JP6827199B2 - Dimming control device, lighting equipment, and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dimming control device, a luminaire, and a control method for realizing a smooth fade-in of illumination light.

Conventionally, a lighting fixture capable of dimming is known. As a lighting device used for a lighting fixture capable of such dimming, Patent Document 1 states that a switching power supply operating in a discontinuous mode can be used to stably dimming from a very weak light output to rated lighting. A lighting device for a semiconductor light emitting device is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-226924

By the way, lighting fixtures used for stage production and the like may be required to have a higher dimming function than general lighting fixtures. For example, lighting equipment used for stage production is required to fade in smoothly (gradually brighten) from the off state.

Further, in a stage or the like, when a plurality of lighting fixtures are faded in at the same time, it is required that the plurality of lighting fixtures start emitting light at the same time (light up at the same time). Here, if the brightness at the start of light emission instructed by the plurality of lighting fixtures by the dimming signal is too dark, some of the lighting fixtures may not start emitting light due to variations in the performance of the plurality of lighting fixtures. For this reason, the brightness at the start of light emission, which is instructed by the dimming signal to a plurality of luminaires, is brightened to some extent, but then the luminaire suddenly emits bright light, and the luminaires smoothly turn off. Difficult to fade in.

The present invention provides a dimming control device, a lighting fixture, and a control method capable of smoothly fading in a lighting fixture even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is bright.

The dimming control device according to one aspect of the present invention acquires a dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element, and controls the power supply circuit that supplies power to the light emitting element according to the acquired dimming signal. A control unit that gradually brightens the light emitting element by outputting a signal is provided, and the control unit causes the light emitting element to be brighter than a predetermined brightness when the acquired brightness indicated by the dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness. The control signal is output so as to reach the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period, and when the acquired brightness indicated by the dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness, the light emission is emitted. The control signal is output so that the element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a second period longer than the first period.

The lighting equipment according to one aspect of the present invention includes the dimming control device and the light emitting element.

The control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method of a power supply circuit that supplies power to a light emitting element, and the control method acquires and acquires a dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element. When the light emitting element is gradually brightened by outputting a control signal to the power supply circuit in response to the dimming signal, and the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness. The control signal is output so that the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period, and the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness. In some cases, the control signal is output so that the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a second period longer than the first period.

According to the dimming control device, the luminaire, and the control method of the present invention, a luminaire that smoothly fades in even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is bright is realized.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a conversion table. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a waveform of a control signal in the fading-in smoothing control. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of switching control of the smoothing period. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in the control signal in the switching control of the smoothing period. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the brightness of the light emitting element (lighting fixture) when the switching control of the smoothing period is performed. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to a modified example. FIG. 8 is an external view of a lighting fixture realized as a downlight. FIG. 9 is an external view of a lighting fixture realized as a spotlight.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below are comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, the order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept are described as arbitrary components. Moreover, each figure is not necessarily exactly illustrated. In each figure, substantially the same configuration is designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description is omitted or simplified.

Further, each figure is a schematic view and is not necessarily exactly shown. Further, in each figure, substantially the same configuration may be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[Lighting system configuration]
The configuration of the lighting system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting system 100 according to the embodiment includes a dimming table 10, a plurality of DMX (Digital MultipleX) -PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) converters 20, and a plurality of lighting fixtures 30. Be prepared. In FIG. 1, the lighting system 100 includes two sets of the DMX-PWM converter 20 and the lighting fixture 30, but at least one set may be provided. Further, the lighting system 100 may include three or more sets of the DMX-PWM converter 20 and a plurality of lighting fixtures 30.

The lighting system 100 is, for example, a system used for stage production and the like, and is a system for dimming the lighting fixture 30. The lighting system 100 can, for example, fade in the lighting fixture 30 (gradually brighten the light).

