EP0063507B1 - Electronic starter for fluorescent lamps comprising a time delay circuit cooperating with an overvoltage circuit and a preheating circuit - Google Patents

Electronic starter for fluorescent lamps comprising a time delay circuit cooperating with an overvoltage circuit and a preheating circuit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0063507B1
EP0063507B1 EP82400510A EP82400510A EP0063507B1 EP 0063507 B1 EP0063507 B1 EP 0063507B1 EP 82400510 A EP82400510 A EP 82400510A EP 82400510 A EP82400510 A EP 82400510A EP 0063507 B1 EP0063507 B1 EP 0063507B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit
switching element
overvoltage
capacitor
voltage
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EP82400510A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0063507A1 (en
Inventor
Michel Jublot
Jean-Louis Freycenet
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Mazda Eclairage
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Mazda Eclairage
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Priority to AT82400510T priority Critical patent/ATE25316T1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/02—Details
    • H05B41/04—Starting switches
    • H05B41/042—Starting switches using semiconductor devices
    • H05B41/044—Starting switches using semiconductor devices for lamp provided with pre-heating electrodes
    • H05B41/046—Starting switches using semiconductor devices for lamp provided with pre-heating electrodes using controlled semiconductor devices

Definitions

  • a fluorescent tube, fitted with a stabilization ballast, is generally lit using a bimetallic starter; such means have contacts which are put out of use in the more or less long term, often being activated several times for the same ignition. This has the consequence of producing, before the final lighting, a series of beats, which is troublesome for the user, and which causes a significant blackening of the electrodes of the fluorescent tube.
  • the invention aims to remedy these drawbacks, and relates to a low-cost electronic choke as well as a small footprint, which allows the ignition of any fluorecent tube in less than two seconds and without untimely beating.
  • the timer circuit cooperates with these first two circuits, by means of a single switching device: on the one hand, to determine the preheating time, on the other hand, to prohibit the establishment of the overvoltage during this preheating, and at the end, ensure the gradual increase in the amplitude of the pulse of the overvoltage applied to the fluorescent tube, until it reaches the value necessary for the lighting of this tube.
  • a choke according to the invention As shown in the single figure, a choke according to the invention, all of the components of which it is located inside a block 111 (shown in dotted lines), has two connection points A and B respectively.
  • a fluorescent tube 1, c intended to operate with this starter and comprising a first filament FI and a second filament F2 is mini of a ballast 2.
  • the filament F1 is connected by its pad P1 to connection A, and by its pad P2 to the end B1 of the ballast 2, the other end B2 of which is connected to the terminal 10 of one of the outputs of a supply network AC, represented by the rectangle 3.
  • the element F2 is connected, to the connection B by its pad P3, and by its pad P4, to the terminal 20 of the other output of the supply network 3.
  • connection A is connected to terminal Pt2 of a thermal protection element 5, the adorns Pt2 leads to the end E1 of the secondary winding.
  • the role of the thermal protection element 5 is to cut the circuit in case of prohibitive heating of the autotransformer -1 on which it is fixed; this element can be constituted by any known means, such as for example a bimetallic element whose cont and opens with the increase in its temperature.
  • the other end of the secondary winding S comes out on the intermediate socket E2, common to the secondary winding S and to the e only primary P, of which the other exit is at E3.
  • the transformation ratio of these two windings allows, starting from the signals generated in the primary winding P, to obtain by the secondary S the overvoltage necessary for the lighting of the fluorescent tube 1, overvoltage essential for the lighting of the small tubes. diameter.
  • the capacitor C2 is connected by one of its terminals to the winding P, at E3, and by its other terminal, on the one hand, to the anode of a single switching ogane which in the example given in the description according to the invention is a thyristor Th whose cathode is brought back to the intermediate tap E2, and on the other hand to the resistor R6, which by its other end, is connected to the cathode of the diode D1, and to resistance R7 mounted in parallel with this diode.
  • the anode of the diode D1 is also connected to the intermediate tap E2. All of these elements with the autotransformer T1 constitute the ignition overvoltage generator circuit of the fluorescent tube 1; resistor R6 is also used to avoid clipping of the overvoltage in the case of certain fluorescent tubes.
  • the capacitor C1 is connected, by its positive terminal to the intermediate socket E2, and by its negative terminal and the series resistor R5, to the anode of the diode D3, itself connected by its cathode to the resistor R8, l the other end of resistor R8 is connected to connection B.
  • the capacitor C1, the resistor R5 and the diode D3 constitute a timer circuit.
  • the zener diode D4, mounted in parallel with the resistor R3, has its anode connected to the negative terminal of the capacitor C1 and its cathode connected to the resistor R2, the other end of the resistor R2 is joined to the trigger G of the thyristor Th as well as resistor R4, the other terminal of which is connected to the intermediate prize E2.
  • the resistor R1 is connected on one side to the cathode of the diode D3, to the anode of the diode D2, to the resistor R8, and on the other side to the trigger G of the thyristor Th.
  • the resistors R8 and R1 constitute a first control channel of the thyristor Th, intended for establishing the overvoltage.
  • the diode D2 with a controlled avalanche, is connected by its cathode to the anode of the thyristor Th, as well as to the resistor R6 and to the capacitors C2, C3 and C4; the other armature of the capacitor C3 is joined to the cathode of the diode D4 and to the common point of the resistors R2 and R3.
  • the capacitor C4 connected by one of its terminals to the anode, and by the other to the trigger of the thyristor Th, is used to reset the latter which, without which risks being blocked during the oscillating discharge of the capacitor C2.
  • the circuit composed of the resistor R8, the diode D2, the capacitor C3 and the resistor R2 constitute a second control channel of the thyristor Th, intended for establishing preheating.
  • connection B When the positive alternation of the supply network occurs at connection B, the diode D2 becomes conductive, and from the start of this alternation, a positive pulse is transmitted by the resistor R8, the diode D2, the capacitor C3 and the resistor R2, to the trigger G of the thyristor Th to control the latter; the latter goes into the conducting state and gives rise to a current which is used to preheat the filaments F1 and F2.
  • This current mainly limited by the resistor R8 is unidirectional.
  • filament F2 resistor R8, diode D2, thyristor Th, secondary winding S, thermal protection element 5, filament F1, ballast 2 and is closed by the supply network 3.
  • the assembly consisting of the capacitor C2 and the primary P is short-circuited by the thyristor Th which thus prevents the charging of the capacitor C2 during the preheating of the filaments F1 and F2.
  • connection B With the reverse polarity of the network, negative alternation is applied to connection B; the thyristor Th is blocked, the diode D2 is no longer conductive, but the diode D3 on the other hand, becomes conductive and allows the passage of a current which is limited by the resistance R8 and the resistance R5, of which it is the role, partially charges the capacitor C1.
  • the latter then develops a negative voltage as a function of its charge, at the level of its negative armature; a fraction of this voltage is applied to the trigger G by the resistors R3 and R2, which form a voltage divider bridge with the resistor R4.
  • This negative voltage present on the trigger G serves as a reference to the positive pulses transmitted by the capacitor C3 for the control of the thyristor Th, and from certain values which this negative voltage will reach over time, the peak level of these pulses will no longer have the level necessary to cause the conducting state of the TH thyristor.
  • the capacitor C1 develops an increasing negative voltage with each negative alternation at connection B; this twnsion is applied, as already described above, to the trigger G, where it will reach the level necessary to prevent the transition to the conducting state of the thyristor Th under the control of the pulses transmitted by the capacitor C3 and the resistor R2.
  • Another characteristic of the invention resides in the fact that the variations of this negative voltage, when the latter reaches a sufficient level, are fully applied to the resistor R2, by means of a voltage regulating element at its terminals; this allows a clear transition to be made, between the moment when the pulses transmitted by the capacitor C3 and the resistor R2 at the trigger G, manage to trigger the conduction of the thyristor Th, and the moment when they no longer succeed.
  • the voltage regulating element at its terminals can be a any known means, such as for example a zener diode, as well as in this description where it is the diode D4.
  • a choke according to the invention also has another very advantageous characteristic in terms of the reduction of the components; this characteristic resides in the fact that, the preheating circuit and the overvoltage circuit, operate thanks to a single switching member which is common to them, and which in the example described is the thyristor Th.
  • This new characteristic of the present invention makes it possible to apply to a fluorescent tube 1, an overvoltage which gradually reaches the value necessary for its ignition.
  • the fluorescent tube 1 being on, its arc voltage present between connections A and B, is lower than that of the supply network 3, causing the choke to stop operating.
  • the capacitor C1 continues to charge, and determines on the trigger G a voltage level such that the thyristor Th is no longer triggered, hence the generation of overvoltage generations. ignition.
  • a choke according to the invention can ensure the lighting of any fluorescent tube, and this in particular in applications requiring a large number of ignitions.

