JP2006278059A - Illumination system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination system capable of easily handling a luminaire even if a luminaire having a different light modulation method is used. <P>SOLUTION: This illumination system is provided with: a plurality of kinds of luminaires 3a-3d to which light modulation signals having signal types different from one another are inputted from the outside and in which lamps are dimmed based on the light modulation signals; a light modulation device 1 for controlling the light modulation levels of the luminaires 3a-3d of the respective lines by outputting the same light modulation signal to light modulation signal lines L1-L4 of the plurality of lines to which the luminaires 3a-3d of the same kind are connected, respectively; and signal converters 2 connected to the light modulation signal lines L1-L3 for converting the light modulation signals outputted from the light modulation device 1 to signal types corresponding to the luminaires 3a-3c of the respective lines. When the light modulation signal is inputted from the light modulation device 1, the signal converter 2 changes at least a part of its waveform in line with the types of the luminaires 3a-3c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting system that performs dimming control of a plurality of lighting loads.

  As this type of lighting system, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of fluorescent lamp lighting fixtures 30 capable of dimming control, a plurality of incandescent lamp lighting fixtures 40 capable of dimming control, and a dimming device What is comprised by 50 is provided conventionally.

  The dimming device 50 includes four systems of dimming signal output units 51a to 51d that can output dimming signals independently of each other, and the lighting fixtures 30 connected to each system via dimming signal lines. 40 can be dimmed simultaneously. The dimmer 50 has dimming operation units 52a to 52d for each system in order to independently adjust the dimming levels of the lighting fixtures 30 and 40 connected to the respective systems. Dimming control of the lighting fixtures 30 and 40 of each system can be performed continuously by operating the operation units 52a to 52d.

  The four light control signal output units 51a to 51d correspond to two different light control methods. Two of the four systems (the dimming signal output units 51a and 51b) output a dimming signal including a PWM signal to the lighting fixture, and by changing the on-pulse width (that is, on-duty) of the PWM signal. Dimming the luminaire. The on-duty of the PWM signal output from the dimming signal output units 51a and 51b is individually controlled by the PWM signal control unit 53 in accordance with the operation input from the dimming operation units 52a and 52b. The other two systems (dimming signal output units 51c and 51d) supply AC power to the lighting fixture, and adjust the phase angle of the supplied power source to dimm the lighting fixture. The phase angle of the AC power supplied from the dimming signal output units 51c and 51d is individually adjusted by the power phase control unit 54 in accordance with the operation input from the dimming operation units 52c and 52d. Note that reference numeral 55 in FIG. 9 denotes a power supply that is supplied to the PWM signal control unit 53, the power supply phase control unit 54, the dimming signal output units 51a to 51d, etc. using a DC power source obtained by rectifying and smoothing the commercial power source AC as an operation power source Part.

  A fluorescent lamp luminaire 30 is mainly connected to the dimming signal output units 51a and 51b that perform dimming control using a PWM signal. FIG. 10A is a block diagram of the fluorescent lamp luminaire 30. The fluorescent lamp luminaire 30 includes a fluorescent lamp load 31, a power supply section 32 that rectifies and smoothes the commercial power supply AC, and converts it into a DC power supply. The switching circuit converts the DC voltage supplied from the power supply unit 32 into a high-frequency AC voltage and supplies it to the fluorescent lamp 31, and the PWM signal from the dimming signal output unit 51a or 51b is input. A PWM signal input unit 34; and an oscillation period control unit 35 that controls the oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit unit 33 in accordance with the on-pulse width (on duty) of the PWM signal input from the PWM signal input unit 34. The illumination output is changed by changing the lighting output of the fluorescent lamp 31 by changing the oscillation frequency according to the operation designed in advance according to the on-pulse width of the signal.FIG. 11A shows the relationship between the on-duty (%) of the PWM signal output from the dimming signal output units 51 a and 51 b and the power factor (%) of the light output of the lighting fixture 30.

  An incandescent lamp luminaire 40 is mainly connected to the dimming signal output sections 51c and 51d that change the phase angle of the power supply. FIG. 10B is a block diagram of the incandescent lamp illuminating device 40, in which an AC waveform whose phase is controlled is input from the incandescent lamp 42 and the dimming signal output unit 51c or 51d, and the phase angle of the input AC waveform is set. Accordingly, a power input unit 42 that controls the phase of power supplied to the incandescent lamp 42 is provided, and the incandescent lamp 42 is dimmed by changing the power phase angle. FIG. 11B shows the relationship between the phase angle of the power supplied from the dimming signal output units 51c and 51d and the power factor (%) of the light output of the lighting fixture 40.

