JP6233701B2 - Lighting device and lighting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device and a lighting fixture having the lighting device, and more particularly to a lighting device that lights a plurality of light sources having different voltage drops when a current of the same magnitude flows, and a lighting fixture having the lighting device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a lighting apparatus including a light source unit having a semiconductor light emitting element group such as a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) such as green light, blue light, and red light that have different emission colors and a lighting device that lights the light source unit. It's being used.
In addition, in such a lighting fixture, there are also those that can adjust the chromaticity or intensity of the mixed light of the emitted light by adjusting the intensity of the light emitted from the LED group of each color. is there.

Such a lighting device lighting device includes a DC power supply and a plurality of constant current circuits provided in series with respect to each LED group, and the switching element of the constant current circuit is a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) method. One that adjusts the current of each LED group by adjusting the on-duty ratio is known.
On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, switching elements are connected to two LED groups having different color temperatures, and the duty ratio is adjusted, and each LED group is blinked alternately in a time-sharing manner at a constant period. There is also known a technique for adjusting the light temperature emitted from the two LED groups and adjusting the color temperature of the emitted color emitted as a mixed color from the two LED groups. In the case of such a system, it is not necessary to provide a constant current circuit for each LED group, so that the circuit in the lighting device can be reduced in size and cost.

JP2011-258517A

  However, since the layer structure and the material are different when the emission color is different, the magnitude of the voltage drop when the same current flows is different. Therefore, in the case of the method of Patent Document 1, when the LED groups that supply power are sequentially switched, an excessive inrush current may flow to the LED groups that are switched on. When an excessive inrush current occurs, stress and damage may be applied to the LED and the switching element, which may shorten the life of the lighting device and the lighting fixture.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a lighting device and a lighting fixture capable of suppressing an excessive current from flowing to a light source in a method of switching and lighting a plurality of light sources having different voltage drops in a time division manner. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, a lighting device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a lighting device that lights a light source unit having a plurality of light sources having different voltage drops when the same current flows. The lighting device includes: an output adjustment circuit that adjusts output DC power; a plurality of light source switches that are connected in series with each of the plurality of light sources in a one-to-one relationship to form a series load circuit; and the plurality of light sources And a control processing unit for controlling the current to be supplied to each. Each of the series load circuits is connected in parallel to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit. The control processing unit switches on / off of the plurality of light source switches according to a predetermined repetition order so that ON periods of the plurality of light source switches do not overlap each other. Then, in the predetermined repetition order, the control processing unit switches the difference between the light source to which the light source switch after the switching is connected is smaller than that before the switching, in which the difference is maximum. Inrush control is performed in accordance with this. The inrush suppression control is a control that suppresses an inrush current flowing in the series load circuit after the switching that maximizes the difference.

Further, in another aspect, the control processing unit includes the light source having the voltage drop smaller than the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch before the switching is connected in the predetermined repetition order. The inrush suppression control may be performed on the series load circuit.
According to another aspect, an inrush suppression circuit in which a switching element is connected in series to an impedance element is connected in parallel to the plurality of series load circuits at an output end of the output adjustment circuit. The unit may turn on the switching element.

Moreover, in another aspect, in the rush suppression control, the control processing unit is a first rush suppression period shorter than the ON period of the light source switch included in the series load circuit that is a control target of the rush suppression control. During this period, the light source switch may be turned on and off intermittently.
Moreover, in another aspect, you may provide the electric current detection part which detects the electric current which flows into the said series load circuit. In the rush suppression control, the control processing unit is included in the series load circuit that is a control target of the rush suppression control until the current value detected by the current detection unit reaches an allowable current value. Turn on the light source switch. When the current value detected by the current detection unit reaches the allowable current value, the light source switch may be intermittently turned on / off during the second inrush suppression period. In the second inrush suppression period, the on time of the light source switch included in the series load circuit that is a control target of the inrush suppression control is a period during which the light source switch is turned on until the predetermined allowable current value is reached. It may be a period shorter than the period subtracted from the period.

  In another aspect, in the predetermined repetition order, the light source switch connected to the light source having the smallest voltage drop among the plurality of light sources is turned on in order from the light source switch connected to the light source having the smallest voltage drop. Also good. When the ON period of the light source switch connected to the light source having the largest voltage drop is completed, the control processing unit returns to the beginning of the predetermined repetition order and the light source switch connected to the light source having the smallest voltage drop. May be turned on again, and the rush suppression control may be performed.

In another aspect, the control processing unit may adjust the length of the on period of each of the plurality of light source switches.
In another aspect, a DC power supply circuit may be further provided, and the output adjustment circuit may include a chopping switch connected to an output terminal of the DC power supply circuit. The control processing unit may adjust the current output from the output adjustment circuit by a chopping operation that repeatedly turns on and off the chopping switch.

In another aspect, the control processing unit may adjust a length of an operation period of the chopping operation in the on period of each of the plurality of light source switches.
In another aspect, the control processing unit prior to the switching, in the predetermined repetition order, the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after the switching is connected is smaller than before the switching. Then, the following control may be performed. That is, during the first period, the chopping switch may be turned off to stop the chopping operation, and at the same time as the switching, control may be performed to restart the chopping operation with respect to the chopping switch.

  In another aspect, the control processing unit precedes the switching in which the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after the switching is connected is larger than that before the switching in the predetermined repetition order. Then, the following control may be performed. That is, the chopping operation may be paused for a second period shorter than the first period, and the chopping operation may be resumed for the chopping switch along with the switching.

In another aspect, the control processing unit precedes the switching in which the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after the switching is connected is larger than that before the switching in the predetermined repetition order. Thus, the chopping operation need not be paused.
In another aspect, the plurality of light sources having different voltage drops may have different emission colors.

  Moreover, the lighting fixture which concerns on another one aspect | mode of this invention has a several light source from which the voltage drop when the same electric current flows mutually differs, and a lighting device provided with one of the said characteristics.

  In the switching order of multiple light sources, the largest inrush occurs at the time when the difference between the light sources connected to the light source switch is smaller than the one before switching, and the difference between them becomes the largest. Current is likely to be generated. According to the configuration of the lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention, in order to perform inrush suppression control that suppresses the inrush current in accordance with the switching in which the largest inrush current is likely to occur, the stress and damage to the light source and the light source switch are reduced. This can reduce the life of the lighting device.