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Abstract

1. An electronic starter for a fluorescent lamp powered by an a.c. source and consisting of : a. a preheating circuit comprising a series arrangement of at least : (1) the lamp filament ; (2) a switching element activated by means of a gate electrode ; b. a time-delay circuit comprising a series arrangement of at least : (3) a set of resistors constituting a bridge, for the control of the said gate electrode ; c. an overvoltage circuit comprising a series arrangement of at least : (4) an overvoltage capacitor, (5) an inductive element ; characterized in that : d. the switching element is unidirectional and in that the preheating circuit also comprises a series arrangement of : (6) a diode whose conductivity direction is the same as that of the switching element and which is intended to limit the operation of the preheating circuit to the positive half cycles of the supply voltage which correspond to the conduction of said diode, by means of the voltage charge of at least one capacitance in series with a resistor connected to the gate of the switching element ; e. the time-delay circuit also comprises a time-delay capacitor arranged in series with the supply source during the negative half cycles and in parallel with at least a fraction of the resistor bridge for applying a voltage to the gate, which voltage is increasingly negative during the periods when the switching element is non-conducting and thus progressively delays the closure of the switching element during each positive half cycle ; f. the overvoltage circuit is arranged in parallel with the switching element in order that as from the start of the positive half cycles the overvoltage capacitor is charged during the periods having an increasing delay time at the closure of the switching element, after which, at the closure of this element it is discharged across the switching element in the inductive element, which inductive element is the primary winding of an auto-transformer arranged in series in the pre-heating circuit.