  Such a lighting system is used for lighting in a residential environment or a non-residential environment (office / facilities), and an example in which this lighting system is applied to an office will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the interior of the floor 60 is divided into four illumination areas 61 to 64 from the viewpoint of usage and jurisdiction, and the illumination areas 61 and 62 are respectively supplied with dimming signal output signals 51a and 51b. Fluorescent lamp luminaire 30 connected via lines L1 and L2 is installed, and incandescent lights connected to dimming signal output portions 51c and 51d via dimming signal lines L3 and L4 in lighting areas 63 and 64, respectively. A lighting fixture 40 is installed. In this illumination system, the lighting fixtures 30 and 40 installed in the individual illumination areas 61 to 64 can be dimmed together by the dimming signal output units 51a to 51d, and installed in other illumination areas. It is also possible to perform dimming control independently of the lighting fixtures 30 and 40.

In addition, as a lighting system similar to the above lighting system, in order to correspond to a plurality of types of lighting fixtures having different dimming characteristics, a characteristic changeover switch for switching the output characteristics of a lighting circuit that supplies a lighting output to a lighting load is provided. A device that can select an output characteristic suitable for a dimming characteristic of a lighting fixture in accordance with the switching operation of the switch has been conventionally provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-297886 A

  Among the illumination systems described above, in the former system, the number of systems of the light control signal output units 51a... Provided in the light control device 50 and the light control method of each system are determined in advance. Therefore, there are restrictions on the type and number of lighting fixtures used when building a lighting system, which may hinder the design of the lighting environment. In addition, the dimming output of the dimming device 50 can also be used when the lighting system used for the lighting system is changed due to various factors after the construction of the lighting system, or when it is desired to change the installation position or lighting area of the lighting system. Since it has been determined, there is a problem that the degree of freedom in selecting the lighting fixture is greatly limited. In the latter lighting system, it is possible to support lighting fixtures with different dimming characteristics by switching the dimming characteristics using the characteristic selector switch. It is necessary to perform an operation of selecting a dimming characteristic by operating the switch, and it may take time to switch the switch or may cause a setting error.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an illumination system that can easily cope with the use of lighting fixtures having different light control methods. is there.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is the same type as a plurality of types of lighting fixtures in which dimming signals having different signal formats are inputted from the outside and dimming the lamp based on the dimming signals. A dimming device that outputs a dimming signal having the same signal format to a plurality of dimming signal lines connected to each of the lighting fixtures to control the dimming level of each of the lighting fixtures, and at least one system A signal converter connected to the dimming signal line and converting the dimming signal output from the dimming device into a signal format corresponding to the lighting fixture connected to the same dimming signal line and outputting to the lighting fixture; The signal converter is provided with means for receiving a trigger input from the outside and generating a predetermined change according to the type of the illumination load to be connected to a part of the signal waveform of the dimming signal. Features.

  According to the present invention, even when a lighting fixture having a different dimming method is connected to each system, the signal converter outputs a dimming signal output from the dimming device according to the type of the lighting fixture connected to each system. Since the signal format is converted, it can be used for a plurality of types of lighting fixtures, and the signal converter receives a trigger input from the outside, and a part of the signal waveform of the dimming signal, Since a means for generating a predetermined change according to the type of lighting load to be connected is provided, the dimming signal is generated even if the user does not set the type of lighting fixture on the dimming device side. Therefore, it is possible to automatically determine the type of lighting fixture based on the specified change, and the lighting design can be performed without considering the type of lighting fixture of each system. To do. Furthermore, once the lighting system has been built, even if the lighting fixtures connected to some systems are changed to ones with different dimming methods, it is necessary for the user to reset the type of lighting fixtures on the dimmer side. Therefore, it is possible to automatically determine the type of the lighting fixture based on a predetermined change generated in the dimming signal, so that it is possible to easily cope with a change in the lighting fixture.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the dimming device is configured to detect the predetermined change generated in the dimming signal, and to specify the type of the luminaire based on the detection result of the detecting means. An appliance specifying means is provided.

