CN103134018A - Light adjusting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The dimming device includes: an operation part; a dimming control part; a dimming lower limit setting part; and a mode switching part. The operation part is operated by the user. The dimming control section is configured to determine a desired dimming level within the dimming range according to the operation of the operating section. The dimming control portion is configured to control power supplied to the lighting load to illuminate the lighting load to the determined dimming level. The dimming lower limit setting section is configured to adjust the supply power supplied to the lighting load at the lower limit of the dimming range. The mode switching part is configured to switch the operation mode of the dimming device to a lighting mode or an adjustment mode, in which the dimming control part lights up and dims the lighting load according to the operation of the operation part, and in the adjustment mode, dims The lower limit setting section adjusts the supply power supplied to the lighting load at the lower limit of the dimming range according to the operation of the operating section.

Description

Dimming device

technical field

The invention relates to a dimming device.

Background technique

A discharge lamp lighting device configured to light a discharge lamp at a desired dimming level according to a control signal is known (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-149408A). The discharge lamp lighting device is configured to dim (control a dimming level) by controlling supply power to the discharge lamp.

Recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been used for lighting purposes, and light emitting diodes generally have high brightness characteristics and low power consumption characteristics. Also, an LED bulb is provided that has the same base as a conventional incandescent bulb. Therefore, it may be considered to use LED bulbs in combination with a dimming device configured to control the light intensity of the lamp through a phase control method. Here, the minimum ignition voltage (minimum voltage at which an LED bulb starts to light) of an LED bulb often varies greatly from bulb to bulb. Therefore, if an LED bulb is used with a dimming device, when that LED bulb is replaced with a new one, the new LED bulb may not light up at the lower dimming limit because the lower dimming limit has been adjusted according to the previous LED bulb power supply at the location. Therefore, users need to adjust the "dimming lower limit" according to each LED bulb.

Contents of the invention

The present invention was made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a dimming device capable of easily adjusting the supply power at the lower limit of the dimming range.

The dimming device of the present invention comprises: an operating part; a dimming control part; a dimming lower limit setting part; and a mode switching part. The operating portion is operated by a user to set a dimming level of the lighting load. The dimming control section is configured to determine a desired dimming level within a dimming range according to an operation of the operating section, and is configured to control power supplied to the lighting load so that the determined dimming level Turn on the lighting load. The dimming lower limit setting section is configured to adjust supply power supplied to the lighting load at a lower limit of the dimming range. The mode switching section is configured to switch the operation mode of the dimming device between two modes: a lighting mode in which the dimming control section lights up and dims the dimming device according to an operation of the operating section. a lighting load; or an adjustment mode in which the dimming lower limit setting section adjusts the supply power supplied to the lighting load at a lower limit of the dimming range in accordance with an operation of the operating section.

In the dimming device, preferably, the dimming device further includes: a main body accommodating the dimming control part and the dimming lower limit setting part therein, and the operating part is located in front of the main body and a cover detachably attached to the main body so as to cover the front surface of the main body while exposing at least the operating portion. The mode switching part includes a detection module for detecting whether the cover is attached or detached, and is configured to switch the operation mode to the main body when the cover is attached to the main body. the lighting mode, and when the cover is detached from the main body, the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode.

In the dimming device, it is preferable that, in a case where the operation mode is switched to the lighting mode by the mode switching part, the operating range of the operating part corresponds to a dimming range of the lighting load; And in a case where the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode by the mode switching section, the operation range of the operation section corresponds to an adjustment range of supply power at a lower limit of the dimming range.

In the dimming device, it is preferable that the dimming device further includes: a light emitting part configured to be lit when the lighting load is turned off so as to indicate an installation position; and a notification part configured to The lighting part is caused to light up under a lighting condition different from that in which the lighting load is turned off, so as to notify that the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode.

According to the present invention, "supply power supplied to the lighting load at the lower limit of the dimming range" can be adjusted by operating the operation section under the condition that the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode by the mode switching section. Therefore, even when such a lamp whose lighting start voltage varies greatly is used as a lighting load, it is possible to reliably light the lighting load by adjusting the supply power at the lower limit of the dimming range according to each lighting load.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the dimming device of the present embodiment, Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the dimming device when the decorative board is removed, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the dimming device when the decorative board and the cover are removed;

Fig. 2 shows the dimming device of the present embodiment, Fig. 2A is its front view, Fig. 2B is its right side view, Fig. 2C is its rear view, and Fig. 2D is its bottom view;

Fig. 3 shows the dimming device of the present embodiment, Fig. 3A is its exploded perspective view, and Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the cover seen from the back;

Fig. 4 shows the block diagram of the dimming device of this embodiment;

Fig. 5 includes Fig. 5A to Fig. 5D, and Fig. 5A has shown the waveform diagram of the output voltage V1 of the full-wave rectifier; Fig. 5B has shown the waveform diagram of the output signal S1 of the zero-crossing detection part, and Fig. 5C has shown the switching element Q1 The waveform diagram of the open/closed state, and Figure 5D is a waveform diagram of the voltage V2 applied to the light load 3;

6 is an explanatory view of the dimming device according to the present invention for explaining the relationship between the operating position of the rotary handle and the dimming level;

Fig. 7 shows another example of the dimming device of this embodiment, Fig. 7A is the perspective view of the dimming device when the trim board is removed, and Fig. 7B is the perspective view of the dimming device when the trim board and the cover are removed Perspective; and

Fig. 8 shows another example of the dimming device of this embodiment, Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the dimming device when the trim board is removed, and Fig. 8B is a perspective view of the dimming device when the trim board and the cover are removed perspective.

