EP0677981A1 - Ballast for discharge lamps with lamp change detecting means - Google Patents

Ballast for discharge lamps with lamp change detecting means Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0677981A1
EP0677981A1 EP94105853A EP94105853A EP0677981A1 EP 0677981 A1 EP0677981 A1 EP 0677981A1 EP 94105853 A EP94105853 A EP 94105853A EP 94105853 A EP94105853 A EP 94105853A EP 0677981 A1 EP0677981 A1 EP 0677981A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lamp
inverter
ballast
circuit
lamps
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Granted
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EP94105853A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0677981B1 (en
Inventor
Felix Tobler
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Knobel AG Lichttechnische Komponenten
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Knobel AG Lichttechnische Komponenten
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Priority to EP94105853A priority Critical patent/EP0677981B1/en
Priority to AT94105853T priority patent/ATE194749T1/en
Priority to DE59409443T priority patent/DE59409443D1/en
Priority to US08/421,922 priority patent/US5550433A/en
Publication of EP0677981A1 publication Critical patent/EP0677981A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0677981B1 publication Critical patent/EP0677981B1/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
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/26—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc
    • H05B41/28—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters
    • H05B41/295—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by power derived from dc by means of a converter, e.g. by high-voltage dc using static converters with semiconductor devices and specially adapted for lamps with preheating electrodes, e.g. for fluorescent lamps
    • H05B41/298—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2981—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions
    • H05B41/2985—Arrangements for protecting lamps or circuits against abnormal operating conditions for protecting the circuit against abnormal operating conditions against abnormal lamp operating conditions

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a ballast for a discharge lamp and to a method for operating such a ballast according to the preambles of the independent claims.
  • EP 146 683 describes a ballast for discharge lamps in which the inverter is switched off when a lamp is permanently inoperative. After this switch-off, a direct current is passed through the lamp circuit. Since this current goes through a heating electrode of each lamp, it collapses as soon as a lamp is removed. A lamp change can thus be determined by measuring this current, so that the inverter can be automatically switched on again after the lamp has been changed.
  • the task is to provide a circuit technology that does not have these disadvantages as far as possible and is nevertheless easy to implement.
  • measurements are preferably carried out using repeated measurement phases, when a lamp is removed from the lamp circle. As soon as this happens, further measuring phases are used to measure when all the lamps are installed again in order to then initiate a new ignition process.
  • the inverter is operated at a frequency that is above the normal operating frequency for operating the lamps and is therefore not sufficient to ignite them.
  • FIG. 1 A first embodiment of the invention can be seen in FIG. 1.
  • an inverter 1 operates in a known manner a lamp circuit which has a coupling capacitor C1, an inductor L, a lamp La with heating cathodes K1 and K2, a parallel capacitor C2 and a shunt resistor R.
  • This switching technology is known to the person skilled in the art and need not be explained in more detail.
  • a voltage U ILC is tapped across the resistor R which is proportional to the current in the lamp circuit. This voltage is fed to a control circuit 2.
  • U ILC also in a manner known per se, is evaluated by a preheating controller 3 and a current limitation / ignition detection 4, which monitor the preheating current and the operating current of the lamps. In addition, it is fed to a lamp detection circuit 5.
  • the control circuit 2 further comprises a control logic 6, a pulse generator 7 and an inverter control 8.
  • the inverter 1 In normal operation, after switching on the ballast by means of the control logic 6 and the inverter control 8, the inverter 1 is guided through a preheating and an ignition process in which the heating cathodes K1, K2 of the lamp are first preheated at a high inverter frequency and then the lamp at a lower one Inverter frequency is ignited.
  • the inverter is switched off via the control logic 6 in order to avoid flickering of the lamps and unnecessary stress on the ballast. Then a pulse generator 7 is put into operation via the control logic 6, which generates four pulses every 20 milliseconds with a frequency of e.g. 50 kHz to the inverter control 8 and thus to the inverter 1. An AC voltage is thus briefly fed into the lamp circuit at regular intervals during a "measuring phase".
  • the voltage U ILC is measured in the lamp detection 5.
  • the voltage generated by the inverter 1 flows in each measurement phase through C1, L, K1, C2, K2 and R, which generates a voltage U ILC .
  • the inverter no longer generates any current through R in the measurement phases, so U ILC remains zero. It can thus be determined by monitoring the voltage U ILC whether the lamp La has been removed from the lamp circuit. For this purpose, U ILC can be compared with a threshold value in the measurement phases. If U ILC is less than this threshold, the lamp is missing.
  • control circuit 2 detects in this way that the lamp La has been removed, the measuring phases are continued. If a new lamp La used, U ILC rises again in the measurement phases. The lamp detection 5 thereby recognizes that a lamp has been inserted again, and the control logic 6 ends the measuring phases and initiates a new preheating and ignition process.
  • the circuit according to FIG. 1 has the advantage that the circuit complexity is low in comparison with conventional circuits, since the voltage U ILC is required anyway for monitoring the lamp current and the preheating current, and therefore no new components are necessary here.
  • the lamp detection circuit 5, the control logic 6 and the pulse generator 7 can, for. B. can be implemented as part of an integrated circuit so that they do not cause major additional costs.
  • the circuit according to the invention can also be used for ballasts with two lamps La, La '.
  • the central cathodes K2 and K1 'of the lamps are heated in a known manner via a 1: 1 transformer Tr.
  • This circuit is also controlled in the same way as that according to FIG. 1. If one of the lamps does not ignite, this can in turn be determined in the current limitation / ignition detection 4, whereupon the control circuit 2 controls the inverters at regular intervals with a short pulse sequence carry out the measurement phases.
  • the value of U ILC can again be measured during the measurement phases. If one of the lamps La, La 'is missing, the lack of the cathode K1 rsp. K2 'the lamp circuit is interrupted and the voltage U ILC becomes zero.
  • a voltage U VCT can also be tapped from the lamp circuit in front of the transformer Tr. This voltage can be used to monitor whether K2 rsp. K1 'lie correctly in the lamp circle. If one of these cathodes is missing or damaged, the voltage across Tr and thus U VCT higher.
  • the lamp detection 5 thus indicates a lack of the lamps when U ILC is less than a first threshold or (if used) U VCT is greater than a second threshold.
  • the circuit according to FIG. 3 shows a ballast with only one lamp, the lower cathode K2 of which is heated inductively via the 1: 1 transformer Tr.
  • a separate measurement of the lamp current (as voltage U IFL over R ') and the current through the heating cathodes (as voltage U ILC over R) can therefore take place here.
  • the control circuit 2 is again designed essentially the same as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
  • the lamp current is regulated by supplying the voltage U IFL with a lamp current regulator 9.
  • the current limitation / ignition detection 4, the preheating controller 3 and the lamp detection 5 are supplied with the voltage U ILC proportional to the current in the heating cathode K1.
  • a voltage U VCT can be tapped above the transformer Tr. This voltage increases when K2 is interrupted or missing.
  • the lamp detection 5 thus again indicates a lack of the lamps during the measurement phases if U ILC is less than a first threshold value or (if U VCT is also to be monitored) U VCT is greater than a second threshold value.
  • FIG. 4 Another possible application of the invention results from FIG. 4.
  • two lamps La, La ' are operated.
  • the heating current for the lower cathode K2 'of the second lamp La' is also inductively coupled in via a second 1: 1 transformer Tr '.
  • the lamp current is measured as a voltage drop U IFL over R ', the heating current as a voltage drop U ILC over R.
  • U IFL is fed to the lamp current regulator, which regulates the maximum lamp current.
  • U ILC is passed on the one hand to the current limitation / ignition detection 4, which monitors the maximum inverter current and the ignition of the lamps, on the other hand led to the preheating controller 3, which regulates the preheating current, and is used in the lamp detection 5 as in the previous examples.
  • the preheating controller 3 which regulates the preheating current, and is used in the lamp detection 5 as in the previous examples.
  • the lamp detection 5 will in turn signal a lack of lamps during the measurement phases if U ILC is less than a first threshold value or U VCT is greater than a second threshold value.
  • the measuring phases explained for FIG. 1 are initiated after a faulty ignition is found, in which the inverter is operated with four pulses at 50 kHz every 20 milliseconds.
  • U ULC and, if used, U VCT are used to check whether all the lamps are in place. After replacing at least one lamp, a new ignition process can be initiated automatically.

