Dimming unit

Abstract

To provide a light control unit capable of controlling the intensity of light closer to external illuminance.SOLUTION: A light control unit 13 used for a power supply unit 8 in a lighting device R which is connected to a control part 3 capable of outputting at least three signals of a full-wave signal, a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, and a zero signal, and having a lighting element 2 and the power supply unit 8 for supplying power from a light power supply to the lighting element 2 according to a signal outputted from the control unit 3, includes a processing part receiving and processing the at least three signals from the control unit 3. The processing part includes a positive operation part PH1 whose operation state changes when receiving the positive half-wave signal, a negative operation part PH2 whose operation state changes when receiving the negative half-wave signal, and an adjustment part 14 for adjusting the voltage or the current of the light power supply and outputting it to the lighting element 2 according to the operation state of the positive operation part PH1 and the negative operation part PH2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dimming unit used for lighting devices installed outdoors, such as shoulders of highways or general roads, or walls inside tunnels, for illuminating road surfaces and the like.

Background Art

[0002] When the lighting device is provided, for example, inside a tunnel, it is provided as "entrance lighting" at the entrance of the tunnel, and it is necessary to gradually dim the light so that the illuminance difference from the outside becomes as small as possible toward the "basic lighting" inside the tunnel. Therefore, a dimming lighting system has been proposed that is configured to perform a total of three types of dimming: 100% lighting during the day, 50% dimming at night, and 25% dimming in the middle of the night, by turning on / off dimming switches provided for each of the two lamps (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, even during the day, depending on the weather, the illuminance may change greatly. Also, in the time zone when the sun sets, the illuminance may gradually decrease. In such cases, as in Patent Document 1, with only the switching of the two signals of the ON signal and the OFF signal of the dimming switch, only three types of dimming can be performed, and the illuminance inside the tunnel cannot be made close to the external illuminance, and early improvement is desired.

[0005] In view of the above situation, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dimming unit that can approximate the external illuminance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The dimming unit of the present invention is a lighting fixture connected to an AC power supply and connected to a control unit capable of outputting at least three signals among a full-wave signal, a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, and a zero signal as signals related to the AC power supply. It is a dimming unit used for a power supply unit in a lighting fixture having a lighting element and a power supply unit that supplies power from a lighting power supply to the lighting element. The dimming unit used for the power supply unit that causes the lighting element to emit light according to a signal output from the control unit has a processing unit that receives and processes the signal from the control unit. The processing unit includes a positive operating unit that operates with the positive half-wave signal, a negative operating unit that operates with the negative half-wave signal, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the voltage or current of the lighting power supply according to the operating states of the positive operating unit and the negative operating unit and outputs it to the lighting element. It is characterized by this.

[0007] As described above, by outputting at least three signals among a full-wave signal, a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, and a zero signal to the processing unit, the adjustment unit adjusts the voltage or current of the lighting power supply according to the operating states of the positive operating unit and the negative operating unit of the processing unit and outputs it to the lighting element. Therefore, the number of signals can be increased compared to the two signals output by turning the conventional switch ON / OFF, and the adjustment of the current or voltage of the lighting power supply can be made in many patterns.

[0008] Further, in the dimming unit of the present invention, the control unit includes two-wire voltage lines connected to an AC power supply, and each voltage line is configured to output the at least three signals. A signal operation unit including the positive operating unit and the negative operating unit is respectively connected to the output side of the two-wire voltage lines, and each signal operation unit is configured to operate based on the at least three signals output from the control unit. The operating state from each signal operation unit may be output to the adjustment unit.

[0009] As described above, by outputting at least three types of signals from each of the two-wire voltage lines, it is possible to output signals in 3×3 = 9 combinations. Therefore, the voltage or current of the lighting power supply can be adjusted based on the nine types of signals and output to the lighting element.

[0010] Further, the dimming unit of the present invention may have an insulating portion for insulating the positive operating portion and the negative operating portion from an input-side circuit to which the at least three signals are input and an output-side circuit that outputs to the adjustment portion.

[0011] As described above, since the positive operating portion and the negative operating portion have the insulating portion, the input-side circuit and the output-side circuit can be insulated, and not only is it less likely to be affected by noise, but also when a sudden overvoltage due to lightning strike or the like is applied to the input-side circuit side, it is possible to prevent the output-side circuit from being damaged.

Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, since the current or voltage of the lighting power supply supplied to the lighting element can be adjusted in many patterns based on at least three signals output from the control unit, it is possible to provide a dimming unit that can approach the external illuminance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a dimming unit 13 in the lighting device 1 of the present invention. The dimming unit 13 is for adjusting the brightness of the LED module (lighting element) 2 provided in the tunnel, is provided in the control panel (control unit) 3, and is connected via a three-core cable 6 having a length of 50 m or more from a rectifier output unit 5 that rectifies and outputs the AC voltage of the AC power supply 4, and is used for a power supply unit 8 disposed in the tunnel 7. Incidentally, the lighting fixture R is constituted by the LED module (lighting element) 2 and the power supply unit 8. The lighting device 1 can be used not only for illuminating the inside of the tunnel but also for illuminating a road surface or the like when installed on the shoulder of a highway or a general road.

[0015] The control panel 3 is provided with a single-phase two-wire AC power supply with a voltage of 200 V consisting of a neutral wire COM with one wire grounded and a voltage wire S with one wire. In this embodiment, the voltage wire S is branched and configured into two voltage wires DIM1 and DIM2.

[0016] The rectifier output unit 5 includes a first circuit 9 provided in one voltage wire DIM1, a second circuit 10 connected in parallel to the first circuit 9, a third circuit 11 provided in the other voltage wire DIM2, and a fourth circuit 12 connected in parallel to the third circuit 11.

[0017] The first circuit 9 is configured by connecting in series a first diode D1 that converts the AC voltage from the AC power supply 4 into a positive half-wave signal (half-wave rectified voltage) and an ON / OFF capable first switch MC1 that outputs the positive half-wave signal (half-wave rectified voltage) converted by the first diode D1. The second circuit 10 is configured by connecting in series a second diode D2 (arranged in the opposite direction to the first diode D1) that converts the AC voltage from the AC power supply 4 into a negative half-wave signal (half-wave rectified voltage) and an ON / OFF capable second switch MC2 that outputs the negative half-wave signal (half-wave rectified voltage) converted by the second diode D2. Therefore, when only the first diode D1 is ON, the AC voltage of 200V from the voltage line DIM1 is rectified and a positive half-wave rectified voltage is output. When only the second diode D2 is ON, the AC voltage of 200V from the voltage line DIM1 is rectified and a negative half-wave rectified voltage is output. When both the first diode D1 and the second diode D2 are ON, the AC voltage of 200V from the voltage line DIM1 is full-wave rectified and a full-wave rectified voltage is output. Also, when both the first diode D1 and the second diode D2 are OFF, the voltage line DIM1 becomes a voltage of 0 (zero) V.

[0018] The third circuit 11 is configured by connecting in series a third diode D3 (arranged in the same direction as the first diode D1) that converts the AC voltage from the AC power supply 4 into a positive half-wave signal (half-wave rectified voltage), and a third switch MC3 that can be turned ON / OFF to output the positive half-wave signal (half-wave rectified voltage) converted by the third diode D3. The fourth circuit 12 is configured by connecting in series a fourth diode D4 (arranged in the opposite direction to the third diode D3) that converts the AC voltage from the AC power supply 4 into a negative half-wave signal (half-wave rectified voltage), and a fourth switch MC4 that can be turned ON / OFF to output the negative half-wave signal (half-wave rectified voltage) converted by the fourth diode D4. Therefore, when only the third diode D3 is turned ON, the AC voltage of 200V from the voltage line DIM2 is rectified and a positive half-wave rectified voltage is output. When only the fourth diode D4 is turned ON, the AC voltage of 200V from the voltage line DIM2 is rectified and a negative half-wave rectified voltage is output. When both the third diode D3 and the fourth diode D4 are turned ON, the AC voltage of 200V from the voltage line DIM2 is full-wave rectified and a full-wave rectified voltage is output. Also, when both the third diode D3 and the fourth diode D4 are turned OFF, the voltage line DIM2 becomes a voltage of 0 (zero) V.

