JP2003007489A - Electric discharge lamp lighting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make two or more kinds of electric discharge lamps, which have different characteristics from each other, carry out rated lighting. SOLUTION: It consists of a socket part 6 to which two or more kinds of electric discharge lamps 4A and 4B, which have different characteristics from each other, such as rated electric power and the like, can be attached or detached freely, a DC/DC converter 1 which boosts direct-current output of a direct-current power supply E, and an inverter circuit 2 which converts the direct-current output into an alternate- current output, an electric power control part 10 which varies supplied electric power to the electric discharge lamps 4A and 4B by controlling the DC/DC converter 1 and the inverter circuit 2, and a kind distinction part 8 which distinguishes the kind of the electric discharge lamps 4A and 4B, which have been equipped to the socket part 6. In the electric power control part 10, electric power control, which has contents that it is switched in an electric power control switching part 12 according to the control value outputted from a characteristic memory processing part 9, according to the distinction result of the kind distinction part 8, is performed. Consequently, the electric power suitable for the electric discharge lamps 4A and 4B equipped to the socket part 6 can be supplied, and the rated lighting of the electric discharge lamps 4A and 4B, which have two or more different kinds of characteristic each other, can be carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discharge lamp lighting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, halogen lamps have been used as headlights and fog lamps for automobiles, but recently, high-intensity discharge lamps (HID lamps) having higher brightness and longer life than halogen lamps. The use of is becoming popular. As such high-intensity discharge lamps, a plurality of types having different characteristics such as rated power are already on the market.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention As a discharge lamp lighting device for starting and lighting a high-intensity discharge lamp, control characteristics such as constant power control are individually addressed for each type of high-intensity discharge lamp. Therefore, it is difficult to urgently turn on a halogen lamp having a different rated power, such as a conventional halogen lamp. For example, it has been difficult to light a high-intensity discharge lamp having a rated power of 35 W with a discharge lamp lighting device corresponding to a high-intensity discharge lamp having a rated power of 50 W.

Further, among different types of high-intensity discharge lamps having the same rated power, so-called D2S or D2R type lamps, which require the same luminous flux rise as halogen lamps, and DLL type lamps, in which long life is prioritized. In each case, a dedicated discharge lamp lighting device is required, and when switching the high-intensity discharge lamp to a different type, the discharge lamp lighting device also needs to be replaced, which causes a problem of cost increase.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a discharge lamp lighting device capable of rated lighting of a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different characteristics. .

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 has a socket portion to which a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different characteristics such as rated power are detachably mounted,
First power conversion means for converting the direct current output of the direct current power source to a desired direct current output, and a direct current output obtained by the first power conversion means for converting to an alternating current output and mounted on the socket portion. Second power conversion means for supplying the electric lamp, control means for controlling the first and second power conversion means to vary the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp, a starting means for starting the discharge lamp, and a socket part. The control means is characterized by supplying electric power suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket portion according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means. A plurality of different kinds of discharge lamps can be rated-lit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means is suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket part by controlling the first power conversion means according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means. The same operation as the invention of claim 1 is achieved.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means is suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket part by controlling the second power conversion means according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means. The same operation as the invention of claim 1 is achieved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means controls the first and second electric power converting means in accordance with the discrimination result of the discriminating means, so that the socket is mounted on the socket portion. The present invention is characterized by supplying electric power suitable for an electric lamp, and has the same effect as the invention of claim 1.