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  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)

Abstract

A method of driving ballast devices for gas-discharge lamps in which the ballast device is equipped with an inverter (1) and at least one gas-discharge lamp (La) is arranged in the lamp circuit. In the event of the lamp not starting (firing) the inverter is switched off. In order to improve the procedure by fully accommodating circuits with inductively coupled heating currents, lamp exchange (replacement) is ascertained by briefly switching on the inverter (1) again during the measurement phase and by measuring a current from the inverter in the lamp circuit during the measurement phase. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Vorschaltgerät für eine Entladungslampe und auf ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines solchen Vorschaltgeräts gemäss den Oberbegriffen der unabhängigen Patentansprüche.The invention relates to a ballast for a discharge lamp and to a method for operating such a ballast according to the preambles of the independent claims.

In EP 146 683 wird ein Vorschaltgerät für Entladungslampen beschrieben, bei welchem der Wechselrichter abgeschaltet wird, wenn eine Lampe dauernd betriebsunfähig ist. Nach diesem Abschalten wird ein Gleichstrom durch den Lampenkreis geführt. Da dieser Strom durch eine Heizelektrode jeder Lampe geht, fällt er zusammen, sobald eine Lampe ausgebaut wird. Somit kann durch eine Messung dieses Stroms ein Lampenwechsel festgestellt werden, so dass nach erfolgtem Lampenwechsel der Wechselrichter automatisch wieder eingeschaltet werden kann.EP 146 683 describes a ballast for discharge lamps in which the inverter is switched off when a lamp is permanently inoperative. After this switch-off, a direct current is passed through the lamp circuit. Since this current goes through a heating electrode of each lamp, it collapses as soon as a lamp is removed. A lamp change can thus be determined by measuring this current, so that the inverter can be automatically switched on again after the lamp has been changed.