[0019] The switches MC1, MC2, MC3, and MC4 may be constituted by electromagnetic switches, or may be semiconductor elements such as relays and triacs, or in some cases, may be manual operation switches such as toggle switches, tumbler switches, and push switches.

[0020] The three-core cable 6 uses a CVV cable (control vinyl-insulated vinyl-sheathed cable) as the control cable, but a CV cable (cross-linked polyethylene-insulated vinyl-sheathed cable), a VVR cable (600V vinyl-insulated vinyl-sheathed cable), or an equivalent cable may also be used.

[0021] The power supply unit 8 includes a dimming unit 13 and an adjustment unit 14 that adjusts the voltage or current of an illumination power supply (actually a DC power supply, not shown) for lighting the LED module 2 and outputs it to the LED module 2. The dimming unit 13 has a processing unit that receives and processes signals from the two-wire voltage lines DIM1 and DIM2.

[0022] The LED module 2 shows three LED modules 2 to which a plurality (six in FIG. 1) of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 2A are attached and are connected in series, but is not limited to what is shown in the figure.

[0023] The processing unit of the dimming unit 13 includes a first processing unit (first processing circuit) 13A that receives and processes signals from the voltage line DIM1, and a second processing unit (second processing circuit, not shown) that receives and processes signals from the voltage line DIM2. Since both the first processing unit 13A and the second processing unit have the same configuration, only the first processing unit 13A will be described.

[0024] The first processing unit 13A includes a resistor R1 arranged on the input side, a first photocoupler PH1 that is a positive operating unit that operates (turns on) with a positive half-wave signal and a second photocoupler PH2 that is a negative operating unit that operates (turns on) with a negative half-wave signal, both connected to the output side of the resistor R1, a first output circuit 15 connected to the collector side of the phototransistor of the first photocoupler PH1, and a second output circuit 16 connected to the collector side of the phototransistor of the second photocoupler PH2. The output side of the resistor R1 is branched, one is connected to the anode side of the photodiode of the first photocoupler PH1, and the other is connected to the cathode side of the photodiode of the second photocoupler PH2. Also, the cathode side of the photodiode of the first photocoupler PH1 and the anode side of the photodiode of the second photocoupler PH2 are connected.

[0025] The first output circuit 15 includes two resistors R2 and R3, a first capacitor C1 disposed on the output side, and a power supply voltage Vcc for charging the first capacitor C1. The second output circuit 16 includes two resistors R4 and R5, a second capacitor C2 disposed on the output side, and a power supply voltage Vcc for charging the second capacitor C2.

[0026] When no voltage (positive half-wave rectified voltage, negative half-wave rectified voltage, full-wave rectified voltage) is input to the input side, the first photocoupler PH1 and the second photocoupler PH2 turn off, and the capacitors C1 and C2 are charged by the power supply voltage Vcc. When a voltage (positive half-wave rectified voltage, negative half-wave rectified voltage, full-wave rectified voltage) is input to the input side, the first photocoupler PH1 and the second photocoupler PH2 turn on for a time period of a phase in which the input voltage exceeds the operating voltages of the first photocoupler PH1 and the second photocoupler PH2, and discharge the charged capacitors C1 and C2. Since the first photocoupler PH1 (or the second photocoupler PH2) has an insulating portion that insulates the input-side circuit on the input side where the signal is input and the output-side circuit that outputs to the adjustment unit 14, it is not only less affected by noise, but also when a sudden overvoltage due to a lightning strike or the like is applied to the input-side circuit side, the output-side circuit can be prevented from being damaged.

[0027] Specifically, when a positive half-wave rectified voltage is input to the input side, if the constants of R2 and R3 are selected (R2 >> R3), the voltage on the output side of the first capacitor C1 becomes 0V, and the voltage on the output side of the second capacitor C2 becomes the power supply voltage Vcc. Also, when a negative half-wave rectified voltage is input to the input side, the voltage on the output side of the first capacitor C1 becomes the power supply voltage Vcc, and the voltage on the output side of the second capacitor C2 becomes 0V. Further, when a full-wave rectified voltage is input to the input side, similarly to the above, the voltage on the output side of the first capacitor C1 becomes 0V, and the voltage on the output side of the second capacitor C2 becomes 0V. Also, when no voltage (positive half-wave rectified voltage, negative half-wave rectified voltage, full-wave rectified voltage) is input to the input side, the voltage on the output side of the first capacitor C1 becomes the power supply voltage Vcc, and the voltage on the output side of the second capacitor C2 becomes the power supply voltage Vcc. That is, four types of voltages are generated. And since the second processing unit is the same as the first processing unit, four types of voltages are also generated on the output side in the second processing unit. Therefore, a total of 16 combinations of signals are generated in 4 × 4 ways. Thus, the current (or voltage) to the LED module 2 can be adjusted in 16 ways.

