dimming ratio (e.g., color temperature) of the illumination light of the lighting fixture 1C, and obtains an individual dimming rate (second individual dimming rate) of each of the plurality of light sources 12A, 12B based on the received instruction signal. The signal processor 40 then generates a control signal to be output to each of the plurality of control units 13A, 13B from the obtained individual dimming rate (individual dimming rate corresponding to the control unit of the output destination). A threshold value (second threshold value) related to the individual dimming rate of each of the plurality of light sources 12A, 12B is set in the signal processor 40. When the individual dimming rate of a certain light source among the plurality of light sources 12A, 12B is less than the threshold value, the signal processor 40 outputs a constant control signal that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the certain light source as the control signal to the control unit 13A or 13B corresponding to the certain light source. The "constant control signal" is a control signal with a duty ratio fixed to a certain value, that is, a control signal that causes a certain current to be output.

[0090] In the signal processing unit 40, a signal input range (second signal input range) related to the input control signal is set in each of the multiple control units 13A, 13B. The signal input range includes a variation section (second variation section) in which variation occurs in the current output according to the input control signal in the control units 13A, 13B in which the signal input range is set. The threshold value is set so that the control signal generated from the individual dimming rate having the threshold value in the signal processing unit 40 is included in a range outside the variation section within the signal input range (more specifically, a range larger than the variation section or a range smaller than the variation section).

[0091] (2) Effects As described above, the lighting device 1C according to the third embodiment further includes a second signal processing unit 40, a plurality of second light sources 12A, 12B, and a second control unit 13A, 13B in the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment. The second signal processing unit 40 is different from the first signal processing unit 4 which is the signal processing unit 4. The plurality of second light sources 12A, 12B are different from the plurality of first light sources 2A, 2B which are the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B. The plurality of second control units 13A, 13B are different from the plurality of first control units 3A, 3B which are the plurality of control units 3A, 3B. The illumination light includes a plurality of first lights which are the plurality of lights, and a plurality of second lights having different light colors from each other. The plurality of second light sources 12A, 12B correspond to the plurality of second lights and emit the corresponding second lights. The second control units 13A, 13B correspond to the second light sources 12A, 12B, and output currents corresponding to the second control signals input to the second control units 13A, 13B, which are different from the first control signal, which is the control signal, to the corresponding second light sources 12A, 12B. The second signal processing unit 40 obtains a second individual dimming rate of each of the second light sources 12A, 12B based on the instruction signal, which is a dimming rate different from the first individual dimming rate, which is the individual dimming rate, and generates the second control signal to be output to each of the second control units 13A, 13B from the obtained second individual dimming rate. The second signal processing unit 40 is set with a second threshold value related to the second individual dimming rate of each of the second light sources 12A, 12B, which is a value different from the first threshold value, which is the threshold value. When the second individual dimming ratio of a certain second light source 12A or 12B among the plurality of second light sources 12A and 12B is less than a second threshold value different from the first threshold value, which is the threshold value, the second signal processing unit 40 outputs a control signal to the second control unit 13A or 13B corresponding to the certain second light source 12A or 12B as the second control signal, the control signal having a content that causes the certain second light source 12A or 12B to output a constant current that does not depend on the second individual dimming ratio of the certain second light source 12A or 12B. The second signal input range is set in each of the plurality of second control units 13A and 13B, and is a range different from the first signal input range, which is the signal input range, and is related to the second control signal to be input. The second signal input range includes a second variation section. The second variation section is a section in which variation occurs in the current output according to the input second control signal in the second control unit 13A or 13B in which the second signal input range is set.The second threshold value is set so that the second control signal generated in the second signal processing unit 40 from the second individual dimming rate of the second threshold value is a range different from the first variation range W1, which is the variation range W1, and is included within a range outside the second variation range within the second signal input range.

[0092] According to this configuration, in the lighting fixture 1 of embodiment 1, even in a lighting fixture 1C further including a second signal processing unit 40, a plurality of second light sources 12A, 12B, and a plurality of second control units 13A, 13B, when the same instruction signal is input to the plurality of lighting fixtures 1C, variations in the color temperature of the illumination light among the plurality of lighting fixtures 1C can be suppressed.

[0093] (3) Variations The following describes a modification of embodiment 3. In the following description, the same components as those in embodiment 3 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0094] (3.1) Variation 1 In the third embodiment, a case where one signal processing unit 40 is provided as the at least one signal processing unit 40 will be exemplified. However, similar to the third modification of the first embodiment, a plurality of signal processing units in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of control units 13A, 13B may be provided as the at least one signal processing unit 40. According to the first modification, the processing of the signal processing unit 40 can be distributed to the plurality of signal processing units, thereby reducing the processing load of the plurality of signal processing units.