  Moreover, the effect similar to the above can be acquired also by the structure of the lighting fixture which concerns on another one aspect | mode of this invention.

It is a circuit diagram of the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control process part shown in FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining operations in the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table of the various control parameter values in operation | movement of the lighting device which concerns on Embodiment 1, and a lighting fixture. It is a timing chart of a comparative example for explaining inrush current. It is a circuit diagram of the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control process part shown in FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining operations in the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table of the various control parameter values in operation | movement of the lighting device which concerns on Embodiment 2, and a lighting fixture. It is a circuit diagram of the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control process part shown in FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining operations in the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the third embodiment. It is a principal part enlarged view of the timing chart shown in FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining an operation in current control of a lighting device and a lighting fixture according to Modification 1. (A) is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example when the lighting device and lighting fixture of this invention are applied to a downlight. (B) is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example when the lighting device and lighting fixture of this invention are applied to a spotlight. (C) is an external appearance perspective view which shows another example when the lighting device and lighting fixture of this invention are applied to a spotlight.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1
The lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. In the present embodiment, a case where an LED is used as a light source will be described as an example.

[1. Overall configuration of lighting apparatus 100]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of lighting device 2 and lighting fixture 100 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting fixture 100 includes a light source unit 1 having a plurality of LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 having different emission colors, and a lighting device 2 that drives the light source unit 1. The emission colors of the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 are, for example, red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W), respectively.

In FIG. 1, the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 each have a plurality of LEDs. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each LED group may have one LED.
The lighting device 2 sequentially turns on the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 one by one at a high speed at which blinking cannot be visually recognized by human vision. Thereby, mixed light in which the light from the LED groups 3, 4, 5, 6 is mixed is emitted from the light source unit 1. Here, when the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 are turned on, the chromaticity of the mixed light can be adjusted by adjusting the light quantity of each LED group.

The lighting device 2 includes light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, which are a plurality of switching elements connected in series in a one-to-one relationship with each of the LED groups 3, 4, 5, 6 of the light source unit 1, and the light source unit. 1 includes a power supply unit 10 that outputs DC power to 1 and a control unit 20 that controls them.
Here, a series load circuit 30 is formed by connecting the LED group 3 and the light source switch Q3 in series. Similarly, the LED group 4 and the light source switch Q4 connected in series have a series load circuit 40, and the LED group 5 and the light source switch Q5 connected in series have a series load circuit 50, an LED group 6 and a light source. A circuit in which the switch Q6 is connected in series is referred to as a series load circuit 60.

The four series load circuits 30, 40, 50, 60 are connected to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12 in parallel with each other.
In parallel with the series load circuits 30, 40, 50, 60, a rush suppression circuit 111 including a resistance element R 3 as an impedance element and a switching element Q 7 is connected to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12.

The power supply unit 10 includes a DC power supply circuit 11 including a full-wave rectifier circuit 11 a and a smoothing circuit 11 b, and an output adjustment circuit 12 that adjusts an output from the DC power supply circuit 11 and supplies the output to the light source unit 1. Then, on the output side of the output adjustment circuit 12, four series load circuits 30, 40, 50, 60 composed of LED groups and light source switches are connected in parallel to each other.
The output adjustment circuit 12 is provided with a switching element (chopping switch) Q2 for turning on / off the current path, a semiconductor element IC1 for controlling on / off of the switching element Q2 and outputting a constant current, and a current detection circuit 13. .

The control unit 20 includes a control processing unit IC2, which is a microcomputer that executes various control processes, and a ROM that stores a table T1 in which dimming toning signals from the outside and various control parameter values (data) are associated with each other. (Read Only Memory). In FIG. 1, the ROM is displayed as a table T1.
When a dimming toning signal specifying a light emission color and / or light intensity (brightness) is input, the control unit 20 (more precisely, the control processing unit IC2) uses the dimming toning signal data as a basis. Referring to the table T1, the control of the semiconductor element IC1 in the output adjustment circuit 12 and the operation of turning on the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6 in order are repeated periodically.

Thereby, in the light source unit 1, the LED group 3, the LED group 4, the LED group 5, and the LED group 6 periodically repeat the operation of lighting in order, and synthesize a color corresponding to the input dimming toning signal. Emits light.
[2. Configuration of each part]
Hereinafter, specific configuration examples of the light source unit 1, the power supply unit 10, the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6, the control unit 20, and the inrush suppression circuit 111 will be described.

(Light source unit 1)
As described above, the LEDs constituting the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 have different layer structures and materials for each emission color, so that the magnitude of the voltage drop when the same value of current flows is different. . Here, the magnitude of the voltage drop of the LED group 3 is V3, the magnitude of the voltage drop of the LED group 4 is V4, the magnitude of the voltage drop of the LED group 5 is V5, and the magnitude of the voltage drop of the LED group 6 is V6. And V3 <V4 <V5 <V6.

Each LED is mounted on a substrate having a base plate made of a metal material laminated on one surface with an insulating layer in consideration of thermal conductivity. Or you may mount on the board | substrate etc. which used the ceramic material and synthetic resin material which were comparatively favorable in the thermal radiation characteristic and were excellent in durability as a base board.
Each color LED is mounted on a substrate by a surface mount device (SMD) method in which LED bare chips are packaged. However, it is not limited to the surface mounting method, and may be mounted by a chip on board (COB) method in which an LED bare chip is directly mounted on a substrate.

An LED bare chip is, for example, an InGaN-based element in which a light-emitting layer is stacked on a light-transmitting sapphire element substrate, and an n-type nitride semiconductor layer, an InGaN light-emitting layer, and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer are sequentially stacked. Has been formed.
For the white LED, an LED bare chip that emits blue light is used, and wavelength conversion is performed with a phosphor applied thereto to emit white light.

  The electrode in the bare chip is formed of a plus side electrode formed with a p-type electrode pad on a p-type nitride semiconductor layer and a minus side electrode formed with an n-type electrode pad on an n-type nitride semiconductor layer. . These positive electrode and negative electrode are electrically connected by a bonding wire. The bonding wire is made of a thin wire such as gold, and is connected via a bump mainly composed of gold in order to improve mounting strength and reduce damage to the bare chip of the LED.

