CN101233789A - Electronic lighting ballast - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronics enclosure has a mains input and a lamp output. A power factor correction circuit is installed in the enclosure, to provide a DC output voltage. An inverter is also installed in the enclosure. Control electronics is also installed in the enclosure to control the inverter, and to receive a selection of lamp load type made manually by a user via a user interface on an outside face of the enclosure. The same lamp output can thus alternatively drive, for example, a high pressure sodium lamp and metal halide lamp, as indicated by the selection. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Description

Electronic lighting ballast

This application require the U.S. Provisional Application sequence number that October 30 in 2003 submitted to be 60/516,036 and the U.S. Provisional Application sequence number submitted on August 20th, 2004 be 60/603,406 the right of application early.

Technical field

An embodiment of the invention relate to a kind of Lighting Control Assembly, described system utilizes the intelligent power switch element, and each described switch element can be different wattage output and different input voltages drive the discharge lamp of any one type, and have the lamp controlled function, such as adjusting brightness and timer, it is integrated in each switch element.Other execution mode has also been described.

Background technology

Ballast is a global facility in the lighting industry, and be not magnetic be exactly electronics.The parts heaviness that magnetic ballast uses, and inconvenient, and electric ballast utilizes in light weight and reduce electronic circuit on the circuit board of size.Ballast can be used to start high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp and adjust the used electric current of lamp.The HID lamp is by the gas-metal halide in the lamp (MH), high-pressure sodium (HPS) or mercuryvapour (MV)-distinguish, and the color of gases affect lamp.Client selects specific HID lamp according to color, input voltage, wattage output and starter (routine or pulse enable).

Two types HID ballast is arranged: magnetic with electronics.Magnetic ballast is also referred to as " iron core and coil " ballast, accounts for the main flow in HID market.Although not cheap, magnetic ballast also can glimmer, and noise is arranged, and weight reaches 86 pounds.The product that ballast production firm has redesigned them reduces electronic jamming and noise, and lamp production firm has introduced the pulse enable lamp and shortens very long start-up time.Although there are these to improve, it is low that magnetic ballast remains efficiency.The long-run development prospect that action of adjusting and fine setting are threatening magnetic ballast, and because their failure, many magnetic ballasts are just replaced by electric ballast.

The efficiency that electric ballast has is better than the 30-50% of magnetic ballast, and electric ballast discharges a light that not have flicker, quietness relatively, has lowered the magnetic disturbance problem, and 8 pounds of its shortages in weight.Yet up to now, most electric ballast production manufacturer is also short-sighted, follows the method for design singly, and at every group of input voltage, the combination of wattage output and lamp type needs a kind of specific electric ballast.As an example, one 400 watts GE lamp is operated in optimum efficiency generally as long as a specific ballast, no matter described ballast be magnetic or electronics.If ballast and lamp are incompatible or do not match, the operation of lamp will can be ineffective, thus negative effect the brightness and the life-span of lamp.In addition, under the situation of magnetic ballast, each ballast has to carry out wiring with regard to the voltage input of each lamp in a particular manner as 100V, 120V etc.Such wiring is finished in the factory of production firm, or the terminal use need carry out line according to using at each ballast for each lamp.Therefore, need a different ballast at each input voltage.Dimmer, timer and the controller as the accessory that separates also often sold by these production firms, so that together use with their specific ballast design.

Description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described in the mode of example, the restriction of the figure in the accompanying drawing of not attached, the wherein same identical element of referential expression among the figure.It should be noted that execution mode needs not to be same execution mode, and they show at least one for " " with reference to the invention in this open text.

Fig. 1 illustrates the single shell or the outer cover of an example of the lighting ballast of single output.

Fig. 2 is the block diagram that can be integrated into the exemplary electronic equipment in the lighting ballast outer cover.

Fig. 3 illustrates the example of " city page " of the lighting ballast of described single output.

Fig. 4 is the block diagram that is integrated into the exemplary electronic equipment in the outer cover of city page ballast.

Fig. 5 is the exemplary circuitry schematic diagram that boost converter/power factor circuit and standby power supply/bias voltage are powered.

Fig. 6 is an exemplary circuitry schematic diagram of compensation (buck) transducer.

Fig. 7 is the block diagram of an exemplary inverter.

Fig. 8 a and 8b are each block diagrams that utilizes the lighting mains of intelligent power switch element (IPSEs).

Fig. 8 c-8f is the exemplary Snipping Tool of gui software that can be used for the lighting mains of Long-distance Control IPSEs.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a more extensive lighting mains.

Figure 10 is the block diagram that can be presented at a dialog box in the advanced figure user interface (advanced gui) of a more extensive lighting mains.

Figure 11 and 12 is Snipping Tools of an exemplary advanced gui.

Embodiment

An embodiment of the invention are a ballast or Lighting Control Assembly (LCS), and it represents the solution of an one-to-many.Ballast in the some embodiments of the present invention has substituted HID electric ballast, timer, dimmer, on/off switch, optical sensor, the control line of several uniquenesses, and by an individual unit control.This individual unit combines various difference in functionalitys in inside, no longer need to adopt several outsides or optional feature.For example, the accessory of mentioning in the above-mentioned background part does not need to be provided separately, has suffered because they have been integrated into a single shell.In another embodiment, ballast is a general solution that can be used to country variant, because its wide input voltage ability, and is used to drive dissimilar lamps and adjustable output from the lamp of different production firms.

