EP1811817B1 - Electronic ballast for fluorescent lamp - Google Patents

Electronic ballast for fluorescent lamp Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1811817B1
EP1811817B1 EP07397003A EP07397003A EP1811817B1 EP 1811817 B1 EP1811817 B1 EP 1811817B1 EP 07397003 A EP07397003 A EP 07397003A EP 07397003 A EP07397003 A EP 07397003A EP 1811817 B1 EP1811817 B1 EP 1811817B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
1pri
switch
lamp
inductor
circuit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP07397003A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1811817A1 (en
Inventor
Hannu Vihinen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Helvar Oy AB
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Helvar Oy AB
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Publication date
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Application filed by Helvar Oy AB filed Critical Helvar Oy AB
Publication of EP1811817A1 publication Critical patent/EP1811817A1/en
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Publication of EP1811817B1 publication Critical patent/EP1811817B1/en
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Classifications

    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp, the ballast comprising
  • ballast is known from patent publication US 2004/0100211 A1 .
  • a thermistor with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) is employed as the control device.
  • PTC positive temperature coefficient
  • This prior-art control circuit of cathode heating current is ill suited for use in controllable ballasts that also need active control of cathode heating current level.
  • DE 10 2004 009 995 A1 discloses an electronic ballast as defined above, having a controllable switch for controlling the impedance in the heating current supply circuit.
  • switches Q 1 and Q 2 form the normal half-bridge of a lamp circuit.
  • FIG. 2 is elucidated the push-pull mode operation of the power switch devices Q 1 and Q 2 .
  • the lamp is stabilized to a desired intensity level by way of controlling the operating frequency of the switch devices Q 1 and Q 2 .
  • a logic control circuit alters the operating frequency as determined by lamp dimmer control signal.
  • switch devices Q 1 and Q 2 form an inverter circuitry supplied from a DC supply V DC for generating a high-frequency AC voltage.
  • Capacitor C 1 blocks the DC component of the lamp drive voltage and oscillator inductor L 1pri limits the lamp current depending on the operating frequency.
  • the voltage induced over the oscillator inductor secondary winding L 1sec is taken via capacitor C 2 to transformer T 1 .
  • the current passing via T 1 is controlled by driving switch device Q 3 in synchronism with the operation of the half-bridge power switch devices Q 1 and Q 2 .
  • the heating current of the lamp cathodes can be varied by controlling the pulse width of the drive signal taken to Q 3 .
  • the secondary windings T 1secA and T 1secB of transformer T 1 are connected via capacitors C 4 and C 5 , respectively, to drive the heater circuits of the lamp cathodes.
  • the lamp is paralleled with a starting capacitor C 3 .
  • the heating current energy is extracted from secondary L 1sec of lamp heating circuit inductor L 1 .
  • this secondary voltage is smaller than the voltage over the primary winding of inductor L 1 .
  • This arrangement gives the benefit that a low-voltage switch device Q 3 can be employed for implementing the heating current control.
  • Switch device Q 3 is in cut-off state when the cathodes are not being heated.
  • the logic circuit controls switch device Q 3 as required by the operating level of the lamp.
  • FIG. 2 is illustrated the method of controlling Q 3 with the help of a pulse-width-controlled drive signal.
  • Switch Q 3 is driven synchronized with the operating frequency of the inverter switches Q 1 , Q 2 , whereby the width of its drive signal pulses are made narrower that the drive pulses of the inverter switch devices.
  • the synchronization can be timed to the front or back edges of the inverter drive pulses, whereby the timing of switch Q 3 operation occurs at either the front or back edge of its drive pulse, respectively.
  • FIG. 1 is illustrated by dashed line B an arrangement for sensing the level of heating current supplied to the fluorescent lamp cathodes from the circuit passing via the transformer primary winding T 1pri , whereby the measurement signal is adapted by means of the logic circuit to control the operation of switch device Q 3 . Resultingly, the heating current control can accurately follow the lamp current control, even so that the varying operation of the lamp at different temperatures is taken into account.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connecting Device With Holders (AREA)
  • Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp, the lamp load circuit being connected between the inverter power switch devices (Q 1 , Q 2 ). The lamp load circuit comprises an inductor (L 1pri ) and a capacitor (C 1 ) in a series connection with the lamp. The inductor (L 1pri ) is cofunctionally complemented with a secondary inductor (L 1sec ) that is connected to the same circuit with the transformer primary winding (T 1pri ) for supplying the heating current energy from the secondary inductor (L 1sec ) to the transformer primary winding (T 1pri ). The secondary windings (T 1secA , T 1secB ) are connected to the lamp cathodes. The transformer primary circuit incorporates a control device (Q 3 ) for varying the heating current under an active control dependent on the desired lamp intensity level.

