Lighting control device, lighting fixture, and lighting control system

Abstract

To provide a lighting control unit capable of preventing a failure due to incorrect wiring in a lighting control system.SOLUTION: A lighting control unit 30a used being connected to a lighting control unit 30b, includes: first input terminals H1 and N1; a first switching element 41a; a first control terminal LH1; a first control circuit 60a that controls the first switching element 41a; and a first detection circuit 50a connected to the first control terminal LH1. The lighting control unit 30b includes second input terminals H2 and N2, a second switching element 41b, and a second control terminal LH2. The first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal input to the first control terminal LH1. The first control circuit 60a determines an operation mode of the lighting control unit 30a on the basis of a state of the second switching element 41b and presence or absence of detection of any control signal by the first detection circuit 50a. A candidate of the operation mode includes a first operation mode that keeps the first switching element 41a in an off state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting control device, a lighting fixture, and a lighting control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, lighting systems equipped with multiple lighting fixtures are known (for example, Patent Document 1). In the lighting system described in Patent Document 1, when a human presence sensor in a master lighting fixture detects a person, the master lighting fixture turns on, and the slave lighting fixtures connected to the master lighting fixture also turn on in conjunction with the human presence sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-212626 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Each of the multiple lighting fixtures included in a lighting system such as that described in Patent Document 1 has multiple terminals for connection to other lighting fixtures. In such a lighting system, each terminal of one lighting fixture needs to be connected to a specific terminal of another lighting fixture, but there are cases where the terminal is mistakenly connected to a terminal other than the specific terminal (i.e., miswiring). If power is supplied to the lighting system in a miswiring state, the lighting fixture may malfunction. In other words, the fuse of the lighting fixture may blow, rendering the lighting fixture unusable.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and provides a lighting control device and the like that can suppress failures due to incorrect wiring in a lighting control system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of a lighting control device according to the present invention is a lighting control device used in connection with another lighting control device, the lighting control device comprising: a pair of first input terminals for inputting an AC voltage; a first switching element connected to one of the pair of first input terminals and controlled to be on and off; a first control terminal connected to one of the pair of first input terminals via the first switching element; a first control circuit for controlling the first switching element; and a first detection circuit connected to the first control terminal; The lighting control device comprises a second control terminal connected via the second switching element, a second control circuit controlling the second switching element, and a second detection circuit connected to the second control terminal, wherein each of the pair of first input terminals and the first control terminal is connected to one of the pair of second input terminals and the second control terminal, the first detection circuit detects a control signal input to the first control terminal, and the first control circuit determines an operating mode of the lighting control device from among a plurality of candidate operating modes based on the state of the second switching element and whether or not the control signal is detected in the first detection circuit, and the plurality of candidate operating modes includes a first operating mode that maintains the first switching element in an off state.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of a lighting fixture according to the present invention includes the lighting control device, a light source, and a lighting circuit that receives the AC voltage and supplies power to the light source.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of a lighting control system according to the present invention includes the lighting control device and the other lighting control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lighting control device and the like that can suppress failures due to incorrect wiring in a lighting control system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the overall configuration of a lighting control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the lighting control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of another lighting control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the overall configuration of a lighting control system of a comparative example. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration in which the lighting control system of the comparative example is miswired. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a first configuration when the lighting control system according to the embodiment is miswired. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a second configuration when the lighting control system according to the embodiment is miswired. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of a lighting state of the first light source in the first operation mode according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations performed by the lighting control device according to the embodiment after AC voltage is input. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, processes (steps), and process order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present invention will be described as optional components.

[0012] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) A lighting control device, a lighting fixture, and a lighting control system according to an embodiment will be described.

[0014] [Overall configuration] First, the overall configuration of a lighting control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the overall configuration of a lighting control system 10 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 1 also shows an AC power supply 12 together with the lighting control system 10.

[0015] The AC power supply 12 is a power supply that supplies AC power to the lighting control system 10, and is, for example, a system power supply such as an external commercial power supply.

[0016] Lighting control system 10 is a system that controls multiple lighting fixtures and includes lighting control device 30a and another lighting control device 30b that is different from lighting control device 30a. In the present embodiment, lighting control system 10 includes lighting fixtures 20a and 20b. Lighting fixtures 20a and 20b are supplied with AC voltage from a single AC power supply 12 and turn on and off in conjunction with each other. Note that lighting control system 10 may also include lighting fixture 20c. Lighting fixture 20c is connected to a first input terminal N1 and a first control terminal LH1 (described below), and turns on and off in conjunction with lighting fixtures 20a and 20b.

[0017] Lighting device 20a includes lighting control device 30a, first lighting circuit 22a, and first light source 28a. Lighting device 20b includes lighting control device 30b, second lighting circuit 22b, and second light source 28b.

[0018] The components of lighting device 20a will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of lighting control device 30a according to the present embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, lighting control device 30a is a device that is connected to another lighting control device 30b when used. As shown in Fig. 2, lighting control device 30a includes a pair of first input terminals H1 and N1, a first control terminal LH1, a first switch circuit 40a, a first detection circuit 50a, and a first control circuit 60a. In this embodiment, lighting control device 30a further includes a first sensor 70a and a fuse 21a.