Diese Methode weist jedoch denn Nachteil auf, dass sie nur eine der Elektroden jeder Lampe überwacht. Ausserdem ist sie für Schaltungen, bei welchen die Heizströme induktiv in die Elektroden eingekoppelt werden, nur bedingt geeignet.However, this method has the disadvantage that it monitors only one of the electrodes of each lamp. In addition, it is only of limited suitability for circuits in which the heating currents are inductively coupled into the electrodes.

Deshalb stellt sich die Aufgabe, eine Schaltungstechnik bereitzustellen, die diese Nachteile möglichst nicht aufweist und trotzdem einfach zu implementieren ist.Therefore, the task is to provide a circuit technology that does not have these disadvantages as far as possible and is nevertheless easy to implement.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Vorrichtung und das Verfahren gemäss den unabhängigen Ansprüchen gelöst.This object is achieved by the device and the method according to the independent claims.

Durch das wiederholte Einschalten des Wechselrichters und die Spannungs- rsp. Strommessung im Lampenkreis kann die Anwesenheit der Lampe(n) sicher nachgeprüft werden. Dazu ist es nicht nötig, einen Gleichstrom in den Lampenkreis einzukoppeln, weshalb die entsprechende Gleichstromquelle entfallen kann.By repeatedly switching on the inverter and the voltage rsp. Current measurement in the lamp circuit, the presence of the lamp (s) can be reliably checked. It is not necessary to couple a direct current into the lamp circuit, which is why the corresponding direct current source can be omitted.

Vorzugsweise wird nach dem Abschalten des Wechselkreises mittels wiederholten Messphasen gemessen, wann eine Lampe aus dem Lampenkreis entfernt wird. Sobald dies geschieht, wird mittels weiteren Messphasen gemessen, wann wieder alle Lampen installiert sind, um danach einen neuen Zündvorgang einzuleiten.After switching off the alternating circuit, measurements are preferably carried out using repeated measurement phases, when a lamp is removed from the lamp circle. As soon as this happens, further measuring phases are used to measure when all the lamps are installed again in order to then initiate a new ignition process.

Während den Messphasen wird der Wechselrichter möglichst mit einer Frequenz betrieben, die über der normalen Arbeitsfrequenz zum Betrieb der Lampen liegt und zu deren Zündung somit nicht ausreicht.During the measurement phases, the inverter is operated at a frequency that is above the normal operating frequency for operating the lamps and is therefore not sufficient to ignite them.

Weitere Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nun folgenden Beschreibung einiger Ausführungsbeispiele anhand der Figuren. Dabei zeigen:

  • Figur 1 ein vereinfachtes Schaltbild eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels,
  • Figur 2 ein vereinfachtes Schaltbild eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels mit zwei Lampen,
  • Figur 3 ein vereinfachtes Schaltbild eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels mit einer Lampe und induktiver Kathodenheizung, und
  • Figur 4 ein vereinfachtes Schaltbild eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels mit zwei Lampen und induktiver Kathodenheizung.
Further advantages of the invention result from the following description of some exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. Show:
  • FIG. 1 shows a simplified circuit diagram of a first exemplary embodiment,
  • FIG. 2 shows a simplified circuit diagram of a second exemplary embodiment with two lamps,
  • Figure 3 is a simplified circuit diagram of a third embodiment with a lamp and inductive cathode heating, and
  • Figure 4 is a simplified circuit diagram of a fourth embodiment with two lamps and inductive cathode heating.

Ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist aus der Figur 1 ersichtlich. Hier betreibt ein Wechselrichter 1 in bekannter Art einen Lampenkreis, welcher einen Koppelkondensator C1, eine Induktivität L, eine Lampe La mit Heizkathoden K1 und K2, einen Parallelkondensator C2 und einen Shunt-Widerstand R aufweist. Diese Schalttechnik ist dem Fachmann bekannt und braucht nicht näher erläutert zu werden. Ueber dem Widerstand R wird eine Spannung UILC abgegriffen, welche dem Strom im Lampenkreis proportional ist. Diese Spannung wird einer Kontrollschaltung 2 zugeführt. Hier wird UILC, ebenfalls in an sich bekannter Weise, von einem Vorheizregler 3 und einer Strombegrenzung/Zünderkennung 4 ausgewertet, welche den Vorheizstrom und den Betriebsstrom der Lampen überwachen. Zusätzlich wird sie einer Lampenerkennungsschaltung 5 zugeführt. Die Konstrollschaltung 2 umfasst ferner eine Steuerlogik 6, einen Pulsgenerator 7 und eine Wechselrichter-Ansteuerung 8.A first embodiment of the invention can be seen in FIG. 1. Here, an inverter 1 operates in a known manner a lamp circuit which has a coupling capacitor C1, an inductor L, a lamp La with heating cathodes K1 and K2, a parallel capacitor C2 and a shunt resistor R. This switching technology is known to the person skilled in the art and need not be explained in more detail. A voltage U ILC is tapped across the resistor R which is proportional to the current in the lamp circuit. This voltage is fed to a control circuit 2. Here U ILC , also in a manner known per se, is evaluated by a preheating controller 3 and a current limitation / ignition detection 4, which monitor the preheating current and the operating current of the lamps. In addition, it is fed to a lamp detection circuit 5. The control circuit 2 further comprises a control logic 6, a pulse generator 7 and an inverter control 8.