An execution mode of ballast (is also referred to as an intelligent power switch unit, IPSE) can be regarded as an electric ballast with brain.For example, microprocessor and sensor circuit can be incorporated into the solution of creating an one-to-many in the ballast enclosure, comprising many common, previous additional parts, as timer, dimmer, optical sensor, Long-distance Control with communicate by letter, and other transducer, such as being used for space hold (be used for do not have dim between the operating period) and ambient light levels (being used for " daylight results (daylight harvesting) "); Be used for sensed water level, water temperature, the motion of water, and dosing (compound and the aqueous mixtures that for example are used for water treatment and feed fish).This other transducer is especially used useful to aquarium or agricultural/aquicultural illumination.Therefore described IPSE can be regarded as satisfying the lighting control unit of a fully-integrated intelligence of many application needs.IPSE execution mode has been considered to propose long-standing needs like this provides a general ballast, wherein said ballast can be carried out a plurality of functions, execution needing to replace the ballast of a plurality of separation by the work that is structured in several ballasts in the single outer cover that has reduced weight and size.

The example of can be driven dissimilar electron discharge lamps comprises high-pressure sodium, metal halide, mercuryvapour, and they are examples of high-intensity discharge lamp, and fluorescent lamp.Described ballast also can be configured to the igniting or the pulse enable lamp of the standard that drives.Further, needs have been removed to the conversion lamp.Wide input range or lamp input voltage can be preferably, but are not limited, when 50/60Hz at about 90V AC in the scope of 300VAC.For example, under the situation that does not need to carry out any rewiring or select by hand, identical lighting ballast may operate in 110V AC in the U.S., also can operate in 220VAC in Europe.

From Fig. 1, show the single shell of a single lighting ballast 102.In this execution mode, there is a single lamp output 104 to drive a single lamp at every turn, power is obtained by a power supply input 103 (being also referred to as lamp input or AC power supplies input).The outer cover that is used for ballast 102 also has a switch 105 that manually carries out on/off, describes as Fig. 1, and described switch 105 is controlled the switch power level in the outer cover by being operably connected, thereby makes described lamp output on/off.Front panel shown in a cable connector 108 also can be added to is used for setting up communicating to connect or link of a Wireline between remote machine (not shown) and described ballast.In other embodiments, communication link also can be according to the Wireless Networking standard.

The execution mode of the described ballast 102 of Fig. 1 also has a display floater 111 on the front panel that is installed in described outer cover as shown in the figure, connects same keypad 115.Described panel can have a LCDs (LCD) that can show multiline text/literal and digital information, be used to show the current state of ballast 102 operations, be used to be controlled to be the configuration selection that described ballast carried out, and, in some embodiments, be used to show diagnostic message, such as the information of collecting by ballast self.Keypad 115 allows the user manually to locate the menu that can be displayed on the display floater 111 by different level, thereby change or confirm the state of described ballast, at the operational mode (production firm of preselected lamp, the type of lamp, and/or the wattage of lamp) selects, and in diagnostic message, locate.Described keypad 115 can be the equipment with joystick type that four direction is arranged of a central selector button, for example, allows the user to be positioned on four different directions of display floater, selects needed menu item then.Although be installed in as shown in the figure on the same one side of described outer cover of the output that comprises described lamp and lamp input, certainly, described display floater and/or keypad may be installed on the interchangeable position of another side of described outer cover.

With reference now to Fig. 2,, the block diagram that can be integrated into an exemplary electronic equipment in the outer cover shown in Figure 1 is shown.Power is imported by feed-in from the lamp of ballast, in this example, is by an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter 226.Electromagnetic interface filter helps to reduce the hazardous noise that comes from ballast, otherwise noise may be injected into power supply.This noise level can be lowered to the EMI desired grade of government organs to conduction, as the scope of 450KHz-30MHz.As an additional selection, the front end that provides an input circuit (not shown) of overvoltage and overcurrent protection can be added to electromagnetic interface filter is between filter and power supply input.

Finally by in boost converter 204 of feed-in, this boost converter 204 provides an adjusted dc voltage in its output from the power of lamp input.Described boost converter 204 comprises that feedback control is to provide adjusted output based on a wide ac input voltage scope in the present embodiment.Transducer can automatically detect and adjust at described wide region, keeps a constant output.For example, under the condition that is not required at the described ballast rewiring of different input voltages, boost converter 204 can for one between 100 and 200 volts of AC, and the input that is positioned between 200 and 300 volts of AC (rms) provides a fixing adjusted output.When using with the AC power supplies of industry with the dwelling house as the lamp input, boost converter 204 preferably provides power factor correcting.In one embodiment, the boost converter input that will be positioned at the scope of 100V AC-300V AC converts adjusted 425VDC to.Export 104 required maximum AC voltages owing to connect a discharge lamp at lamp, the latter is selected.

Boost converter 204 also can be used as the part of a power factor correction circuit, and this helps more effectively to be used to the power from the AC power line.As an example, power factor correction circuit can utilize the L4981A power factor corrector integrated circuit that is provided by STMicroelectronics company as the switched-mode power supply controller.In this example, a such circuit obtains output voltage up to 425VDC with operation, and constant no matter this level is kept in the variation of input.Described L4981A power factor corrector for example operates in a frequency near 100KHz, and adjustable duty factor is arranged, this duty factor Be Controlled in an automatic feedback loop wherein is so that maintain predefined constant dc voltage with described output.The block diagram that can utilize the boost converter 204 that this power factor corrector circuit realizes as shown in Figure 5.Other topological structure of the conversion of acquisition from AC power supplies to adjusted DC output is possible.