Description

  • The present invention relates to an electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp, the ballast comprising
    • an inverter which is supplied from a DC voltage source and includes two power switch devices operating in a push-pull mode for generating a high-frequency voltage,
    • a lamp load circuit which is connected to the inverter and comprises a primary inductor and a capacitor and to which load circuit the fluorescent lamp can be connected,
    • a heating circuit of the fluorescent lamp cathodes, the heating circuit including a transformer having a primary winding and secondary windings connected to the cathodes of the fluorescent lamp for feeding a heating current thereto,
    • a secondary inductor cofunctioning with the primary inductor and connected to the same circuit with the transformer primary winding for supplying the heating current energy from the secondary inductor to the transformer primary winding, the voltage over the secondary inductor being, defined by the turns ratio, smaller than the voltage over the primary inductor, and
    • a controllable switch in the same circuit for controlling the level of the heating current.
  • This kind of ballast is known from patent publication US 2004/0100211 A1 . Therein a thermistor with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) is employed as the control device. This prior-art control circuit of cathode heating current is ill suited for use in controllable ballasts that also need active control of cathode heating current level.
  • While from the applicant's patent publication EP-A2-1191824 is known a ballast featuring active heating current control, this embodiment extracts the required energy from a high-voltage circuit via a high-voltage power switch device.
  • DE 10 2004 009 995 A1 discloses an electronic ballast as defined above, having a controllable switch for controlling the impedance in the heating current supply circuit.
  • It is an object of the invention to provide an improved ballast with an active cathode heating current control which follows lamp intensity level control and extracts the heating current energy from a circuit operating at a voltage smaller than the voltage over the lamp load circuit inductor.
  • The goal of the invention is achieved by way of the features specified in appended claim 1. Details of preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
  • In the following, the invention will be examined in greater detail with the help of an exemplary embodiment by making reference to the appended drawings in which
    • FIG. 1
    shows a circuit diagram of a ballast according to the invention as to its basic components; and
    FIG. 2
    shows the synchronization of waveforms in the ballast according to the invention.
  • In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, switches Q1 and Q2 form the normal half-bridge of a lamp circuit. In FIG. 2 is elucidated the push-pull mode operation of the power switch devices Q1 and Q2. The lamp is stabilized to a desired intensity level by way of controlling the operating frequency of the switch devices Q1 and Q2. A logic control circuit alters the operating frequency as determined by lamp dimmer control signal. Accordingly, switch devices Q1 and Q2 form an inverter circuitry supplied from a DC supply VDC for generating a high-frequency AC voltage. Capacitor C1 blocks the DC component of the lamp drive voltage and oscillator inductor L1pri limits the lamp current depending on the operating frequency.
  • The voltage induced over the oscillator inductor secondary winding L1sec is taken via capacitor C2 to transformer T1. The current passing via T1 is controlled by driving switch device Q3 in synchronism with the operation of the half-bridge power switch devices Q1 and Q2. The heating current of the lamp cathodes can be varied by controlling the pulse width of the drive signal taken to Q3. The secondary windings T1secA and T1secB of transformer T1 are connected via capacitors C4 and C5, respectively, to drive the heater circuits of the lamp cathodes. The lamp is paralleled with a starting capacitor C3.
  • Accordingly, the heating current energy is extracted from secondary L1sec of lamp heating circuit inductor L1. Defined by the turns ratio, this secondary voltage is smaller than the voltage over the primary winding of inductor L1. This arrangement gives the benefit that a low-voltage switch device Q3 can be employed for implementing the heating current control. Switch device Q3 is in cut-off state when the cathodes are not being heated. During heating, the logic circuit controls switch device Q3 as required by the operating level of the lamp. In FIG. 2 is illustrated the method of controlling Q3 with the help of a pulse-width-controlled drive signal. Switch Q3 is driven synchronized with the operating frequency of the inverter switches Q1, Q2, whereby the width of its drive signal pulses are made narrower that the drive pulses of the inverter switch devices. The synchronization can be timed to the front or back edges of the inverter drive pulses, whereby the timing of switch Q3 operation occurs at either the front or back edge of its drive pulse, respectively.
  • In FIG. 1 is illustrated by dashed line B an arrangement for sensing the level of heating current supplied to the fluorescent lamp cathodes from the circuit passing via the transformer primary winding T1pri, whereby the measurement signal is adapted by means of the logic circuit to control the operation of switch device Q3. Resultingly, the heating current control can accurately follow the lamp current control, even so that the varying operation of the lamp at different temperatures is taken into account.