Detailed ways

The dimming device of this embodiment will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the dimming device 1 of this embodiment. The dimming device 1 includes: connecting terminals T1 and T2 connected to an external circuit; a full-wave rectifier DB1; a switching element Q1; a control part 11; a zero-crossing detection part 12; an operating part (dimming operating part) 13; a mode switching part 14; a light emitting portion 15; and a memory 16. Note that in the present embodiment, the control section 11 has the functions of a "dimming control section" and a "dimming lower limit setting section" (described below).

A series circuit consisting of a commercial AC power source 2 and a lighting load 3 such as an LED bulb is connected between connection terminals T1, T2 as an external circuit. The AC input terminals of the full-wave rectifier DB1 are connected to connection terminals T1, T2, respectively.

The full-wave rectifier DB1 performs full-wave rectification of the input AC voltage from the connection terminals T1, T2 to convert it into a DC voltage. A switching element Q1 such as a thyristor (SCR) is connected between the DC output terminals of the full-wave rectifier DB1.

The voltage V1 is an AC power supply voltage full-wave rectified by the full-wave rectifier DB1 , and the voltage V1 is input to the zero-cross detection section 12 . The zero-cross detection section 12 compares the voltage V1 with a preset threshold Vth1 to detect a zero-cross point of the AC power supply voltage. The zero-cross detection section 12 outputs a signal S1 according to the comparison result of the voltage V1 and the threshold Vth1. When the voltage V1 is lower than the threshold Vth1, the signal level of the signal S1 output by the zero-crossing detection part 12 is low level (L), and when the voltage V1 is higher than the threshold Vth1, the signal output by the zero-crossing detection part 12 The signal level of S1 is high level (H) (see FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B ). Therefore, the signal level of the signal S1 of the zero-crossing detection section 12 is a low level (L) around the zero-crossing point of the AC power supply voltage.

The mode switching section 14 is used to switch (select) the operation mode of the dimming device 1 between two modes: "lighting mode", in which the lighting load 3 is lighted and dimmed; or "adjustment mode", in which " The supply power" supplied to the lighting load 3 at the lower limit of the dimming range is adjusted. That is, as an operation mode, the dimming device 1 of the present embodiment has a lighting mode and an adjustment mode. The lighting mode is used to light the lighting load 3 at a desired dimming level in the dimming range; the adjusting mode is used to adjust the dimming level. Supply power at the lower end of the light range. The operation mode (lighting mode and adjustment mode) of the dimming device 1 is switched (selected) by using the mode switching section 14 . In this embodiment, the operation mode of the control part 11 is switched between "lighting mode" and "adjustment mode" by the mode switching part 14, and the operation mode of the dimming device 1 is switched between "lighting mode" and "adjustment mode". mode" switch. The control section 11 functions as a dimming control section in the "lighting mode", and functions as a dimming lower limit setting section in the "adjustment mode". Note that hereinafter, "the value of the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 at the lower limit of the dimming range" is simply referred to as "the lower limit of supply", and is denoted as "Pa". That is, the "supply lower limit Pa" is adjusted in the adjustment mode.

The mode switching section 14 is composed of a tact switch 31 having a button 31a. The button 31 a is provided on the front surface of the main body 20 of the dimming device 1 . For example, in the case where the button 31a is pressed to turn on the tact switch 31, the operation mode of the control section 11 (the operation mode of the dimming device 1) is switched to the lighting mode (that is, the control section 11 is used as a dimming control part). For example, in the case where the button 31a is not pressed to turn off the tact switch 31, the operation mode of the control section 11 (the operation mode of the dimming device 1) is switched to the adjustment mode (that is, the control section 11 is used as the dimming lower limit settings section).

The operating section 13 includes, for example, a rotary body (not shown in the drawings) having an operating element and a power switch. The rotating body is configured such that the resistance value of the rotating body changes according to the rotational position of the operating element. Depending on the mode of operation of the dimming device 1, the operating part 13 is used for different purposes. That is, in the lighting mode, the operation section 13 is used to set the "dimming level of the lighting load 3". In the adjustment mode, the operation section 13 is used to set the above-mentioned "supply lower limit Pa". In the lighting mode, when the operating element of the rotating body is positioned at the off position by the user, the control part 11 (as a dimming control part) turns off the switching element Q1 to turn off the lighting load 3 . Also in the lighting mode, when the user rotates the operation member from the off position to a desired rotation position, the control section 11 (as a dimming control section) controls the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 according to the resistance value of the rotary body, thereby Depending on the swivel position, the lighting load 3 is illuminated at the dimming level. In the adjustment mode, when the operating member is positioned at a desired rotational position by the user, the control section 11 (as a dimming lower limit setting section) sets the supply lower limit Pa according to the resistance value of the rotating body.