(Power supply unit 10)
The full-wave rectifier circuit 11a is a diode bridge circuit. Since the detailed operation of the full-wave rectifier circuit 11a is known, a description thereof will be omitted.
The smoothing circuit 11b is a power factor improving step-up chopper circuit including an inductor L1, a switching element Q1, a diode D1, a capacitor C1, and a resistance element R1 that detects a current flowing through the switching element Q1.

The full-wave rectifier circuit 11a and the smoothing circuit 11b constitute a DC power supply circuit 11.
The output adjustment circuit 12 is a step-down chopper circuit including an inductor L2, a switching element Q2, a capacitor C2, a diode D2, and a semiconductor element IC1.
In this step-down chopper circuit, the switching element Q2 functions as a chopping switch for chopping the DC voltage on the input side, and outputs a pulsating current to the inductor L2 by a chopping operation that repeatedly turns on and off.

The switching elements Q1, Q2 are FETs (Field Effect Transistors).
The operating frequency of the chopping operation in the switching element Q2 is, for example, several tens kHz to several hundreds kHz, and is controlled by the semiconductor element IC1.
Capacitor C2 smoothes the current output from inductor L2.

(Semiconductor element IC1 and burst control circuit 14)
The semiconductor element IC1 includes a pulse oscillation circuit that repeatedly oscillates a pulse signal that turns on and off the switching element Q2, a protection circuit that suppresses an overcurrent from flowing through the switching element Q2, and the like. The semiconductor element IC1 oscillates a pulse signal to the switching element Q2, and controls the pulse width so that the output current I1 matches the output control current target value IA instructed from the control processing unit IC2. Q2 is PWM controlled. In the present embodiment, the output control current target value IA is a constant value.

The burst control circuit 14 controls whether or not to drive the semiconductor element IC1. That is, the burst control circuit 14 receives the timing signal instructing the timing of chopping start / end from the control processing unit IC2, and drives the semiconductor element IC1 only from the start signal to the end signal.
Further, the drive of the semiconductor element IC1 is stopped during a time other than the period from the chopping start signal to the end signal.

Thereby, during the period from the chopping start signal to the end signal, the switching element Q2 is PWM controlled while being repeatedly turned on and off, and the output current I1 is adjusted to the output control current target value IA.
The current control by the semiconductor element IC1 is performed by feedback control while monitoring the voltage signal from the current detection circuit 13 as follows.

The current detection circuit 13 includes a fixed resistance element R2, and inputs the voltage value output from the output adjustment circuit 12 to the semiconductor element IC1. Since the voltage value input to the semiconductor element IC1 is proportional to the current value of the output current I1, the semiconductor element IC1 detects the value of the output current I1 from the voltage value input from the current detection circuit 13. Can do.
The semiconductor element IC1 adjusts the pulse width of the oscillating pulse so that the detected output current I1 matches the output control current target value IA instructed from the control processing unit IC2, and the ON time of the switching element Q2 Adjust the length. That is, when the detected value of the output current I1 is lower than the output control current target value IA, the semiconductor element IC1 increases the oscillating pulse width (ON time of the switching element Q2). On the other hand, when the detected value of the output current I1 is higher than the output control current target value IA, the oscillating pulse width (ON time of the switching element Q2) is decreased. Thereby, the output current I1 is controlled so as to match the output control current target value IA.

As described above, by controlling the switching element Q2 by the semiconductor element IC1, constant power or constant power of the power supplied from the power supply unit 10 to the light source unit 1 can be realized during the chopping operation.
(Light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6 and series load circuits 30, 40, 50, 60)
In the present embodiment, the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 shown in FIG. 1 are MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors). However, bipolar transistors may be used for the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6.

A series circuit composed of the LED group 3 and the light source switch Q3 is connected to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12. Similarly, a series circuit composed of the LED group 4 and the light source switch Q4, a series circuit composed of the LED group 5 and the light source switch Q5, and a series circuit composed of the LED group 6 and the light source switch Q6 are also connected to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12. It is connected.
The light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 are alternatively turned on according to an instruction from the control processing unit IC2. And the electric current output from the power supply unit 10 selectively flows into the series load circuit containing the light source switch Q turned on.

(Inrush suppression circuit 111)
The inrush suppression circuit 111 includes a resistance element R3, which is an impedance element, and a switching element Q7 connected in series to the resistance element R3. The inrush suppression circuit 111 is connected to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12 in parallel with the series load circuits 30, 40, 50, 60, and when the switching element Q7 is turned on, the capacitor C2 of the output adjustment circuit 12 The electric charge is discharged through the resistance element R3. The impedance element is not limited to a resistance element, and an LC circuit including a coil and a capacitor may be used.

(Control unit 20)
The control unit 20 is read from a control processing unit IC2, which is a microcomputer that executes various control processes, a table T1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing various control programs, and the like, and is used for the control process. Volatile main memory MM such as RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data of various control parameter values, nonvolatile sub-memory SM such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and time It has a timer TM for measuring. In FIG. 1, the ROM is displayed as a table T1, and the main memory MM and the sub memory SM are not shown. The timer TM and the sub memory SM may be part of the function of the control processing unit IC2.

The control processing unit IC2 sends to the burst control circuit 14 a start signal for starting the chopping operation and an end signal for ending the chopping operation. The control processing unit IC2 sends an on / off signal to the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6.
Subsequently, the table T1 will be described. The table T1 includes dimming / toning signal data Va (n), burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n) and output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n) are associated with each other and stored in the ROM of the control unit 20. FIG. 4 is a schematic specific example of the table T1.

The light control toning signal data Va (n) is a number assigned to the combination of the combined color and light intensity emitted from the light source unit 1, and here, 256 kinds of combinations from 0 to 255 are set. Has been.
These 256 types are combinations of chromaticity obtained by mixing white light, red light, green light, and blue light at various ratios, and combinations of these various light intensities. The user can use a remote controller (not shown) or the like. By selecting any one of the combinations, they are transmitted to the lighting apparatus 100 and input. “N” in the light control toning signal data Va (n) is any one of 0 to 255 indicating any one combination number selected by the user among the 256 types. For example, when the tenth combination is shown, it is expressed as a light adjustment toning signal Va (10). When not collectively representing a specific combination, it is displayed as a dimming / toning signal Va (n).

  Burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), and TD (n) are data indicating the length of time during which power is supplied to the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively. is there. That is, the data indicates the length of time for which the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 that are necessary for emitting the color of each number from the light source unit 1 are emitted. Also in this case, n is a number indicating the combination number selected by the user. In the specific example shown in FIG. 4, for example, when dimming / toning signal data Va (10) is input, burst control time data TA (10), TB (10), TC (10), TD corresponding thereto are input. (10) is 3.0, 1.5, 1.5, and 2.0 [ms], respectively. When not collectively representing a specific combination, it is represented as burst control time data TA (n).

  The output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n) are data indicating the length of the on period of the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6, respectively. Also in this case, n is a number indicating the combination number selected by the user. In the specific example shown in FIG. 4, for example, when dimming / toning signal data Va (10) is input, output control time data ta (10), tb (10), tc (10), td corresponding thereto. (10) is 3.5, 2.0, 2.0, and 2.5 [ms], respectively. When not collectively representing a specific combination, it is represented as output control time data ta (n).

The burst control time data TA (n) is set shorter than the output control time data ta (n). Similarly, the burst control time data TB (n), TC (n), and TD (n) are set shorter than the output control time data tb (n), tc (n), and td (n), respectively.
Although this time length will be described in detail later, a chopping operation is performed intermittently (hereinafter referred to as “burst control”).

By adjusting the burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n), the amount of light emitted from each of the light sources 3, 4, 5, 6 is adjusted and synthesized. Light toning can be performed.
Further, dimming can be performed by adjusting the output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n). For the sake of simplicity, for example, the output control time data ta (n), tb (with the burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n) fixed. Consider a case where n), tc (n), and td (n) are varied. In this case, since the burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), and TD (n) are fixed, the ON times of the light sources 3, 4, 5, and 6 are not changed and are emitted from the respective light sources. The amount of light that remains is unchanged. Therefore, the chromaticity of the synthesized light does not change. However, if the output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n) are varied, the light sources 3, 4, 5, and 6 are switched in a predetermined order and turned on in one cycle. Since the length of time that each light source is turned off changes, the total length of off time in one cycle changes. When the total off time in one cycle becomes longer, the intensity of light emitted from the lighting fixture 100 becomes lower, and when the total off time becomes shorter, the intensity of light becomes higher. Thus, dimming can be performed by adjusting the output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n).

(Description of operation of the control processing unit IC2)
Hereinafter, the control operation performed by the control processing unit IC2 with reference to the table T1 when the dimming / toning signal data Va (n) is input will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control processing unit IC2. 3 shows the gate voltages of the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6, the gate voltages of the switching elements Q2 and Q7, the voltage Vc1 at the output terminal of the power supply unit 10, and the power supply unit in the control operation shown in FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an output current I1 output from 10;

  When power is turned on to the luminaire 100, the flow shown in FIG. 2 is started and the initial process is executed (step S1). Here, the initial process in the first embodiment will be described below. First, the control processing unit IC2 reads the light adjustment and tonal signal data Va (n) stored in the sub memory SM. Then, burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n) and output control time data ta ( n), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n) are read from the table T1, and these data are stored in the main memory MM. The above processing is the initial processing in the flow of the first embodiment.

Here, the light adjustment toning signal data Va (n) first read from the sub memory SM after the power is turned on is the light adjustment toning signal data stored last in the sub memory SM during the previous use. That is, the data indicates the combination number which is the light adjustment and toning setting last selected by the user when used last time.
Next, the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start a chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q3 is turned on, and the light source switches Q4, Q5, Q6 and the switching element Q7 are turned off (step S2, time t1 in FIG. 3). Here, the term “turning off” the light source switch is used as a concept including the case where the light source switch that is already in the off state is maintained in the off state. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment and each modification.

  Next, it is monitored whether Tm which is the value of the timer TM has reached TA (n) (step S3). Here, TA (n) is burst control time data TA (n) corresponding to the light adjustment toning signal data Va (n) stored in the main memory MM. Here, if the light control and tonal signal data read from the sub memory SM in step S1 is specifically Va (10), for example, the burst control time data stored in the main memory MM is TA (10 Therefore, the burst control time data to be judged by TM in step S3 is TA (10). Hereinafter, the same applies to (n) in various control parameters in each step of this flow.

When Tm reaches TA (n), the control processing unit IC2 instructs the burst control circuit 14 to end the chopping operation, and the switching element Q2 is turned off (step S3: YES, step S4, time t2 in FIG. 3). ).
Subsequently, it is monitored whether Tm has reached ta (n) (step S5). When Tm reaches ta (n), the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start the chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q4 is turned on, and the light source switches Q3, Q5, Q6 and the switching element Q7 are turned off (step S5: YES, step S6; time point t3 in FIG. 3). Thereby, the light source switch to be turned on is switched from Q3 to Q4.

  As a result of the control in steps S2 to S5, the switching element Q2 is intermittently turned on and off during the time point t1 to the time point t2 corresponding to the burst control time data TA (n), and the output current I1 flows through the LED group 3. The LED group 3 is turned on and red light is emitted. Further, during the period from the time point t2 to the time point t3, the switching element Q2 is turned off and the output current I1 does not flow, so the LED group 3 is not lit.

Next, it is monitored whether Tm has reached TB (n) (step S7). When Tm reaches TB (n), the control processing unit IC2 instructs the burst control circuit 14 to end the chopping operation, and the switching element Q2 is turned off (step S7: YES, step S8, time t4 in FIG. 3). ).
Subsequently, it is monitored whether Tm has reached tb (n) (step S9). When Tm reaches tb (n), the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start the chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q5 is turned on, and the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q6 and the switching element Q7 are turned off (step S9: YES, step S10, time point t5 in FIG. 3). Thereby, the light source switch to be turned on is switched from Q4 to Q5.

  As a result of the control in steps S6 to S9, the switching element Q2 is intermittently turned on and off between time t3 and time t4 corresponding to the burst control time data TB (n), and the output current I1 flows to the LED group 4. The LED group 4 is turned on and green light is emitted. Further, since the switching element Q2 is turned off and the output current I1 does not flow during the period from the time point t4 to the time point t5, the LED group 4 is not turned on.

Next, it is monitored whether Tm has reached TC (n) (step S11). When Tm reaches TC (n), the control processing unit IC2 instructs the burst control circuit 14 to end the chopping operation, and the switching element Q2 is turned off (step S11: YES, step S12, time t6 in FIG. 3). ).
Subsequently, it is monitored whether Tm has reached tc (n) (step S13). When Tm reaches tc (n), the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start the chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q6 is turned on, and the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5 and the switching element Q7 are turned off (step S13: YES, step S14, time point t7 in FIG. 3). Thereby, the light source switch to be turned on is switched from Q5 to Q6.