[0020] The pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 are terminals for inputting an AC voltage applied by the AC power supply 12. The effective value of the AC voltage input to the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 is, for example, 100 V.

[0021] The first control terminal LH1 is connected to one of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 via the first switch circuit 40a. As shown in Fig. 2, the first control terminal LH1 is connected to the first input terminal H1 via the first switching element 41a.

[0022] The first switch circuit 40a is connected between one of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 and the first control terminal LH1, and is a circuit that switches the conduction state between one of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 and the first control terminal LH1. As shown in Fig. 2, the first switch circuit 40a has a first switching element 41a, a capacitor 42a, resistors 43a and 44a, an inductor 45a, and a photocoupler 46a.

[0023] The first switching element 41a is connected to one of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 and is controlled to be turned on and off. In the present embodiment, the first switching element 41a is connected to the first input terminal H1 via a fuse 21a. The first switching element 41a is a triac. The first switching element 41a switches from an off state to an on state when a signal is input to the gate terminal of the first switching element 41a. Specifically, the first switching element 41a is maintained in an on state from the time when a voltage is applied as a signal to the gate terminal of the first switching element 41a (i.e., the time when the magnitude of the voltage of the signal input to the gate terminal becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value) until the current flowing through the first switching element 41a becomes zero. The first switching element 41a is maintained in an off state from the time when the current flowing through the first switching element 41a becomes zero until a voltage is applied to the gate terminal of the first switching element 41a. One main terminal of the first switching element 41a is connected to the first input terminal H1 via the fuse 21a, and the other main terminal is connected to the first control terminal LH1 via the inductor 45a. By controlling the on / off of the first switching element 41a (i.e., by a so-called phase control method), the amount of power that can be output from the first control terminal LH1 and the first input terminal N1 can be controlled.

[0024] The capacitor 42a and the resistor 43a are elements for suppressing surges input to the gate terminal of the first switching element 41a. The capacitor 42a and the resistor 43a are connected in parallel between the gate terminal of the first switching element 41a and one of the main terminals. One terminal of each of the capacitor 42a and the resistor 43a is connected to the first input terminal H1 via the fuse 21a.

[0025] The resistive element 44a is connected between the photocoupler 46a and the other main terminal of the first switching element 41a. In other words, the resistive element 44a is connected between the photocoupler 46a and the connection point between the first switching element 41a and the inductor 45a.

[0026] The inductor 45a is connected between the first switching element 41a and the first control terminal LH1. In other words, the inductor 45a and the first switching element 41a are connected in series between the first input terminal H1 and the first control terminal LH1.

[0027] The photocoupler 46a is a coupler having a light-emitting diode and a phototriac. The phototriac of the photocoupler 46a is connected between the gate terminal of the first switching element 41a and the resistor element 44a. The light-emitting diode of the photocoupler 46a is connected to the first control circuit 60a and turns on or off based on a signal from the first control circuit 60a.

[0028] The first detection circuit 50a is connected to the first control terminal LH1 and detects a control signal input to the first control terminal LH1. In the present embodiment, the first detection circuit 50a is connected between the first control terminal LH1 and the first input terminal N1 and detects a voltage applied between the first control terminal LH1 and the first input terminal N1. The first detection circuit 50a includes a diode bridge 51a, resistor elements 52a and 54a, a Zener diode 53a, and a photocoupler 55a.

[0029] The diode bridge 51a is a rectifier circuit connected between a first input terminal N1 and a first control terminal LH1. The two input terminals of the diode bridge 51a are connected to the first input terminal N1 and the first control terminal LH1, respectively. The high-potential side output terminal of the diode bridge 51a is connected to one terminal of the resistor element 52a, and the low-potential side output terminal is connected to one terminal of the resistor element 54a.

[0030] One terminal of the resistor element 52a is connected to the high-potential output terminal of the diode bridge 51a, and the other terminal is connected to the cathode terminal of the Zener diode 53a.

[0031] The cathode terminal of the Zener diode 53a is connected to the resistance element 52a, and the anode terminal is connected to the resistance element 54a.

[0032] One terminal of the resistor element 54a is connected to the low potential side output terminal of the diode bridge 51a, and the other terminal is connected to the anode terminal of the Zener diode 53a.

[0033] The photocoupler 55a is a coupler having a light-emitting diode and a phototransistor. The cathode terminal of the light-emitting diode of the photocoupler 55a is connected to one terminal of the resistor element 54a, and the anode terminal is connected to the other terminal of the resistor element 54a. The phototransistor of the photocoupler 55a is connected to the first control circuit 60a and outputs a signal to the first control circuit 60a in response to light from the light-emitting diode.

[0034] With the above-described configuration, the first detection circuit 50a outputs a signal to the first control circuit 60a when the magnitude (absolute value) of the voltage between the first input terminal N1 and the first control terminal LH1 exceeds a predetermined value. In other words, the first detection circuit detects a control signal when the magnitude of the voltage input to the first control terminal LH1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and outputs a signal to the first control circuit 60a in accordance with the detected control signal.