Im Normalbetrieb wird nach dem Einschalten des Vorschaltgeräts mittels der Steuerlogik 6 und der Wechselrichter-Ansteuerung 8 der Wechselrichter 1 durch einen Vorheiz- und einen Zündvorgang geführt, in welchen die Heizkathoden K1, K2 der Lampe zunächst bei hoher Wechselrichterfrequenz vorgeheizt und die Lampe sodann bei tieferer Wechselrichterfrequenz gezündet wird.In normal operation, after switching on the ballast by means of the control logic 6 and the inverter control 8, the inverter 1 is guided through a preheating and an ignition process in which the heating cathodes K1, K2 of the lamp are first preheated at a high inverter frequency and then the lamp at a lower one Inverter frequency is ignited.

Wird nun in der Strombegrenzung/Zünderkennung 4 festgestellt, dass die Lampe nach einer gegebenen Zeit nicht gezündet hat, so wird über die Steuerlogik 6 der Wechselrichter abgeschaltet, um ein Flackern der Lampen und eine unnötige Belastung des Vorschaltgeräts zu vermeiden. Danach wird über die Steuerlogik 6 ein Pulsgenerator 7 in Betrieb gesetzt, der alle 20 Millisekunden vier Impulse mit einer Frequenz von z.B. 50 kHz an die Wechselrichtersteuerung 8 und somit an den Wechselrichter 1 abgibt. Damit wird also im Lampenkreis in regelmässigen Abständen kurzzeitig während einer "Messphase" eine Wechselspannung eingespiesen.If it is now determined in the current limitation / ignition detection 4 that the lamp has not ignited after a given time, the inverter is switched off via the control logic 6 in order to avoid flickering of the lamps and unnecessary stress on the ballast. Then a pulse generator 7 is put into operation via the control logic 6, which generates four pulses every 20 milliseconds with a frequency of e.g. 50 kHz to the inverter control 8 and thus to the inverter 1. An AC voltage is thus briefly fed into the lamp circuit at regular intervals during a "measuring phase".

In jeder Messphase wird die Spannung UILC in der Lampenerkennung 5 gemessen. Solange die Lampe La im Lampenkreis liegt und ihre Heizkathoden K1 und K2 intakt sind, fliesst durch die vom Wechselrichter 1 erzeugte Spannung in jeder Messphase ein Strom durch C1, L, K1, C2, K2 und R, welcher eine Spannung UILC erzeugt. Sobald jedoch die Lampe La entfernt wird, erzeugt der Wechselrichter in den Messphasen keinen Strom mehr durch R, UILC bleibt also null. Somit kann durch Ueberwachung der Spannung UILC festgestellt werden, ob die Lampe La aus dem Lampenkreis entfernt wurde. Hierzu kann UILC in den Messphasen mit einem Schwellwert verglichen werden. Ist UILC kleiner als dieser Schwellwert, so fehlt die Lampe.In each measurement phase, the voltage U ILC is measured in the lamp detection 5. As long as the lamp La is in the lamp circuit and its heating cathodes K1 and K2 are intact, the voltage generated by the inverter 1 flows in each measurement phase through C1, L, K1, C2, K2 and R, which generates a voltage U ILC . However, as soon as the lamp La is removed, the inverter no longer generates any current through R in the measurement phases, so U ILC remains zero. It can thus be determined by monitoring the voltage U ILC whether the lamp La has been removed from the lamp circuit. For this purpose, U ILC can be compared with a threshold value in the measurement phases. If U ILC is less than this threshold, the lamp is missing.

Stellt die Konstrollschaltung 2 auf diese Weise fest, dass die Lampe La entfernt wurde, so werden die Messphasen fortgesetzt. Wird nun eine neue Lampe La eingesetzt, so steigt UILC in den Messphasen wieder an. Dadurch erkennt die Lampenerkennung 5, dass wieder eine Lampe eingesetzt ist, und die Steuerlogik 6 beendet die Messphasen und leitet einen neuen Vorheiz- und Zündvorgang ein.If the control circuit 2 detects in this way that the lamp La has been removed, the measuring phases are continued. If a new lamp La used, U ILC rises again in the measurement phases. The lamp detection 5 thereby recognizes that a lamp has been inserted again, and the control logic 6 ends the measuring phases and initiates a new preheating and ignition process.