Return with reference to Fig. 2, in this case, comprise that the control electronic equipment of programmable microprocessor control circuit 210 will need a supply voltage as Vcc.This can be provided by electromagnetic interface filter 226 by a stand-by power supply 212 from identical AC input acquisition power supply.Although it is possible obtaining the different modes of this power supply, Fig. 5 has illustrated a specific otherwise effective technique of sharing with some circuit of boost converter 204.As shown in Figure 5, because the output of boost converter 204 is constant, adjusted dc voltage V_out, in order to obtain a constant voltage V_bias, can adopt a simple inductance in a transformer 505 replacement boost converters 204 as the described control electronic equipment that Vcc is used for ballast enclosure.Two secondary winding move as follows: it is a proportional (N of described input voltage that one of them winding makes its output ₃/ N ₁) copy, simultaneously another winding makes the copy of the same ratio of output voltage deduct described input voltage.Notice that input voltage can change in a wide region.Yet, being connected serially when exporting, the described clean voltage that appears at V_bias is proportional copy of described output voltage, does not depend on input voltage.Therefore, in case described boost converter is activated, the bias voltage power supply just becomes available.This bias voltage is proportional to the output voltage of described booster converter, and at this moment, it is constant in adjusted.Owing to that reason, need not do further to adjust at output V_bias.Resistance 507 and 509, for example, be several ohm magnitude, purpose is that restriction is to the peak value charging current of electric capacity 511 and 512.Voltage V_bias can be by relational expression V_bias=V_out (N ₃/ N ₁) provide.Therefore, for the V_bias of the V_out of 425VDC and required 16VDC, turn ratio N ₃/ N ₁Can be about 38/1000.

The described output of booster converter 204 is by buck converter 206 of feed-in, and the basic topological structure of buck converter is described in Fig. 6.The latter is an example of an adjustable step-down (step down) switching voltage adjuster, and it is used to receive an adjusted dc voltage and provides adjustable, adjusted dc voltage in its output response.For example, buck converter 206 can be designed to receive 425VDC and a 180VDC is provided the adjustable output to 400VDC.As an example, buck converter can be utilized pulse width modulation (PWM) controller IC of the reference number LM3524DMX with National semiconductor company, together with suitable power stage.This controller compares described output voltage and one continuously with reference to dc voltage, and adjusts the duty factor of the switch of described power stage.In addition, described output voltage can be by writing different values to a digital potentiometer (not shown), such as the AD5262BRU20 integrated circuit of Analog Devices Inc, is increased or reduces.The described switch power supply topological structure of buck converter is preferred, because its power supply validity and operation flexibly, although the step-down of other type (stepdown) switching voltage adjuster also can selectively be used.

Inverter 208 of described output feed-in of buck converter 206, the output of inverter is by a lamp output of fed ballast 102.(a noise filter (not shown) can be placed between buck converter and the described inverter, is used to suppress the harmful switching noise that is generated by inverter).Described inverter 208 can generate an AC voltage/current waveform of the relative high frequency of igniting needs effectively in conjunction with switching power circuit, drives various discharge lamps then.The block diagram of an exemplary inverter 207 shows in Fig. 7.Described inverter can use a L6598 resonant controller and a LC output network with a half-bridge power stage of STMicroelectronics company to realize.Described L6598D is the controller part of described inverter, and comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), control logic and be used for the driving logic of described half-bridge power stage.Described controller allows by its F-CTRL input the frequency of described VCO to be done one and changes.Described inverter output current depends on the running frequency of described VCO successively, and wherein bigger frequency can be used to produce lower output current.Modulation level input (the MOD input of L6598D) can be used to suppress acoustic resonance.For described power stage, draw with drop-down power field effect transistor and can switch on and off on a pair of, so that obtain required output waveform by controller.The power stage of other type also is possible.

Still with reference to figure 2, described lighting ballast also can comprise control circuit, in this example, present with the form of programmable microprocessor control circuit 210, it can order the variation in one or more operating parameters of described buck converter 206 and inverter 208.More generally, control circuit is provided to change one or more operating parameters, so that satisfy the electric current of the lamp load that is connected, voltage, and/or power demand.For example, in order to light lamp, described inverter is generated initial very near a relative high frequency waveform of the resonance frequency of tank circuits by order.This tank circuits can be combined by described lamp and a lc circuit.Also do not lighted at lamp, during with relative cold, it presents a high relatively impedance, and accumulator will be showed pure, undamped resonance like this.Therefore, the output voltage that is generated by the inverter power level is exaggerated by lamp, and this effect is also referred to as discharge (strike).

When described lamp is lighted, its impedance decline and lamp sharply generate heat, so that resonance effect disappears substantially.At that, on a lower voltage, described inverter is maintained the specified or normal drive current of particular lamp regulation by order.Therefore, the controller of described inverter should be designed suitable sensing element, induction for example pass through lamp output current and or voltage, thereby keep correct electric current by changing through the output voltage at lamp two ends.This can obtain by the frequency of operation and/or the duty factor of regulating the described switched-mode power supply circuit in the inverter power level, as the part of an automatic feedback control loop.Other switched-mode power supply control method replacedly is used for obtaining required electrical waveform in described output.

Because once lamp is lighted and heating, the impedance of described lamp is low relatively, initial setting at the operating parameter of power stage, comprise, for example, the input voltage of frequency of operation and inverter 208 (in this example, obtaining by the output voltage of regulating buck converter 206) should be limited to avoid modestly because overcurrent condition burns out lamp.