The control section 11 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer or the like. The operation mode of the control section 11 is switched by the mode switching section 14 . As described above, the control section 11 functions as a dimming control section in the "lighting mode", and functions as a dimming lower limit setting section in the "adjustment mode". In the lighting mode, when a defined time (delay time t1; which corresponds to When the dimming level set by the part 13), the control part 11 (serving as the dimming control part) switches the switching element Q1 to the open state. Next, the control section 11 (serving as a dimming control section) operates the switching element Q1 to remain in the open state until the next zero-cross point (refer to FIG. 5C ). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5D , the phase angle of the supply voltage V2 supplied to the lighting load 3 is adjusted, and the power supplied to the lighting load 3 is adjusted. As a result, according to the setting of the operating section 13, the lighting load 3 is lit at a specific dimming level. Here, the larger the conduction phase angle (which is defined as the time period during which the switching element Q1 is turned on in a half cycle of the AC power source), the larger the power supplied to the lighting load 3 becomes, and thus, the power of the lighting load 3 becomes larger. Light output increased. Meanwhile, in the adjustment mode, according to the operation of the operation section 13, the control section 11 (serving as a dimming lower limit setting section) determines the supply lower limit Pa. Next, the control section 11 (dimming lower limit setting section) stores this value (supply lower limit Pa) in the memory 16 .

The light emitting section 15 includes, for example, a light emitting diode. The light emitting portion 15 is arranged such that the light emitted by it is visible from the outside of the dimming device 1 . In this embodiment, the lighting conditions (for example, lighting, blinking, and extinguishing) of the light emitting section 15 are controlled by the control section 11 . When the lighting load 3 is turned off, the control section 11 lights up the light emitting section 15 so as to reveal the position of the dimming device 1 . When switching to the adjustment mode, the control section 11 causes the light emitting section 15 to blink at predetermined time intervals in order to notify the user that the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode.

The memory 16 includes non-volatile memory. The memory 16 stores the value of the supplied power adjusted in the adjustment mode by the control section 11 (dimming lower limit setting section). That is, the memory 16 stores the supply lower limit Pa. Note that the memory 16 may be configured to store the delay time "t1" described above.

The detailed structure of the dimming device 1 is explained below with reference to FIGS. 1-3. In the following explanation, unless otherwise noted, the directions of upper (top), lower (bottom), right and left are defined according to the directions in FIG. 2A . In addition, the direction of "front" is defined on the left side in FIG. 2B, and the direction of "rear" is defined on the right side in FIG. 2B.

The dimming device 1 mainly includes a main body 20 and a cover 40 . The cover 40 is attached to the main body 20 so as to cover the front side of the main body 20 .

The main body 20 is constituted by combining the rear body 21 and the front body 22 . The rear body 21 is formed of synthetic resin and molded into a box shape having a front opening. The front body 22 is formed of synthetic resin into a shape having a rear opening. Therefore, the main body 20 is formed into a substantially box shape. Two engaging pieces 23 , 23 are provided on the rear end side of the top surface of the front body 22 , and two engaging pieces 23 are provided on the rear end side of the bottom surface of the front body 22 . Each engaging piece 23 protrudes rearward. Each engaging piece 23 is formed with a hole 23a. The rear body 21 is provided with protrusions 24 on its top and bottom surfaces. Here, each protrusion 24 is provided at a position corresponding to one of the holes 23 a of the engaging piece 23 of the front body 22 . The front body 22 is placed on the front side of the rear body 21 so as to cover each other's openings, and then each protrusion 24 is engaged with the corresponding hole 23a of the engaging piece 23, thereby merging the rear body 21 and the front body 22.

The main body 20 accommodates circuit components therein, and the circuit components relate to such as the connection terminals T1, T2, the full-wave rectifier DB1, the switching element Q1, the control part 11, the zero-crossing detection part 12, the operation part 13, the mode switching part 14, the light emitting part 15 And components such as memory 16 (shown in FIG. 4 ).

The main body 20 is formed to be attachable to a metal fixing frame 50 standardized for embedded wiring devices. The main body 20 is formed in a so-called "double module size" shape. Here, “single module size” is defined as the size of an embedded wiring device, whereby three devices can be installed side by side in the fixing frame 50 . Next, the dual module size is defined as the size in which two single module size devices are arranged vertically.

Near the front of the top surface of the front body 22 (constituting the front of the main body 20), at its right and left end portions, recessed grooves 28 are provided, and near the front of the bottom surface of the front body 22, at its At the right and left ends, recessed grooves 28 are provided. A substantially disk-shaped rotary handle 29 is rotatably attached to the front surface of the front body 22 (ie, the front surface of the main body 20). The rotary handle 29 is coupled to a rotary shaft (operating member) of a rotary body (not shown in the drawings) accommodated in the main body 20 . The front surface of the rotary handle 29 is provided with a groove 29 a serving as a mark for setting the rotary position of the rotary handle 29 . The front surface of the front body 22 is provided at its lower right corner with a recess 30 which is more rearwardly recessed than the rest of the surface. A button 31 a of a tact switch 31 (constituting the mode switching portion 14 ) is arranged at the recess 30 . The front surface of the front body 22 is provided with a shade 33 configured to emit light emitted from the light emitting part 15 (housed in the main body 20 ) outward. A lamp shade 33 is arranged below the rotary handle 29 .