[0035] The first control circuit 60a controls the first switching element 41a of the first switch circuit 40a. More specifically, the first control circuit 60a controls the on / off of the first switching element 41a. The first control circuit 60a determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30a from among multiple candidate operating modes based on the state of the second switching element 41b (see FIG. 3, described later) and whether or not the first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal. The first control circuit 60a can be implemented, for example, by a microcomputer. The microcomputer is a single-chip semiconductor integrated circuit having a memory, such as a ROM or RAM, that stores a program, a processor (CPU; Central Processing Unit) that executes the program, a timer, and input / output circuits including an A / D converter, a D / A converter, and the like. Note that the first control circuit 60a may also be implemented using electrical circuits other than a microcomputer. The detailed operation of the first control circuit 60a will be described later.

[0036] The first sensor 70a is a sensor that detects the surrounding conditions of the lighting control device 30a. In this embodiment, the first sensor 70a includes a human presence sensor and an illuminance sensor. The first sensor 70a outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the first control circuit 60a. As a result, for example, when the human presence sensor of the first sensor 70a detects a person, the lighting control device 30a can turn on the primary light source 28a by having the first control circuit 60a control the first lighting circuit 22a. Furthermore, the lighting control device 30a can turn on the primary light source 28a only when it detects that the surroundings of the lighting control device 30a are dark based on the illuminance sensor of the first sensor 70a.

[0037] Fuse 21a is connected to one of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 and is a current interruption element that prevents overcurrent from flowing through lighting fixture 20a. Fuse 21a interrupts the current when a current greater than or equal to a predetermined value is input for a predetermined period of time or longer. In this embodiment, fuse 21a is connected to first input terminal H1.

[0038] The first lighting circuit 22a is an example of a lighting circuit that receives an AC voltage and supplies power to the first light source 28a. The first lighting circuit 22a receives the AC voltage from first input terminals H1 and N1. The first lighting circuit 22a is connected to the first input terminal H1 via a fuse 21a, and is also connected to the first input terminal N1. In this embodiment, the operation of the first lighting circuit 22a is controlled by a first control circuit 60a. As shown in FIG. 2, the first lighting circuit 22a includes a filter circuit 23, a rectifier circuit 24, and a power supply circuit 25.

[0039] The filter circuit 23 is a circuit that suppresses noise generated by the power supply circuit 25 from leaking into the AC power supply 12, which is a commercial power supply system.

[0040] The rectifier circuit 24 is a circuit that rectifies the AC voltage input to the first lighting circuit 22a. In the present embodiment, the rectifier circuit 24 rectifies the AC voltage output from the filter circuit 23. The rectifier circuit 24 includes, for example, a diode bridge.

[0041] The power supply circuit 25 is a converter circuit that converts the rectified voltage output from the rectifier circuit 24 into a DC voltage suitable for the primary light source 28a. The power supply circuit 25 includes, for example, a step-down chopper circuit. The power supply circuit 25 is controlled by a first control circuit 60a. For example, the first control circuit 60a controls the on / off of a switching element of a converter circuit included in the power supply circuit 25. The power supply circuit 25 may also include a step-up chopper circuit.

[0042] Primary light source 28a is an example of a light source that emits light when power is supplied from first lighting circuit 22a. In the present embodiment, primary light source 28a includes a light-emitting element and is supplied with DC power. The light-emitting element included in primary light source 28a may be, for example, a solid-state light-emitting element such as an LED or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) element.

[0043] The components of lighting device 20b will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of lighting control device 30b according to the present embodiment.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting control device 30b is a device that is used in connection with another lighting control device 30a. As shown in FIG. 3, the lighting control device 30b includes a pair of second input terminals H2 and N2, a second control terminal LH2, a second switch circuit 40b, a second detection circuit 50b, and a second control circuit 60b. In this embodiment, the lighting control device 30b further includes a second sensor 70b and a fuse 21b. The pair of second input terminals H2 and N2, the second control terminal LH2, the second switch circuit 40b, the second detection circuit 50b, the second control circuit 60b, the second sensor 70b, and the fuse 21b have the same configurations as the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1, the first control terminal LH1, the first switch circuit 40a, the first detection circuit 50a, the first control circuit 60a, the first sensor 70a, and the fuse 21a, respectively, shown in FIG. 2. Each component of the lighting control device 30b will be briefly described below.

[0045] The pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 are terminals for inputting an AC voltage applied by the AC power supply 12.

[0046] The second control terminal LH2 is connected to one of the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 via the second switch circuit 40b. As shown in Fig. 3, the second control terminal LH2 is connected to the second input terminal H2 via the second switching element 41b.

[0047] The second switch circuit 40b is connected between one of the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 and the second control terminal LH2, and switches the conduction state between the one of the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 and the second control terminal LH2. As shown in Fig. 3, the second switch circuit 40b includes a second switching element 41b, a capacitor 42b, resistors 43b and 44b, an inductor 45b, and a photocoupler 46b. The second switching element 41b, the capacitor 42b, the resistors 43b and 44b, the inductor 45b, and the photocoupler 46b have the same configurations as the first switching element 41a, the capacitor 42a, the resistors 43a and 44a, the inductor 45a, and the photocoupler 46a, respectively, shown in Fig. 2.