The function of integrated lamp

The control circuit that is installed in the ballast enclosure can be based on one or more microcontrollers, and described microcontroller is the execution firmware that allows one or more realizations of many lamp functions.These functions comprise regularly and scheduling (special time at a day switches on and off lamp output and continues a special time), light modulation, circuit board and power stage at ballast are measured temperature, output current and modulating voltage are measured, lamp is selected (comprising type, production firm and/or wattage), and lights the detection with malfunction.Microcontroller also can be used for to carry out alternately with the user by the local interface on the described outer cover or by remote graphics user interface (referring to following lighting mains function).For example, a microprocessor, TMEGA8-16AI integrated circuit such as atmel corp, can be installed on the outer cover, be coupled and scan keypad 115, management display floater 111, and exchange and user select relevant or with any other the relevant data that are shown, and have a CPU (CPU).Described CPU can be an independently microcontroller, and such as the ATMEGA32-16AI integrated circuit of atmel corp, it carries out the operating function that firmware is realized above-described lamp.An exemplary realization of these functions has been integrated in the single ballast, and is as described below.

(for example be installed in the interior control electronic equipment of described outer cover, microcontroller and relevant adjunct circuit) availablely be connected the selection of controlling described inverter and receiving light loadtype, therefore, as selectively, do not needing under the condition of inverter independently, identical lamp output can drive for example a high-pressure sodium lamp and a metal halide lamp.Like this, described microprocessor controls mains switch level can drive each dissimilar lamp with effective and efficient manner so that single lamp is exported, and can not bring negative effect for the brightness and the life-span of each lamp.In another embodiment, can design described ballast so that can comprise high-pressure sodium lamp, metal halide lamp and mercury vapor light by the different lamp type that identical output drives." mapping " between the required order of every type lamp and deploy switch power stage can be described below: response is positioned at the inquiry that the numeral on the described ballast enclosure shows, the user uses keypad button to have lamp type, lamp wattage in being programmed into firmware, and selects between the option of the title of lamp production firm.As a kind of interchangeable, the user of lamp type, lamp wattage and lamp production firm selects and can indicate by the DIP switch (not shown) is set in ballast enclosure.

Lamp is connected process and can be described below: before the control circuit energising in ballast, driven lamp type at first is determined (for example, selecting to determine at switch setting or menu local or that remotely make by reading by the user).Next, follow the following connection order of mains switch level: at first, starting buck converter, follow by power factor correcting/step-up converter circuit, is inverter stage then.This is because described power factor correction circuit is not having to start some difficulty under the loading condition.Selectively, a definite or adjustable electronically preload can be used for realizing the correct startup of described voltage lifting PFC, and still, above-described sequencing provides one more effectively and the cost effective method.Initial being provided with will be designed to its normal rated power, drive the lamp of the particular type of having selected as high-high brightness.In case lamp is heated and just is driven, just can obtain a dimmer grade (for example, selecting) by reading dimmer switch setting or menu by the control electronic equipment.Change by order then or regulate the input voltage that arrives inverter and obtain required dimmer grade.In the execution mode that Fig. 2 describes, this is to realize by the output voltage that order buck converter 206 reduces it.For every type lamp, many predefined dimmer grades can be mapped to corresponding inverter input voltage and inverter operation frequency.

In addition, or, can select lamp type by given lamp output driving as interchangeable, another embodiment of the present invention has required control logic to come control example such as inverter, like this, the specific lamp of the different production firms of different wattage can be driven by identical lamp output.Therefore, return with reference to figure 2, the outer cover of single ballast 102 can be in addition or as selectable, comprises lamp load type selecting device 216, a lighting apparatus production firm selector 220, it provides a selection to programmable microprocessor control circuit 210 for the user.So, described programmable microprocessor can be visited a predefined question blank, for example, particular combinations at lamp load type and/or lighting apparatus production firm, and next which operating parameter of determining to change described buck converter and/or described inverter of specified lamp wattage selection (from independently wattage selector 218 receptions), so that suitably light and drive connected lamp.

In the embodiments of the present invention of explanation, two kinds two types user interface is installed in the outer cover of ballast in Fig. 2 and 4, they allow the user manually to select to be used for the setting of driven lamp.In the scheme that Fig. 1 describes, this user interface comprises display floater 111 and keypad 115.On the contrary, the scheme that Fig. 3 describes is an economic version, wherein for example, the multiposition switches S1 of rotation is installed in described outer cover, and S2, and S3 are used to the user to elect.As the switch selectable or rotation that conduct is additional, a DIP switch can be installed in carries out identical selection in the described outer cover.In city page, since reduce functional (for example, do not have network communications capability) may not need programmable microprocessor control, and opposite, suitable control logic 310 is provided to the combination that lamp is selected is translated as the operation that required order is used to dispose buck converter 206 and inverter 208.Control logic 310 also can be designed to receive a dimmer grade and response is suitably disposed described power switch level and obtained required light adjusting grade by a dimmer selector (not shown).

It should be noted that in some embodiments, for example be used to drive the ballast of HID lamp, described microprocessor control circuit will start a timer (for example 15 minutes) after impelling lamp to export at first to drive lamp, after the predetermined time interval of lamp light yellow with the deexcitation dimming function.

It should be noted that about dimming function in fact many high-intensity discharge lamps are not designed is tunable optical, and typically only operate in their maximum rated brightness.In this case, compare with brightness being reduced to continuously in fact 0% conventional incandescent dimming capability, dimming function provided herein can reduce brightness and be no more than 50% or be reduced to another predetermine level.