Claims (3)

  1. An electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp, the ballast comprising
    - an inverter which is supplied from a DC voltage source (VDC) and includes two power switch devices (Q1, Q2) operating in a push-pull mode for generating a high-frequency voltage,
    - a lamp load circuit which is connected to the inverter and comprises a primary Inductor (L1prl) and a capacitor (C1) and to which load circuit the fluorescent lamp can be connected,
    - a heating circuit of the fluorescent lamp cathodes, the heating circuit including a transformer (T1) having a primary winding (T1pri) and secondary windings (T1secA, T1secB) connected to the cathodes of the fluorescent lamp for feeding a heating current thereto,
    - a secondary inductor (L1sec) cofunctioning with the primary inductor (L1pri) and connected to the same circuit with the transformer primary winding (T1pri) for supplying the heating current energy from the secondary Inductor (L1sec) to the transformer primary winding (T1pri), the voltage over the secondary inductor (L1sec) being, defined by the turns ratio, smaller than the voltage over the primary inductor (L1pri), and
    - a controllable switch (Q3) in the same circuit for controlling the level of the heating current,
    characterized in that the switch (Q3) is in series with the primary winding (T1pri) of the transformer (T1) whereby the cathodes are not being heated when the switch (Q3) is in cut-off state, and that the heating current is adapted controllable to a desired level by driving the switch (Q3) ON and OFF with a pulse-width-controlled drive signal under, an active control dependent on the desired lamp intensity level, the switch (Q3) being driven synchronized with the operating frequency of the inverter switches (Q1, Q2), whereby the width of its drive signal pulses are made narrower than the drive pulses of the Inverter switch devices.
  2. The ballast of claim 1, characterized in that the switch device (Q3) is a switch transistor.
  3. The ballast of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensing of the level of heating current supplied to the fluorescent lamp cathodes is arranged to take place at the circuit passing via the transformer primary winding (T1pri), whereby the measurement signal is adapted by means of the logic circuit to control the operation of the switch device (Q3).
EP07397003A 2006-01-18 2007-01-05 Electronic ballast for fluorescent lamp Not-in-force EP1811817B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20065033A FI20065033L (en) 2006-01-18 2006-01-18 Electronic connection device for fluorescent tubes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1811817A1 EP1811817A1 (en) 2007-07-25
EP1811817B1 true EP1811817B1 (en) 2009-08-12

Family

ID=35883931

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07397003A Not-in-force EP1811817B1 (en) 2006-01-18 2007-01-05 Electronic ballast for fluorescent lamp

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1811817B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE439757T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602007001900D1 (en)
FI (1) FI20065033L (en)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI108105B (en) 2000-09-20 2001-11-15 Helvar Oy Ab Electronic connection arrangement for a fluorescent tube
DE10252834A1 (en) 2002-11-13 2004-05-27 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Discharge lamp e.g. florescent lamp, operating device, includes decoupling device provided with current control unit for controlling filament current, and a heating transformer unit
DE202004021717U1 (en) 2004-03-01 2010-07-01 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co. Kg Circuit arrangement for operating a gas discharge lamp with a heating transformer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE439757T1 (en) 2009-08-15
EP1811817A1 (en) 2007-07-25
DE602007001900D1 (en) 2009-09-24
FI20065033A0 (en) 2006-01-18
FI20065033L (en) 2007-07-19

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