Description

L'invention concerne un starter électronique pour tube fluorescent fonctionnant à partir d'une source de courant alternatif et composé:

  • a. d'un circuit de préchauffage comprenant en série au moins:
    • (1) les filaments du tube;
    • (2) un organe de commutation actionné par l'intermédiaire d'une gâchette;
  • b. d'un circuit de temporisation comprenant en série au moins:
    • (3) un jeu de résistances formant un pont, pour la commande de ladite électrode;
  • c. d'un circuit de surtension comprenant en série au moins:
  • (4) un condensateur, dit de surtension;
  • (5) un élément inductif. Un tel starter est dé crit par le document GB-A-1 411 575.
The invention relates to an electronic starter for fluorescent tube operating from an alternating current source and composed:
  • at. a preheating circuit comprising in series at least:
    • (1) the filaments of the tube;
    • (2) a switching member actuated by means of a trigger;
  • b. a timing circuit comprising in series at least:
    • (3) a set of resistors forming a bridge, for the control of said electrode;
  • vs. an overvoltage circuit comprising in series at least:
  • (4) a capacitor, called an overvoltage;
  • (5) an inductive element. Such a starter is described in document GB-A-1 411 575.

Un tube fluorescent, muni d'un ballast de stabilisation, est généralement allumé à l'aide d'un starter à bilame; de tels moyens disposent de contacts qui sont mis hors d'usage à plus ou moins long terme, étant souvent activés plusieurs fois pour un même allumage. Ceci a pour conséquence de produire avant l'allumage définitif, une série de battements, gênante pour l'utilisateur, et qui provoque un noircissement important des électrodes du tube fluorescent.A fluorescent tube, fitted with a stabilization ballast, is generally lit using a bimetallic starter; such means have contacts which are put out of use in the more or less long term, often being activated several times for the same ignition. This has the consequence of producing, before the final lighting, a series of beats, which is troublesome for the user, and which causes a significant blackening of the electrodes of the fluorescent tube.

D'autres starters utilisent des moyens électroniques, qui permettent notamment de préchauffer les filaments du tube fluorescent, et favorisent ainsi. son allumage; ces derniers starters sont malheureusement, encombrants, lourds et relativement couteux. De plus, l'apparition sur le marché de tubes fluorescents de petit diamètre, difficile à allumer et demandant une impulsion haute tension, ne permet plus l'usage de starters classiques, starters classiques qui ne fournissent qu'une faible impulsion de surtension sur la tension du secteur.Other starters use electronic means, which allow in particular to preheat the filaments of the fluorescent tube, and thus promote. its ignition; these latter starters are unfortunately, bulky, heavy and relatively expensive. In addition, the appearance on the market of small diameter fluorescent tubes, difficult to light and requiring a high voltage pulse, no longer allows the use of conventional starters, conventional starters which only provide a weak overvoltage pulse on the mains voltage.

L'invention a pour but de remédier à ces inconvénients, et concerne un starter électronique à faible coût ainsi qu'à encombrement réduit, qui permet l'allumage de tout tube fluorecent en moins de deux secondes et sans battements intempestifs.The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks, and relates to a low-cost electronic choke as well as a small footprint, which allows the ignition of any fluorecent tube in less than two seconds and without untimely beating.

Selon l'invention, un starter électronique pour tube fluorescent, relié par ses deux points de connexion A et B, aux filaments du tube, comportant un circuit de préchauffage, un circuit de surtension, un circuit temporisateur, est caractérisé en ce que:

  • ― l'organe de commutation est monodirectionnel et en ce que le circuit de préchauffage comprend également en série:
  • - une diode dont le sens de conduction est le même que celui de l'organe de commutation et destinée à limiter le fonctionnement du circuit de préchauffage aux alternances dites positives de l'alimentation correspondant à la conduction de cette diode, par la charge en tension d'au moins une capacité, en série avec une résistance reliés à la gâchette de l'organe de commutation;
  • - le circuit de temporisation comprend également un condensateur, dit de temporisation, placé en série avec le source d'alimentation pendant les alternances dites négatives et en parallèle sur au moins une fraction du pont de résistances pour appliquer a la gâchette une tension de plus en plus négati e pendant les périodes de non-conduction de l'organe de commutation et ainsi retarder progressivement la fermeture de l'organe de commutation au cours de chaque alternance positive;
  • ―le circuit de surtension est placé en parallèle. sur l'organe de commutation pour que, dès le début des alternance positives, le condensateur de surtension se chcarge pendant les périodes de durée croissante de retard à la fermeture de l'organe de commutation puis, à la fermeture de celui-ci, se décharge a travers l'organe de commutation dans l'élement inductif, cet élément inductif étant le primaire d'un autotransformateur placé en série dans le circuit de préchauffage.
According to the invention, an electronic starter for fluorescent tube, connected by its two connection points A and B, to the filaments of the tube, comprising a preheating circuit, an overvoltage circuit, a timer circuit, is characterized in that:
  • The switching member is monodirectional and in that the preheating circuit also includes in series:
  • a diode whose direction of conduction is the same as that of the switching member and intended to limit the operation of the preheating circuit to the so-called positive alternations of the supply corresponding to the conduction of this diode, by the voltage load at least one capacity, in series with a resistor connected to the trigger of the switching member;
  • - The timing circuit also includes a capacitor, called timing, placed in series with the power source during the so-called negative alternations and in parallel on at least a fraction of the resistance bridge to apply a voltage to the trigger more negative during periods of non-conduction of the switching member and thus gradually delay the closing of the switching member during each positive half-wave;
  • ―The overvoltage circuit is placed in parallel. on the switching device so that, from the start of positive half-waves, the overvoltage capacitor gets charged during periods of increasing delay time when the switching device closes and then, when it closes, discharge through the switching member in the inductive element, this inductive element being the primary of an autotransformer placed in series in the preheating circuit.