[0048] The second detection circuit 50b shown in FIG. 3 is a circuit connected to the second control terminal LH2 and detects a control signal input to the second control terminal LH2. In the present embodiment, the second detection circuit 50b is connected between the second control terminal LH2 and the second input terminal N2 and detects a voltage applied between the second control terminal LH2 and the second input terminal N2. The second detection circuit 50b includes a diode bridge 51b, resistor elements 52b and 54b, a Zener diode 53b, and a photocoupler 55b. The diode bridge 51b, resistor elements 52b and 54b, Zener diode 53b, and photocoupler 55b have the same configurations as the diode bridge 51a, resistor elements 52a and 54a, Zener diode 53a, and photocoupler 55a shown in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0049] With the above-described configuration, the second detection circuit 50b outputs a signal to the second control circuit 60b when the magnitude (absolute value) of the voltage between the second input terminal N2 and the second control terminal LH2 exceeds a predetermined value. In other words, the second detection circuit detects a control signal when the magnitude of the voltage input to the second control terminal LH2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and outputs a signal to the second control circuit 60b in accordance with the detected control signal.

[0050] 3 is a circuit that controls the second switching element 41b of the second switch circuit 40b. More specifically, the second control circuit 60b controls the on / off of the second switching element 41b. The second control circuit 60b determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30b from among a plurality of candidate operating modes depending on the state of the first switching element 41a and whether or not the second detection circuit 50b detects a control signal.

[0051] The second sensor 70b is a sensor that detects the surrounding conditions of the lighting control device 30b. In the present embodiment, the second sensor 70b includes a human presence sensor and an illuminance sensor.

[0052] Fuse 21b is a current interruption element connected to one of the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2, and prevents an overcurrent from flowing to lighting device 20b. In the present embodiment, fuse 21b is connected to second input terminal H2.

[0053] The second lighting circuit 22b is an example of a lighting circuit that receives an AC voltage and supplies power to the second light source 28b. The second lighting circuit 22b receives the AC voltage from second input terminals H2 and N2. The second lighting circuit 22b is connected to the second input terminal H2 via a fuse 21b and also to the second input terminal N2. In this embodiment, the operation of the second lighting circuit 22b is controlled by a second control circuit 60b. As shown in FIG. 3, the second lighting circuit 22b includes a filter circuit 23, a rectifier circuit 24, and a power supply circuit 25. The filter circuit 23, the rectifier circuit 24, and the power supply circuit 25 have the same configurations as the filter circuit 23, the rectifier circuit 24, and the power supply circuit 25 shown in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0054] Secondary light source 28b is an example of a light source that emits light when power is supplied from second lighting circuit 22b. In the present embodiment, secondary light source 28b includes a light-emitting element and is supplied with DC power. Secondary light source 28b may have the same configuration as primary light source 28a, or may have a different configuration.

[0055] With the above configuration, for example, when the motion sensor of the first sensor 70a detects a person, the first control circuit 60a of the lighting control device 30a can control the on / off of the first switching element 41a. Accordingly, a control signal is input from the first control terminal LH1 to the second control terminal LH2 of the lighting control device 30b. The second detection circuit 50b detects the control signal input to the second control terminal LH2 and outputs a signal to the second control circuit 60b. The second control circuit 60b controls the second lighting circuit 22b to turn on the second light source 28b. As described above, the lighting control system 10 according to the present embodiment can light the first light source 28a and the second light source 28b in a linked manner. The on / off control of the first switching element 41a may be stopped a predetermined time after the motion sensor of the first sensor 70a no longer detects a person. The predetermined time may be, for example, about 5 seconds.

[0056] [Lighting control system operation] The operation of lighting control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described using FIGS. 4 to 8 in comparison with a comparative example. Note that the operation of lighting control device 30b and lighting device 20b is similar to that of lighting control device 30a and lighting device 20a, respectively, and therefore, the description of the operation of lighting control device 30b and lighting device 20b may be omitted below. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the overall configuration of lighting control system 910 of the comparative example. FIG. 4 also shows AC power supply 12 along with lighting control system 910.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, a comparative lighting control system 910 includes lighting fixtures 920a and 920b.

[0058] Lighting fixture 920a includes a lighting control device 930a, a first lighting circuit 22a, and a first light source 28a. Lighting fixture 920a differs from lighting fixture 20a of the present embodiment in the configuration of lighting control device 930a, but the other configurations are the same. Lighting control device 930a includes a pair of first input terminals H1 and N1, a first control terminal LH1, a first switch circuit 40a, a first detection circuit 50a, a first control circuit 960a, and a first sensor 70a. Lighting control device 930a differs from lighting control device 30a of the present embodiment in the configuration of first control circuit 960a, but the other configurations are the same.

[0059] Lighting device 920b includes a lighting control device 930b, a second lighting circuit 22b, and a second light source 28b. Lighting device 920b differs from lighting device 20b of the present embodiment in the configuration of lighting control device 930b, but the other configurations are the same. Lighting control device 930b includes a pair of second input terminals H2 and N2, a second control terminal LH2, a second switch circuit 40b, a second detection circuit 50b, a second control circuit 960b, and a second sensor 70b. Lighting control device 930b differs from lighting control device 30b of the present embodiment in the configuration of second control circuit 960b, but the other configurations are the same.