  According to this invention, the detection means detects the predetermined change generated in the waveform of the dimming signal by the signal converter, and the fixture specifying means specifies the type of the lighting fixture based on the detection result. The user can specify the type of lighting fixture connected to each system on the light control device side without setting the type of lighting fixture.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the dimming device determines a ratio of the change in the dimming signal to the change in the light output in accordance with the type of the lighting fixture specified by the fixture specifying means. It is characterized by doing.

  According to this invention, the light control curve according to the kind of lighting fixture can be set.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the light control device sets an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the dimming signal to be output in accordance with the type of the lighting fixture specified by the fixture specifying means. Features.

  According to this invention, the upper and lower limits of the dimming signal can be set according to the type of lighting fixture.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the predetermined change is to short-circuit the dimming signal for a time corresponding to the type of the lighting fixture, and short-circuit the dimming signal. The type of lighting fixture can be specified from the difference in time to do.

  According to the present invention, even when lighting devices having different dimming methods are connected for each system, the signal converter outputs a dimming signal from the dimming device according to the type of the lighting device connected to each system. Since the signal format is converted, it can be used for a plurality of types of lighting fixtures, and the signal converter receives a trigger input from the outside, and a part of the signal waveform of the dimming signal, Since a means for generating a predetermined change according to the type of lighting load to be connected is provided, the dimming signal is generated even if the user does not set the type of lighting fixture on the dimming device side. Therefore, it is possible to automatically determine the type of lighting fixture based on the specified change, and the lighting design can be performed without considering the type of lighting fixture of each system. There is an effect of doing. Furthermore, once the lighting system has been built, even if the lighting fixtures connected to some systems are changed to ones with different dimming methods, it is necessary for the user to reset the type of lighting fixtures on the dimmer side. In addition, since it becomes possible to automatically determine the type of the lighting fixture based on a predetermined change generated in the dimming signal, there is an effect that it is possible to easily cope with a change in the lighting fixture.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a lighting system according to this embodiment. This lighting system has a plurality of lighting fixtures 3a to 3d and a dimming output of a plurality of systems (for example, four systems in this embodiment). The dimming device 1 for dimming the luminaires 3a to 3d connected to each other and the dimming signal connected to at least a part of the system and output from the dimming device 1 to each system. And a signal converter 2 that performs conversion according to the dimming method of the connected lighting fixtures 3a to 3d.

  The light control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an infrared remote control input unit 13, light control signal output units 14a to 14d, short circuit detection units 15a to 15d, and a power supply unit 16 as main components.

  The control unit 11 controls the four dimming signal output units 14a to 14d that independently output dimming signals having the same signal format (in this embodiment, dimming signals composed of PWM signals). The on-duty of the PWM signal output from the dimming signal output units 14a to 14d to the dimming signal lines L1 to L4 can be changed in the range of 0% to 100%. FIG. 2 is a waveform example of a PWM signal output from the dimming signal output units 14a to 14d. The period T and the amplitude V of the PWM signal are constant values, and the on time t1 and the off time t2 are set to arbitrary values. The on-duty and the off-duty are changed by adjusting to. The on-duty is the ratio of the on-time t1 to the period T, and the off-duty is the ratio of the off-time t2 to the period T.

  Moreover, the control part 11 has the detection input from the short circuit detection parts 15a-15d provided for each system | strain, The PWM signal output to each system | strain based on the detection signal of the short circuit detection parts 15a-15d. Changes can be detected.

  The storage unit 12 stores a dimming table indicating dimming characteristics of a plurality of types of illumination loads. Here, the dimming table is a table representing the correspondence between the on-duty (%) of the PWM signal output from the dimming signal output unit 14a... And the light output (%) of the illumination load. Table 1 shows an example of the dimming table, and the table in this table shows the relationship between the on-duty and the light output at that time for each of three types of loads (incandescent lamp load, fluorescent lamp load, and LED load). . FIG. 3 is a graph of the dimming table shown in Table 1. In the figure, a indicates the incandescent lamp load, b indicates the fluorescent lamp load, and c indicates the characteristic curve of the LED load.

  As described above, the storage unit 12 stores a table showing the correspondence between the on-duty of the PWM signal and the optical output for each load. Therefore, if the load is specified, the table shown in Table 1 is used. The on-duty for the desired light output can be determined. The storage unit 12 stores a scene table in which the light output of the luminaire connected for each use scene (scene) of lighting is individually set. In the example shown in Table 2, incandescent lamps are used for three scenes. A combination of the light output of the load, the fluorescent lamp load, and the LED load is set.