Integrated lighting mains function

Get back to Fig. 1, by a remote inquiry communications network interface 214, this execution mode of described lighting ballast also can be effective as an end node in the lighting mains.As an example, a RS485 communication port can be built in the outer cover, and is coupled to programmable microprocessor control circuit 210, thereby allows a graphical user interface remotely ballast to be programmed.Therefore, for example, by a remote location, such as the equipment manager office on a commercial building or farm, to up to a hundred or even the change of the lamp output characteristic of thousands of lamps can realize in real time.More generally, with reference now to Fig. 8 a and 8b,, network interface 214 allows single ballast 102 to become the part of a lighting mains, described lighting mains has a large amount of dissimilar lamps 804,806 and 810, for example, can control by a central office or the position with a remote central machine 814.Described machine 814 can be the personal computer of operation illumination control and management software.Also can be a single transducer 816, in some embodiments, be one or more signal repeaters 818.Communication link 820 between each ballast 102 and machine 814 can be wired or wireless.Machine 814 can be the hub (as Fig. 8 b) in a multilayer, the hierarchical network.Graphical user interface can with master control equipment that remote central machine 814 is communicated by letter on move, master control equipment can be a mobile handset, PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), notebook computer or a more traditional desktop computer unit (referring to Fig. 9 that describes below-11) that is just moving illumination control and management software.

The communication of pointing to a lighting ballast can comprise the order or the request of an on/off output, setting is by the required output characteristic of particular type, wattage or the production firm of lamp, be engaged in dimming function, be arranged on the timer that given interval is switched on or switched off output afterwards, and, realize the power-saving on daytime by disconnecting output not installing near lamp or the lighting ballast under the photronic situation.

Except the communication of pointing to a lighting ballast and, in fact, lighting ballast 102 relies on its programmable microprocessor, can be enabled in order or request on remote machine 814 directions of central authorities.For example, ballast can transmit its operational report periodically, comprising lighting the lapse count renewal and indicating the fault of its each lamp maybe fault will be arranged.This is the example of a lighting ballast, and wherein its integrated control electronic equipment is that programmable it can be sent to a middle position and handle so that real-time diagnosis to be provided, or carries out this locality show on the display floater of described ballast.The latter is an example as the ballast of separate unit use, wherein the user utilizes integrated display floater and keypad to dispose the output of ballast, and described display floater is used to show the monitored hourage of lighting, thermal output and the efficient that calculates under microprocessor control.

Fig. 8 c-8f shows an example of the Snipping Tool of the remote graphics user interface (GUI) with dialog box or window, and it can be used for managing lighting mains.Ballast is also referred to as equipment here, can be used as their specific physical location, and the group of forming such as office, floor or place (as Fig. 8 c) is shown.Lamp intensity (light modulation, on/off state) can be controlled from GUI (Fig. 8 d, and/or based on each zone, as Fig. 8 e individually).The historical operation information of relevant each equipment of collecting is stored in the database, and can by one independently window (as Fig. 8 f) browse.

Turn to Fig. 9 now, show the block diagram of the lighting mains of another kind of type, it utilizes the ballast 102 that is equipped with network to provide an illumination flexibly to use.In the lighting mains of this type, be also referred to as more extensive illumination data gathering system or network, can be by three software/hardwares.A server 904, Class1 client computer 908 and type 2 client computer 910 are arranged.Described server 904 can be machine that the application program of data aggregation service is provided of operation, and can provide long term data to preserve, such as in a hard disk drive.Described server 904 also can be carried out following task: at first, it, is used for connecting and disconnects a client and use (Class1 or type 2) such as the internet by a network.In addition, described server can receive data from all types 1 client computer that is connected to it, and stores data periodically, for example, and in a database.The storage of this one-period can occur in, for example, and every one hour or every one minute.Described server 904 also can respond the request from type 2 client computer 910.This response can comprise send data from database.

Turn to described Class1 client computer 908 now, it can be the combination that operates in an application program on the machine, thereby controls the operation of many ballasts 102.A plurality of Class1 client computer 908 can be arranged in network.Each Class1 client computer 908 can be a fixing client stations (as remote central machine 814, referring to Fig. 8 a), it can be placed in one or more ballasts 102 near, be located on the different position in the wide relatively geographic range.

As for type 2 client computer 910, it can be the combination that operates in an application program on the machine, and the content in the database of its permission user access server side for example, is passed through internet.Described type 2 client computer 910 can be remote client stations (comprise, for example, mobile computing), and in fact, it can be positioned at has internet to insert Anywhere.

Turn to Figure 10 now, show the block diagram of going up a dialog box that shows at the advanced figure user interface (advanced gui) of a lighting mains, and, especially provide the dialog box of managing described lighting mains by server 904.A window 840 is arranged, and it shows Class1 and type 2 client computer that all are connected to server 904.In window 842, current activity has been described, such as the data that received from the Class1 client computer of an activity.This window is called as Class1 Client Logs window.Similarly, another window 844 is arranged, be called as type 2 Client Logs windows, the activity of its display type 2 client computer.Described window 840 allows the connection of user search to a client computer, and selects from described connection, so that change their parameter.

Turn to Figure 11 now, show the Snipping Tool of " Server Monitor " program in advanced gui, in any particular time interval, the data (by a Class1 client computer) that allow type 2 client computer inspections to receive from any ballast.In this case, the data of the ballast report that has connected by network comprise the energy (as kilowatt hour) that up to the present uses, lamp current, modulating voltage, wattage, the temperature of supply voltage, PFC voltage and ballast or the lamp measured at ballast.Software also can be for lamp provides maintenance report, for example, and the state of display lamp, its life-span, current and/or historical performance and with the replacement of headlight.The Server Monitor window of example generally is divided into three zones.Site map zone 850 is arranged, and it allows the user by for example website of a drop-down list selection Class1 client computer.This function also allows the user to change the address of internet protocol, IP, this website and its name.In case selected website, for retrieval ballast information from database, the user also can come definition time at interval by Date ﹠ Time Dialog Box.In case the selection of website and the time interval are transfused to and use, the user just can select a specific lamp in domestic site navigation area 854.At the requested data and the time interval, the information of relevant selecteed lamp can show in the several charts as shown in the figure in the zone of the parameter that is called as dynamic area 856.At last, a zone 860 that digitally shows described lamp and/or ballast parameter is arranged also, provided the date and time accurately of selected lamp in zone 854.Attention can add zoom function so that the ratio of the figure that expansion shows in dynamic area 856.