As shown in FIG. 2C , two wire insertion holes 34 for inserting wires into the main body 20 are formed on the rear surface of the rear body 21 (constituting the rear part of the main body 20 ). In addition, the rear surface of the rear body 21 is formed with a tool insertion hole 35 arranged near the two wire insertion holes 34 . Here, a quick-connect type terminal device (not shown in the figure) is accommodated inside the main body 20, and the terminal device is composed of the above-mentioned connection terminals T1, T2. Electric wires inserted through the wire insertion hole 34 are connected to this terminal device. A tool (such as a flat-blade screwdriver) is inserted through the tool insertion hole 35 and pushed through the tip of the tool to bend the lock spring (not shown; it is included in the quick-connect type terminal device) away from the wire, whereby the wire can be easily removed from the wire. The terminal device is removed. Since it is well known, a detailed explanation of the quick-connect type terminal device is omitted here.

The cover body 40 is detachably attached to the front side of the main body 20 (ie, the front side of the front body 22 ). The cover body 40 is formed of synthetic resin, and is formed in a rectangular plate shape. A circular hole 41 for passing the rotating handle 29 is opened in the center of the cover body 40 . The elongated hole 42 for passing through the lampshade 33 is opened at a position lower than the round hole 41 . As shown in FIG. 3B , the rear surface of the cover body 40 is provided with an engaging piece 43 protruding rearward from a position corresponding to the top or bottom surface of the front body 22 . Each engaging piece 43 has a nail 43a. The nail 43 a of the engaging piece 43 is engaged with the corresponding recessed groove 28 , whereby the cover 40 is attached to the main body 20 . The rear surface of the cover body 40 is provided with a circular bar-shaped protrusion 44 protruding rearward from a position corresponding to the button 31 a of the tact switch 31 . With the cover 40 attached to the main body 20, the protrusion 44 presses the button 31a. In this configuration, therefore, the cover 40 is attached to the main body 20 so as to hide the tact switch 31 (the mode switching portion 14 ). In this embodiment, the mark used to indicate the rotation range of the rotary handle 29 is presented around the circular hole 41 on the front surface of the cover body 40 by, for example, printing. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the small dot D1 indicates the position of the lower limit of the dimming range, and the large dot D2 indicates the position of the upper limit of the dimming range. An arc L1 connecting between dots D1 and D2 indicates a movable range of the rotary handle 29 . Also, the character "OFF" is shown on the right side of the small dot D1. The "OFF" position indicates the off position of the power switch of the rotating body.

Each of the right and left sides of the front body 22 (constituting the front of the main body 20 ) is provided with a pair of engaging nails 25 near the upper end. Here, each side piece 51 of the fixing frame 50 is provided with a plurality of holes 53 . The engaging nail 25 is formed so as to engage with the hole 53 . Next, the main body 20 is attached to the fixing frame 50 by engaging the engaging nail 25 with the hole 53 . With the main body 20 attached to the fixing frame 50, almost the entire front surface of the main body 20 protrudes forward from the central window hole 50a of the fixing frame 50 (refer to FIGS. 1A, 1B). As shown in FIG. 3A , each of the right and left sides of the front body 22 is formed with a pair of slits 26 at upper and lower positions of the pair of engaging nails 25 . Each slit 26 opens on the rear side. With this configuration, the protruding piece 27 formed between the pair of slits 26 can be bent in the left-right direction. Here, each protrusion piece 27 is provided with a protrusion 27a at its rear end portion. When the protrusion 27a is pressed, the protrusion piece 27 bends inwardly. Thereby, the engaging nail 25 of the protrusion 27 is moved out of the hole 53 so that the engaging nail 25 is disengaged from the hole 53 . As a result, the main body 20 can be detached from the fixing frame 50 .

Each of the upper and lower frame pieces 52 of the fixed frame 50 is formed with an elongated hole 55 . The fixing frame 50 can be mounted to the construction surface by passing the fixing screws through the elongated holes 55 and then screwing the fixing screws together with the insert box hidden in the construction surface. Also, each of the upper and lower frame pieces 52 is formed with a hook hole 56 . A construction member (building member) including a panel (panel board) (not shown in the figure) is placed between the fixed frame 50 and the metal clip (not shown in the figure), and hooked to attach the metal clip to the construction hole 56, whereby the fixed frame 50 can be mounted to the construction member. In addition, each of the upper and lower frame pieces 52 is formed with a circular hole 57 . The fixing frame 50 can be mounted to the structural component by passing the fixing screw through the circular hole 57 and then screwing the fixing screw directly with the construction member. The fixed frame 50 is mounted to the construction surface by one of the above-mentioned attachment methods selected according to the mounting location.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , a plate frame 60 having a window hole 61 is attached to the front side of the fixing frame 50 . The window hole 61 is formed to have a longer vertical length and a longer horizontal length than the window hole 50 a of the fixing frame 50 . Each of the upper and lower frame pieces 52 of the fixing frame 50 is formed with a screw hole 54 . Next, each of the upper and lower frame pieces 62 of the plate frame 60 is formed with a through hole 63 at a position corresponding to the screw hole 54 . Fixing screws (not shown in the drawings) are passed through the through holes 63 of the plate frame 60 , and the fixing screws are screwed together with the screw holes 54 , thereby fixing the plate frame 60 to the fixing frame 50 .