  As a result of the control in steps S10 to S13, the switching element Q2 is intermittently turned on and off between time t5 and time t6 corresponding to the burst control time data TC (n), and the output current I1 flows to the LED group 5. The LED group 5 is turned on and blue light is emitted. Further, since the switching element Q2 is turned off and the output current I1 does not flow during the period from the time point t6 to the time point t7, the LED group 5 is not lit.

  Next, it is monitored whether Tm has reached TD (n) (step S15). When Tm reaches TD (n), the control processing unit IC2 instructs the burst control circuit 14 to end the chopping operation, turns off the switching element Q2, turns on the switching element Q7, and starts inrush suppression control ( Step S15: YES, step S16, time point t8 in FIG. At this time, the light source switches Q3, Q4, and Q5 remain off, and the light source switch Q6 remains on.

When the switching element Q7 is turned on and the inrush suppression control is started, the charge of the capacitor C2 of the output adjustment circuit 12 is discharged via the resistance element R3, and the output voltage Vc1 at the output terminal of the power supply unit 10 decreases. Thus, the control process in which the control processing unit IC2 turns on the switching element Q7 is the inrush suppression control in the first embodiment.
Subsequently, it is monitored whether Tm has reached td (n) (step S17). When Tm reaches td (n), the control processing unit IC2 determines whether new dimming toning signal data Va (n) has been acquired (that is, the user has changed the dimming toning setting and It is determined whether or not the light control toning signal data Va (n) has been input by the user (step S18). When the new light adjustment light adjustment tonal signal data Va (n) has not been acquired (that is, when the light adjustment toning setting has not been changed by the user), the process returns to Step S2 (Step S18: NO, Step S2), Steps S2 to S18 are repeated thereafter. In addition, if it transfers to step S2 from step S18, the light source switch which will be turned on will be switched from Q6 to Q3. At this time, as a result of the discharge by the resistor element R3, the voltage Vc1 is reduced to a sufficiently low value (specifically, a value lower than V3 in this case) until the light source switch Q3 is turned on (in this embodiment, this embodiment). In form, it is reduced to zero). Thereby, when the light source switch Q3 is turned on next time, no inrush current is generated.

As a result of the control in steps S14 to S18 and S2, the LED group 6 is turned on and white light is emitted from time t7 to time t8 corresponding to the burst control time data TD (n). Further, during the period from the time point t8 to the time point t9, the switching element Q2 is turned off and the output current I1 does not flow, so the LED group 6 is not lit.
When new dimming / toning signal data Va (n) is acquired in step S18 (that is, when the dimming / toning setting is changed by the user), the control processing unit IC2 obtains the newly acquired dimming The toning signal data Va (n) is stored in the sub memory SM. Further, burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n) and output control time data ta corresponding to the newly acquired dimming / toning signal data Va (n). (N), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n) are read from the table T1, and the read data are stored in the main memory MM (step S18: Yes, step S19).

Then, returning to step S2, hereinafter, the processing from step S2 to step S18 is repeated.
Here, when the light adjustment toning signal data newly acquired in step S18 is specifically Va (20), for example, the light adjustment toning data stored in the sub memory SM in step S19 is Va (20). The main memory MM stores burst control time data TA (20), TB (20), TC (20), TD (20), and output control time data ta (20), tb (20). , Tc (20), td (20). Therefore, when returning from step S19 to step S2, the burst control time data TA (20), TB (20), TC (20), TD (20) are used in the processing from step S2 to step S18. , And output control time data ta (20), tb (20), tc (20), td (20).

The light source switch that is turned on by the control in step S19 and step S2 is switched from Q6 to Q3. At this time, similarly to the above, as a result of the discharge by the resistor element R3, the voltage Vc1 is reduced to a sufficiently low value until the light source switch Q3 is turned on, and then the light source switch Q3 is turned on. Inrush current does not occur.
The light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 are switched so as to be alternatively turned on by the control operation based on the flowchart described above. In addition, the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 have the output control time data TA (n), the time corresponding to (ta (n) + tb (n) + tc (n) + td (n)) as one cycle. The operation of lighting each in turn is repeated with a length corresponding to TB (n), TC (n), and TD (n). Thereby, red, green, blue, and white light are emitted as mixed light mixed at this ratio.

Accordingly, by repeating the operation in which the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 are turned on once in a time division in one cycle, the emission color and intensity specified by the dimming toning signal data Va (n) Of light is emitted.
When the lighting fixture 100 is shipped, default dimming / toning signal data Va (n) is stored in the sub memory SM. At the first use, the default dimming / toning signal data Va (n) is read from the sub memory SM in step S1. Then, output control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n) and output control time data ta corresponding to the read default light adjustment toning signal data Va (n). (N), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n) are read from the table T1 and stored in the main memory MM. The data stored in the main memory MM is used for the control from step S2 to step S18. After that, when the user inputs setting of dimming toning, output control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n) corresponding to default dimming toning signal data Va (n) , TD (n) and output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n) are newly input settings (newly acquired dimming toning signal data Va The data corresponding to (n)) is overwritten. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment and each modification.

(Effect of burst control)
When a current flows when switching the light source switch, stress is applied to the light source switch and the light source, which may shorten the life of the light source switch and the light source.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, burst control is performed, and before each light source switch is switched, the chopping operation of the switching element Q2 is completed, and a pause period of the chopping operation is provided. Yes. During the chopping operation pause period, the switching element Q2 is off, so that the output current I1 does not flow through the light source unit 1. As a result, unnecessary stress on the light source switch and the light source at the time of switching the light source switch can be suppressed, which contributes to a long life of the light source switch and the light source.

In addition, the magnitude of the output current I1 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the ON / OFF intervals of the switching elements in the burst control.
Thus, according to the method of lighting a plurality of LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 in a time-sharing manner, the brightness of each LED group 3, 4, 5, and 6 is changed using one DC power supply circuit 11. Therefore, color matching can be easily performed. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a constant current circuit for each LED group 3, 4, 5 and 6, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the circuit.