In Figure 12, show the Snipping Tool of another example of described advanced gui, one of them site map dialog box 875 allows the illumination maintenance engineer to select one of them subnet in the several different illumination subnet of a mechanism.These subnets may be positioned at different cities or country.Frame 877 allows the engineer's option date and the time interval to monitor or retrieve from memory.In given website, select a discrete cell (a plurality of ballast/lamp) by file tabulation icon 881.Then, frame 879 is with the selected operating parameter of a particular lamp of graphics mode demonstration, and frame 880 then shows the numerical value of the one or more lamps in the selected unit.As a kind of selection, it is possible being presented at chart among Figure 10-12 and other arrangement mode of dialog box.

The summary of software control feature

On the basis of above-mentioned discussion, there is software multi-form in three to may operate in the execution mode of described Lighting Control Assembly, so that utilize independent ballast/IPSE ability to control and safeguard described system.Be described as:

Keypad software-user switches on and off, changes lamp configuration, timer function is set, the use that dimmer function and repeater lamp performance, lamp are lighted hourage and electric power is set, and all can show from the switch on the ballast enclosure, keypad and numeral carry out.In some embodiments, this software also can from be positioned on the ballast enclosure or rotary switch or DIP switch receive the illumination control command.

Gui software-lamp is networked by the wired or wireless connection of described ballast, and, communicate by letter with the illumination Control Software by selectable repeater and/or transducer.This software can be installed on the personal computer, and is linked to another control unit by internet, LAN or other network, such as a PDA, kneetop computer, cell phone or another personal computer.Like this, the network of independent ballast is Be Controlled by this way, referring to Fig. 8 a-8f.

Advanced gui software-this software can be made by the illumination maintenance engineering and be used for monitoring and the performance of controlling the illuminator that one or more internet with GUI control are connected.These systems can intersperse among the whole world, receive the order back and send to central server by keeper's control of advanced gui software with drop data.Therefore, this software can be controlled a network of the network of GUI control, referring to Fig. 9-12.

In all three kinds of situations, can carry out diagnosis (independent ballast electronic equipment and lamp) and cost analysis (determining the cost of operating light based on historical data) in real time on the plate in real time.For example, can compensate the cost of increase to the adjustment of lamp operation.

The application of lighting apparatus

If the use electric ballast, such as (being also referred to as IPSEs) of describing here, when the lamp of large-scale luminaire applications was replaced by the lamp of for example those different production firms or different wattages, their independent ballast did not need physically to replace.Yet, can be through the improvement of simply reshuffling or reprogrammed IPSEs (for example, by operating in a graphical user interface in the master control equipment) carries out, so that provide suitable voltage and power for the output port of separately lamp.

For very harsh application, some or most, if not all, the function of above-mentioned lamp can realize in a single IPSE.In this case, each function also can be output as the basis with each by central computer (being also referred to as master control equipment) and monitors or change.This ability helps managing large scale lighting environment better, such as the illumination cost of the building of a retail warehouse type.For example, described building can have the different retail zone that generates the different business pattern every day.There are several zones especially busy in the morning, therefore need sufficient illumination; And most of zones of building are not to be to have only a spot of business exactly by public visit, therefore need illumination still less.Other zone may not need more illumination in certain period of time every day, and for example, the zone, garden has the space of an opening to receive sunlight.Selectively, described building may be a sandwich construction, and the part that has certain layer or a floor such as work in high level chamber building is determined the illumination that need lack than other floor.Every layer or every zone provide independently hub.Therefore, can utilize hub that described IPSEs is mixed with suitable hierarchy, like this, can utilize system controlling software to dim, or even disconnect IPSEs in the given area, for example, be connected to the zone of same hub.These zones can be relatively little, for example, and the office lighting in some offices of individual layer; Or they can be big relatively, for example, and all street lamps of entire city.Yet because each ballast/IPSE programmes independently by network, therefore, independent lamp can be dimmed or be closed independently under Long-distance Control.

In many cases, to build another building with required wattage from one be identical (for example, a mechanism has several departments, and they are layout in an identical manner) to the space layout of lighting apparatus.Words in that event, in case be that a department has determined that the control system software setting (comprises the operating time table of having planned, for example, on the basis of 24 hours every days, 7 days weekly, annual 365 days, " space " layout, and at the wattage setting of IPSEs), just can simply copy and be loaded in the Lighting Control Assembly of another department described control system software setting.A large amount of time and spending that this mechanism disposes the Lighting Control Assembly of a plurality of departments have been saved like this.

An embodiment of the invention comprise a shell, and this shell has a power supply input and drives the lamp output of single lamp; And power switch circuit, to install in the enclosure and also power by described power supply input, circuit has at user option many predefined settings, is used for configuration circuit and once drives one of a plurality of dissimilar electron discharge lamps, and utilize lamp output.Described setting can make high-pressure sodium lamp, metal halide lamp, and the mercuryvapour high-intensity discharge lamp is driven by described lamp output.Power switch circuit can have and more is predefined in the lamp that is arranged so that different basically wattage abilities and driven by lamp output.Replacedly or in addition, power switch circuit can have by the user by being structured in the manually preselected setting of user interface in the outer cover, the many discharge lamps that indicate which different production firm can be designed dissimilar ballast next and by production firm's appointment and together use, thereby are driven by lamp output.