Le circuit temporisateur coopère avec ces deux premiers circuits, par l'intermédiaire d'un organe unique de commute: on, pour, d'une part déterminer le temps de préchauffage, d'autre part, interdire l'établissement de la surtension durant ce préchauffage, et e fin, assurer l'accroissement progressif de l'amp tude de l'impulsion de la surtension appliquée au tube fluorescent, jusqu'à ce qu'elle atteigne la valeur nécesaire à l'allumage de ce tube.The timer circuit cooperates with these first two circuits, by means of a single switching device: on the one hand, to determine the preheating time, on the other hand, to prohibit the establishment of the overvoltage during this preheating, and at the end, ensure the gradual increase in the amplitude of the pulse of the overvoltage applied to the fluorescent tube, until it reaches the value necessary for the lighting of this tube.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description qui suit, et de la figure unique jointe, qui montre le schéma électrique d'un starter conforme à la prése :e invention.The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, and of the attached single figure, which shows the electrical diagram of a choke according to the present invention.

Comme il est representé sur la figure unique, un starter selon l'invention , dont tous les composants le constituant ont situés à l'intérieur d'un bloc 111 (représenté en pointillé), comporte deux points de connexior respectivement A et B. Un tube fluorescent 1, c stiné à fonctionner avec ce starter et comportant un premier filament FI et un second filament F2 est mini d'un ballast 2. Le filament F1 est relié par son plot P1 à la connexion A, et par sor plot P2 à l'extrémité B1 du ballast 2, dont l'autr extrémité B2 est connectée à la borne 10 de l' une des sorties d'un réseau d'alimentation en

Figure imgb0001
alternatif, représenté par le rectangle 3. Le ament F2 est relié, à la connexion B par son plot P3, et par son plot P4, à la borne 20 de l'autre sortie du réseau d'alimentation 3.As shown in the single figure, a choke according to the invention, all of the components of which it is located inside a block 111 (shown in dotted lines), has two connection points A and B respectively. A fluorescent tube 1, c intended to operate with this starter and comprising a first filament FI and a second filament F2 is mini of a ballast 2. The filament F1 is connected by its pad P1 to connection A, and by its pad P2 to the end B1 of the ballast 2, the other end B2 of which is connected to the terminal 10 of one of the outputs of a supply network
Figure imgb0001
AC, represented by the rectangle 3. The element F2 is connected, to the connection B by its pad P3, and by its pad P4, to the terminal 20 of the other output of the supply network 3.

Dans le starter lui nême, la connexion A est reliée à la borne Pt2 d'un élément de protection thermique 5 dont la

Figure imgb0002
orne Pt2 conduit à l'extrémité E1 de l'enroule ent secondaire. Le rôle de l'élément de protecti thermique 5 est de couper le circuit en cas c chauffement prohibitif de l'autotransformateur -1 sur lequel il est fixé; cet élément pouvant êtr constitué d'un moyen connu quelconque, com e par exemple un élément bilame dont le cont et s'ouvre avec l'accroissement de sa tempéture. L'autre extrémité de l'enroulement secondaire S sort sur la prise intermédiaire E2, commune à l'enroulement secondaire S et à l'e
Figure imgb0003
oulement primaire P, dont l'autre sortie s'effectue en E3. Le rapport de transformation de ces deux enroulements permet, partant des signaux générés dans l'enroulement primaire P, d'obenir par le secondaire S la surtension nécessaire à l'allumage du tube fluorescent 1, surtension indispensable à l'allumage des tubes de petit diamètre.In the choke itself, connection A is connected to terminal Pt2 of a thermal protection element 5, the
Figure imgb0002
adorns Pt2 leads to the end E1 of the secondary winding. The role of the thermal protection element 5 is to cut the circuit in case of prohibitive heating of the autotransformer -1 on which it is fixed; this element can be constituted by any known means, such as for example a bimetallic element whose cont and opens with the increase in its temperature. The other end of the secondary winding S comes out on the intermediate socket E2, common to the secondary winding S and to the e
Figure imgb0003
only primary P, of which the other exit is at E3. The transformation ratio of these two windings allows, starting from the signals generated in the primary winding P, to obtain by the secondary S the overvoltage necessary for the lighting of the fluorescent tube 1, overvoltage essential for the lighting of the small tubes. diameter.