Since the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 are turned on in a time-sharing manner, if the length of one cycle (ta (n) + tb (n) + tc (n) + td (n)) is long, it flickers visually. However, flicker can be suppressed by setting one period to about 15 ms or less. Furthermore, if one cycle is about 10 ms or less, visual flicker can be further suppressed.
Further, in the above control operation, as shown in the operation waveform of FIG. 3, the chopping operation of the switching element Q2 is intermittently performed, and the switching element Q2 is turned off during the idle period between the chopping operations. Become.

The timing at which the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 are switched is the same as the time when the next chopping operation starts in the present embodiment after the end of the chopping operation.
(Inrush current suppression)
As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the voltage Vc1 at the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12 during the rest period (t2 to t3, t4 to t5, t6 to t7) of the chopping operation in which the inrush suppression control is not performed. Decreases to some extent, but is not zero. Therefore, depending on the switching order of the light source switches, as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 5, the voltage Vc <b> 1 that has decreased during the pause period is greater than the magnitude of the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch that is turned on next is connected. It is conceivable that this will also increase. In that case, an inrush current is generated at the time of switching.

However, if the pause period is increased until the voltage Vc1 becomes zero, no light source is turned on during that period, and flickering may become more conspicuous. Therefore, it is not preferable to set the voltage Vc1 to zero before switching the light source switch by a method of extending the pause period.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart of a comparative example that does not include the inrush suppression circuit 111. In the comparative example, the light source switch is switched in the order of Q103, Q104, Q105, and Q106. The magnitudes of the voltage drops of the light sources connected to the light source switches Q103, Q104, Q105, and Q106 are V103, V104, V105, and V106, respectively, and V103 <V104 <V105 <V106.

  Also in the comparative example, a pause period of the chopping operation is provided before switching each light source switch. In the switching repetition order, the last light source switch Q106 returns to the beginning of the repetition order and switches to Q103. At this time, among the four light source switches, the light source connected to the light source having the largest voltage drop. The switch is switched from the switch to the light source switch connected to the light source with the smallest voltage drop. When switching from the light source switch Q106 to Q103, the voltage Vc1 drops from V106 to V106e during the rest period. However, since V106e is larger than the voltage drop magnitude V103 of the light source to which the light source switch Q103 that is turned on next is connected, an unnecessarily high voltage is applied at the moment when the light source switch Q103 is turned on. Inrush current INC is generated.

  On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, the control processing unit IC2 includes the rush suppression circuit 111 between the time when the light source switch Q6 is turned off and the time when the light source switch Q3 is turned on next time. The switching element Q7 is turned on, and discharging is performed by the resistance element R3. As a result, the voltage Vc1 drops to a value lower than V3 (zero in this embodiment) until the light source switch Q3 is turned on, so that the inrush current when the light source switch Q3 is turned on is suppressed. be able to. The inrush suppression control in the present embodiment is a control process for reducing the voltage Vc1 by turning on the switching element Q7 and discharging through the resistance element R3 as described above.

The voltage drop is a voltage drop of the light source (LED group) to which the light source switch is connected, and the light source switch can be switched. However, for the sake of simplification of description, “a light source switch connected to a light source having a large (small) voltage drop” may be expressed as “a light source switch having a large (small) voltage drop”.
(Summary of Embodiment 1)
Heretofore, the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to Embodiment 1 which is an aspect of the present invention have been described. The lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 can be summarized as follows.

  The lighting device 2 according to the first embodiment is a lighting device 2 that lights a light source unit 1 having a plurality of light sources 3, 4, 5, and 6 having different voltage drops when the same current flows. The lighting device 2 controls the output adjustment circuit 12 that adjusts the output DC power, the plurality of light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6, and the current that flows to each of the plurality of light sources 3, 4, 5, and 6. And a processing unit IC2. The light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 are connected in series to the light sources 3, 4, 5, and 6 in a one-to-one relationship to form series load circuits 30, 40, 50, and 60, respectively. Each of the series load circuits 30, 40, 50, 60 is connected in parallel to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12. The control processing unit IC2 switches on and off the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 according to a predetermined repetition order so that the on periods of the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 do not overlap each other. And control processing part IC2 performs the rush suppression control which suppresses the rush current which flows into the series load circuit after the said switching according to the switching mentioned below. That is, in the predetermined repetition order, the difference between the voltage drop of the light source connected to the light source switch after switching is smaller than the voltage drop of the light source connected to the light source switch before switching is the maximum. Inrush suppression control is performed in accordance with the switching. In the first embodiment, the voltage drop of the light source connected to the light source switch after switching is smaller than the voltage drop of the light source connected to the light source switch before switching from the light source switch Q6 to the light source switch Q3. Therefore, the switching that maximizes the difference is also the switching from the light source switch Q6 to the light source switch Q3.

Moreover, the lighting fixture 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 has several LED group (light source) 3, 4, 5, 6 from which the voltage drop when the same electric current flows mutually differs, and the said lighting device 2. FIG.
Among the LED groups connected to the light source switch that is turned on next, the switching that maximizes the difference in voltage drop before and after switching (in this case, switching from the light source switch Q6 to Q3) is: The largest inrush current is likely to occur. In the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, since the inrush suppression control is performed in accordance with the switching that maximizes the difference in the voltage drop, the generation of the largest inrush current can be suppressed. Thereby, damage and stress to the LED group and the light source switch can be reduced, and the life of the lighting device and the lighting fixture can be extended.

  Further, in the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, the inrush suppression circuit 111 including the impedance element (resistance element) R3 and the switching element Q7 connected in series to the impedance element R3 includes the output adjustment circuit 12. Are connected in parallel with the plurality of series load circuits 30, 40, 50, 60. In the inrush suppression control, the control processing unit IC2 turns on the switching element Q7.

When the switching element Q7 is turned on, it is discharged by the impedance element R3, and the voltage at the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12 decreases. As a result, the voltage at the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit 12 can be lowered to a voltage lower than the voltage drop value of the light source to which the light source switch to be turned on next is connected, and when the next light source switch is turned on. Inrush current can be suppressed.
As a result, damage and stress to the light source and the light source switch can be reduced, and the life of the lighting fixture can be extended.

  Further, in the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, the light source switch 3 is connected to the light source 3 having the smallest voltage drop among the light sources 3, 4, 5, and 6 in a predetermined repetition order of switching the light source switch. The light source switch Q3 is turned on in order from the light source switch Q3. Then, when the ON period of the light source switch Q6 connected to the light source 6 with the largest voltage drop ends, the control processing unit IC2 returns to the beginning of the repetition order and is connected to the light source 3 with the smallest voltage drop. Q3 is turned on again and the rush suppression control is performed.