Can further equip a multiposition selector switch in the embodiments of the present invention that previous paragraphs is described, described multiposition selector switch is installed in the outer panels of shell, and be coupled to power switch circuit, wherein the user utilizes switch to select any one predefine setting.As replacedly or in addition, be coupled that the digital processing of controlling power switch circuit partly is mounted and a digital display floater and a keypad are installed in the outer panels of shell and are coupled to the digital processing part.Then, the user can utilize keypad to select any one predefined setting and obtain the information of the operating parameter of relevant devices by display floater.

A communication interface also can be coupled to the digital processing part, thereby permission equipment becomes an end node in the lighting mains, and one of any setting that allows the user remotely to select from a middle position of network that many predefines are provided with.Main control unit with the described communication interface communicative couplings of lighting mains can be provided, and main control unit has a graphical user interface, and the user can remotely select any one predefined setting in the many end nodes in the network each by this graphical user interface.

Yet in yet another embodiment of the present invention, another lamp output can be mounted and drive additional, a single lamp.Another power switch circuit is mounted in the enclosure, and it drives additional lamp by power supply input power supply.

The present invention is not limited by above-described specific implementations.For example, the voltage and the frequency number that are used to describe the operation of ballast unit can only be applied to part of the present invention, rather than in whole different execution modes.In another embodiment, ballast/IPSE has a single outer cover, and it comprises two or more " passages " (channel), and described each " passage " comprises as a Fig. 2 or a single cover electronic component shown in Figure 4.Many output ballast like this can be shared same lamp input, or it can be by the lamp input power supply that separates.Therefore, other execution mode is within the protection range of claim.

Claims (30)

1. a lighting apparatus comprises:

A) have the electronic equipment outer cover that power supply input and lamp are exported;

B) be installed in power factor correcting (PFC) circuit in the outer cover, pfc circuit has switching power circuit, is used for that input provides an adjusted DC output voltage according to power supply;

C) be installed in inverter in the outer cover, inverter has the input of the output of being coupled to pfc circuit and is coupled to the output of lamp output;

D) the control electronic equipment is installed in the outer cover, and is coupled control inverter, and the selection that is used for the receiving light loadtype, and identical like this lamp output can drive a high pressure alternatively and receive (HPS) lamp and a metal halide (MH) lamp; With

E) user interface is installed in the outer cover, thereby and be coupled to the control electronic equipment and allow the user manually to select which HPS and MH lamp to be driven, wherein user interface comprises display floater and keypad of a literal and numeral.

2. lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer cover size is no more than about 3000 cubic centimetres on volume, and and b)-e) its weight is no more than about 4.5 kilograms altogether.

3. lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprises:

Be installed in the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter in the outer cover, Electromagnetic interference filter has the input of being coupled to the power supply input and is coupled the output of presenting pfc circuit.

4. lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 3, it is programmable wherein controlling electronic equipment, thereby real-time diagnosis is provided.

5. a lighting ballast comprises:

The electronics outer cover that has AC power supplies input and lamp output;

Be installed in power factor correcting (PFC) circuit in the outer cover, be used for providing DC output voltage from the AC power supplies input;

Be installed in the inverter in the outer cover, be coupled to the output that pfc circuit and coupling drive lamp; With

Microprocessor and adjunct circuit comprise the function of electron discharge lamp ballast timer, outside relay, external dimmer device and external switch, and have adjunct circuit is integrated into a control integrated program in the encapsulation that reduces.

6. a single lighting ballast comprises:

Power factor correcting (PFC) circuit has switching power circuit and comes to provide DC output voltage from the AC power supplies input;

Inverter has the switching power circuit that the band lamp is exported; With

Coupling comes the processor controls of control inverter, and wherein lamp output can be by comprising high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp that drives the gas with various type on the different input voltages that 90VAC imports to the AC power supplies of 300VAC at least; And wherein processor controls surveillance illumination ballast multiple function and control the electric current and the voltage of lamp output in real time, purpose is to adjust any one the brightness in the described gas with various type HID lamp.

7. a lighting apparatus comprises:

The electronic lighting ballast outer cover;

Power factor correcting (PFC) circuit is installed in the outer cover, and has switching power circuit and come to provide dc voltage from lamp input;

Inverter is installed in the outer cover, and the input of the output of a) being coupled to pfc circuit is arranged, and b) output of being coupled to lamp load; With

Programmable microprocessor, be installed in the outer cover, and coupling comes control inverter, so that many dissimilar lamp loads can be output driving alternatively, different lamp type comprises high-pressure sodium, metal halide and mercury vapor light, each of different lamp type wherein can be driven by many different lamp input voltages, and wherein microprocessor can be programmed and further comes control inverter so that the lamp of the different production firms type of various different wattages can be driven at described a plurality of different lamp input voltages.

8. lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein many different lamp input voltages at least scope 90VAC to 200VAC and 200VAC in 300VAC, and different wattages at least scope 150W to 300W and 250W in 430W.

9. lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further comprises being installed in the circuit that comprises timer, relay, dimmer and switch in the outer cover.

10. lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further comprises:

User interface, be installed in the outer cover, thereby and be coupled to microprocessor and allow the user manually to select a setting for one of many different lamp wattages, for a setting is selected by one of many different lighting apparatus production firm, and be setting of one of many different lamp load types selection.