The invention of claim 5 is the invention of claim 2 or 3 or 4.
In the invention of, an abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality of the discharge lamp in the transition period from the start to the rated lighting state,
The abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality in the discharge lamp according to the determination result of the determination means and the determination reference switching means that switches the determination reference in the abnormality determination means to the determination reference suitable for the type of the discharge lamp mounted in the socket part. When the determination is made, the control means controls at least one of the first and second power conversion means to reduce the power supplied to the discharge lamp. By switching the determination standard, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the determining means is provided in the socket portion and is turned on or off in accordance with a structural difference of each type of discharge lamp. It is characterized by having elements, and it becomes possible to discriminate the product type only by mounting the discharge lamp on the socket portion.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Embodiment 1) This embodiment applies the present invention to a vehicle-mounted discharge lamp lighting device to light a high-intensity discharge lamp (HID lamp) used for a headlight or a fog lamp. To do. In the present embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
And a DC / DC converter 1 as first power conversion means for converting an input voltage from the DC power source E into a desired DC voltage.
And an inverter circuit 2 as second power conversion means for converting the DC voltage of the DC / DC converter 1 into a rectangular wave AC voltage of low frequency (for example, several 100 Hz) and supplying the rectangular wave AC voltage to a discharge lamp 4 such as a metal halide lamp. An igniter circuit 3 that starts a discharge lamp 4 by causing a dielectric breakdown by applying a high voltage to the discharge lamp 4 when power supply to the discharge lamp 4 is started.
And a control unit 5 for controlling the DC / DC converter 1, the inverter circuit 2, and the igniter circuit 3, and a plurality of types of discharge lamps 4 having different characteristics such as rated power (hereinafter, " 4A "and" 4B ") are detachably mounted. As the plurality of types of discharge lamps 4, for example, D2S having a rated power of 35 W
Alternatively, there are a D2R type discharge lamp 4A and a DLL type discharge lamp 4B having a rated power of 35W. The DC / DC converter 1 includes, for example, a switching element, an inductor,
It comprises a conventionally well-known boost chopper circuit having a diode, a smoothing capacitor and the like.

The control unit 5 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and has a voltage detection unit 7 for detecting the voltage (lamp voltage) supplied to the discharge lamp 4, and a transient characteristic of the lamp voltage immediately after the discharge lamp 4 is started. The type discriminating unit 8 which discriminates the type of the discharge lamp 4 mounted in the socket unit 6 based on the above, and the control values corresponding to the characteristics of the various discharge lamps are stored in a data table or the like, and the discriminating unit 8 discriminates A characteristic storage processing unit 9 for reading out a control value suitable for the type of the discharge lamp 4 mounted in the socket unit 6 from the data table by referring to a data table or the like based on the result, and outputting the same.
A power control unit 10 that controls the C converter 1 or the inverter circuit 2 to vary the power supplied to the discharge lamp 4, and a slow leak that is one of the failure states of the discharge lamp 4 based on the detection result of the voltage detection unit 7. Slow leak determination unit 11 that determines whether or not (a phenomenon in which the lamp voltage drops due to gas leak in the arc tube and an excessive current continues to flow to the discharge lamp 4)
And a power control switching unit 12 that switches the power control in the power control unit 10 according to the control value output from the characteristic storage processing unit 9 to the content according to the type of the discharge lamp 4, and the characteristic storage processing unit 9 outputs. And a determination reference switching unit 13 that switches the determination reference of the slow leak to the slow leak determination unit 11 according to the control value.

FIG. 2 shows the characteristics of the lamp voltage VLA in the transition period from the start of the two types of discharge lamps 4A and 4B to the rated lighting state. In FIG. 2, the discharge lamp 4
The lamp voltage characteristic of A is shown by a solid line, and the lamp voltage characteristic of the discharge lamp 4B is shown by a dotted line. As is apparent from FIG. 2, the lamp voltage V of the discharge lamp 4B is different from that of the discharge lamp 4A.
The rising edge of LA is gradual, and the type determination unit 8
In, the type of the discharge lamp 4 mounted in the socket 6 can be discriminated from the detected voltage (lamp voltage) in the transition period detected by the voltage detection unit 7.