The dimmer 10 is a device that functions as a user interface in the lighting system 100. The dimmer 10 receives the user's operation and outputs a DMX signal according to the received operation. The dimmer 10 is, for example, an input reception device such as a dial, a slider, an operation button, a touch panel, a detection circuit that reads an operation on the input reception device, and a signal generation circuit / output that outputs a DMX signal by wire or wirelessly according to the operation. It is composed of circuits / communication circuits and the like.

The DMX signal is a signal that indicates the brightness of the luminaire 30, and is a standardized signal that conforms to the DMX communication protocol. The DMX signal is a signal indicating one of the 255 levels of the signal, and the brightness can be indicated by dividing it into 255 levels.

The DMX-PWM converter 20 is a device that converts a DMX signal output from the dimmer 10 into a PWM signal. The PWM signal is output to the luminaire 30 as a dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element 50. In FIG. 1, one DMX-PWM converter 20 outputs a dimming signal to one luminaire 30, but one DMX-PWM converter 20 outputs a dimming signal to a plurality of luminaires 30. It may be output. That is, one DMX-PWM converter 20 may be shared by a plurality of lighting fixtures 30.

The DMX-PWM converter 20 has a storage unit (not shown) in which a conversion table for converting a DMX signal into a PWM signal is stored, and converts the DMX signal into a PWM signal based on the conversion table. .. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a conversion table. As shown in FIG. 2, in the conversion table, the signal level of the DMX signal and the duty ratio of the PWM signal are associated with each other. In FIG. 2, for simplification of the description, the signal level of the DMX signal is represented by an integer value. The signal level of the DMX signal is, in other words, the amount of manipulation. The duty ratio associated with the signal level of the DMX signal in FIG. 2 is on-duty, but the duty ratio associated with the signal level of the DMX signal may be off-duty.

[Construction of lighting equipment]
Next, the configuration of the luminaire 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The lighting fixture 30 includes a dimming control device 40 and a light emitting element 50.

The luminaire 30 is, for example, a luminaire that emits white light as illuminating light. The luminaire 30 may emit light of a color other than white. The specific configuration of the luminaire 30 is not particularly limited. The specific configuration of the luminaire 30 will be described later.

The dimming control device 40 is a device that controls the dimming of the light emitting element 50. The dimming control device 40 includes an input circuit 41, a rectifier circuit 42, a PFC (Power Factor Direction: power factor improvement) circuit 43, a smoothing circuit 44, a power supply circuit 45, a control unit 46, and a storage unit 47.

The input circuit 41 is a circuit that receives AC power, and is composed of, for example, a connector connected to a commercial power source, a power filter, and the like.

The rectifier circuit 42 is a circuit that converts AC power into DC power, and is composed of a bridge diode or the like.

The PFC circuit 43 is a power factor improving circuit, for example, a DC-DC converter.

The smoothing circuit 44 is a circuit that smoothes the pulsating voltage / current to a voltage / current closer to direct current, and is composed of, for example, a capacitor, a choke coil, or the like.

The power supply circuit 45 is a power supply circuit that supplies power to the light emitting element 50 based on the control of the dimming control device 40. Specifically, the power supply circuit 45 supplies DC power to the light emitting element 50 in response to a control signal output from the control unit 46 included in the dimming control device 40. Specifically, the power supply circuit 45 is a switching type DC-DC converter circuit (step-down chopper circuit) having, for example, a diode D1, an inductor L1, a capacitor C1, a transistor Q1, a resistor R1, and a resistor R3. The transistor Q1 is an example of a switching element. The resistor R1 and the resistor R3 are not indispensable.

As will be described later, the control signal output from the control unit 46 is specifically a PWM signal (rectangular pulse signal). The control signal output from the control unit 46 is input to the gate of the transistor Q1 and switches (on and off) the transistor Q1. While the transistor Q1 is on, a DC voltage is supplied from the smoothing circuit 44 to the light emitting element 50, and a current flows through the light emitting element 50. On the other hand, while the transistor Q1 is off, the electromotive force generated by the inductor L1 is regenerated via the diode D1, smoothed by the capacitor C1, becomes a DC voltage, and is supplied to the light emitting element 50. Current flows through. A larger current flows through the light emitting element 50 as the on-duration of the control signal is longer.