[0060] In this comparative example of lighting control system 910, the correct connection between lighting control device 930a and lighting control device 930b is as shown in Fig. 4. That is, the first input terminals H1 and N1 and the first control terminal LH1 of lighting control device 930a are connected to the second input terminals H2 and N2 and the second control terminal LH2 of lighting control device 930b, respectively. However, an installer of lighting control system 910 may incorrectly connect these terminals. The configuration of lighting control system 910 when these terminals are incorrectly wired will be described using Fig. 5.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration in which a lighting control system 910 of the comparative example is incorrectly wired. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first input terminal H1 is incorrectly connected to the second input terminal N2, and the first input terminal N1 is incorrectly connected to the second input terminal H2. In this incorrectly wired state, if the second sensor 70b of the lighting control device 930b detects, for example, a person and outputs a signal to the second control circuit 960b, the second control circuit 960b controls the second lighting circuit 22b to turn on the second light source 28b. Furthermore, the second control circuit 960b controls the on / off of the second switch circuit 40b to output a control signal from the second control terminal LH2 to the first control terminal LH1 of the lighting control device 930a.

[0062] Here, when the first sensor 70a of the lighting control device 930a also detects a person and outputs a signal to the first control circuit 960a, the first control circuit 960a controls the first lighting circuit 22a to turn on the first light source 28a. Furthermore, the first control circuit 960a outputs a control signal from the first control terminal LH1 to the second control terminal LH2 of the lighting control device 930b by controlling the on / off of the first switch circuit 40a.

[0063] When the first switch circuit 40a and the second switch circuit 40b are simultaneously turned on in this manner, a short circuit occurs between the two output terminals of the AC power supply 12, as indicated by the thick dashed line in Fig. 5. This causes the fuse 21a of the lighting control device 930a and the fuses 21b of the lighting control devices 930a and 930b to melt, rendering the lighting control devices 930a and 930b unusable. In other words, the lighting control devices 930a and 930b break down.

[0064] To solve the problems of the lighting control system 910 of the comparative example, in the lighting control device 30a of this embodiment, the first control circuit 60a determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30a from among multiple candidate operating modes based on the state of the second switching element 41b of the second switch circuit 40b and whether or not the first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal. Here, the multiple candidate operating modes include a first operating mode in which the first switching element 41a is maintained in the off state (in other words, on / off control is prohibited). The multiple candidate operating modes also include a second operating mode, which is a normal operating mode that does not prohibit on / off control of the first switching element 41a, in addition to the first operating mode. In this embodiment, when the second switching element 41b is in the off state and the first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal, the first control circuit 60a determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30a to be the first operating mode. The effect of this first operating mode will be described using FIGS. 6 and 7. FIGS. 6 and 7 are circuit diagrams showing the configuration of the lighting control system 10 of this embodiment when wiring is incorrect. 1, 6, and 7, each of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 and the first control terminal LH1 is connected to one of the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 and the second control terminal LH2. In other words, each of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 and the first control terminal LH1 is connected to the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 and the second control terminal LH2 in a one-to-one relationship.

[0065] In the example shown in FIG. 6, similar to the example shown in FIG. 5, the first input terminal H1 is erroneously connected to the second input terminal N2, and the first input terminal N1 is erroneously connected to the second input terminal H2. In this case, when AC voltage is applied to each input terminal, AC current flows through the path indicated by the thick dashed line in FIG. 6. Therefore, the first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal and outputs a signal to the first control circuit 60a. In this embodiment, the first control circuit 60a receives this signal and determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30a from among multiple candidate operating modes based on the detection of the control signal and the state of the second switching element 41b. The first control circuit 60a detects the state of the second switching element 41b based on the elapsed time since the start of AC voltage input to the lighting control devices 30a and 30b. Specifically, the first control circuit 60a and the second control circuit 60b maintain the first switching element 41a and the second switching element 41b, respectively, in the OFF state for an OFF time greater than zero from the start of AC voltage input to the lighting control devices 30a and 30b. In other words, as long as the elapsed time from the start of AC voltage input is less than the off time, the first switching element 41a and the second switching element 41b are maintained in the off state. The first control circuit 60a determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30a based on whether or not the first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal during the off detection time, which is a time period that is less than the off time from the start of AC voltage input. This allows the first control circuit 60a to simultaneously detect the state of the second switching element 41b and the presence or absence of an input control signal and determine the operating mode based on the detection results. The second control circuit 60b can also determine the operating mode of the lighting control device 30b in the same way as the first control circuit 60a. The length of the off time is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the off time is 2 seconds. The off detection time may be equal to or greater than 0 seconds and less than the off time. For example, the first control circuit 60a checks whether or not the first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal immediately after the first control circuit 60a is activated. In this case, the off detection time is approximately 0 seconds.

[0066] The first control circuit 60a determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30a to be the first operating mode when it detects that a control signal has been input to the first control terminal LH1 and that the second switching element 41b is in the off state. That is, the first control circuit 60a maintains the first switching element 41a in the off state. By maintaining the first switching element 41a in the off state in this manner, the output terminals of the AC power supply 12 are not short-circuited. Similarly to the first control circuit 60a, the second control circuit 60b also determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30b to be the first operating mode when it detects that a control signal has been input to the second control terminal LH2 and that the first switching element 41a is in the off state. That is, the second control circuit 60b maintains the second switching element 41b in the off state. By maintaining the second switching element 41b in the off state in this manner, the output terminals of the AC power supply 12 are not short-circuited. As described above, the lighting control devices 30a and 30b according to this embodiment can prevent failures due to incorrect wiring such as that shown in FIG. 6.