A decorative plate 70 is attached to the front side of the panel frame 60 in order to improve appearance by covering the fixing frame 50 and screw heads of the above-mentioned fixing screws for fixing the panel frame 60 . The decorative panel 70 has a window hole 71 . The window hole 71 is formed with a slightly smaller size than the window hole 61 of the plate frame 60 . The trim board 70 is provided with nails (not shown in the drawings) formed on the rear surface thereof. The nails are engaged with engaging holes 64 formed at the right and left frame pieces of the panel frame 60 , whereby the trim panel 70 is attached to the panel frame 60 . With the decoration board 70 attached to the board frame 60 , the front surface of the dimming device 1 is exposed from the window hole 71 of the decoration board 70 .

Since the main body 20 (which, as described above, is formed to have a size of “dual module size”) is attached to the fixed frame 50 , a space of “single module size” remains in the fixed frame 50 . Therefore, the window hole 61 of the plate frame 60 is not completely closed. In the present embodiment, a blank cover 80 is attached to the panel frame 60 to close the space (refer to FIG. 1A ).

The dimming device 1 of the present embodiment has the above-mentioned constitution, and is mounted to a construction surface as described below. First, the builder (user) approaches the main body 20 to the fixed frame 50 from the rear side of the fixed frame 50, and then engages the engaging nails 25 at the right and left sides of the main body 20 with the holes 53 of the fixed frame 50, so that the builder The main body 20 is attached to the fixed frame 50 . Next, the builder pulls the electric wires (which are pre-wired in the rear space of the building's not-shown building surface) to the front side from unshown installation holes (which are formed in advance at the building surface). The builder peels off the covering on the tip side of the electric wire, and inserts the electric wire into the wire insertion hole 34 . Thereby, the electric wire is connected to the terminal device. Next, the builder places surplus (extra) wire into the mounting holes, and secures the fixing frame 50 to the construction surface so that the rear of the body 20 is inside the mounting holes. Next, the builder engages the nails 43 a of the engaging pieces 43 with the recessed grooves 28 of the front body 22 respectively, thereby attaching the cover body 40 to the front side of the main body 20 . Finally, the builder attaches the panel frame 60 and device panel 70 to the front side of the fixed frame 50 .

The protrusion 44 formed at the rear side of the cover body 40 presses the button 31 a of the tact switch 31 with the dimmer device 1 mounted to the construction surface. Therefore, based on a contact signal from the tact switch 31 (constituting the mode switching section 14 ), the operation mode of the control section 11 is switched to the "lighting mode". In this condition, since the rotary handle 29 is exposed through the circular hole 41 of the cover body 40 , the rotary handle 29 can be manipulated regardless of whether the cover body 40 is attached or not. In addition, since the shade 33 is exposed through the elongated hole 42 of the cover 40 , the light of the light emitting portion 15 can be seen through the shade 33 regardless of whether the cover 40 is attached. Note that, with the trim board 70 attached to the board frame 60 , the present embodiment is configured so that there is no gap between the window hole 71 and the cover body 40 for inserting a finger or a tool. Therefore, the present embodiment prevents removal of the cover body 40 in this case.

In the case where the operation mode of the control section 11 is switched to the lighting mode, the operating range of the rotary handle 29 (the rotating range between the dot D1 and the dot D2, which does not include the "OFF" position) corresponds to the dimming range.

In the lighting mode, when the user rotates the rotary handle 29 counterclockwise so that the groove 29a of the rotary handle 29 coincides with the "OFF" position, the power switch of the rotary body is switched to "OFF". In this case, the control section 11 (dimming control section) keeps the switching element Q1 turned off so as to cut off the power supply to the lighting load 3 , thereby turning off the lighting load 3 . The control section 11 keeps the light emitting section 15 turned on, and thus the control section 11 notifies the user of the installation position of the dimming device 1 .

In the lighting mode, when the user rotates the rotary handle 29 clockwise so that the groove 29a of the rotary handle 29 moves from the "OFF" position to the position of the dot D1, the power switch of the rotary body is switched to "ON". When the user rotates the rotary handle 29 so that the groove 29a of the rotary handle 29 coincides with the desired position between the dots D1 and D2, the control part 11 (dimming control part) lights up the lighting load 3 and dims it to a value corresponding to Dimming level for the rotary position of the rotary handle 29. For example, the control section 11 (dimming control section) applies a constant voltage to a series circuit consisting of a fixed resistor and a rotating body, and measures the voltage between both ends of the rotating body, thereby measuring the resistance value of the rotating body. Next, at the time point when the delay time t1 elapses after the output signal S1 of the zero-crossing detection section 12 transitions from low level (L) to high level (H), the control section 11 (dimming control section) switches the switching element Q1 Switch to open state. Note that, as described above, the delay time t1 is determined based on the rotational position of the rotary handle 29 (ie, the resistance value of the rotary body). Therefore, in the lighting mode, the control section 11 (dimming control section) sets the above-described delay time t1 according to the rotational position of the rotary handle 29 . After that, the control section 11 (dimming control section) keeps the switching element Q1 "on" until the next zero crossing of the AC power supply. In this embodiment, the conduction phase angle of the switching element Q1 is set according to the rotational position of the rotary handle 29 , so as to light and dim the lighting load 3 .