The control unit 46 controls the power supply circuit 45 based on the dimming signal output from the DMX-PWM converter 20. The control unit 46 acquires a dimming signal (PWM signal) indicating the brightness of the light emitting element 50 from the DMX-PWM converter 20, and outputs a control signal to the power supply circuit 45 according to the acquired dimming signal. .. Specifically, the control signal is a PWM signal that switches (turns on and off) the transistor Q1. The control unit 46 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may be realized by a processor. Further, the control unit 46 may be realized by hardware by a dedicated or general-purpose electronic circuit composed of an A / D converter, a logic circuit, a gate array, a D / A converter and the like.

The storage unit 47 stores a program or the like for the control unit 46 to execute the smoothing control and the smoothing period switching control described later. The storage unit 47 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory or the like. The storage unit 47 may be built in the control unit 46 (microcomputer).

The light emitting element 50 is a light source of the lighting equipment 30, and emits light by the electric power supplied from the power supply circuit 45. The light emitting element 50 is specifically an LED (Light Emitting Diode), but may be another light emitting element such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence).

[Fade-in smoothing control]
Next, the operation when the lighting system 100 fades in the lighting fixture 30 will be described. When the user performs an operation of instructing fade-in via the dimmer 10, a DMX signal is output from the dimmer 10. The signal level of the DMX signal rises over time. When the signal level of the DMX signal is represented by an integer value as shown in FIG. 2, the signal level of the DMX signal becomes 0, 1, 2, ... With the passage of time.

The DMX-PWM converter 20 converts the DMX signal into a dimming signal (PWM signal) based on the conversion table shown in FIG. 2, and outputs the dimming signal obtained by the conversion to the control unit 46. The duty ratio of the output dimming signal changes with the passage of time based on the conversion table shown in FIG.

Here, in the fade-in of the lighting fixture 30 used for stage production, it is required that (1) the lighting fixture 30 gradually (smoothly) brightens from the extinguished state. However, when the dimming signal acquired by the control unit 46 is output as a control signal as it is, the brightness of the light emitting element 50 gradually increases according to the signal level of the DMX signal. Since the resolution of the signal level of the DMX signal is as low as 255 steps, if the light emitting element 50 is stepwise brightened according to the signal level of the DMX signal, the user may feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, the control unit 46 outputs a control signal so that the light emitting element 50 reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a waveform of a control signal in control for realizing such smooth fade-in (hereinafter, also referred to as fade-in smoothing control).

The control unit 46 detects, for example, that the signal level of the DMX signal has changed from 5 to 6, that is, the duty ratio of the dimming signal has changed. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 46 gradually changes the duty ratio D5 of the control signal corresponding to the signal level 5, and controls corresponding to the signal level 6 after the lapse of the first period T1 from the start of the change. The duty ratio D6 of the signal is reached. In other words, the control unit 46 outputs a control signal so that the light emitting element 50 reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal (the brightness of the change destination) from the brightness of the change source over the first period.

In such fade-in smoothing control, the control unit 46 has a finer resolution than the dimming signal and a time interval in which the brightness indicated by the dimming signal changes (time when the signal level of the DMX signal changes). The duty ratio of the control signal is changed at a time interval shorter than the interval). As a result, smooth fade-in is realized.

[Smoothing period switching control]
By the way, in the fade-in of the lighting fixture 30 used for stage production, in addition to (1) the lighting fixture 30 gradually (smoothly) brightens from the off state, (2) to the dimmer 10 It is also required that a plurality of lighting fixtures 30 start to emit light at the same time (light up at the same time) according to the operation of. However, it is not easy to realize these two points at the same time.

For example, when a conversion table as shown in FIG. 2 is used, each luminaire 30 starts emitting light when the signal level of the DMX signal reaches 3, but a duty ratio of a small value is set at the signal level 3 (light emission). If the brightness at the start is made too dark), the current flowing through the light emitting element 50 becomes small. Therefore, some of the luminaires 30 may not start emitting light due to variations in the circuits provided by the plurality of luminaires 30 and the like.