  The infrared remote control input unit 13 receives a command signal transmitted as a wireless signal including an optical signal such as infrared light from the remote control transmitter 4, and outputs the received command signal to the control unit 11. From the remote control transmitter 4, a command signal for changing the light output of each of the lighting fixtures 3 a to 3 d to an arbitrary light output in the range from 0% to 100%, or an arbitrary signal stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. A command signal for turning on each of the lighting fixtures 3a to 3d is output by the light output of the scene.

  For example, when a command signal for changing the light output of a certain lighting fixture 3a... To an arbitrary light output is input from the remote control transmitter 4 to the light control device 1, the infrared remote control input unit 13 receives the command signal and controls the control unit. 11 is output. At this time, the control unit 11 reads the on-duty corresponding to the light output of the lighting fixtures 3a ... designated by the command signal from the dimming table registered in the storage unit 12, and corresponds to the designated lighting fixtures 3a ... To control the duty ratio of the PWM signal output from the dimming signal output units 14a.

  When a command signal for reproducing a desired scene is input from the remote control transmitter 4 to the light control device 1, the infrared remote control input unit 13 receives the command signal and outputs it to the control unit 11. At this time, the control unit 11 reads from the scene table registered in the storage unit 12 the set value of the light output of each lighting fixture 3a... In the scene specified by the command signal, and the light output of each lighting fixture 3a. Of the PWM signal output from the dimming signal output unit 14a... By reading the on-duty corresponding to the set value from the dimming table and controlling the dimming signal output unit 14a. Adjust the ratio.

  The dimming signal output units 14a to 14d output the PWM signals whose on-duty is adjusted according to the control signal from the control unit 11 to the lighting fixtures 3a to 3d via the dimming signal lines L1 to L4.

  The short-circuit detection units 15a to 15d are provided corresponding to the dimming signal output units 14a to 14d of the respective systems, and detect and detect a short-circuit state of the dimming signal output from the dimming signal output units 14a to 14d. The result is output to the control unit 11.

  The power source unit 16 rectifies and smoothes the commercial power source AC to convert it into a DC power source, and supplies it to the control unit 11 and the like as an operating power source.

  Next, the configuration and function of the signal converter 2 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. The signal converter 2 includes a signal input unit 21, a signal short-circuit unit 22, a signal conversion unit 23, a signal output unit 24, a short-circuit pattern storage unit 25, and a power supply unit 26 as main components.

  A dimming signal (PWM signal) from the corresponding dimming signal output unit 14 a... Is input to the signal input unit 21. FIG. 5A shows a PWM signal (amplitude V 1, period T 1) input to the signal input unit 21, and this PWM signal is input to the signal conversion unit 23 via the signal short-circuit unit 22. The signal converter 23 converts the input PWM signal into sine wave signals (amplitude V2, period T2) having different amplitudes and periods as shown in FIG. 5B, and outputs them to the signal output part 24.

  Here, a conversion table (see Table 3) showing a correspondence relationship between the on-duty of the input dimming signal and the phase angle of the output signal is registered in the short-circuit pattern storage unit 25. The on-duty of the PWM signal input via the short-circuit unit 22 (the PWM signal input to the signal input unit 21) is detected, and the on-duty of the input dimming signal is determined from the conversion table registered in the short-circuit pattern storage unit 25. By extracting the corresponding phase angle and changing the amplitude and frequency of the input dimming signal, a sine wave signal having the extracted phase angle is generated.

  And the light control signal converted into the sine wave signal by the signal conversion part 23 is output to the corresponding lighting fixture 3a ... from the signal output part 24. FIG. If the dimming signal is being input to the signal input unit 21, the signal output unit 24 always outputs the dimming signal converted by the signal conversion unit 23. Note that the operation power sources such as the signal short-circuit unit 22 and the signal conversion unit 23 are supplied from a DC power source obtained by the power source unit 26 rectifying and smoothing the commercial power source AC.

  Here, as the lighting fixture 3a, a fluorescent lamp lighting fixture 30 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 10 (a) and an incandescent lighting fixture 40 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 10 (b) are used. It is preferable to use an incandescent lamp illuminator 40 or an LED illuminator (not shown) for the illuminator 3a... To which the dimming signal is supplied via the signal converter 2.