[0095] (3.2) Variation 2 The first to third embodiments and their modified examples may be combined and practiced. (Aspect) The present specification discloses the following aspects.

[0096] The lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) of the first embodiment emits illumination light including a plurality of lights having different light colors. The lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) includes a plurality of light sources (2A, 2B), a plurality of control units (3A, 3B), and at least one signal processing unit (4). The plurality of light sources (2A, 2B) correspond to a plurality of lights and emit the corresponding lights. The plurality of control units (3A, 3B) correspond to the plurality of light sources (2A, 2B), and output a current according to an input control signal to the corresponding light source (2A, 2B). The signal processing unit (4) obtains an individual dimming rate of each of the plurality of light sources (2A, 2B) based on an instruction signal indicating the dimming rate of the illumination light and the dimming ratio of the plurality of light sources (2A, 2B), and generates a control signal to be output to each of the plurality of control units (3A, 3B) from the obtained individual dimming rate. A threshold value (M1) related to the individual dimming rate is set in the signal processing unit (4). When the individual dimming rate of a certain light source (2A or 2B) among the multiple light sources (2A, 2B) is less than a threshold value (M1), the signal processing unit (4) outputs, as the control signal, a control signal to the control unit (3A or 3B) corresponding to the certain light source, the control signal being such that a constant current independent of the individual dimming rate of the certain light source (2A or 2B) is output.

[0097] According to this configuration, when the individual dimming rate of a certain light source (2A or 2B) among the plurality of light sources (2A, 2B) is less than the threshold value (M1), a constant control signal that does not depend on the individual dimming rate of the certain light source (2A or 2B) is output as the control signal to the control unit (3A or 3B) corresponding to the certain light source. As a result, when the individual dimming rate of a certain light source (2A or 2B) is less than the threshold value (M1), a control signal in which the output current of the control unit is not affected by the variation in the performance of the control unit (i.e., a control signal included in a range outside the variation range within the signal input range of the control unit) can be output as the control signal to the control unit (3A or 3B) corresponding to the certain light source. As a result, when the same instruction signal is input to the plurality of lighting devices (1, 1B, 1C), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variation in the color temperature of the illumination light among the plurality of lighting devices (1, 1B, 1C).

[0098] A lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) of a second aspect is the same as that of the first aspect, except that a signal input range for the input control signal is set in each of a plurality of control units (3A, 3B). The signal input range includes a variation section (W1). The variation section (W1) is a section in which variation occurs in the current output in response to the input control signal in the control unit (3A, 3B) in which the signal input range is set. The threshold value (M1) is set such that the control signal generated in the signal processing unit (4) from the individual dimming rate of the threshold value (M1) is included within a range outside the variation section (W1) in the signal input range.

[0099] According to this configuration, the threshold value (M1) for the individual dimming rate of the light source (2A, 2B) is set so that the control signal generated from the individual dimming rate having the value of the threshold value (M1) in the signal processing unit (4) does not fall within the variation interval (W1). This makes it possible to prevent all control signals output from the signal processing unit (4) to a certain control unit (3A or 3B) (i.e., the control unit (3A or 3B) corresponding to a certain light source (2A or 2B)) from falling within the variation interval (W1). This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of variation in the current output in response to the input control signal in the certain control unit (3A or 3B). As a result, when the same instruction signal is input to the multiple lighting devices (1, 1B, 1C), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variation in the color temperature of the illumination light among the multiple lighting devices (1, 1B, 1C).

[0100] A lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) of a third aspect is the lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) of the first or second aspect, in which the control unit (3A, 3B) is provided with a DC-DC converter that converts a DC current output from a DC power supply into a current corresponding to a control signal input to the control unit (3A, 3B).

[0101] According to this configuration, by using a DC-DC converter, the control unit (3A, 3B) can be configured with a simple configuration.

[0102] In the lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) of the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the light source (2A, 2B) has one or more light-emitting elements.

[0103] According to this configuration, by using one or more light emitting elements, the light sources (2A, 2B) can be configured with a simple structure.

[0104] A lighting device (1, 1B, 1C) of a fifth aspect is any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the thresholds (M1) related to the individual dimming rates of the multiple light sources (2A, 2B) include thresholds that are different from each other.