Therefore, a duty ratio of a large value is set in the signal level 3 so that a somewhat large current (for example, 100 μA) flows through the light emitting element 50 so that the plurality of lighting fixtures 30 surely start emitting light. Then, the plurality of lighting fixtures 30 become bright at once, and the above (1) cannot be realized.

Therefore, the control unit 46 controls the fade-in smoothing depending on whether the dimming signal has a duty ratio corresponding to a signal level of 3 or less and a dimming signal having a duty ratio corresponding to a signal level of 4 or more. Control is performed to change (switch) the length of the period (hereinafter, also referred to as a smoothing period) until the completion of the operation. In other words, the control unit 46 switches the responsiveness of the control signal to the dimming signal according to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of switching control of the smoothing period. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in the control signal in the switching control of the smoothing period.

The control unit 46 acquires a dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element 50 (S11). As described above, the dimming signal is a PWM signal output from the DMX-PWM converter 20.

Next, the control unit 46 determines whether or not the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness (S12). The predetermined brightness is, for example, the brightness corresponding to the signal level 3. That is, specifically, the control unit 46 determines whether or not the duty ratio of the acquired dimming signal is larger than the duty ratio corresponding to the signal level 3.

When the control unit 46 determines that the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness (Yes in S12), that is, the control unit 46 instructs the dimming signal to be brighter than the signal level 3. If it is determined that the light emitting element 50 is present, the light emitting element 50 outputs a control signal so as to reach the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1 (S13). As shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 46 specifically indicates the duty ratio D _start of the control signal by the dimming signal over the first period T1 of the duty ratio D _start . The duty ratio is gradually changed so as to have a duty ratio _End corresponding to the brightness.

On the other hand, when the control unit 46 determines that the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness (same as the predetermined brightness or darker than the predetermined brightness) (No in S12). That is, when it is determined that the dimming signal indicates the brightness of the signal level 3 or less, the light emitting element 50 takes the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period T2, which is longer than the first period T1. A control signal is output so as to reach it (S14). As shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 46 specifically indicates the duty ratio D _start of the control signal by the dimming signal over the second period T2 of the duty ratio D _start . The duty ratio is gradually changed so as to have a duty ratio _End corresponding to the brightness.

The predetermined brightness may be set to be equal to or higher than the brightness (brightness corresponding to the signal level 3) instructed by the dimming signal to start lighting the light emitting element 50. In other words, the brightness indicated by the dimming signal to start the light emitting element 50 may be equal to or less than a predetermined brightness.

According to such a switching control of the smoothing period, the lighting system 100 smoothly makes the lighting fixture 30 smooth even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission at the fade-in of the lighting fixture 30 is bright. Can be faded in. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the brightness of the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) when the switching control of the smoothing period is performed. In FIG. 6, as a comparative example, the brightness when the smoothing period switching control is not performed is also shown by a broken line.

As shown in FIG. 6, when there is no smoothing period switching control, that is, when only fade-in smoothing control is performed, the light emitting element 50 suddenly becomes bright after the start of lighting, and then relatively bright. It gradually brightens. If there is no control for switching the smoothing period, the amount of change in brightness changes significantly on the way, which may give the user a sense of discomfort.

On the other hand, when there is a switching control of the smoothing period, the light emitting element 50 is gradually (smoothly) brightened from the off state. When there is a control for switching the smoothing period, the brightness gradually changes, so that an effect that does not give the user a sense of discomfort can be obtained.

As described above, the lighting system 100 can smoothly fade in the lighting fixture 30 even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is bright in the fade-in of the lighting fixture 30.