Further, the slow leak determination section 11 compares the lamp voltage VLA detected at a predetermined detection timing (elapsed time after the discharge lamps 4A, 4B are started) Ta in the transition period with a predetermined threshold value Vth1. Lamp voltage VL
When A is below the threshold value Vth1, it is determined that a slow leak has occurred, and a slow leak determination signal is output to the power control unit 10. Upon receiving the slow leak determination signal, the power control unit 10 controls the DC / DC converter 1 to reduce its output or stop the operation of the DC / DC converter 1 to protect it.

Here, the detection timing Ta and the threshold value Vth1 are values adapted to one of the discharge lamps 4A, and when the other discharge lamp 4B is attached to the socket portion 6, it is detected at the detection timing Ta. The lamp voltage VLA becomes lower than the threshold value Vth1, and it is erroneously determined that a slow leak has occurred even though the discharge lamp 4B is normal, and the discharge lamp 4B cannot be turned on at the rated lighting.

Therefore, the erroneous determination as described above is prevented by the determination criterion switching unit 13 switching the determination criterion of the slow leak for the slow leakage determination unit 11 according to the control value output from the characteristic storage processing unit 9. You can For example, the control value output from the characteristic storage processing unit 9 is the discharge lamp 4
If it conforms to B, whether the determination reference switching unit 13 switches the detection timing from Ta to Tb (see FIG. 3) or the threshold value from Vth1 to Vth2 (Vth1> Vth).
Switch to 2) (see FIG. 4). As a result, the slow leak of the discharge lamp 4B is correctly determined even when the discharge lamp 4B is attached to the socket portion 6, and the discharge lamp 4B is incorrectly determined.
There is no fear that the rated lighting will not be possible.

Further, the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp 4A in the transient period is about twice as much as that at the rated lighting, but the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp 4B in the transient period is extended in order to prolong the life. It is desirable to reduce the power. Therefore, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the discharge lamp 4 attached to the socket 6 is the discharge lamp 4B, the power control switching unit 12 controls the power according to the control value output from the characteristic storage processing unit 9. The power control in the unit 10 is switched to the content according to the type of the discharge lamp 4. For example, if the control value output from the characteristic storage processing unit 9 is suitable for the discharge lamp 4B, the power control switching unit 1
2 instructs the power control unit 10 to reduce the supplied power in the transition period. Then, from the time point T1 instructed as shown in FIG. 5, the power control unit 10 controls at least one of the DC / DC converter 1 and the inverter circuit 2 to supply the power supplied to the discharge lamp 4B in the transition period. Four
Since it is reduced to a level suitable for B, the life of the discharge lamp 4B is not deteriorated. In FIG. 5, the characteristic of the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp 4A is shown by a solid line, and the characteristic of the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp 4B is shown by a dotted line.

By the way, as another type of discharge lamp, a DLL type discharge lamp 4C having a rated power of 50 W is used as a socket portion 6.
Consider the case of being attached to. Two types of discharge lamps 4A, 4C
The characteristic of the lamp voltage VLA in the transition period from the start of the lamp to the rated lighting state is as shown in FIG.
The lamp voltage characteristic of the discharge lamp 4A is shown by a solid line, and the lamp voltage characteristic of the discharge lamp 4C is shown by a dotted line. As is apparent from FIG. 6, the lamp voltage VLA of the discharge lamp 4C rises gently with respect to the discharge lamp 4A, and the voltage detection unit 7 in the type determination unit 8 is the same as in the discharge lamp 4B. It is possible to determine the type of the discharge lamp 4 mounted in the socket portion 6 from the detected voltage (lamp voltage) in the transition period detected by the above.