  Next, the operation in the case where the signal converter 2 receives a trigger input from the outside and generates a predetermined change according to the type of the luminaire to be connected to a part of the signal waveform of the dimming signal will be described below. explain. In the present embodiment, as a predetermined change, the signal short-circuit unit 22 short-circuits the dimming signal for a time corresponding to the type of lighting fixture, and the signal short-circuit unit 22 uses power-on to the signal converter 2 as a trigger input, In response to this trigger input, it operates for a predetermined time when the power is turned on. That is, when the signal converter 2 is turned on, the signal conversion unit 23 reads pattern data from the short-circuit pattern storage unit 25. The pattern data is data indicating a short-circuit pattern for each load as shown in Table 4, and Table 4 shows four patterns (patterns 1 to 4) according to four types of loads. The short-circuit pattern storage unit 25 stores only one pattern corresponding to the type of the corresponding lighting fixture.

  The pattern data depends on the type of the signal converter 2, and the type of the signal converter 2 is determined by the difference in the connected load type. That is, a plurality of types of signal converters 2 are prepared according to the types of connected lighting fixtures 3a..., And the difference between the types is the difference in pattern data registered in the short-circuit pattern storage unit 25. When the signal conversion unit 23 reads the pattern data, the signal conversion unit 23 waits for the dimming signal to be input to the signal input unit 21. When the dimming signal is input, the signal conversion unit 23 determines the pattern data by the signal short-circuit unit 22. The light control signal (PWM signal) is short-circuited with a short-circuit pattern. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5C, the signal short-circuit unit 22 keeps the dimming signal in a short-circuit state only during the short-circuit time t (ms) indicated by the short-circuit pattern, and receives the trigger input (power-on) to adjust the signal. A predetermined change is generated in the optical signal.

  Next, operation | movement of the illumination system of this embodiment is demonstrated. The luminaires 3a to 3d are connected to the four systems of dimming signal output units 14a to 14d included in the dimming device 1 via the dimming signal lines L1 to L4, respectively. In FIG. 1, only one luminaire 3a to 3d is connected for each system, but a plurality of luminaires 3a are provided in each system as long as the electric capacity of each dimming signal output unit 14a is within the range. It is possible to connect. However, it is a condition that the lighting fixtures 3a to 3d connected to the dimming signal output units 14a... Are lighting loads having the same dimming characteristics (that is, lighting fixtures having the same signal format of the dimming signal). .

  Of the luminaires 3a to 3d connected to each system, the luminaires 3a to 3c not corresponding to the dimming signals (PWM signals) output from the dimming signal output units 14a to 14d The signal converter 2 that converts the dimming signal in accordance with the signal format to which the fixtures 3a to 3c correspond is connected between the dimming signal output units 14a to 14c and the lighting fixtures 3a to 3c. Note that the number of lighting fixtures 3 a... Relayed via the signal converter 2 for each system also depends on the output capacity of the signal converter 2.

  After the lighting fixtures 3a to 3d are connected to the dimming signal output units 14a to 14d of each system, when the power is turned on to the dimming device 1, the signal converter 2, and the lighting fixtures 3a to 3d, the dimming signal of each system On-duty PWM signals corresponding to a predetermined dimming level are output from the output units 14a to 14d to the dimming signal lines L1 to L4. Since the fluorescent lamp lighting fixture 3d that is dimmed by the PWM signal is connected to the dimming signal output unit 14d, the lighting fixture 3d is dimmed according to the PWM signal input from the dimming signal output unit 14d. To do. On the other hand, in the signal converter 2, the signal short-circuit unit 22 operates when power is turned on using power-on as a trigger input, and the dimming signals output from the dimming signal output units 14 a to 14 c are signal-shorted via the signal input unit 21. When input to the unit 22, the signal short-circuit unit 22 shorts the dimming signal input via the signal input unit 21 for the short-circuit time stored in the short-circuit pattern storage unit 25, and connected lighting fixtures 3 a to 3 a. A predetermined change corresponding to the type of 3c is generated in the dimming signal. At this time, in the light control device 1, the short circuit detection units 15a to 15c serving as detection means detect the short circuit state of the light control signal by the signal converter 2, and the control unit 11 outputs the detection outputs of the respective short circuit detection units 15a to 15c. The time from the start of short circuit to the end of short circuit (short circuit time) is measured for each system. And the control part 11 as an instrument specific means is the illumination connected to each system | strain based on the short circuit time of the light control signal calculated | required for every system | strain, and the short circuit pattern data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 12. The types of the fixtures 3a to 3c are specified, and the dimming tables corresponding to the lighting fixtures 3a to 3c of each system are read from the storage unit 12. Thereafter, in the control unit 11, an on-duty PWM signal corresponding to the dimming level specified by the command signal from the remote control transmitter 4 is obtained based on the dimming table read out for each system. Output from 14a to 14d. In the signal converter 2, the signal short-circuit unit 22 operates only when the power is turned on, and then stops operating. Therefore, the dimming signals output from the dimming signal output units 14a to 14d are the signal input unit 21 and the signal short-circuit unit. 22 is input to the signal conversion unit 23, converted into a sine wave signal having a predetermined phase angle by the signal conversion unit 23, and then output from the signal output unit 24. The lighting fixtures 3a to 3c are dimmed.