[Modification example]
The circuit configuration of the power supply circuit 45 described in the above embodiment is an example. The power supply circuit 45 may be, for example, a constant current type circuit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to a modified example in which a constant current type circuit is adopted as a power supply circuit. In the following modification, the description will be focused on the differences from the above-described embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lighting system 100a according to the modified example includes a dimming table 10, a plurality of DMX-PWM converters 20, and a plurality of lighting fixtures 30a. The lighting fixture 30a includes a dimming control device 40a and a light emitting element 50, and the dimming control device 40 includes an input circuit 41, a rectifier circuit 42, a PFC circuit 43, a smoothing circuit 44, a power supply circuit 45a, and a control unit 46a. , And a storage unit 47.

The power supply circuit 45a has a diode D1, an inductor L1, a capacitor C1, a transistor Q1, and a resistor R1. Hereinafter, a circuit including a diode D1, an inductor L1, a capacitor C1, a transistor Q1, and a resistor R1 will also be described as a variable voltage source (DC-DC converter).

In the variable voltage source, a DC voltage is supplied from the smoothing circuit 44 to the light emitting element 50 while the transistor Q1 is turned on. On the other hand, while the transistor Q1 is off, the electromotive force generated by the inductor L1 is regenerated via the diode D1, smoothed by the capacitor C1, and supplied as a DC voltage to the light emitting element 50. The resistor R1 is not essential.

Further, the power supply circuit 45a further includes a transistor Q2 and a resistor R2. The transistor Q2 is a switching element connected in series with the light emitting element 50 and controlling the current flowing through the light emitting element 50. The transistor Q2 is, for example, an N-channel MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effective Transistor). The transistor Q2 also functions as a dropper circuit that drops the voltage applied to the load (light emitting element 50) from the variable voltage source due to the voltage drop (drain-source voltage) generated in the transistor Q2. The resistor R2 is a resistor for detecting a current, and is, for example, a resistance element having a small resistance value.

When the control unit 46a acquires the dimming signal from the DMX-PWM converter 20, the control unit 46a performs the following two controls. As one control, the control unit 46a controls the current flowing through the light emitting element 50. Specifically, the control unit 46a controls the current flowing through the light emitting element 50 by outputting a control signal to the gate of the transistor Q2 so that the light emitting element 50 emits light with the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal. To do. Since the control unit 46a controls the current flowing through the light emitting element 50, the control unit 46a detects (monitors) the current flowing through the light emitting element 50.

As another control, the control unit 46a controls the DC voltage output from the variable voltage source. Specifically, the control unit 46a outputs the DC voltage output from the variable voltage source by switching the transistor Q1 so that the voltage drop in the transistor Q2 becomes a predetermined voltage.

The control signal output to the transistor Q2 is a PWM signal. Similar to the above embodiment, the control unit 46a has a duty ratio of the control signal output to the transistor Q2 so as to reach the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1 or the second period T2. Gradually change.

Similar to the lighting system 100, the lighting system 100a described above can smoothly fade in the lighting fixture 30a even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is bright.

In the constant current type power supply circuit 45a, a shift in response (a shift in the relationship between the dimming signal and the brightness of the light emitting element 50) occurs during fade-in, and a “jump” of light occurs during fade-in. Etc. can be obtained.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the dimming control device 40 acquires a dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element 50, and responds to the acquired dimming signal to the power supply circuit 45 that supplies power to the light emitting element 50. A control unit 46 is provided which gradually brightens the light emitting element 50 by outputting a control signal. When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness, the control unit 46 controls the light emitting element 50 so that the light emitting element 50 reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1. Is output. When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than a predetermined brightness, the control unit 46 determines the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period T2 in which the light emitting element 50 is longer than the first period T1. The control signal is output so as to reach the point.

In such a dimming control device 40, if the predetermined brightness is set to be equal to or higher than the brightness instructed by the dimming signal to start lighting the light emitting element 50, the dimming control device 40 starts light emission. Even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal is sometimes bright, the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) can be smoothly faded in.

Further, the predetermined brightness may be the brightness instructed by the dimming signal to start the light emitting element 50.