  When the voltage drop after switching the light source switch is lower than the voltage drop before switching, an inrush current is likely to occur, but when the voltage drop after switching is higher than the voltage drop before switching, the inrush current is Hard to occur. In the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, the switching of the light source switch is performed in order from the smaller voltage drop. Therefore, the voltage drop after switching is lower than the voltage drop before switching only when switching from the light source switch Q6 to the light source switch Q3. Therefore, the rush suppression control only needs to be performed when switching from the light source switch Q6 to the light source switch Q3, and the control is easy.

  Further, in the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, the control processing unit IC2 includes the on periods (ta (n), tb (n), tc (n) of the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6. ), Td (n)) is adjusted. More specifically, the control processing unit IC2 outputs output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n) corresponding to the light adjustment and toning signal data Va (n) set and input by the user. , Td (n) are read from the table T1. Then, the length of the on period of each of the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6 is adjusted based on the read data.

This adjusts the length of the rest period of the chopping operation in which the LED groups 3, 4, 5, 6 are not lit, and adjusts the total length of the rest period in one cycle of the light source switch switching repetition order, Dimming can be performed.
Moreover, in the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, the DC power supply circuit 11 is further included, and the output adjustment circuit 12 is a switching element Q2 (chopping switch) connected to the output terminal of the DC power supply circuit 11. Have Then, the control processing unit IC2 adjusts the output current I1 output from the output adjustment circuit 12 by a chopping operation that repeatedly turns on and off the switching element Q2.

Thereby, dimming can be performed by adjusting the emission intensity of the LED groups 3, 4, 5, and 6. Further, since the fine adjustment of the magnitude of the output current I1 can be easily performed by changing the ON / OFF interval of the chopping operation, fine dimming can be easily performed.
Moreover, in the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, the control processing unit IC2 adjusts the length of the operation period of the chopping operation in the ON period of each of the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6.

Thereby, the length of each lighting period of LED group 3, 4, 5, 6 can be adjusted, and the toning of the light from the light source unit radiate | emitted as mixed light can be performed.
Here, the suspending period of the chopping operation when the voltage drop after switching the light source switch is smaller than the voltage drop before switching is defined as the first period. In the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, the control processing unit IC2 turns off the switching element Q2 and pauses the chopping operation for the first period. In the pause of the first period, in the repetition order of the light source switches, the voltage drop of the LED group connected to the light source switch after switching is lower than the voltage drop of the LED group connected to the light source switch before switching. This is done prior to the smaller switch. Then, the control processing unit IC2 restarts the chopping operation for the switching element Q2 together with the switching.

  Thus, at least after the switching, the voltage drop is smaller than before the switching, so that a chopping operation suspension period is provided. Therefore, during the suspension period, the voltage Vc1 is reduced to reduce the voltage after the switching. It can be made smaller than the descent value. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the damage and stress received by the LED group and the light source switch by suppressing the occurrence of inrush current, and to extend the life of the lighting device and the lighting fixture.

Moreover, in the lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment, a plurality of light sources (LED groups) having different voltage drops have different emission colors.
Thereby, toning of the light radiate | emitted as mixed light can be performed by adjusting the light emission amount of each light source.
The lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of LED groups (light sources) 3, 4, 5, and 6 having different voltage drops when the same current flows, and the lighting device 2 having any of the above characteristics. Have

Also with such a lighting fixture 100, it is possible to obtain the same effect as described above.
<< Embodiment 2 >>
The lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 according to the first embodiment have the inrush suppression circuit 111 including the resistance element R3 and the switching element Q7. However, the method of suppressing the inrush current is not limited to this, and the inrush suppressing circuit 111 may not be provided.

Hereinafter, the lighting device 202 and the lighting fixture 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9. In addition, in order to avoid duplication of description, about the same component as Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment and each modification.
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the lighting device 202 and the lighting fixture 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of the lighting device 202 and the lighting fixture 200 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the inrush suppression circuit 111 is not provided and the contents of the table of the control unit 220 are different. The lighting device 2 and the lighting fixture 100 are the same.

  The table T2 in the second embodiment includes burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n) and output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n ), Td (n), and inrush suppression control time data tx (n) are stored. These data are respectively associated with the light control toning signal data Va (n) (n = 0 to 255). In the present embodiment, the output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), td (n) and the inrush suppression control time data tx (n) are fixed values, and tas, tbs, tcs, tds and txs.

  FIG. 9 shows a schematic specific example of the table T2 in the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, in the example of the table T2 shown in FIG. 9, the fixed values tas, tbs, tcs, and tds of the output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), and td (n) are All are 3.5 ms. The burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), and TD (n) are, for example, when the light control toning signal data received by the control processing unit IC2 is Va (10), respectively. , 3.0 ms, 1.5 ms, 1.5 ms, and 3.0 ms. The fixed value txs of the rush suppression control time data tx (n) is 0.5 ms.

(Description of operation of the control processing unit IC2)
Hereinafter, a control operation performed by the control processing unit IC2 according to the second embodiment with reference to the table T1 when the dimming / toning signal data Va (n) is input will be described with reference to FIGS. To do.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control processing unit IC2. FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining control operations in the lighting device 202 and the lighting fixture 200 according to the second embodiment. Specifically, the timing indicating the gate voltages of the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6, the gate voltage of the switching element Q2, the voltage Vc1 at the output terminal of the power supply unit 10, and the output current I1 output from the power supply unit 10 It is a chart.

  When power is turned on to the lighting apparatus 200, the flow shown in FIG. 7 is started, and the initial process is executed (step S101). The initial process in the second embodiment is as follows. First, the control processing unit IC2 reads the light adjustment and tonal signal data Va (n) stored in the sub memory SM. Then, burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n), output control time data ta (n) corresponding to the read dimming / toning signal data Va (n). ), Tb (n), tc (n), td (n), and inrush suppression control time data tx (n) are read from the table T2 and stored in the main memory MM. The above processing is the initial processing in the flow of the second embodiment.