Die Schaltung gemäss Figur 1 hat den Vorteil, dass im Vergleich mit herkömmlichen Schaltungen der Schaltungsaufwand gering ist, da die Spannung UILC sowieso zur Ueberwachung des Lampenstroms und des Vorheizstroms benötigt wird und somit hier keine neuen Komponenten notwendig sind. Die Lampenerkennungsschaltung 5, die Steuerlogik 6 und der Pulsgenerator 7 können z. B. als Teil einer integrierten Schaltung ausgeführt sein, so dass sie keine grossen Zusatzkosten verursachen.The circuit according to FIG. 1 has the advantage that the circuit complexity is low in comparison with conventional circuits, since the voltage U ILC is required anyway for monitoring the lamp current and the preheating current, and therefore no new components are necessary here. The lamp detection circuit 5, the control logic 6 and the pulse generator 7 can, for. B. can be implemented as part of an integrated circuit so that they do not cause major additional costs.

Wie Figur 2 zeigt, kann die erfindungsgemässe Schaltung auch für Vorschaltgeräte mit zwei Lampen La, La' verwendet werden. Bei solchen Schaltungen werden zum Beispiel die mittleren Kathoden K2 und K1' der Lampen in bekannter Weise über einen 1:1 Transformator Tr geheizt. Auch diese Schaltung wird in gleicher Weise gesteuert, wie jene nach Figur 1. Zündet eine der Lampen nicht, so kann dies wiederum in der Strombegrenzung/Zünderkennung 4 festgestellt werden, worauf die Konstrollschaltung 2 in regelmässigen Abständen die Wechselrichter mit einer kurzen Impulsfolge ansteuert, um die Messphasen durchzuführen.As FIG. 2 shows, the circuit according to the invention can also be used for ballasts with two lamps La, La '. In such circuits, for example, the central cathodes K2 and K1 'of the lamps are heated in a known manner via a 1: 1 transformer Tr. This circuit is also controlled in the same way as that according to FIG. 1. If one of the lamps does not ignite, this can in turn be determined in the current limitation / ignition detection 4, whereupon the control circuit 2 controls the inverters at regular intervals with a short pulse sequence carry out the measurement phases.

Zum Erkennen, ob eine Lampe im Lampenkreis fehlt, kann wiederum der Wert von UILC während den Messphasen gemesssen werden. Fehlt eine der Lampen La, La' so wird durch das Fehlen der Kathode K1 rsp. K2' der Lampenkreis unterbrochen und die Spannung UILC wird null.In order to recognize whether a lamp is missing in the lamp circuit, the value of U ILC can again be measured during the measurement phases. If one of the lamps La, La 'is missing, the lack of the cathode K1 rsp. K2 'the lamp circuit is interrupted and the voltage U ILC becomes zero.

Zur Verbesserung der Ueberwachung kann zudem eine Spannung UVCT aus dem Lampenkreis vor dem Transformator Tr abgegriffen werden. Mit dieser Spannung kann überwacht werden, ob K2 rsp. K1' korrekt im Lampenkreis liegen. Fehlt eine dieser Kathoden oder ist sie beschädigt, so ist während den Messphasen die Spannung über Tr und somit UVCT höher. Die Lampenerkennung 5 zeigt somit ein Fehlen der Lampen dann an, wenn UILC kleiner als ein erster Schwellwert oder (sofern verwendet) UVCT grösser als ein zweiter Schwellwert ist.To improve the monitoring, a voltage U VCT can also be tapped from the lamp circuit in front of the transformer Tr. This voltage can be used to monitor whether K2 rsp. K1 'lie correctly in the lamp circle. If one of these cathodes is missing or damaged, the voltage across Tr and thus U VCT higher. The lamp detection 5 thus indicates a lack of the lamps when U ILC is less than a first threshold or (if used) U VCT is greater than a second threshold.

Die Schaltung nach Figur 3 zeigt ein Vorschaltgerät mit nur einer Lampe, dessen untere Kathode K2 induktiv über den 1:1 Transformator Tr geheizt wird. Hier kann deshalb eine getrennte Messung des Lampenstroms (als Spannung UIFL über R') und des Stroms durch die Heizkathoden (als Spannung UILC über R) stattfinden. Die Kontrollschaltung 2 ist wiederum im wesentlichen gleich ausgeführt wie in Figur 1 und Figur 2. Der Lampenstrom wird durch Zuführen der Spannung UIFL mit einem Lampenstromregler 9 geregelt. Der Strombegrenzung/Zünderkennung 4, dem Vorheizregler 3 und der Lampenerkennung 5 wird die zum Strom in der Heizkathode K1 proportionale Spannung UILC zugeführt. Zusätlich kann, wie bereits in der Schaltung nach Figur 2, oberhalb des Transformators Tr eine Spannung UVCT abgegriffen werden. Diese Spannung steigt an, wenn K2 unterbrochen ist oder fehlt.The circuit according to FIG. 3 shows a ballast with only one lamp, the lower cathode K2 of which is heated inductively via the 1: 1 transformer Tr. A separate measurement of the lamp current (as voltage U IFL over R ') and the current through the heating cathodes (as voltage U ILC over R) can therefore take place here. The control circuit 2 is again designed essentially the same as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The lamp current is regulated by supplying the voltage U IFL with a lamp current regulator 9. The current limitation / ignition detection 4, the preheating controller 3 and the lamp detection 5 are supplied with the voltage U ILC proportional to the current in the heating cathode K1. In addition, as already in the circuit according to FIG. 2, a voltage U VCT can be tapped above the transformer Tr. This voltage increases when K2 is interrupted or missing.