As a result, the dimming control device 40 can smoothly fade in the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) even when the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is bright.

Further, the power supply circuit 45 includes a switching element, and the control signal may be a PWM signal that turns the switching element on and off. The switching element is, for example, the transistor Q1. When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness, the control unit 46 sets the duty ratio of the control signal to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1. It may be gradually changed so as to have a duty ratio corresponding to. When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than a predetermined brightness, the control unit 46 sets the duty ratio of the control signal to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period T2. It may be gradually changed so as to have a duty ratio corresponding to the above.

As a result, the dimming control device 40 can fade in the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) by switching the power supply circuit 45 by outputting a PWM signal to the power supply circuit 45.

Further, the power supply circuit 45 may be a DC-DC converter circuit that includes a switching element (transistor Q1) and an inductor L1 and supplies DC power to the light emitting element 50. The control unit 46 may generate an electromotive force in the inductor L1 by turning on and off the transistor Q1 by a control signal.

As a result, the dimming control device 40 can fade in the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) by switching the transistor Q1 included in the DC-DC converter circuit.

Further, the switching element (transistor Q2) may be connected in series with the light emitting element 50 as in the power supply circuit 45a included in the lighting system 100a. The control unit 46a may control the current flowing through the light emitting element 50 by turning the transistor Q2 on and off by the control signal.

As a result, the dimming control device 40a can fade in the light emitting element 50 (lighting fixture 30) by switching the transistor Q2 connected in series with the light emitting element 50.

Further, the dimming control device 40 may further include a power supply circuit 45.

As a result, the dimming control device 40 can include the electrode supply circuit 45.

Further, the present invention may be realized as a control method of the power supply circuit 45 that supplies power to the light emitting element 50. In this control method, the light emitting element 50 is gradually brightened by acquiring a dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element 50 and outputting a control signal to the power supply circuit 45 according to the acquired dimming signal. To do. In the control method, when the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness, the control signal is set so that the light emitting element 50 reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period T1. Output. The control method is that when the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is equal to or less than a predetermined brightness, the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period T2 in which the light emitting element 50 is longer than the first period T1. The control signal is output so as to reach.

In such a control method, if the predetermined brightness is set to be equal to or higher than the brightness indicated by the dimming signal to start lighting the light emitting element 50, the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission is set. Even when it is bright, the lighting fixture 30a can be smoothly faded in.

[Specific configuration of lighting equipment]
Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the luminaire 30 (or the luminaire 30a) will be described. For example, the lighting fixture 30 is realized as a downlight used for stage production and the like. FIG. 8 is an external view of the lighting fixture 30 realized as a downlight.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lighting fixture 30 realized as a downlight includes a circuit box 31, a lamp body 32, and a wiring 33. The circuit box 31 is a metal box that houses the dimming control device 40 (not shown). The lamp body 32 is a device to which a light emitting element 50 is mounted and embedded in a ceiling or the like to be fixed. The wiring 33 is a cable that electrically connects the dimming control device 40 in the circuit box 31 and the light emitting element 50 in the lamp body 32.

Further, the lighting fixture 30 may be realized as a spotlight used in, for example, a stage production. FIG. 9 is an external view of the lighting fixture 30 realized as a spotlight.

As shown in FIG. 9, the luminaire 30 realized as a spotlight includes a circuit box 34 and a lamp body 35. The circuit box 34 is a metal box that houses the dimming control device 40 (not shown), and is attached to a dedicated rail or the like. The lamp body 35 is an instrument equipped with a light emitting element 50.

Each of the lighting fixtures 30 described above includes a dimming control device 40 and a light emitting element 50.

As a result, if the predetermined brightness is set to be equal to or higher than the brightness indicated by the dimming signal to start lighting the light emitting element 50, the brightness indicated by the dimming signal at the start of light emission may be bright. However, the lighting fixture 30 that fades in smoothly is realized.