Le condensateur C2 est relié par l'une de ses bornes à l'enroulement P, en E3, et par son autre borne, d'une part, à l'anode d'un ogane unique de commutation qui dans l'exemple donné dans la description conforme à l'invention est un thyristor Th dont la cathode est ramenée à la prise intermédiaire E2, et d'autre part à la résistance R6, qui par son autre extrémité, est reliée à la cathode de la diode D1, et à la résistance R7 montée en parallèle avec cette diode. L'anode de la diode D1 est également reliée à la prise intermédiaire E2. L'ensemble de ces éléments avec l'autotransformateur T1 constitue le circuit générateur de surtension d'allumage du tube fluorescent 1; la résistance R6 sert aussi à éviter l'écrétage de la surtension dans le cas de certains tubes fluorescents.The capacitor C2 is connected by one of its terminals to the winding P, at E3, and by its other terminal, on the one hand, to the anode of a single switching ogane which in the example given in the description according to the invention is a thyristor Th whose cathode is brought back to the intermediate tap E2, and on the other hand to the resistor R6, which by its other end, is connected to the cathode of the diode D1, and to resistance R7 mounted in parallel with this diode. The anode of the diode D1 is also connected to the intermediate tap E2. All of these elements with the autotransformer T1 constitute the ignition overvoltage generator circuit of the fluorescent tube 1; resistor R6 is also used to avoid clipping of the overvoltage in the case of certain fluorescent tubes.

Le condensateur C1 est relié, par sa borne positive à la prise intermédiaire E2, et par sa borne négative et la résistance en série R5, à l'anode de la diode D3, elle-même reliée par sa cathode à la résistance R8, l'autre extrémité de la résistance R8 est reliée à la connextion B.The capacitor C1 is connected, by its positive terminal to the intermediate socket E2, and by its negative terminal and the series resistor R5, to the anode of the diode D3, itself connected by its cathode to the resistor R8, l the other end of resistor R8 is connected to connection B.

Le condensateur C1, la résistance R5 et la diode D3 consituent un circuit temporisateur.The capacitor C1, the resistor R5 and the diode D3 constitute a timer circuit.

La diode zener D4, montée en parallèle avec la résistance R3, a son anode reliée à la borne négative du condensateur C1 et sa cathode reliée à la résistance R2, l'autre extrémité de la résistance R2 est réunie à la gachette G du thyristor Th ainsi qu'à la résistance R4 dont l'autre borne est connectée à la prize intermédiaire E2. La résistance R1 est reliée d'un côté à la cathode de la diode D3, à l'anode de la diode D2, à la résistance R8, et de l'autre côte à la gachette G du thyristor Th.The zener diode D4, mounted in parallel with the resistor R3, has its anode connected to the negative terminal of the capacitor C1 and its cathode connected to the resistor R2, the other end of the resistor R2 is joined to the trigger G of the thyristor Th as well as resistor R4, the other terminal of which is connected to the intermediate prize E2. The resistor R1 is connected on one side to the cathode of the diode D3, to the anode of the diode D2, to the resistor R8, and on the other side to the trigger G of the thyristor Th.

Les résistances R8 et R1 constituent une première voie de commande du thyristor Th, destinée à l'établissement de la surtension.The resistors R8 and R1 constitute a first control channel of the thyristor Th, intended for establishing the overvoltage.

La diode D2, à avalanche contrôlée, est reliée par sa cathode à l'anode du thyristor Th, ainsi qu'a la résistance R6 et aux condensateurs C2, C3 et C4; l'autre armature du condensateur C3 est réunie à la cathode de la diode D4 et au point commun des résistances R2 et R3.The diode D2, with a controlled avalanche, is connected by its cathode to the anode of the thyristor Th, as well as to the resistor R6 and to the capacitors C2, C3 and C4; the other armature of the capacitor C3 is joined to the cathode of the diode D4 and to the common point of the resistors R2 and R3.

Le condensateur C4 relié par l'une de ses bornes à l'anode, et par l'autre à la gâchette du thyristor Th, sert à réarmer ce dernier qui, sans quoi risque de se bloquer lors de la décharge oscillante du condensateur C2. Le circuit composé de la résistance R8, la diode D2, le condensateur C3 et la résistance R2 constituent une deuxième voie de commande du thyristor Th, destinée à l'établissement du préchauffage.The capacitor C4 connected by one of its terminals to the anode, and by the other to the trigger of the thyristor Th, is used to reset the latter which, without which risks being blocked during the oscillating discharge of the capacitor C2. The circuit composed of the resistor R8, the diode D2, the capacitor C3 and the resistor R2 constitute a second control channel of the thyristor Th, intended for establishing preheating.