Die Lampenerkennung 5 zeigt somit ein Fehlen der Lampen während den Messphasen wiederum dann an, wenn UILC kleiner als ein erster Schwellwert oder (falls UVCT auch überwacht werden soll) UVCT grösser als ein zweiter Schwellwert ist.The lamp detection 5 thus again indicates a lack of the lamps during the measurement phases if U ILC is less than a first threshold value or (if U VCT is also to be monitored) U VCT is greater than a second threshold value.

Eine weitere Einsatzmöglichkeit der Erfindung ergibt sich aus Figur 4. Hier werden, wie in Figur 2, zwei Lampen La, La' betrieben. Im Gegensatz zu Figur 2 wird jedoch auch der Heizstrom für die untere Kathode K2' der zweiten Lampe La' induktiv über einen zweiten 1:1 Transformator Tr' eingekoppelt. Der Lampenstrom wird als Spannungsabfall UIFL über R', der Heizstrom als Spannungsabfall UILC über R gemessen. UIFL wird dem Lampenstromregler zugeleitet, welcher den maximalen Lampenstrom regelt. UILC wird einerseits der Strombegrenzung/Zünderkennung 4 zugeleitet, welche den maximalen Wechselrichterstrom und das Zünden der Lampen überwacht, andererseits an den Vorheizregler 3 geführt, welcher den Vorheizstrom regelt, und wird wie in den vorhergehenden Beispielen in der Lampenerkennung 5 verwendet. Durch die Ueberwachung von UILC kann festgestellt werden, ob K1 (und somit die Lampe La) im Lampenkreis liegt. Wenn nicht, dann ist UILC in den Messphasen praktisch null. Ueber UILC kann jedoch nicht festgestellt werden, ob die zweite Lampe La' im Lampenkreis liegt oder nicht. Hierzu wird deshalb die Spannung UVCT oberhalb des ersten Transformators Tr abgegriffen. Fehlt nun eine der Kathoden K2, K1' oder K2' oder ist sie unterbrochen, so steigt die Spannung über Tr oder Tr' an, womit auch UVCT grösser wird.Another possible application of the invention results from FIG. 4. Here, as in FIG. 2, two lamps La, La 'are operated. In contrast to FIG. 2, however, the heating current for the lower cathode K2 'of the second lamp La' is also inductively coupled in via a second 1: 1 transformer Tr '. The lamp current is measured as a voltage drop U IFL over R ', the heating current as a voltage drop U ILC over R. U IFL is fed to the lamp current regulator, which regulates the maximum lamp current. U ILC is passed on the one hand to the current limitation / ignition detection 4, which monitors the maximum inverter current and the ignition of the lamps, on the other hand led to the preheating controller 3, which regulates the preheating current, and is used in the lamp detection 5 as in the previous examples. By monitoring U ILC it can be determined whether K1 (and thus lamp La) is in the lamp circuit. If not, then U ILC is practically zero in the measurement phases. However, it cannot be determined via U ILC whether the second lamp La 'is in the lamp circuit or not. For this reason, the voltage U VCT above the first transformer Tr is tapped. If one of the cathodes K2, K1 'or K2' is missing or is interrupted, the voltage across Tr or Tr 'increases, which also increases U VCT .

Die Lampenerkennung 5 wird somit ein Fehlen der Lampen während den Messphasen wiederum dann signalisieren, wenn UILC kleiner als ein erster Schwellwert oder UVCT grösser als ein zweiter Schwellwert ist.The lamp detection 5 will in turn signal a lack of lamps during the measurement phases if U ILC is less than a first threshold value or U VCT is greater than a second threshold value.

In allen vier Ausführungsbeispielen gemäss den Figuren 1 - 4 werden nach dem Festellen einer fehlerhaften Zündung die zu Figur 1 erläuterten Messphasen eingeleitet, in welchen der Wechselrichter alle 20 Millisekunden mit vier Pulsen bei 50 kHz betrieben wird. Gleichzeitig wird über die Messung von UILC und, falls verwendet, von UVCT geprüft, ob alle Lampen eingesetzt sind. Nach dem Auswechseln mindestens einer Lampe kann automatisch ein neuer Zündvorgang eingeleitet werden.In all four exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1-4, the measuring phases explained for FIG. 1 are initiated after a faulty ignition is found, in which the inverter is operated with four pulses at 50 kHz every 20 milliseconds. At the same time, U ULC and, if used, U VCT are used to check whether all the lamps are in place. After replacing at least one lamp, a new ignition process can be initiated automatically.