[0028] The above 16 combinations are summarized in Table 1.

[0029]

Table 1

[0030] Sixteen dimming modes are shown. That is, in Table 1, the voltages input to the first processing unit 13A and the second processing unit from one voltage line DIM1 and the other voltage line DIM2 are described according to the ON / OFF combinations of the four switches MC1 to MC4, and the voltages output according to the operating states of the photocouplers PH1 and PH2 of the first processing unit 13A and the second processing unit are output to the adjustment unit 14. The adjustment unit 14 adjusts the current (or voltage) from the lighting power supply to become a preset LED drive current (or voltage) based on the combination of the four output voltages and outputs it to the LED module 2.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in Table 1, when one voltage line DIM1 in the first dimming mode is 0V and the other voltage line DIM2 is 0V, 100% dimming (full lighting) is set. Also, when one voltage line DIM1 in the second dimming mode is 0V and the other voltage line DIM2 is a positive half-wave rectified voltage, 90% dimming is set. Further, when the AC voltage (AC200V) is not rectified in one voltage line DIM1 in the 16th dimming mode and the AC voltage (AC200V) is also not rectified in the other voltage line DIM2, 0% dimming (turning off the light) is set. Table 1 is merely an example, and any percentage (%) of dimming may be used.

[0032] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0033] The first processing unit 13A shown in the above embodiment can be changed to the circuits shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, a diode D5 having the same direction is connected in parallel to the photodiode of the first photocoupler PH1 connected to a line 18 extending from one (upper side) terminal 17 on the input side. Also, a diode D6 having the reverse direction is connected in parallel to the photodiode of the second photocoupler PH2. The cathode side of the diode D5 is connected between the anode side of the diode D6 and the cathode side of the photodiode of the second photocoupler PH2. The cathode side of the diode D6 is connected to the other terminal 19 on the input side. Since other configurations not described are the same as those in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a case where a voltage determination circuit T is incorporated on the input side of FIG. 3 is shown. This voltage determination circuit T is a circuit for providing a threshold value to the operating input voltages of the first photocoupler PH1 and the second photocoupler PH2, and prevents the first photocoupler PH1 and the second photocoupler PH2 from operating (malfunctioning) when the effective value of the operating input voltage is abnormally low. Note that the voltage determination circuit T is configured using, for example, a Zener diode or the like.

[0034] Also, in FIG. 4, the anode side of diode D7 is connected to line 18 extending from one terminal 17 on the input side, and resistor R1 is connected to the cathode side of diode D7. Diode D8 and resistor R6 are connected in series between the anode side of diode D7 and the cathode side of the photodiode of the second photocoupler PH2. The cathode side of diode D8 is connected to the one terminal 17 side, and the anode side of diode D8 is connected to resistor R6. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a case where a voltage determination circuit T is incorporated in the input side of FIG. 4 is shown. This voltage determination circuit T is a circuit for providing a threshold value to the operating input voltages of the first photocoupler PH1 and the second photocoupler PH2, and prevents the first photocoupler PH1 and the second photocoupler PH2 from operating (malfunctioning) when the effective value of the operating input voltage is abnormally low. Incidentally, the voltage determination circuit T is configured using, for example, a Zener diode or the like.

[0035] Also, in the above embodiment, each switch MC1 and each diode D1 are connected in series, but they may be connected as shown in FIG. 5. That is, one switch MC1 and diode D1 provided on one voltage line DIM1 are connected in parallel, and the other switch MC2 and diode D2 are connected in parallel. The two circuits connected in parallel are connected in series. One switch MC3 and diode D3 provided on the other voltage line DIM2 are connected in parallel, and the other switch MC4 and diode D4 are connected in parallel. The two circuits connected in parallel are connected in series.