Quant l'alternance positive du réseau d'alimentation se présente à la connexion B, la diode D2 devient conductrice, et dès la début de cette altera- nance, une impulsion positive est transmise par la résistance R8, la diode D2, le condensateur C3 et la résistance R2, à la gachette G du thyristor Th pour commander celui-ci; ce dernier passe à l'état conducteur et donne naissance à un courant qui sert à préchauffer les filaments F1 et F2. Ce courant principalement limité par la résistance R8 est unidirectionnel.When the positive alternation of the supply network occurs at connection B, the diode D2 becomes conductive, and from the start of this alternation, a positive pulse is transmitted by the resistor R8, the diode D2, the capacitor C3 and the resistor R2, to the trigger G of the thyristor Th to control the latter; the latter goes into the conducting state and gives rise to a current which is used to preheat the filaments F1 and F2. This current mainly limited by the resistor R8 is unidirectional.

Il circule dans les éléments suivants: filament F2, résistance R8, diode D2, thyristor Th, enroulement secondaire S, élément de protection thermique 5, filament F1, ballast 2 et se referme par le réseau d'alimentation 3.It circulates in the following elements: filament F2, resistor R8, diode D2, thyristor Th, secondary winding S, thermal protection element 5, filament F1, ballast 2 and is closed by the supply network 3.

Durant ce temps, l'ensemble constitué du condensateur C2 et du primaire P est court- circuité par le thyristor Th qui empêche ainsi la charge du condensateur C2 pendant le préchauffage des filaments F1 et F2.During this time, the assembly consisting of the capacitor C2 and the primary P is short-circuited by the thyristor Th which thus prevents the charging of the capacitor C2 during the preheating of the filaments F1 and F2.

Avec l'inversion de polarité du réseau, c'est l'alternance négative qui est appliquée à la connexion B; le thyristor Th est bloqué, la diode D2 n'est plus conductrice, mais la diode D3 par contre, devient conductrice et autorise le passage d'un courante qui limité par la résistance R8 et la résistance R5, dont c'est le rôle, charge partiellement le condensateur C1.With the reverse polarity of the network, negative alternation is applied to connection B; the thyristor Th is blocked, the diode D2 is no longer conductive, but the diode D3 on the other hand, becomes conductive and allows the passage of a current which is limited by the resistance R8 and the resistance R5, of which it is the role, partially charges the capacitor C1.

Celui-ci développe alors une tension négative en fonction de sa charge, au niveau de son armature négative; une fraction de cette tension est appliquée à la gachette G par les résistances R3 et R2, qui forment un pont diviseur de tension avec la résistance R4. Cette tension négative présente sur la gâchette G, sert de référence aux impulsions positives transmises par la condensateur C3 pour la commande du thyristor Th, et à partir de certaines valeurs qu'atteindra au cours du temps cette tension négative, le niveau crête de ces impulsions n'aura plus le niveau nécessaire à provoquer l'état conducteur du thyristor TH.The latter then develops a negative voltage as a function of its charge, at the level of its negative armature; a fraction of this voltage is applied to the trigger G by the resistors R3 and R2, which form a voltage divider bridge with the resistor R4. This negative voltage present on the trigger G, serves as a reference to the positive pulses transmitted by the capacitor C3 for the control of the thyristor Th, and from certain values which this negative voltage will reach over time, the peak level of these pulses will no longer have the level necessary to cause the conducting state of the TH thyristor.

Quand l'alternance négative à la connexion B laisse la place à l'alternance positive, la diode D3 n'étant plus conductrice, le condensateur C1 maintient sa charge.When the negative alternation at connection B gives way to positive alternation, the diode D3 no longer being conductive, the capacitor C1 maintains its charge.

Selon une caractéristique intéressante de l'invention le condensateur C1 développe une tension négative croissante avec chaque alternance négative à la connexion B; cette twnsion est appliquée, comme déjà décrit précédemment, à la gâchette G, où elle atteindra le niveau nécessaire à empêcher le passage à l'état conducteur du thyristor Th sous la commande des impulsions transmises par le condensateur C3 et la résistance R2.According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the capacitor C1 develops an increasing negative voltage with each negative alternation at connection B; this twnsion is applied, as already described above, to the trigger G, where it will reach the level necessary to prevent the transition to the conducting state of the thyristor Th under the control of the pulses transmitted by the capacitor C3 and the resistor R2.

Une autre caractéristique de l'invention, réside dans le fait que les variations de cette tension négative, quand celle-ci atteint un niveau suffisant, sont intégralement appliquées à la résistance R2, par l'intermédiaire d'un élément régulateur de la tension à ses bornes; ceci permet de réaliser une transition nette, entre le moment où les impulsions transmises par le condensateur C3 et la résistance R2 à la gâchette G, parviennent à déclencher la conduction du thyristor Th, et le moment où elles n'y parviennent plus. L'élément régulateur de la tension à ses bornes oeut être un quelconque moyen connu, comme par exemple un diode zener, ainsi que dans cette description où il s'agit de la diode D4.Another characteristic of the invention resides in the fact that the variations of this negative voltage, when the latter reaches a sufficient level, are fully applied to the resistor R2, by means of a voltage regulating element at its terminals; this allows a clear transition to be made, between the moment when the pulses transmitted by the capacitor C3 and the resistor R2 at the trigger G, manage to trigger the conduction of the thyristor Th, and the moment when they no longer succeed. The voltage regulating element at its terminals can be a any known means, such as for example a zener diode, as well as in this description where it is the diode D4.