Claims (8)

Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Vorschaltgeräts für Entladungslampen, wobei das Vorschaltgerät zur Ansteuerung eines Lampenkreises einen Wechselrichter (1) aufweist, wobei im Lampenkreis mindestens eine Lampe (La, La') angeordnet ist, und wobei im Falle eines Nichtzündens der Lampe(n) (La, La') der Wechselrichter (1) abgeschaltet und ein neuer Zündvorgang erst nach einem Lampenwechsel eingeleitet wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zur Feststellung eines Lampenwechsels der Wechselrichter (1) wiederholt mindestens kurzzeitig während Messphasen eingeschaltet wird und dass während den Messphasen durch Messung eines vom Wechselrichter im Lampenkreis erzeugten Stroms und/oder einer vom Wechselrichter im Lampenkreis erzeugten Spannung (UILC, UVCT) festgestellt wird, ob eine Lampe entfernt bzw. eingesetzt wurde.Method for operating a ballast for discharge lamps, the ballast for controlling a lamp circuit having an inverter (1), at least one lamp (La, La ') being arranged in the lamp circuit, and wherein in the event of non-ignition of the lamp (s) (La , La ') the inverter (1) is switched off and a new ignition process is only initiated after a lamp change, characterized in that to determine a lamp change, the inverter (1) is repeatedly switched on at least briefly during measurement phases and that during the measurement phases by measuring one of Inverter in the lamp circuit generated current and / or a voltage generated by the inverter in the lamp circuit (U ILC , U VCT ) is determined whether a lamp has been removed or inserted. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass nach einem Nichtzünden der Lampen mit wiederholten Messphasen festgestellt wurde, wann eine Lampe entfernt wurde, dass nach dem Entfernen der Lampe mit wiederholten Messphasen festgestellt wird, wann wieder alle Lampen eingesetzt sind, und dass danach der neue Zündvorgang eingeleitet wird.A method according to claim 1, characterized in that after the lamps with repeated measurement phases have not ignited, it has been determined when a lamp has been removed, that after the lamp with repeated measurement phases has been removed, it is determined when all the lamps are used again, and after that the new one Ignition process is initiated. Verfahren nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Wechselrichter (1) in den Messphasen mit einer Frequenz betrieben wird, die oberhalb einer normalen Arbeitsfrequenz zum Betrieb der Lampen liegt.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inverter (1) is operated in the measurement phases at a frequency which is above a normal operating frequency for operating the lamps. Vorschaltgerät für Entladungslampen, welches einen Wechselrichter (1), einen vom Wechselrichter (1) angesteuerten Lampenkreis mit mindestens einer Lampe (La, La') und eine Kontrollschaltung (2) zur Kontrolle des Vorschaltgeräts aufweist, wobei mittels der Kontrollschaltung (2) feststellbar ist, ob ein Zündvorgang der Lampe(n) erfolgreich war und, bei nicht erfolgreichem Zündvorgang der Wechselrichter (1) abschaltbar ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zur Feststellung eines Lampenwechsels nach nicht erfolgreichem Zündvorgang die Kontrollschaltung (2) einen Steuergenerator (6,7) aufweist, mittels welchem der Wechselrichter (1) während wiederholten Messphasen zumindest kurzzeitig in Betrieb setzbar ist, und dass im Lampenkreis Messmittel (R,R',5) vorgesehen sind, mittels welchen während der Messphasen ein vom Wechselrichter (1) erzeugter Strom und/oder eine vom Wechselrichter erzeugte Spannung (UILC, UVCT) messbar sind.Ballast for discharge lamps, which has an inverter (1), a lamp circuit controlled by the inverter (1) with at least one lamp (La, La ') and a control circuit (2) for controlling the ballast, which can be determined by means of the control circuit (2) whether an ignition process of the lamp (s) was successful and, if the ignition process was not successful, the inverter (1) can be switched off characterized in that to determine a lamp change after an unsuccessful ignition process, the control circuit (2) has a control generator (6, 7) by means of which the inverter (1) can be put into operation at least briefly during repeated measurement phases, and that measuring means (R, R ', 5) are provided, by means of which a current generated by the inverter (1) and / or a voltage generated by the inverter (U ILC , U VCT ) can be measured during the measurement phases. Vorschaltgerät nach Anspruch 4, wobei heizbare Elektroden (K1,K2,K1',K2') im Lampenkreis liegen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass durch die Messmittel feststellbar ist, ob durch die Elektroden vom Wechselrichter (1) erzeugte Heizströme fliessen.Ballast according to claim 4, wherein heatable electrodes (K1, K2, K1 ', K2') lie in the lamp circuit, characterized in that it can be determined by the measuring means whether heating currents generated by the electrodes (1) flow through the electrodes. Vorschaltgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Steuergenerator (6,7) einen Pulsgenerator (7) umfasst, mittels welchem in festen Intervallen Pulsgruppen erzeugbar sind, wobei jede Pulsgruppe mindesteens einen Umschaltpuls zum Umschalten des Wechselrichters (1) umfasst.Ballast according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the control generator (6, 7) comprises a pulse generator (7), by means of which pulse groups can be generated at fixed intervals, each pulse group comprising at least one switching pulse for switching the inverter (1) . Vorschaltgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Lampenkreis mindestens einen Transformator (Tr, Tr') aufweist, und dass mittels einem der Messmittel (5) im wesentlichen eine über dem Transformator abfallende Spannung (UVCT) messbar ist.Ballast according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the lamp circuit has at least one transformer (Tr, Tr ') and that by means of one of the measuring means (5) essentially a voltage (U VCT ) falling across the transformer can be measured. Vorschaltgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Lampenkreis mindestens einen Widerstand (R) aufweist, und dass mittels der Messmittel (5) im wesentlichen eine über dem Widerstand abfallende Spannung (UILC) messbar ist.Ballast according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the lamp circuit has at least one resistor (R) and that essentially a voltage (U ILC ) falling across the resistor can be measured by means of the measuring means (5).
EP94105853A 1994-04-15 1994-04-15 Ballast for discharge lamps with lamp change detecting means Expired - Lifetime EP0677981B1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP94105853A EP0677981B1 (en) 1994-04-15 1994-04-15 Ballast for discharge lamps with lamp change detecting means
AT94105853T ATE194749T1 (en) 1994-04-15 1994-04-15 BALLAST WITH LAMP CHANGE DETECTION FOR DISCHARGE LAMPS
DE59409443T DE59409443D1 (en) 1994-04-15 1994-04-15 Ballast with lamp change detection for discharge lamps
US08/421,922 US5550433A (en) 1994-04-15 1995-04-14 Driver circuit for discharge lamps