[0105] According to this configuration, the multiple thresholds (M1) can be set to different values ​​from each other, and therefore, the optimum threshold value can be set for each of the control units (3A, 3B) in consideration of the difference in performance of the control units (3A, 3B) due to the individual differences of the control units (3A, 3B).

[0106] In the lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) of the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the plurality of light sources (2A, 2B) are two light sources.

[0107] According to this configuration, when two light sources (2A, 2B) that emit light of different colors are provided, when the same instruction signal is input to the multiple lighting fixtures (1, 1B, 1C), it is possible to suppress variations in the color temperature of the illumination light among the multiple lighting fixtures (1, 1B, 1C).

[0108] In the lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) of the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the threshold value (M1) is set by a data table.

[0109] According to this configuration, a plurality of threshold values ​​(M1) can be easily set.

[0110] The lighting fixture (1, 1B, 1C) of the eighth aspect is any one of the first to seventh aspects and further includes an output adjustment unit (6). The output adjustment unit (6) adjusts a control signal output from the signal processing unit (4) to each of the multiple control units (3A, 3B). A certain light source (2A, 2B) among the multiple light sources (2A, 2B) and a certain control unit (3A, 3B) among the multiple control units (3A, 3B) correspond to each other. When a control signal is output from the signal processing unit (4) to a certain control unit (3A, 3B), if the luminous flux of the certain light source (2A, 2B) is greater than the target luminous flux, the output adjustment unit (6) adjusts the control signal to be output to the certain control unit (3A, 3B) to an adjustment control signal. The adjustment control signal is a control signal that causes a smaller current to be output. A threshold value (M1) for the individual dimming ratio of a certain light source (2A, 2B) is set so that, when the individual dimming ratio of a certain light source (2A, 2B) obtained from the instruction signal is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the signal processing unit (4) outputs, as an adjustment control signal, a control signal for outputting a constant current independent of the individual dimming ratio of the certain light source (2A, 2B).

[0111] According to this configuration, when the output adjustment unit (6) adjusts the control signal output from the signal processing unit (4) to a certain control unit (3A or 3B) to an adjustment control signal, the adjustment control signal can be prevented from entering the variation section (W1). As a result, when the control signal output from the signal processing unit (4) to a certain control unit (3A or 3B) is adjusted by the output adjustment unit (6) to the adjustment control signal, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variation in the color temperature of the illumination light among the multiple lighting fixtures (1, 1B, 1C) when the same instruction signal is input among the multiple lighting fixtures (1, 1B, 1C).

[0112] A lighting device (1C) of a ninth aspect is any one of the first to eighth aspects, further comprising a second signal processing unit (40), a plurality of second light sources (12A, 12B), and a second control unit (13A, 13B). The second signal processing unit (40) is different from the first signal processing unit (4) which is the signal processing unit (4). The plurality of second light sources (12A, 12B) are different from the plurality of first light sources (2A, 2B) which are the plurality of light sources (2A, 2B). The plurality of second control units (13A, 13B) are different from the plurality of first control units (3A, 3B) which are the plurality of control units (3A, 3B). The illumination light includes a plurality of first lights which are the plurality of lights, and a plurality of second lights having different light colors from each other. The plurality of second light sources (12A, 12B) correspond to the plurality of second lights and emit the corresponding second lights. The second control units (13A, 13B) correspond to the second light sources (12A, 12B) and output currents corresponding to the second control signals input to the second control units (13A, 13B), which are different from the first control signal that is the control signal, to the corresponding second light sources (12A, 12B). The second signal processing unit (40) obtains a second individual dimming rate of each of the second light sources (12A, 12B) based on the instruction signal, which is a dimming rate different from the first individual dimming rate that is the individual dimming rate, and generates the second control signal to be output to each of the second control units (13A, 13B) from the obtained second individual dimming rate. A second threshold value related to the second individual dimming rate of each of the second light sources (12A, 12B) is set in the second signal processing unit (40), which is a value different from the first threshold value that is the threshold value. When the second individual dimming rate of a certain second light source (2A or 2B) among the multiple second light sources (12A, 12B) is less than a second threshold value different from the first threshold value, which is the threshold value, the second signal processing unit (40) outputs, as the second control signal, a control signal to the second control unit (3A or 3B) corresponding to the certain second light source (2A or 2B) such that a constant current independent of the second individual dimming rate of the certain second light source (2A or 2B) is output.

[0113] According to this configuration, in a lighting fixture (1C) according to the first or second aspect of the configuration, which further includes at least one second signal processing unit (40), a plurality of second light sources (12A, 12B), and a plurality of second control units (13A, 13B), when the same instruction signal is input to the plurality of lighting fixtures (1C), it is possible to suppress variations in the color temperature of the illumination light among the plurality of lighting fixtures (1C).