On the other hand, the electric power supplied to the discharge lamps 4A and 4C in the transient period is about twice as much as that at the rated lighting, but the power supplied to the discharge lamp 4A is supplied at the rated lighting. It must be lower than the power supplied to 4C.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the discharge lamp 4 attached to the socket unit 6 is the discharge lamp 4A, the power control switching unit 1 according to the control value output from the characteristic storage processing unit 9.
2 switches the power control in the power control unit 10 to the content according to the type of the discharge lamp 4. For example, the characteristic storage processing unit 9
If the control value output from is suitable for the discharge lamp 4A, the power control switching unit 12 instructs the power control unit 10 to reduce the supplied power during the rated lighting. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, after shifting to the rated lighting, the power control unit 10 controls at least one of the DC / DC converter 1 and the inverter circuit 2 to supply the power supplied to the discharge lamp 4A to the discharge lamp 4A. Since it is reduced to the level, the discharge lamp 4A can be turned on with the rated lighting. In FIG. 7, the characteristic of the power supplied to the discharge lamp 4A is shown by a solid line,
The characteristic of the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp 4C is indicated by a dotted line.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to light the discharge lamps 4A and 4B having a rated power of 35 W by the discharge lamp lighting device corresponding to the discharge lamp 4C having a rated power of 50 W. Further, it is possible to light both the discharge lamp 4A that has the same rated power but requires the same luminous flux rise as the halogen lamp and the discharge lamp 4B that prioritizes long life, and the discharge lamp 4 of a different type can be used. Even if they are switched to ones, they can be used in common and the cost can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the present embodiment. However, the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the common components and the description thereof will be omitted.

The discharge lamp 4 is formed of a synthetic resin base 20 which serves as a reference when being fixed to a reflection plate (not shown) and the like, and is made of quartz glass in a substantially cylindrical shape. Arc tube 21 in which is inserted and is supported in an upright state
And a substantially cylindrical shape made of quartz glass.
The outer tube 22 has both ends welded to the arc tube 21 so as to cover the outer side of the above, and the cap portion 26 protruding from the base 20 and fitted into the socket portion 6. The arc tube 21 has a light emitting portion 21a in which mercury, a metal halide, and a starting gas (such as xenon) are sealed, and the tips of the light emitting portions 21a are light emitting portions 21a.
A pair of electrodes 2 which are arranged opposite to each other and are separated from each other by a predetermined distance and whose other ends are led out from both ends of the arc tube 21.
3 and 24, a high-voltage pulse is applied between the electrodes 23 and 24 to cause discharge in the light emitting section 21a, and a voltage is continuously applied between the electrodes 23 and 24 to cause the discharge. Is maintained and the lighting is maintained.

Here, the base 20 has discharge lamps 4A and 4B.
The recesses 25 are provided at different positions depending on the type (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the socket 6 is provided with a detection switch 15. As shown in FIG. 11, the detection switch 15 has a case 15a and an operation pin 15b that projects forward and backward from the case 15a. When the operation pin 15b is pushed into the case 15a, the contacts inside the case 15a (Not shown) is turned on. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the discharge lamp 4A is mounted in the socket portion 6, if the operation pin 15b of the detection switch 15 is prevented from entering the recess 25 and the operation pin 15b is not operated, the type determination portion 8 Then, the types of the discharge lamps 4A and 4B can be discriminated according to the on / off state of the detection switch 15. 3
When determining the types of discharge lamps 4 or more, the recess 25
The plurality of detection switches 15 according to the position of the socket 6
It should be installed in.

Then, the type discriminating unit 8 discriminates the type of the discharge lamp 4 mounted in the socket unit 6 by using the detection switch 15, and the electric power control switching unit 12 operates according to the discriminating result of the type discriminating unit 8. The power control unit 10 is instructed to control the supplied power at the time of rated lighting to a value according to the type of the discharge lamp 4.
Then, since the power control unit 10 controls at least one of the DC / DC converter 1 and the inverter circuit 2 to adjust the power supplied to the discharge lamp 4 to a level suitable for the type, the discharge lamps 4A of different types are provided. , 4B can be rated lighted.