[0067] In the example shown in Fig. 7, the first input terminal N1 is erroneously connected to the second control terminal LH2, and the first control terminal LH1 is erroneously connected to the second input terminal N2. In the case of such incorrect wiring, when an AC voltage is applied to each input terminal, a current flows through the path indicated by the thick dashed line in Fig. 7. Here, the input terminals of the filter circuit 23 of the first lighting circuit 22a are connected via at least one of a capacitor and an inductor. Therefore, an AC current can flow between the input terminals of the first lighting circuit 22a.

[0068] Accordingly, first detection circuit 50a detects the control signal and outputs a signal to first control circuit 60a. In the present embodiment, upon receiving this signal, first control circuit 60a determines the operating mode of lighting control device 30a from among a plurality of candidate operating modes based on the detection of the control signal and the state of second switching element 41b.

[0069] In the example shown in Fig. 7, as in the example shown in Fig. 6, the first control circuit 60a detects that the second switching element 41b is in the OFF state. When the first control circuit 60a detects that a control signal has been input to the first control terminal LH1 and that the second switching element 41b is in the OFF state, the first control circuit 60a determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30a to be the first operating mode. In other words, the first control circuit 60a maintains the first switching element 41a in the OFF state. By maintaining the first switching element 41a in the OFF state in this manner, the output terminals of the AC power supply 12 are not short-circuited.

[0070] In the example shown in FIG. 7 , in addition to the path indicated by the thick dashed line, AC current also flows through a path passing through the first input terminal H1, the first lighting circuit 22a, the first input terminal N1, the second control terminal LH2, the second detection circuit 50b, and the second input terminal N2. Therefore, the second detection circuit 50b also detects a control signal and outputs the signal to the second control circuit 60b. When the second control circuit 60b detects that a control signal has been input to the second control terminal LH2 and that the first switching element 41a is in the OFF state, it determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30b to be the first operating mode. In other words, the second control circuit 60b maintains the second switching element 41b in the OFF state. By maintaining the second switching element 41b in the OFF state in this manner, a short circuit does not occur between the output terminals of the AC power supply 12.

[0071] As described above, lighting control devices 30a and 30b according to the present embodiment can prevent failures due to incorrect wiring such as that shown in FIG.

[0072] In the first operation mode, the lighting control devices 30a and 30b according to the present embodiment may notify installers of incorrect wiring. For example, in the first operation mode, the first control circuit 60a of the lighting control device 30a may control the first lighting circuit 22a to light the primary light source 28a in a lighting mode that differs from the lighting mode of the primary light source 28a in candidate operation modes other than the first operation mode among a plurality of candidate operation modes. An example of the lighting mode of the primary light source 28a in the first operation mode will be described below with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of the lighting mode of the primary light source 28a in the first operation mode according to the present embodiment. The horizontal axis of FIG. 8 represents time. The vertical axis of FIG. 8 represents the brightness (i.e., luminance) of the primary light source 28a. The brightness on the vertical axis of FIG. 8 represents a percentage (%) of the rated brightness of the primary light source 28a.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8, in the first operating mode, the first control circuit 60a controls the first lighting circuit 22a to periodically change the brightness of the primary light source 28a at a brightness of 50% or less of the rated brightness of the primary light source 28a. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the primary light source 28a is continuously lit and the brightness of the primary light source 28a is periodically changed. More specifically, the first control circuit 60a turns on the primary light source 28a at 30% of the rated brightness for 0.1 seconds, then at 5% of the rated brightness for 0.1 seconds, then at 30% of the rated brightness for 0.1 seconds, and then at 5% of the rated brightness for 0.7 seconds. The first control circuit 60a repeats this operation. In other words, the first control circuit 60a changes the brightness of the primary light source 28a every one second.

[0074] In contrast, in the second operation mode, which is the normal operation mode, the first control circuit 60a lights the primary light source 28a continuously and at a constant brightness. In this way, the first control circuit 60a lights the primary light source 28a in a lighting mode different from that of the other candidate operation modes according to the present embodiment. This allows an installer or other person to easily notice that the lighting fixture 20a is operating differently from normal by looking at the lighting mode of the primary light source 28a. Therefore, by including in the instruction manual for the lighting fixture 20a or the like a statement that the lighting mode in the first operation mode indicates incorrect wiring in the lighting control system 10, the installer or other person can easily notice incorrect wiring in the lighting control system 10. Furthermore, if the lighting fixture 20a has another candidate operation mode in which the primary light source 28a is illuminated in a mode other than continuous lighting, the lighting mode in that operation mode may be different from the lighting mode in the first operation mode. For example, the lighting fixture 20a may have a candidate operation mode for security purposes in which the primary light source 28a is intermittently illuminated at a brightness close to the rated brightness of the primary light source 28a (e.g., 80% or more of the rated brightness) at a constant interval. In such a case, the brightness and cycle of lighting in the first operation mode may be made different from those in the candidate operation mode so that the difference from the lighting mode in the candidate operation mode becomes clear.