11. as the lighting apparatus of claim 10, further comprise the stand-by power supply circuit, it is installed in the outer cover, and by coupling and the microprocessor power supply that comes for the turn-off lamp input.

12. as the lighting apparatus of claim 11, further comprise the remote inquiry communications network interface, it is installed in the outer cover, and is coupled to microprocessor, thereby allows graphical user interface remotely to be the lighting apparatus programming.

13. a lighting ballast comprises:

An electronics outer cover that has power supply input and lamp output;

Be installed in power factor correcting (PFC) circuit in the outer cover, pfc circuit has switching power circuit, be used for providing an adjusted DC output voltage, and the power supply input selectively is a) between 100 and 200 volts of AC according to power supply input, and (b) between 200 and 300 volts of AC;

Be coupled to the step-down switching power supply changeover device of pfc circuit, an adjustable output voltage is provided;

Inverter is coupled to transducer, and has switching power circuit and come to provide modulating voltage for lamp output; With

The control electronic equipment, be installed in the outer cover, and coupling comes control inverter, wherein control the electronic equipment control inverter and receive (HPS) lamp and metal halide (MH) lamp or b so that lamp output can be in two described power input voltage scopes a) drives an identical high pressure alternatively) drive an identical HPS lamp and mercuryvapour (MV) lamp alternatively.

14. a lighting ballast comprises:

The electronics outer cover;

Be installed in solid-state switch power circuit and control electronic equipment in the outer cover, drive a gaseous discharge lamp, comprise that a plurality of functions that are integrated into solid state electronic devices are used for the brightness regulation and the timer operation of lamp, eliminated the needs that utilize a plurality of external components that comprise timer, relay, dimmer and switch, and these external components are to realize brightness regulation and regularly needed when driving the lamp that has magnetic ballast; With

User interface is installed in the outer cover, thereby and be coupled to the control electronic equipment and allow the user manually to point out among a) HPS and MH lamp which, or in HPS and the MV lamp which will be driven.

15. as the ballast of claim 14, wherein user interface comprises display floater, shows menu item and a keypad of relating to HPS, MH and MV lamp type, it allows the user to locate menu item and select a menu item to be used for driven lamp.

16. ballast as claim 15, wherein switching power circuit comprises the buck converter of feed-in inverter, its output drives discharge lamp, and the control electronic equipment further is coupled the output level of adjusting transducer in response to the change that is provided with at the dimmer grade with driven lamp.

The method of control 17. be used to throw light on comprises:

The a plurality of ballasts of configuration in the application of lighting apparatus, each ballast is integrated into switching power circuit and control electronic equipment in the corresponding outer cover, and it realizes dimming function, output on/off function, adjustable power output, the ability that drives different lamp type and the driving ability from the lamp of different production firms; With

Each ballast that is applied as according to lighting apparatus is provided with dimmer grade, output on/off, power output, lamp type output and the output of lamp production firm.

18. as the method for claim 17, wherein each ballast can drive at any one and be no more than one high-intensity discharge lamp constantly.

19. as the method for claim 18, wherein each ballast is replicated from hardware point of view in fact.

20., be to carry out wherein by a corresponding user interface that is configured in the outer cover for each ballast is provided with the one or more of dimmer grade, output on/off, power output, lamp type and the output of lamp production firm as the method for claim 19.

21. as the method for claim 20, each ballast integrated scheduler function in corresponding outer cover wherein, described method further is included as each ballast and by their corresponding user interfaces fixed cycle operator is set.

22. as the method for claim 19, wherein for each ballast dimmer grade, power output, lamp type and lamp production firm be set one or more be from ballast be coupled communicatedly central authorities, the graphical user interface that remote machine moves carry out.

23., further comprise by graphical user interface an output on/off timetable being set for each ballast as the method for claim 22.

24. the method as claim 23 further comprises:

Receive the report from each ballast on central authorities, remote machine, report indicates the fault of corresponding lamp or fault will be arranged.

25. a lighting ballast comprises:

Transducer is used for providing adjusted voltage from the lamp input of ballast;

Adjustable, step-down switching voltage adjuster have the input that receives regulated voltage and provide adjustable, the output of adjusted voltage;

Inverter, have receive adjustable, the input of adjusted voltage and present the output of the lamp output of ballast; With

The control electronic equipment, in response to etc. the change of one or more operating parameters of the change order regulator of reduction voltage of type selecting and inverter, lamp type is selected one of a plurality of different lamp type that can be driven by lamp output.

26. as claim 25 ballast, further comprise the control electronic equipment, the change of described one or more operating parameters is ordered in the change in being provided with in response to dimmer.

27. as claim 26 ballast, that wherein one or more operating parameters comprise is adjustable, the frequency of operation of adjusted voltage and inverter.

28. a lighting ballast comprises:

Transducer is used for providing adjusted voltage from the lamp input of ballast;

The step-down switching voltage adjuster has the input that receives regulated voltage;

Inverter has the input of the output of being coupled to adjuster and presents the output of the lamp output of ballast; With

Control electronic equipment, be used for changing in response to the change that lamp production firm is selected one or more operating parameters of regulator of reduction voltage and inverter, lamp production firm selects to select from different production firms can be by one of a plurality of lamps of lamp output driving.

29., wherein design the change in one or more operating parameters so that lamp output can be satisfied the rated current demand of selected lamp production firm as claim 28 ballast.

30. as claim 29 ballast, wherein one or more operating parameters comprise the frequency of operation of input voltage and inverter.

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