Dans cette nouvelle phase du fonctionnement, qui suit la phase de préchauffage, le thyristor Th restant bloqué acec le début de l'alternance positive à la connexion B, un courant s'établit qui, à travers la résistance R8 et la diode D2, charge le condensateur C2; cette charge est maintenue jusqu'au moment où l'alternance positive atteint un niveau suffisant. Ce niveau étant par l'intermédiaire des résistances R8 et R1, appliqué à la gachette G, déclenche la conduction du thyristor Th avec un certain retard, par rapport au début de la charge du condensateur C2.In this new phase of operation, which follows the preheating phase, the thyristor Th remaining blocked with the start of the positive alternation at connection B, a current is established which, through the resistor R8 and the diode D2, charges the capacitor C2; this charge is maintained until the positive alternation reaches a sufficient level. This level being via resistors R8 and R1, applied to the trigger G, triggers the conduction of the thyristor Th with a certain delay, compared to the start of the charging of the capacitor C2.

Le passage à l'état condecteur du thyristor Th, provoque la décharge oscillante du condensateur C2, dans l'enroulement primaire P, et l'enroulement secondaire S développe une surtension qui est appliquée au tube fluorescent 1 par l'intermédiaire des connexions A et B.The transition to the conducting state of the thyristor Th, causes the oscillating discharge of the capacitor C2, in the primary winding P, and the secondary winding S develops an overvoltage which is applied to the fluorescent tube 1 via the connections A and B.

Cette description montre qu'un starter conforme à l'invention possède également une autre caractéristique très avantageuse sur le plan de la réduction des composants; cette caractéristique réside dans le faite que, le circuit de préchauffage et le circuit de surtension, fonctionnent grâce à un unique organe de commutation qui leur est commun, et qui dans l'exemple décrit est le thyristor Th.This description shows that a choke according to the invention also has another very advantageous characteristic in terms of the reduction of the components; this characteristic resides in the fact that, the preheating circuit and the overvoltage circuit, operate thanks to a single switching member which is common to them, and which in the example described is the thyristor Th.

Au cours du temps, le niveau de la surtension appliquée au tube fluorescent 1 va croître, avec une limite, jusqu'à l'allumage de ce dernier. Ceci est une conséquence avantageuse de l'action progressive du circuit temporisateur:

  • la tension négative développée par le condensateur C1 continuant à croître, le temps nécessaire à déclencher le thyristor Th à chaque alternance positive sur la connexion B croît également. Cela permet au condensateur C2 d'atteindre chaque fois, un niveau de charge plus important avant d'être déchargé dans l'enroulement primaire P, provoquant ainsi à chacune des ses décharges, un niveau de surtension plus élevé qu'à sa décharge précédente.
Over time, the level of the overvoltage applied to the fluorescent tube 1 will increase, with a limit, until the lighting of the latter. This is an advantageous consequence of the progressive action of the timer circuit:
  • the negative voltage developed by the capacitor C1 continuing to increase, the time necessary to trigger the thyristor Th at each positive half-wave on the connection B also increases. This allows the capacitor C2 to reach a higher charge level each time before being discharged into the primary winding P, thereby causing each of its discharges to have a higher overvoltage level than at its previous discharge.

Cette nouvelle caractéristique de la présente invention, permet d'appliquer à un tube fluorescent 1, une surtension qui atteint progressivement la valeur nécessaire à son allumage.This new characteristic of the present invention makes it possible to apply to a fluorescent tube 1, an overvoltage which gradually reaches the value necessary for its ignition.

Le tube fluorescent 1 étant allumé, sa tension d'arc présente entre les connexions A et B, est inférieure à celle du réseau d'alimentation 3, provoquant l'arrêt du fonctionnement du starter.The fluorescent tube 1 being on, its arc voltage present between connections A and B, is lower than that of the supply network 3, causing the choke to stop operating.

En cas de non allumage du tube fluorescent 1, le condensateur C1 continue à se charger, et détermine sur la gachette G un niveau de tension tel, que le thyristor Th n'est plus déclenché, d'où l'arrêt de générations de surtension d'allumage.If the fluorescent tube 1 does not come on, the capacitor C1 continues to charge, and determines on the trigger G a voltage level such that the thyristor Th is no longer triggered, hence the generation of overvoltage generations. ignition.

Un starter conforme à l'invention peut assurer l'allumage de tout tube fluorescent, et ceci notamment dans les applications nécessitant un grand nombre d'allumages.A choke according to the invention can ensure the lighting of any fluorescent tube, and this in particular in applications requiring a large number of ignitions.