[0075] Furthermore, by setting the brightness of primary light source 28a in the first operating mode to 50% or less of the rated brightness, power consumption in the first operating mode can be reduced. Note that the brightness of primary light source 28a in the first operating mode may be set to 30% or less of the rated brightness. This allows for even further reduction in power consumption in the first operating mode.

[0076] [Lighting control device operation flow] The flow of operation of lighting control device 30a in lighting control system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of lighting control device 30a according to this embodiment after AC voltage is input.

[0077] 9, first, an AC voltage is input to the lighting control system 10 (S10). Accordingly, power supply to the first control circuit 60a begins. Here, initialization processing such as initialization of the input terminal of the first control circuit 60a may be performed.

[0078] Next, the first control circuit 60a determines whether a control signal has been input to the first control terminal LH1 before the off time has elapsed since the start of the input of the AC voltage (S20). Specifically, the first control circuit 60a determines whether a control signal has been input to the first control terminal LH1 based on the presence or absence of a signal input from the first detection circuit 50a during the off detection time, which is the time that has elapsed since the start of the input of the AC voltage but is less than the off time. In this embodiment, the first control circuit 60a determines that the second switching element 41b is not being on / off controlled if the time that has elapsed since the start of the input of the AC voltage has not elapsed the off time.

[0079] If the first control circuit 60a determines that a control signal has not been input (No in S20), the first control circuit 60a selects the second operation mode, which is the normal mode (S40). In the second operation mode, the first control circuit 60a continuously turns on or off the primary light source 28a in response to a signal input from the first sensor 70a. Furthermore, if a control signal is input to the first control terminal LH1, the first control circuit 60a determines that the lighting control device 30b has turned on the secondary light source 28b, and continuously turns on the primary light source 28a. Note that a waiting period may be provided for stabilization of the various sensors included in the first sensor 70a before starting operation in the second operation mode.

[0080] On the other hand, if the first control circuit 60a determines that a control signal has been input (Yes in S20), the first control circuit 60a determines the operation mode to be the first operation mode, which is the operation mode when incorrect wiring is detected (S30). Specifically, the first control circuit 60a maintains the first switching element 41a in the off state.

[0081] The above-described operation can prevent malfunctions of the lighting control devices 30a and 30b in the event of incorrect wiring. Furthermore, in the first operating mode, the first control circuit 60a may turn on the primary light source 28a in a different lighting mode than in the second operating mode. This allows installers to notice incorrect wiring.

[0082] [Effects, etc.] As described above, lighting control device 30a according to this embodiment is used while connected to another lighting control device 30b. Lighting control device 30a includes a pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 for receiving an AC voltage and a first switching element 41a connected to one of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 and subject to on / off control. Lighting control device 30a also includes a first control terminal LH1 connected to one of the pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 via the first switching element 41a, and a first control circuit 60a for controlling first switching element 41a. Lighting control device 30a also includes a first detection circuit 50a connected to the first control terminal LH1. Another lighting control device 30b includes a pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 for receiving an AC voltage and a second switching element 41b connected to one of the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 and subject to on / off control. The lighting control device 30b further includes a second control terminal LH2 connected to one of the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 via the second switching element 41b, and a second control circuit 60b that controls the second switching element 41b. The lighting control device 30b further includes a second detection circuit 50b connected to the second control terminal LH2. The pair of first input terminals H1 and N1 and the first control terminal LH1 are each connected to one of the pair of second input terminals H2 and N2 and the second control terminal LH2. The first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal input to the first control terminal LH1. The first control circuit 60a determines the operating mode of the lighting control device 30a from among multiple candidate operating modes based on the state of the second switching element 41b and whether or not the first detection circuit 50a detects a control signal. The multiple candidate operating modes include a first operating mode that maintains the first switching element 41a in an off state.

[0083] In this way, the operating mode of lighting control device 30a can be set to the first operating mode in which first switching element 41a is maintained in the off state. Therefore, even if there is incorrect wiring between lighting control device 30a and lighting control device 30b, it is possible to prevent the output terminals of AC power supply 12 from being short-circuited via first switching element 41a. This can therefore prevent malfunctions of lighting control devices 30a and 30b.

[0084] The second control circuit 60b may maintain the second switching element 41b in the off state for an off time greater than zero from the start of the input of the AC voltage. The first control circuit 60a may determine the operation mode of the lighting control device based on whether or not the first detection circuit detects the control signal during an off detection time, which is a time that has elapsed since the start of the input of the AC voltage but is less than the off time.

[0085] This allows the first control circuit 60a to easily detect the state of the second switching element 41b immediately after the AC voltage is input.

[0086] The first switching element 41a may also be a triac.

[0087] Furthermore, the lighting control device 30a may further include a human presence sensor that detects a person, and the first control circuit 60a may control the on / off of the first switching element 41a when the human presence sensor detects a person.

[0088] This allows a control signal to be output from the first control terminal LH1 of lighting control device 30a to the second control terminal LH2 of lighting control device 30b. By detecting the control signal using second detection circuit 50b, lighting control device 30b can operate in conjunction with lighting control device 30a.