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the dimming level Y and the resistance value X of the rotary body, the rotary shaft (operating element) of which is coupled to the rotary handle 29 . The relationship between the dimming level Y and the resistance value X can be expressed as Equation (1) shown below. Here, when the resistance value X is set at the minimum value X0, the dimming level Y becomes minimum, and the minimum level is represented by "a" herein. When the resistance value X is set at the maximum value X1, the dimming level Y becomes maximum, and the maximum level is denoted by "Ymax" herein. Note that in the present embodiment, “supply power to the lighting load 3 when the dimming level Y is the maximum level Ymax” is predetermined and stored in the memory 16 . On the other hand, the value of the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 when the dimming level Y is the minimum level "a" (i.e., the supply lower limit Pa) is variable in this embodiment, and the value is adjusted in the adjustment mode . That is, the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 when the dimming level Y is the minimum level “a” is set by using the operation portion 13 in the adjustment mode, and the set value is stored on the memory 16 .

Equation (1)

$\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; Y</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\frac{{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; Y</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; max</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; -</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; a</span>}}{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; x</span>}\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 1</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; -</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; x</span>}\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 0</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&times;</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; x</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; -</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; x</span>}\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 0</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; +</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; a</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; .</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; .</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; .</span><span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 1</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>$

As described above, when the user rotates the rotary handle 29 to change the resistance value of the rotary body (whose rotary shaft is coupled to the rotary handle), the control section 11 (dimming control section) based on the input from the operation section 13 (ie, based on the rotary body resistance value) to determine the phase angle at which the switching element Q1 is turned on. Next, time t1 (which is determined based on the resistance value of the rotating body) elapses after the zero-crossing detection section 12 detects the zero-crossing point (that is, the output signal S1 transitions from low level (L) to high level (H)). ), the control part 11 (dimming control part) switches the switching element Q1 to an on state. After switching from the OFF state to the ON state by the control section 11 (dimming control section), the switching element Q1 remains turned on until the next zero-crossing point. The lighting dimming device 1 repeats the above behavior every half cycle of the commercial AC power supply 2 . Thus, the lighting load 3 is supplied with the AC voltage V2 whose conduction phase angle is determined by the control section 11 (dimming control section) (refer to FIG. 5D ). Then, according to the rotation position of the rotary handle 29, the lighting load 3 is turned on at the dimming level.

In the lighting mode, the dimming range of the lighting load 3 is defined as the range between the minimum level "a" and the maximum level Ymax. By operating the operation section 13 in the adjustment mode, the present embodiment can adjust the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 at the lower limit of the dimming range (ie, at the minimum level "a"). That is, the present embodiment can adjust the supply lower limit Pa in the adjustment mode.

In order to adjust the supply lower limit Pa, the user first detaches the decorative panel 70 from the panel frame 60 and detaches the cover 40 from the main body 20 . When the cover body 40 is detached, the button 31 a of the tact switch 31 (constituting the mode switching portion 14 ) is released, so that the operation mode of the control portion 11 is switched from the lighting mode to the adjustment mode. When the operation mode of the control section 11 is switched to the adjustment mode, the control section 11 blinks the light emitting section 15, thereby notifying the user that the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode. In the adjustment mode, the operating range of the rotary handle 29 (the rotation range between the dots D1 and D2, which does not include the "OFF" position) corresponds to the adjustment range of the supply lower limit Pa. Although not particularly limited, the upper limit of the adjustment range of the supply lower limit Pa is 20% of "the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 when the dimming level Y is the maximum level Ymax" (ie, 20% of the upper limit value of the supply power) . Although not particularly limited, the lower limit of its adjustment range is 0% of the upper limit value of the supplied electric power. In other words, in the adjustment mode, when the groove 29a of the rotary handle 29 coincides with the dot D2, the supply lower limit Pa is set at the upper limit of the adjustment range (for example, at 20% of the upper limit value of the power supply) . Also, when the groove 29a of the rotary handle 29 coincides with the dot D1, the supply lower limit Pa is set at the lower limit of the adjustment range (for example, at 0% of the upper limit value of the supplied electric power). In the adjustment mode, when the user operates the rotary handle 29 to a desired position, the control part 11 (used as a dimming lower limit setting part) determines the supply lower limit according to the rotary position of the rotary handle 29 (that is, according to the resistance value of the rotary body) Pa. Thereafter, the user attaches the cover 40 to the main body 20 . At this time, the button 31a is pressed by the protrusion 44 of the cover body 40, so that the operation mode of the control part 11 is switched from the adjustment mode to the lighting mode. Also at this time, the control section 11 causes the memory 16 to store the supply lower limit Pa determined based on the rotational position of the rotary handle 29 when the adjustment mode is ended.

After adjusting the supply lower limit Pa, in the lighting mode, the control section 11 (dimming control section) determines the dimming level by using the value of the supply lower limit Pa (supplied power at the lower limit of the dimming range ( The supply power at the minimum level "a")); the resistance value X that varies according to the rotational position of the rotary handle 29 ; and the above-mentioned equation (1). Then the control section 11 lights up the lighting load 3 based on the determined dimming level.