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EP94105853A EP0677981B1 (en) 1994-04-15 1994-04-15 Ballast for discharge lamps with lamp change detecting means

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EP0677981A1 true EP0677981A1 (en) 1995-10-18
EP0677981B1 EP0677981B1 (en) 2000-07-12

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EP0769239A1 (en) * 1995-03-28 1997-04-23 Motorola, Inc. Circuit for energizing a fluorescent lamp and method of operating a circuit for energizing a fluorescent lamp
EP0779768A3 (en) * 1995-12-13 1997-10-29 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Process and circuit for operating a discharge lamp
EP0889675A1 (en) * 1997-07-02 1999-01-07 MAGNETEK S.p.A. Electronic ballast with lamp tyre recognition
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WO1999034649A1 (en) * 1997-12-23 1999-07-08 Tridonic Bauelemente Gmbh Method for detecting a lamp change and electronic lamp ballast for operating gas-discharge lamps using such a method for detecting a lamp change
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EP0769239A1 (en) * 1995-03-28 1997-04-23 Motorola, Inc. Circuit for energizing a fluorescent lamp and method of operating a circuit for energizing a fluorescent lamp
EP0769239A4 (en) * 1995-03-28 1998-06-03 Motorola Inc Circuit for energizing a fluorescent lamp and method of operating a circuit for energizing a fluorescent lamp
EP0769889A1 (en) * 1995-10-20 1997-04-23 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Circuit arrangement
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EP0779768A3 (en) * 1995-12-13 1997-10-29 Patent Treuhand Ges Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Process and circuit for operating a discharge lamp
US6081077A (en) * 1997-07-02 2000-06-27 Magnetek Universal power supply for discharge lamps
EP0889675A1 (en) * 1997-07-02 1999-01-07 MAGNETEK S.p.A. Electronic ballast with lamp tyre recognition
WO1999034649A1 (en) * 1997-12-23 1999-07-08 Tridonic Bauelemente Gmbh Method for detecting a lamp change and electronic lamp ballast for operating gas-discharge lamps using such a method for detecting a lamp change
WO1999034650A1 (en) * 1997-12-23 1999-07-08 Tridonic Bauelemente Gmbh Electronic lamp ballast
US6225760B1 (en) 1998-07-28 2001-05-01 Lutron Electronics Company, Inc. Fluorescent lamp dimmer system
WO2000007416A1 (en) * 1998-07-28 2000-02-10 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Fluorescent lamp dimmer system with lamp seasoning
WO2000024233A2 (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-04-27 Electro-Mag International, Inc. Ballast circuit
WO2000024233A3 (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-09-21 Electro Mag Int Inc Ballast circuit
US6169375B1 (en) 1998-10-16 2001-01-02 Electro-Mag International, Inc. Lamp adaptable ballast circuit
WO2000072642A1 (en) * 1999-05-25 2000-11-30 Tridonic Bauelemente Gmbh Electronic ballast for at least one low-pressure discharge lamp
US6433490B2 (en) 1999-05-25 2002-08-13 Tridonic Bauelemente Gmbh Electronic ballast for at least one low-pressure discharge lamp
AU761360B2 (en) * 1999-05-25 2003-06-05 Tridonic Bauelemente Gmbh Electronic ballast for at least one low-pressure discharge lamp
WO2001097574A2 (en) * 2000-06-14 2001-12-20 Brenex Electrics Pty. Limited Control circuits for fluorescent tubes
WO2001097574A3 (en) * 2000-06-14 2002-06-06 Brenex Electrics Pty Ltd Control circuits for fluorescent tubes
DE102007047141A1 (en) * 2007-10-02 2009-04-09 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co. Kg Operating device for controlling the baking process of a lamp

Also Published As

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US5550433A (en) 1996-08-27
EP0677981B1 (en) 2000-07-12
DE59409443D1 (en) 2000-08-17
ATE194749T1 (en) 2000-07-15

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