[0026]

According to the invention of claim 1, a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different characteristics such as rated power are detachably mounted, and a DC output of a DC power source is converted into a desired DC output. First power converting means for obtaining, and second power converting means for converting the DC output obtained by the first power converting means into an AC output and supplying the AC output to the discharge lamp mounted in the socket portion,
Control means for controlling the first and second power conversion means to vary the power supplied to the discharge lamp, starting means for starting the discharge lamp, and discrimination means for discriminating the type of the discharge lamp mounted in the socket portion. Since the control means supplies the electric power suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket according to the determination result of the determining means, it is possible to perform the rated lighting of a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different characteristics, The discharge lamp can be used in common and the cost can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means is suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket part by controlling the first power conversion means according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means. Since the electric power is supplied, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means is suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket part by controlling the second power conversion means according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means. Since the electric power is supplied, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means controls the first and second electric power conversion means in accordance with the discrimination result of the discrimination means, so that the socket mounted on the socket is released. Since the electric power suitable for the electric light is supplied,
The same effect as that of the invention can be obtained.

The invention of claim 5 is the invention of claim 2 or 3 or 4.
In the invention of, an abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality of the discharge lamp in the transition period from the start to the rated lighting state,
The abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality in the discharge lamp according to the determination result of the determination means and the determination reference switching means that switches the determination reference in the abnormality determination means to the determination reference suitable for the type of the discharge lamp mounted in the socket part. When the determination is made, the control means controls at least one of the first and second power conversion means to reduce the power supplied to the discharge lamp. Therefore, the determination criterion is set according to the type of the discharge lamp. There is an effect that erroneous determination can be prevented by switching.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the determining means is provided in the socket portion and is turned on or off depending on the structural difference of each type of discharge lamp. Since it has the elements, there is an effect that the product type can be discriminated only by mounting the discharge lamp on the socket portion.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of the above.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the above.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the above.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the above.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the above.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the above.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the discharge lamp of the above.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the discharge lamp and the socket portion in the above.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 DC / DC converter 2 Inverter circuit 3 igniter circuit 4A, 4B discharge lamp 5 control unit 6 Socket part 7 Voltage detector 8 Classification section 9 Characteristic storage processing unit 10 Power control unit 11 Slow leak discrimination section 12 Power control switching unit 13 Judgment standard switching section

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A socket part to which a plurality of types of discharge lamps having different characteristics such as rated power are detachably mounted, and a first power conversion means for converting the DC output of a DC power supply to a desired DC output. And a second power conversion means for converting the DC output obtained by the first power conversion means into an AC output and supplying the AC output to the discharge lamp mounted in the socket, and the first and second power conversion means. Control means for controlling and varying the power supplied to the discharge lamp, starting means for starting the discharge lamp, and determination means for determining the type of the discharge lamp mounted in the socket portion, the control means being the determination means. A discharge lamp lighting device, characterized in that electric power suitable for a discharge lamp attached to a socket is supplied in accordance with a result of the determination. 2. The control means controls the first power conversion means in accordance with the determination result of the determination means to supply the power suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket portion. The discharge lamp lighting device according to 1. 3. The control means controls the second power conversion means in accordance with the discrimination result of the discrimination means to supply the electric power suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket part. The discharge lamp lighting device according to 1. 4. The control means controls the first and second power conversion means in accordance with the discrimination result of the discrimination means to supply electric power suitable for the discharge lamp mounted in the socket part. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1. 5. The abnormality determination means for determining abnormality of the discharge lamp in the transition period from the start to the rated lighting state, and the determination criteria of the abnormality determination means according to the determination result of the determination means are mounted on the socket part. A determination reference switching unit for switching to a determination reference suitable for the type of discharge lamp, and when the abnormality determination unit determines that the discharge lamp is abnormal, the control unit is at least one of the first and second power conversion units. The discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein one of them is controlled to reduce the power supplied to the discharge lamp. 6. The discriminating means comprises one or a plurality of switch elements which are provided in the socket portion and are turned on or off in accordance with a structural difference between discharge lamp types. Discharge lamp lighting device.