[0114] A lighting system (10C) of a tenth aspect includes a plurality of lighting fixtures (1, 1B), each of which is a lighting fixture of the first to ninth aspects, and a dimmer (5) that outputs the same instruction signal to the plurality of lighting fixtures (1, 1B). [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1,1B,1C Lighting equipment 2A, 2B light source (1st light source) 3A, 3B control section (1st control section) 4. Signal Processing Section 6 Output adjustment section 12A, 12B light source (second light source) 13A, 13B Control section (second control section) 40 Signal processing unit (second signal processing unit) M1 Threshold W1 Variation interval

Claims

1. A lighting device that emits illumination light including a plurality of lights having different light colors, A plurality of light sources corresponding to the plurality of lights and emitting corresponding lights; A plurality of control units corresponding to the plurality of light sources and outputting currents to the corresponding light sources in response to input control signals; at least one signal processing unit that calculates an individual dimming rate for each of the plurality of light sources based on an instruction signal that indicates a dimming rate of the illumination light and a dimming ratio of the plurality of light sources, and generates the control signal to be output to each of the plurality of control units from the calculated individual dimming rates; A threshold value related to the individual dimming rate is set in the signal processing unit, The signal processing unit includes: When the individual dimming ratio of a certain light source among the plurality of light sources is less than the threshold value, a control signal having a content for outputting a constant current independent of the individual dimming ratio of the certain light source is output to the control unit corresponding to the certain light source as the control signal. Lighting fixtures.

2. A signal input range related to the control signal to be input is set for each of the plurality of control units, the signal input range includes a variation section in which variation occurs in the current output in response to the control signal input to the control unit in which the signal input range is set, The threshold value is set so that the control signal generated from the individual dimming rate of the threshold value in the signal processing unit is included within a range outside the variation range within the signal input range.

2. A lighting fixture according to claim 1.

3. The control unit is A DC-DC converter is provided to convert a DC current output from a DC power supply into the current corresponding to the control signal input to the control unit.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The light source has one or more light emitting elements.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The thresholds for the individual dimming rates of the plurality of light sources include thresholds different from each other.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The plurality of light sources are two light sources.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The threshold value is set by a data table.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the signal processing unit includes an output adjustment unit that adjusts the control signal output from the signal processing unit to each of the plurality of control units; the certain light source among the plurality of light sources and the certain control unit among the plurality of control units correspond to each other, when the control signal is output from the signal processing unit to the certain control unit, if the luminous flux of the certain light source is greater than a target luminous flux, the output adjustment unit adjusts the control signal to be output to the certain control unit to an adjustment control signal, which is a control signal having a content to output a smaller current; The threshold value for the individual dimming rate of the certain light source is set so that, when the individual dimming rate of the certain light source obtained from the instruction signal is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the signal processing unit outputs, as the adjustment control signal, a control signal having a content for outputting the constant current independent of the individual dimming rate of the certain light source.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A second signal processing unit different from the first signal processing unit, which is the signal processing unit; A plurality of second light sources different from the plurality of first light sources, which are the plurality of light sources; Further comprising a plurality of second control units different from the plurality of first control units, the illumination light includes a plurality of first lights that are the plurality of lights and a plurality of second lights that have different light colors; the second light sources correspond to the second light sources and emit corresponding second light; The second control units correspond to the second light sources, and output currents to the second light sources, the currents being different from the first control signal, which is the control signal, and corresponding to the second control signals input to the second control units; The second signal processing unit obtains a second individual dimming rate of each of the plurality of second light sources based on the instruction signal, the second individual dimming rate being a dimming rate different from a first individual dimming rate that is the individual dimming rate, and generates the second control signal to be output to each of the plurality of second control units from the obtained second individual dimming rate; A second threshold value related to the second individual dimming rate of each of the plurality of second light sources is set in the second signal processing unit, the second threshold value being a value different from the first threshold value that is the threshold value; The second signal processing unit is When the second individual dimming rate of a certain second light source among the plurality of second light sources is less than a second threshold value different from the first threshold value, which is the threshold value, a control signal having a content for causing the certain second light source to output a constant current independent of the second individual dimming rate of the certain second light source is output to the second control unit corresponding to the certain second light source as the second control signal.

3. A lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. One or more luminaires, each of which is a luminaire according to claim 1 or 2; and a dimmer that outputs the same instruction signal to the one or more lighting fixtures. Lighting system.

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