Claims (9)

1. An electronic starter for a fluorescent lamp powered by an a.c. source and consisting of:
a. a preheating circuit comprising a series arrangement of at least:
(1) the lamp filament;
(2) a switching element activated by means of a gate electrode;
b. a time-delay circuit comprising a series arrangement of at least:
(3) a set of resistors constituting a bridge, for the control of the said gate electrode;
c. an overvoltage circuit comprising a series arrangement of at least:
(4) an overvoltage capacitor;
(5) an inductive element; characterized in that:
d. The switching element is unidirectional and in that the preheating circuit also comprises a series arrangement of:
(6) a diode whose conductivity direction is the same as that of the switching element and which is intended to limit the operation of the preheating circuit to the positive half cycles of the supply voltage which correspond to the conduction of said diode, by means of the voltage charge of at least one capacitance in series with a resistor connected to the gate of the switching element;
e. The time-delay circuit also comprises a time-delay capacitor arranged in series with the supply source during the negative half cycles and in parallel with at least a fraction of the resistor bridge for applying a voltage to the gate, which voltage is increasingly negative during the periods when the switching element is non-conducting and thus progressively delays the closure of the switching element during each positive half cycle;
f. The overvoltage circuit is arranged in parallel with the switching element in order that as from the start of the positive half cycles the overvoltage capacitor is charged during the periods having an increasing delay time at the closure of the switching element, after which, at the closure of this element it is discharged across the switching element in the inductive element, which inductive element is the primary winding of an auto- transformer arranged in series in the pre-heating circuit.
2. An electronic starter as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the switching element is a thyristor (Th).
3. An electronic starter as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that the time-delay circuit is essentially constituted by the combination of a capacitor (C1) and a resistor (R5) and a diode (D3) developing a progressively increasing voltage.
4. An electronic starter as claimed in any of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the gate (G) of the thyristor (Th) has a first control path constituted by the series-arranged resistors (R8) and (R1), and a second control path constituted by a resistor (R8), a diode (D2), a capacitor (C3) and a resistor (R2).
5. An electronic starter as claimed in any of Claims 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that the time-delay circuit (C1, R5, D3) co-operating with the first control path of the thyristor (Th), constituted by the resistors (R1) and (R8), permits the thyristor (Th) of passing to the conducting state with variable delays with respect to the start of the positive half cycles at the connection (B) for establishing the overvoltage.
6. An electronic starter as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the time-delay circuit (C1, R5, D3) co-operating with the second control path of the thyristor (Th), constituted by the resistor (R8), the diode (D2), the capacitor (C3) and the resistor (R2), permits the thyristor (Th) of establishing preheating for a given period oftime.
7. An electronic starter as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a capacitor (C2) attaining a charge which is each time higher before it is discharged by the thyristor (Th) permits, at each of its discharges, of establishing an overvoltage having a level which is higherthan its previous discharge.
8. An electronic starter as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the time-delay circuit (C1, R5, D3) acts on the thyristor (Th) by means of resistors (R3, R2, R4) in a first period, and in a second period by means of similar resistors associated with an element for controlling the voltage at its terminals.
9. An electronic starter as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that the element for controlling the voltage at its terminals is a Zener diode (D4).
EP82400510A 1981-04-03 1982-03-19 Electronic starter for fluorescent lamps comprising a time delay circuit cooperating with an overvoltage circuit and a preheating circuit Expired EP0063507B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82400510T ATE25316T1 (en) 1981-04-03 1982-03-19 ELECTRONIC FLUORESCENT LAMP STARTER, WITH A TIME DELAY CIRCUIT COOPERATING WITH AN OVERVOLTAGE CIRCUIT AND A PREHEATING CIRCUIT.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8106772A FR2503521A1 (en) 1981-04-03 1981-04-03 ELECTRONIC STARTER FOR FLUORESCENT TUBE, COMPRISING A TIMER CIRCUIT COOPERATING WITH AN OVERVOLTAGE CIRCUIT AND A PREHEATING CIRCUIT
FR8106772 1981-04-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0063507A1 EP0063507A1 (en) 1982-10-27
EP0063507B1 true EP0063507B1 (en) 1987-01-28

Family

ID=9257004

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82400510A Expired EP0063507B1 (en) 1981-04-03 1982-03-19 Electronic starter for fluorescent lamps comprising a time delay circuit cooperating with an overvoltage circuit and a preheating circuit

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0063507B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE25316T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3275345D1 (en)
ES (1) ES511049A0 (en)
FR (1) FR2503521A1 (en)
MA (1) MA19430A1 (en)
PT (1) PT74682B (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
LU83920A1 (en) * 1982-02-03 1983-09-02 Jean Marie De Pra STARTING DEVICE FOR DISCHARGE LAMPS
CN1311715C (en) * 2002-06-18 2007-04-18 陈树煌 Electronic ballast with protector

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1411575A (en) * 1972-12-20 1975-10-29 Lampes Sa Two-terminal electronic starters for fluorescent lamps

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2503521A1 (en) 1982-10-08
DE3275345D1 (en) 1987-03-05
ES8303875A1 (en) 1983-02-01
EP0063507A1 (en) 1982-10-27
ATE25316T1 (en) 1987-02-15
MA19430A1 (en) 1982-12-31
PT74682B (en) 1983-08-22
ES511049A0 (en) 1983-02-01
PT74682A (en) 1982-04-01
FR2503521B1 (en) 1984-05-04

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