As described above, the dimming device 1 of the present embodiment includes: an operation part 13; a dimming control part; a dimming lower limit setting part; and a mode switching part 14 (in this embodiment, the control part 11 has a dimming control part and The function of dimming lower limit setting part). The operation section 13 is operated by a user in order to set the dimming level of the lighting load 3 . The control section 11 (serving as a dimming control section) is configured to determine a desired dimming level within the dimming range according to the operation of the operating section 13 . The control section 11 (serving as a dimming control section) is configured to control the power supplied to the lighting load 3 so as to light the lighting load 3 at the determined dimming level. The control section 11 (functioning as a dimming lower limit setting section) is configured to adjust the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 at the lower limit of the dimming range (ie, adjust the supply lower limit Pa). The mode switching section 14 switches the operation mode of the light adjusting device 1 (the operation mode of the control section 11 ) to a lighting mode or an adjustment mode. In the lighting mode, the control section 11 (serving as a dimming control section) lights and dims the lighting load 3 according to the operation of the operation section 13 . In the adjustment mode, the control section 11 (serving as a dimming lower limit setting section) adjusts the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 at the lower limit of the dimming range (supply lower limit Pa) according to the operation of the operating section 13 .

With this setting, in a case where the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode by using the mode switching section 14, the user can adjust the supply power supplied to the lighting load 3 at the lower limit of the dimming range through the operation section 13 (adjusting the supply lower limit Pa). That is, the user can adjust the supply lower limit Pa according to each lighting load 3 . Therefore, even when an LED bulb whose lighting start voltage generally varies greatly is used as the lighting load 3, the LED bulb can be reliably lit at the minimum level of the dimming range by adjusting the supply lower limit Pa. In addition, the operation section can be used for both purposes of setting the dimming level and setting the supply lower limit Pa. As a result, the number of parts of the device can be reduced.

The dimming device 1 of this embodiment further includes: a main body 20 and a cover 40 . The main body 20 accommodates a dimming control part and a dimming lower limit setting part (ie, the control part 11 ). A rotary handle 29 (ie, constituting the operation portion 13 ) is provided on the front surface of the main body 20 . The cover 40 is detachably attached to the main body 20 so as to cover the front surface of the main body 20 while exposing at least the operation portion 13 (rotation handle 29 ). The mode switching section 14 includes a detection unit for detecting whether the cover body 40 is attached or detached. Note that, in the present embodiment, the detection unit is composed of a tact switch 31 having a button 31 a configured to be pressed by the protrusion 44 of the cover body 40 . The mode switching portion 14 is configured to switch the operation mode to the lighting mode when the cover 40 is attached to the main body 20 and to switch the operation mode to the adjustment mode when the cover 40 is detached from the main body 20 .

With this configuration, it is possible to switch the operation mode between the lighting mode and the adjustment mode only by attaching/detaching the cover body 40 . Therefore, no extra work for switching the operation mode is required. In addition, the operation mode can be reliably switched from the adjustment mode to the lighting mode by attaching the cover body 40 to the main body 20 .

In this embodiment, in the state where the operation mode is switched to the lighting mode by the mode switching part 14, the operation range of the operation part 13 (the range between the dot D1 and the dot D2) corresponds to the adjustment of the lighting load 3. Light range (the range between the minimum and maximum levels of the dimming range). On the other hand, in the state where the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode by the mode switching portion 14, the operation range of the operation portion 13 corresponds to the adjustment range of the supply lower limit Pa (that is, the adjustment of the supply power at the lower limit of the dimming range). scope).

Note that the dimming range of the lighting load 3 corresponds to a range from a minimum level (which is eg determined among 0-20%) to a maximum level (100%). On the other hand, the adjustment range of the supply lower limit Pa corresponds to, for example, a range of 0%-20%. That is, the adjustment range (for example, 0-20%) in the adjustment mode is narrower than the settable range (0-100%) in the lighting mode. Therefore, in the adjustment mode, the present embodiment can finely adjust the supply lower limit Pa by associating the operating range of the operating portion 13 with the adjustment range of the supply lower limit Pa.

The dimming device 1 of the present embodiment further includes: a light emitting section 15; and a notification section (in this embodiment, the control section 11 also functions as a notification section). The light emitting part 15 is lit when the lighting load 3 is turned off, so as to indicate the installation position of the dimming device 1 . In the adjustment mode, the notification section causes the light emitting section 15 to be lit under a lighting condition different from that in which the lighting load 3 is turned off, thereby notifying that the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode.

With this configuration, in the adjustment mode, the control section 11 (which serves as the notification section) causes the light emitting section 15 to be lit under a different lighting condition than when the lighting load 3 is turned off. Therefore, the present embodiment can notify the user that the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode. In addition, the present embodiment uses the light emitting portion 15 for indicating the installation position in order to notify that the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode. As a result, the number of parts of the device can be reduced compared to the case where another light emitting portion is provided. As described above, the notification section of the present embodiment notifies that the mode is switched to the adjustment mode by blinking the light emitting section 15 . However, the configuration of the notification section is not limited to such one. For example, the notifying section may so notify the mode switching by causing the light emitting section 15 to emit light of a different wavelength compared to the case where the lighting load 3 is turned off. The notification section may notify the mode switching by means of a sound method such as a buzzer or a speaker. In addition, the notification section can perform notification by using both a light method and a sound method by using, for example, a light emitting diode and a buzzer or a speaker.