  As described above, the dimming device 1 used in the present system includes a plurality of dimming outputs, and even when an illumination load having a different dimming method is connected to each system, the type of illumination load connected to each system Accordingly, since the signal converter 2 converts the signal format of the dimming signal output from the dimming signal output unit 14a, a plurality of types of lighting loads should be used in a single lighting system. Can increase the degree of freedom in lighting design. Even if the lighting system is once constructed and the lighting load connected to a part of the system is changed to one with a different dimming method, there is no need to replace the dimming device 1 or change the setting, and the signal conversion Since it can respond by adding the device 2 or changing the short-circuit pattern, it can easily cope with the change of the lighting load.

  In addition, the signal converter 2 receives a trigger input from the outside, and generates a predetermined change according to the type of the illumination load to be connected to a part of the signal waveform of the dimming signal (that is, the dimming signal) Is provided with a short-circuit detection unit 15a for detecting the short-circuit state of the dimming signal of each system, and the control unit 11 (appliance specifying means). ) Can be identified by comparing the short-circuiting time detected by the short-circuit detection units 15a and the short-circuit patterns stored in the storage unit 12, so that the types of the lighting fixtures 3a connected to each system can be specified. The user himself / herself does not need to set the type of lighting load of each system on the light control device 1 side, and the user has trouble when constructing a lighting system using other types of lighting fixtures or changing the type of lighting fixtures. To eliminate Etc. Changing the beam structure are easily to accommodate. Moreover, in the light modulation apparatus 1, the control part 11 specifies the kind of lighting fixture 3a ... based on the detection result of short circuit time, and reads the light control data corresponding to the specified lighting fixture 3a ... from the memory | storage part 12. Since it is used, dimming control suitable for the type of the lighting fixture 3a can be performed.

  Here, when using an LED load as the lighting fixture 3a ..., the LED load has a high frequency response compared to a fluorescent lamp load or an incandescent lamp load. As shown in FIG. 3, the dimming curve c of the LED load has a wider data interval on the high illuminance side and a data interval on the low illuminance side than the dimming curves a and b of the fluorescent lamp load and the incandescent lamp load. By using a fine dimming curve, especially on the low-illuminance side, the flickering of the light output can be made inconspicuous. Further, since the data load of the dimming curve c of the LED load is wider on the high illuminance side than the other dimming curves a and b, it is possible to perform dimming control with relatively good responsiveness.

  In addition, since the control unit 11 sets the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the dimming signal by selecting the dimming curve according to the type of lighting load, the control unit 11 increases the dimming signal according to the type of lighting load. The lower limit can be automatically adapted. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3 and Table 1, the upper limit value of the dimming signal in the case of the fluorescent lamp load is set to 95% and the lower limit value is set to 5%, and in the case of the incandescent lamp load and the LED load, 0% to 100%. Since the range is set, even when an incandescent lamp load or LED load is used in combination with a fluorescent lamp load, the incandescent lamp load or LED load can be fully lit or headlamped.

(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since the basic composition of a lighting system is the same as that of Embodiment 1, the common code | symbol is attached | subjected to a common component and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the illumination system. In the first embodiment, the dimmer 1 includes short-circuit detectors 15a to 15d that detect a short-circuit state of the dimming signal for each system. In this embodiment, signal voltage detectors 17a to 17d for detecting the voltage level of the dimming signal are provided for each system.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the signal converter 2. In the first embodiment, the signal converter 2 includes the signal short-circuit unit 22 that receives an external input and shorts the dimming signal for a predetermined short-circuit time. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a signal voltage fluctuation unit 27 that receives an external input and changes the voltage level of the dimming signal for a predetermined period according to the pattern data stored in the pattern storage unit 28 is provided.