[0089] Furthermore, lighting device 20a according to this embodiment may include lighting control device 30a, primary light source 28a, and first lighting circuit 22a that receives AC voltage and supplies power to primary light source 28a.

[0090] Furthermore, in lighting device 20a, first control circuit 60a may control first lighting circuit 22a in the first operating mode to light up first light source 28a in a lighting mode that is different from the lighting mode of first light source 28a in candidate operating modes other than the first operating mode among multiple candidate operating modes.

[0091] This allows the installer of the lighting control system 10 to notice any incorrect wiring in the lighting control system 10.

[0092] In addition, in lighting device 20a, first control circuit 60a may, in the first operating mode, control the lighting circuit to periodically change the brightness of primary light source 28a to a brightness that is 50% or less of the rated brightness of primary light source 28a.

[0093] In this way, by periodically changing the brightness of primary light source 28a, installers can more easily notice incorrect wiring. Furthermore, by setting the brightness of primary light source 28a when turned on in the first operating mode to 50% or less of the rated brightness, power consumption in the first operating mode can be reduced.

[0094] Furthermore, lighting control system 10 according to the present embodiment includes lighting control device 30a and another lighting control device 30b.

[0095] This makes it possible to realize a lighting control system 10 that can prevent failures due to incorrect wiring.

[0096] (Variations, etc.) Although the lighting control devices 30a and 30b according to the present invention have been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0097] For example, while lighting control device 30a includes first sensor 70a, this is not essential. For example, first sensor 70a may be provided in lighting device 20a, external to lighting control device 30a. The same applies to lighting control device 30b.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the first control circuit 60a and the second control circuit 60b detect the states of the first switching element 41a and the second switching element 41b, respectively, based on the elapsed time from the start of AC voltage input. However, the manner in which the states of the switching elements are detected is not limited thereto. For example, the second control circuit 60b may transmit a signal indicating the state of the second switching element 41b to the first control circuit 60a, and the first control circuit 60a may detect the state of the second switching element 41b based on the signal. Alternatively, the first control circuit 60a may transmit a signal indicating the state of the first switching element 41a to the second control circuit 60b, and the second control circuit 60b may detect the state of the first switching element 41a based on the signal. The transmission path of such signals is not particularly limited. Such signals may be transmitted via wireless communication or via wired communication using a signal line connecting the first control circuit 60a and the second control circuit 60b.

[0099] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10 Lighting Control System 20a, 20b Lighting fixtures 22a First lighting circuit 22b Second lighting circuit 28a First light source 28b Second light source 30a, 30b Lighting control device 41a first switching element 41b second switching element 50a First detection circuit 50b Second detection circuit 60a First control circuit 60b Second control circuit H1, N1 First input terminal H2, N2 Second input terminal LH1 First control terminal LH2 Second control terminal

Claims

1. A lighting control device that is used in connection with another lighting control device, a pair of first input terminals for inputting an AC voltage; a first switching element connected to one of the pair of first input terminals and controlled to be turned on and off; a first control terminal connected to one of the pair of first input terminals via the first switching element; a first control circuit for controlling the first switching element; a first detection circuit connected to the first control terminal; The other lighting control device includes: a pair of second input terminals for inputting the AC voltage; a second switching element connected to one of the pair of second input terminals and controlled to be turned on and off; a second control terminal connected to one of the pair of second input terminals via the second switching element; a second control circuit for controlling the second switching element; a second detection circuit connected to the second control terminal; each of the pair of first input terminals and the first control terminal is connected to one of the pair of second input terminals and the second control terminal; the first detection circuit detects a control signal input to the first control terminal; the first control circuit determines an operation mode of the lighting control device from among a plurality of candidate operation modes based on an on / off state of the second switching element and whether or not the first detection circuit detects the control signal; The plurality of candidate operating modes includes: a first operating mode in which the first switching element is maintained in an off state; a second operation mode which is a normal operation mode that does not prohibit on / off control of the first switching element, The first control circuit detects the state of the second switching element based on the time elapsed since the start of input of the AC voltage or a signal indicating the state of the second switching element. Lighting control device.

2. the second control circuit maintains the second switching element in an off state for an off time greater than zero from the start of input of the AC voltage, The first control circuit determines the operation mode of the lighting control device based on whether or not the first detection circuit detects the control signal during an off detection time, which is a time that has elapsed since the start of input of the AC voltage and is less than the off time. The lighting control device according to claim 1 .

3. The first switching element is a triac. The lighting control device according to claim 1 .

4. Further equipped with a human presence sensor that detects people, The first control circuit controls the first switching element to be turned on and off when the human presence sensor detects a human. The lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; A light source and a lighting circuit to which the AC voltage is input and which supplies power to the light source; Lighting fixtures.

6. The first control circuit controls the lighting circuit in the first operation mode to light the light source in a lighting mode different from a lighting mode of the light source in a candidate operation mode other than the first operation mode among the plurality of candidate operation modes.

6. A lighting fixture according to claim 5.

7. In the first operation mode, the first control circuit controls the lighting circuit to periodically change the brightness of the light source at a brightness equal to or less than 50% of the rated brightness of the light source.

7. A lighting fixture according to claim 6.

8. A lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; The other lighting control device Lighting control system.

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