[0036] In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration enabling 16 levels of dimming was adopted, but it may also be implemented with a configuration enabling 8 levels of dimming. In this case, it will be implemented with a plurality (two) of ON / OFF switches that are connected to one of the two lines and can output any one of a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, a full-wave signal, and a zero signal, and a single (one) ON / OFF switch that is connected to the other of the two lines and outputs at least one signal among a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, a full-wave signal, and a zero signal, and a processing unit that processes the signals from the two lines. Also, although the voltage line was branched into two voltage lines, it may be branched into any number of three or more voltage lines. Further, each of the two voltage lines is configured to output at least three signals, and a signal operation unit including a positive operation unit and a negative operation unit is connected to the output side of the voltage lines of the two lines respectively. Each signal operation unit is configured to operate based on at least three signals output from the control unit S, and the operation state from each signal operation unit may be output to the adjustment unit. Therefore, by outputting at least three types of signals from each of the two voltage lines, signals of 3×3 = 9 combinations can be output. Thus, the voltage or current of the lighting power supply can be adjusted based on the nine signals and output to the lighting element.

[0037] In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which a signal obtained by rectifying an AC voltage is input to the signal determination unit 13 was adopted, but a configuration in which a signal from a signal generation device that generates at least three signals among a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, a full-wave signal, and a zero signal is input to the processing unit 13 may also be used. In this case, when two voltage lines are provided, any one of at least three signals among a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, a full-wave signal, and a zero signal may be output from the signal generation device to one voltage line, and at least one signal among a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, a full-wave signal, and a zero signal may be output from the signal generation device to the other voltage line.

[0038] In addition, in the above embodiment, a single-phase two-wire AC power supply was used, but a single-phase three-wire or three-phase three-wire AC power supply may also be used. Also, the AC voltage is not limited to AC200V.

[0039] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a photocoupler is used as the positive operating unit and the negative operating unit, but a semiconductor for insulation purposes such as a photo MOS or a photo thyristor may also be used.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1... Lighting device, 2... LED module (lighting element), 2A... LED (light-emitting diode), 3... Control panel, 4... AC power supply, 5... Rectified output section, 6... Three-core cable, 7... Tunnel, 8... Power supply for LED, 9... First circuit, 10... Second circuit, 11... Third circuit, 12... Fourth circuit, 13... Dimming unit, 13A... First processing unit, 14... Adjustment unit, 15... First output circuit, 16... Second output circuit, 17... Terminal, 18... Wire, 19... Terminal, C1, C2... Capacitor, COM... Neutral wire, D1 to D8... Diode, DIM1, DIM2... Voltage wire, MC1 to MC4... Switch, R1 to R6... Resistor, R... Lighting fixture, S... Voltage wire, PH1... First photocoupler (positive operating unit), PH2... Second photocoupler (negative operating unit), T... Voltage determination circuit

Claims

1. A lighting fixture connected to an AC power supply and connected to a control unit capable of outputting at least three signals out of a full-wave signal, a positive half-wave signal, a negative half-wave signal, and a zero signal as signals related to the AC power supply. A dimming unit used in the power supply unit of the lighting fixture, which has a lighting element and a power supply unit that supplies power from a lighting power supply to the lighting element according to a signal output from the control unit, having a processing unit that receives and processes the at least three signals from the control unit, the processing unit includes a positive operating unit whose operating state switches when receiving the positive half-wave signal, a negative operating unit whose operating state switches when receiving the negative half-wave signal, and an adjusting unit that adjusts the voltage or current of the lighting power supply according to the operating states of the positive operating unit and the negative operating unit and outputs it to the lighting element, the control unit includes two-wire voltage lines connected to the AC power supply, each voltage line is configured to output the at least three signals, and signal operating units including the positive operating unit and the negative operating unit are respectively connected to the output sides of the two-wire voltage lines. Each signal operating unit is configured to operate based on at least three signals output from the control unit, and the operating state from each signal operating unit is output to the adjusting unit. The dimming unit is characterized by this.

2. The dimming unit according to claim 1, wherein the positive operating unit and the negative operating unit have an insulating portion for insulating an input-side circuit into which the at least three signals are input and an output-side circuit that outputs to the adjusting unit.

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