In the above-described embodiment, the mode switching section 14 includes the detection unit (tact switch 31 ) for detecting attachment/detachment of the cover body 40 , and the mode switching section 14 is configured to, when detecting the attachment/detachment of the cover body 40 , set the The operation mode is switched to the lighting mode, and when the attachment of the cover body 40 is not detected, the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode. However, the mode switching section 15 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the mode switching section 14 may be configured to be operable by a user.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the mode switching section 14 is composed of a slide switch 32 having an operation label 32a. The operation tab 32 a is located on the front surface of the main body 20 . By detaching the cover body 40 and changing the position of the operation tab 32a by the user, the operation mode of the control section 11 can be switched to the lighting mode or the adjustment mode. In the case of switching the operation mode to the adjustment mode by using the operation tab 32 a, the user can set the supply lower limit Pa by operating the rotary handle 29 . After setting, when the user slides the operation tab 32a to another position, the control section 11 causes the memory 16 to store the set value of the supply lower limit Pa, and the control section 11 switches the operation mode to the lighting mode. Next, the control section 11 controls the lighting load 3 to be turned on in the lighting mode.

In another arrangement shown in FIG. 8, the mode switching section 14 is composed of a tact switch 36 having a button 36a. The tact switch 36 is located on the front surface of the main body 20 . In this configuration, the rear surface of the cover body 40 is not provided with a protrusion for pressing the button 36a. That is, when the cover 40 is attached to the main body 20 , the button 36 a of the tact switch 36 is not pressed by the cover 40 . When the user detaches the cover 40 and presses the button 36a of the tact switch 36 for more than a predetermined time, the control section 11 switches the operation mode from the lighting mode to the adjustment mode according to the contact input from the tact switch 36 . Then, the user can set the supply lower limit Pa. Thereafter, when the user presses the button 36a of the tact switch 36 for more than a predetermined time, the control section 11 causes the memory 16 to store the set value of the supply power lower limit Pa, and the control section 11 switches the operation mode to the lighting mode. In this configuration, every time the user presses the button 36a of the tact switch 36 for more than a predetermined time, the operation mode of the control section 11 is alternately switched between the lighting mode and the adjustment mode.

In the above embodiment, the operating part 13 has a rotating body with a power switch, and when the groove 29a of the rotating handle 29 coincides with the position of the character "OFF", the lighting load 3 is turned off. However, lighting/extinguishing of the lighting load 3 may be switched by another configuration. For example, a switch may be connected between the dimming device 1 and a series circuit consisting of a commercial AC power source 2 and a lighting load 3 . In this configuration, the lighting load 3 can be turned on/off by the switch.

In the above embodiment, the control section 11 has two functions of the dimming control section and the dimming lower limit setting section, and when the operation mode is switched to the lighting mode, the control section 11 functions as the dimming control section, and when the operation When the mode is switched to the adjustment mode, the control section 11 functions as a dimming lower limit setting section. However, the dimming device 1 is not limited to this configuration. The dimming device 1 may have a dimming control section and a dimming lower limit setting section, respectively.

Claims (4)

1. light modulating device comprises:

Operation part, it is operated in order to the dimming level of lighting load is set by the user;

The brightness adjustment control part, it is configured to the dimming level of determining expectation in dimming scope that operates according to described operation part, described brightness adjustment control partly is configured to the electric power that is fed to described lighting load is controlled, in order to light described lighting load at determined dimming level place;

The light modulation lower limit arranges part, and it is configured to be supplied to the supply electric power of described lighting load to regulate to the lower limit place at described dimming scope; And

The pattern switching part, it is configured to the operator scheme of described light modulating device is switched to ignition mode or adjusting pattern, divide according to the operation of described operation part in dimming control part described in described ignition mode and light and the described lighting load of light modulation, at light modulation lower limit described in described adjusting pattern, part is set and is supplied to the described supply electric power of described lighting load to regulate according to the operation of described operation part to the lower limit place at described dimming scope.

2. light modulating device as claimed in claim 1,

Wherein, described light modulating device also comprises:

Main body, its inside have been held described brightness adjustment control part and described light modulation lower limit arranges part, and described operation part is positioned on the front surface of described main body; And

Lid, it removably is attached to described main body, in order to cover the described front surface of described main body and expose at least described operation part,

Wherein, described pattern switching part comprises detecting unit, and is that described detecting unit adheres to for detection of described lid or be disassembled, and

Wherein, described pattern switching part is configured to when described lid is attached to described main body, described operator scheme is switched to described ignition mode, and when described lid is disassembled from described main body, described operator scheme is switched to described adjusting pattern.

3. light modulating device as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

Wherein, at the opereating specification of operation part described in the described ignition mode described dimming scope corresponding to described lighting load, and

Wherein, in described adjusting pattern, the described opereating specification of described operation part is corresponding to the adjustable range at the described supply electric power at the described lower limit place of described dimming scope.

4. light modulating device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, described light modulating device also comprises:

Luminous component, it is configured to be lit when described lighting load is closed, in order to indicate the installation site; And

Notification section, it is configured to make described luminous component to be lit comparing under different ignition condition from the pent situation of described lighting load, so that notice: described operator scheme is switched to described adjusting pattern.

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