  Here, the operation in the case of receiving a trigger input from the outside by the signal converter 2 and causing a predetermined change according to the type of the luminaire to be connected to a part of the signal waveform of the dimming signal will be described below. Explained. In the present embodiment, as a predetermined change, the signal short-circuit unit 22 changes the voltage level of the dimming signal to a voltage level corresponding to the type of the lighting fixture for a predetermined period, and the signal voltage fluctuation unit 27 is sent to the signal converter 2. When the power is turned on, the system operates for a predetermined time. That is, when the signal converter 2 is powered on, the signal conversion unit 23 reads pattern data from the pattern storage unit 28. As shown in Table 5, the pattern data is data of a fluctuation pattern indicating the set value of the fluctuation voltage for each load. In Table 5, four patterns (patterns 1 to 4) are shown. What is stored in the pattern storage unit 28 is only one of the patterns corresponding to the type of the corresponding lighting fixture.

  The pattern data depends on the type of the signal converter 2, and the type of the signal converter 2 is determined by the difference in the connected load type. That is, a plurality of types of signal converters 2 are prepared in accordance with the types of luminaires 3a to be connected, and the difference between the types is the difference in the pattern data registered in the pattern storage unit 28. When the signal conversion unit 23 reads the pattern data, the signal conversion unit 23 waits for the dimming signal to be input to the signal input unit 21. When the dimming signal is input, the signal voltage is changed according to the variation pattern determined by the pattern data. The voltage level of the dimming signal is changed by the changing unit 27 for a predetermined time. For example, the example shown in FIG. 8 shows the operation of the signal converter 2 when the pattern 1 is registered in the pattern storage unit 28. When the dimming signal is input, the signal voltage is set to V1 for a predetermined time s. To v (V1> v).

  Here, as the lighting fixture 3a, a fluorescent lamp lighting fixture 30 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 10 (a) and an incandescent lighting fixture 40 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 10 (b) are used. It is preferable to use an incandescent lamp lighting fixture 40 or an LED lighting fixture (not shown) for the lighting fixture 3 to which the dimming signal is supplied via the signal converter 2.

  Next, operation | movement of the illumination system of this embodiment is demonstrated. As described in the first embodiment, the lighting devices 3a to 3d are connected to the four systems of the light control signal output units 14a to 14d included in the light control device 1 through the light control signal lines L1 to L4, respectively, and then the light control device. 1, the signal converter 2, and the lighting fixtures 3 a to 3 d, an on-duty PWM signal corresponding to a predetermined dimming level is supplied from the dimming signal output units 14 a to 14 d of each system to the dimming signal line L <b> 1. To L4.

  Since the fluorescent lamp lighting fixture 3d that is dimmed by the PWM signal is connected to the dimming signal output unit 14d, the lighting fixture 3d is dimmed according to the PWM signal input from the dimming signal output unit 14d. To do.

  On the other hand, in the signal converter 2, the signal voltage fluctuation unit 27 operates when the power is turned on with power-on as a trigger input, and the dimming signals output from the dimming signal output units 14 a to 14 c are signaled via the signal input unit 21. When input to the short-circuit unit 22, the signal voltage variation unit 27 varies the dimming signal input via the signal input unit 21 to the signal voltage stored in the pattern storage unit 28 for a predetermined period and is connected. A predetermined change corresponding to the type of the lighting fixtures 3a to 3c is generated in the dimming signal. At this time, in the dimming device 1, the signal voltage detection units 17a to 17c, which are detection means, detect the voltage change of the dimming signal by the signal converter 2, and the control unit 11 detects the signal voltage detection units 17a to 17c. Based on the detected voltage level and the pattern data stored in the storage unit 12, the types of the lighting fixtures 3a to 3c connected to each system are specified. And if the kind of lighting fixtures 3a-3c connected to each system | strain is specified, the control part 11 will read the light control table corresponding to the lighting fixtures 3a-3c of each system | strain from the memory | storage part 12. FIG. Thereafter, in the control unit 11, an on-duty PWM signal corresponding to the dimming level specified by the command signal from the remote control transmitter 4 is obtained based on the dimming table read out for each system. Output from 14a to 14d. In the signal converter 2, the signal voltage fluctuation unit 27 operates only when the power is turned on, and then stops operating. Therefore, the dimming signals output from the dimming signal output units 14 a to 14 d are the signal input unit 21 and the signal voltage. The signal is input to the signal conversion unit 23 via the changing unit 27, converted into a sine wave signal having a predetermined phase angle by the signal conversion unit 23, then output from the signal output unit 24, and according to the dimming signal after conversion The lighting fixtures 3a to 3c are dimmed.