The lighting fixture 30 is not limited to a downlight or a spotlight. The luminaire 30 may be, for example, another type of luminaire such as a ceiling light, a chandelier, a pendant light, or a foot light. The lighting fixture 30 may be used for purposes other than stage production.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments.

For example, in the above embodiment, the smoothing control is performed when the luminaire is faded in, but the smoothing control may be performed when the luminaire is faded out (gradually darkened). Further, in addition to when the luminaire is faded in, the smoothing period switching control may be performed when the luminaire is faded out.

In the above embodiment, the control unit has acquired the PWM signal as the dimming signal, but the DMX signal may be acquired as the dimming signal. In this case, the DMX-WM converter is omitted in the lighting system.

Further, in the above embodiment, the dimming control device has an input circuit, a rectifier circuit, a PFC circuit, and a smoothing circuit, but these are not always necessary. The dimming control device may be a device that does not require these circuits, for example, a device that receives a DC voltage from a battery as an input.

Further, the circuit configuration described in the above embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above circuit configuration. That is, similarly to the above circuit configuration, the present invention also includes a circuit capable of realizing the characteristic functions of the present invention. For example, in the present invention, elements such as a switching element (transistor), a resistance element, or a capacitive element are connected in series or in parallel to a certain element within a range in which the same function as the above circuit configuration can be realized. included.

In addition, general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized in recording media such as systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs or computer-readable CD-ROMs. In addition, general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized by any combination of systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs and recording media. For example, the present invention may be realized as a lighting system according to the above embodiment. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of a power supply circuit, or may be realized as a non-temporary recording medium in which such a program is stored.

Further, as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated, one or a plurality of embodiments may be obtained by subjecting the present embodiment to various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, or by combining components in different embodiments. It may be included in the range of.

30, 30a Lighting equipment 40, 40a Dimming control device 45, 45a Power supply circuit 46, 46a Control unit 50 Light emitting element L1 inductor Q1 transistor (switching element)
Q2 transistor (switching element)
T1 first period T2 second period

Claims (7)

The light emitting element is gradually brightened by acquiring a dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element and outputting a control signal in accordance with the acquired dimming signal to a power supply circuit that supplies power to the light emitting element. Equipped with a dimming control unit
The control unit
When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness, the control signal is output so that the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period.
When the acquired brightness indicated by the dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness, the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a second period longer than the first period. said control signal outputs as,
The predetermined brightness is a dimming control device having the brightness indicated by the dimming signal to start emitting light from the light emitting element . The power supply circuit includes a switching element.
The control signal is a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal that turns on and off the switching element.
The control unit
When the acquired brightness indicated by the dimming signal is brighter than the predetermined brightness, the duty ratio of the control signal corresponds to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period. Gradually change to the duty ratio to be
When the acquired brightness indicated by the dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness, the duty ratio of the control signal is set to the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the second period. The dimming control device according to claim 1 , wherein the duty ratio is gradually changed to a corresponding duty ratio. The power supply circuit is a DC-DC converter circuit that includes the switching element and the inductor and supplies DC power to the light emitting element.
The dimming control device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit generates an electromotive force in the inductor by turning on and off the switching element by the control signal. The switching element is connected in series with the light emitting element,
The dimming control device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit controls a current flowing through the light emitting element by turning the switching element on and off by the control signal. The dimming control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising the power supply circuit. The dimming control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .
A lighting fixture including the light emitting element. It is a control method of a power supply circuit that supplies power to a light emitting element.
The control method is
A dimming signal indicating the brightness of the light emitting element is acquired, and a control signal is output to the power supply circuit in response to the acquired dimming signal to gradually brighten the light emitting element.
When the brightness indicated by the acquired dimming signal is brighter than a predetermined brightness, the control signal is output so that the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over the first period.
When the acquired brightness indicated by the dimming signal is equal to or less than the predetermined brightness, the light emitting element reaches the brightness indicated by the dimming signal over a second period longer than the first period. said control signal outputs as,
The predetermined brightness is a control method in which the dimming signal is the brightness instructed to start the light emitting element .

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