  As described above, the dimming device 1 used in the present system includes a plurality of dimming outputs, and even when an illumination load having a different dimming method is connected to each system, the type of illumination load connected to each system Accordingly, since the signal converter 2 converts the signal format of the dimming signal output from the dimming signal output unit 14a, a plurality of types of lighting loads should be used in a single lighting system. Can increase the degree of freedom in lighting design. Even if the lighting system is once constructed and the lighting load connected to a part of the system is changed to one with a different dimming method, there is no need to replace the dimming device 1 or change the setting, and the signal conversion Since it can respond by adding the device 2 or changing the short-circuit pattern, it can easily cope with the change of the lighting load.

  In addition, the signal converter 2 receives a trigger input from the outside, and generates a predetermined change according to the type of the illumination load to be connected to a part of the signal waveform of the dimming signal (that is, the dimming signal) Is provided with a signal voltage conversion unit 27 for changing the voltage level of the light source for a predetermined period, and the light control device 1 is provided with a signal voltage detection unit 17a for detecting the voltage level of the light control signal of each system. The identification means) identifies the type of the lighting fixture 3a connected to each system by comparing the voltage level detected by the signal voltage detection unit 17a ... with the variation pattern stored in the storage unit 12. Therefore, there is no need for the user himself to set the type of lighting load of each system on the light control device 1 side, and when constructing a lighting system using other types of lighting fixtures or when changing the type of lighting fixtures User's hand The eliminated, it is so easily cope with such changes in system configuration. Moreover, in the light modulation apparatus 1, the control part 11 specifies the kind of lighting fixture 3a ... based on the detection result of short circuit time, and reads the light control data corresponding to the specified lighting fixture 3a ... from the memory | storage part 12. Since it is used, dimming control suitable for the type of the lighting fixtures 3a can be performed as described in the first embodiment.

  It should be noted that a wide variety of different embodiments can be configured without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment.

It is a block diagram of the illumination system of Embodiment 1. It is a wave form diagram of the light control signal used for the same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of the light control characteristic of each load used for the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the signal converter used for the same as the above. (A)-(c) is a wave form diagram of the light control signal used for the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the illumination system of Embodiment 2. It is a block diagram of the signal converter used for the same as the above. It is a wave form diagram of the light control signal used for the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the conventional illumination system. (A) is a block diagram of the fluorescent lamp luminaire used in the above, and (b) is a block diagram of the incandescent lamp luminaire used in the above. (A) is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between the ON duty of a PWM signal, and an optical output, (b) is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between the phase angle of a power supply, and optical output. It is explanatory drawing of the example which applied the lighting system same as the above to the floor of a building.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light control apparatus 2 Signal converter 3a-3d Lighting fixture L1-L4 Light control signal line

Claims (5)

  Dimming signals of different signal formats are input from the outside, and a plurality of types of lighting fixtures for dimming the lamp based on the dimming signals, and a plurality of dimming signal lines to which the same type of lighting fixtures are respectively connected. Are connected to at least one light control signal line and output from the light control device. A signal converter that converts a dimming signal into a signal format that is compatible with a lighting fixture connected to the same dimming signal line and outputs the signal to the lighting fixture, and an external trigger input is provided to the signal converter. In response, a lighting system comprising means for generating a predetermined change corresponding to the type of the lighting load to be connected to a part of the signal waveform of the dimming signal.   The dimming device is provided with detection means for detecting a predetermined change generated in the dimming signal, and fixture specifying means for specifying the type of lighting fixture based on the detection result of the detection means. The lighting system according to claim 1.   3. The illumination according to claim 2, wherein the dimming device determines a ratio of the change in the dimming signal to the change in the light output in accordance with the type of the lighting fixture specified by the fixture specifying means. system.   The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein the dimming device sets an upper limit value and a lower limit value of a dimming signal to be output in accordance with the type of the lighting fixture specified by the fixture specifying means.   The lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined change is short-circuiting the dimming signal for a time corresponding to a type of lighting fixture.

Images