Here, the light adjustment toning signal data Va (n) first read from the sub memory SM after power-on is the light adjustment toning signal stored last in the sub memory SM when used last time, as in the first embodiment. It is data. That is, the data indicates the combination number which is the light adjustment and toning setting last selected by the user when used last time.
Next, the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start a chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q3 is repeatedly turned on and off repeatedly to turn off the light source switches Q4, Q5, and Q6 (step S102; time t11 in FIG. 8).

  Here, the repeated intermittent ON / OFF of the light source switch Q3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, when the light source switch Q6 having the largest voltage drop is switched to the light source switch Q3 having the smallest voltage drop (time t11 in FIG. 8), the voltage V6e immediately before the light source switch Q3 is turned on is The voltage drop V3 of the light source to which the light source switch Q3 is connected is larger. Therefore, if the light source switch Q3 is turned on as it is, an inrush current is generated as in the comparative example shown in FIG. Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, during the period tx (n) (first inrush suppression period) at the beginning of the on period of the light source switch Q3, the light source switch Q3 is repeatedly turned on and off repeatedly. (This control is the rush suppression control in the second embodiment.) Thereby, the electric current which flows into the series load circuit 30 can be restrict | limited, and an inrush current can be suppressed.

  If the first inrush suppression period tx (n) is too long, it takes a long time for the output current I1 to reach the output control current target value IA after the light source switch is switched. That is, after the light source switch is switched, a state in which the light emission amount of the light source is lower than the target light amount continues for a long time, causing flickering. The inrush suppression control only needs to be performed only during a period in which an inrush current is expected immediately after the light source switch is switched. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a value that is sufficiently shorter than the ON period TA of the light source switch Q3 is set in the first inrush suppression period tx.

In the present embodiment, the rush suppression control time data tx (n) is a fixed value txs, but is not limited thereto. Any one of a plurality of different values may be set depending on the light control and toning signal data Va (n), or all different values may be set.
Returning to the flow of FIG. 7, following step S102, it is monitored whether Tm has reached tx (n) (step S103). When Tm reaches tx (n), the control processing unit IC2 continuously turns on the light source switch Q3 to end the rush suppression control (step S103: Yes, step S104, time t12 in FIG. 8).

Since subsequent steps S105 to S107 are the same as steps S3 to S5 in the flow shown in FIG. 2, detailed description thereof is omitted here.
In step S107, when Tm reaches ta (n), the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start the chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q4 is turned on, and the light source switches Q3, Q5, Q6 are turned off (step S107: Yes, step S108; time point t14 in FIG. 8). Thereby, the light source switch to be turned on is switched from Q3 to Q4.

Since subsequent steps S109 to S111 are the same as steps S7 to S9 in the flow of FIG. 2, detailed description thereof is omitted here.
When Tm reaches tb (n) in step S111, the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start the chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q5 is turned on, and the light source switches Q3, Q4, and Q6 are turned off (step S111: YES, step S112, time point t16 in FIG. 8). Thereby, the light source switch to be turned on is switched from Q4 to Q5.

Subsequent steps S113 to S115 are the same as steps S11 to S13 in the flow of FIG. 2, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.
When Tm reaches tc (n) in step S115, the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start the chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q6 is turned on, and the light source switches Q3, Q4, and Q5 are turned off (step S115: YES, step S116; time point t18 in FIG. 3). Thereby, the light source switch to be turned on is switched from Q5 to Q6.

Next, it is monitored whether Tm has reached TD (n) (step S117). When Tm reaches TD (n), the control processing unit IC2 instructs the burst control circuit 14 to end the chopping operation to turn off the switching element Q2 (step S117: YES, step S118; time point t19 in FIG. 8). .
Subsequent steps S119 and S120 are the same as steps S17 and S18 in the flow of FIG. 2, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

In step S120, when new light adjustment and tonal signal data Va (n) is not acquired, the process returns to step S102 (step S120: NO, step S102), and steps S102 to S120 are repeated thereafter. When the process proceeds from step S120 to step S102, the light source switch to be turned on is switched from Q6 to Q3.
When the new light adjustment toning signal data Va (n) is acquired in step S120, the control processing unit IC2 stores the newly acquired light adjustment toning signal data Va (n) in the sub memory SM. Also, burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n), output control time data ta () corresponding to the newly obtained light adjustment toning signal data Va (n). n), tb (n), tc (n), td (n), and inrush suppression control time data tx (n) are read from the table T2. Then, the read data is stored in the main memory MM (step S120: Yes, step S121).

Then, returning to step S102, the processing from step S102 to step S120 is repeated. Further, the light source switch that is turned on under the control of steps S121 and S102 is switched from Q6 to Q3.
As described above, inrush current can also be suppressed by the configuration of the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, since the output control data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), td (n) and the inrush suppression control time data tx (n) are fixed values, new adjustments are made. When the light toning signal data is acquired, in step S121, only burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), and TD (n) are read from the table T2 and stored in the main memory MM. It may be memorized.

(Summary of Embodiment 2)
The lighting device 202 and the lighting fixture 200 according to Embodiment 2 can be summarized as follows.
The lighting device 202 and the lighting fixture 200 in the rush suppression control, the control processing unit IC2 intermittently turns on and off the light source switch Q3 during the first rush suppression period tx (n). The first inrush suppression period tx (n) is shorter than the on period TA (n) of the light source switch Q3 included in the series load circuit (the series load circuit 30 in the second embodiment) that is the control target of the inrush suppression control. It is a period.

Thereby, when the light source switch Q6 having the largest voltage drop is switched to the light source switch Q3 having the smallest voltage drop, the current flowing through the series load circuit 30 can be limited and the inrush current can be suppressed.
<< Embodiment 3 >>
As the rush suppression control, it is also possible to implement a method as described below.

A lighting device 302 and a lighting fixture 300 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13.
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the lighting device 302 and the lighting fixture 300 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the basic configuration of the lighting device 302 and the lighting fixture 300 is that the current detection unit 112 including the resistance element R <b> 4 and the content of the table T <b> 3 of the control unit 320 are different. It is the same as the lighting device 202 and the lighting fixture 200 according to the second embodiment.

  The table T3 in the third embodiment includes burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n), output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n ), Td (n) and inrush suppression control time data Tx (n) are stored, and these data are respectively associated with the light adjustment toning signal data Va (n) (n = 0 to 255). ing. In the present embodiment, the output control time data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), td (n) and the inrush suppression control time data Tx (n) are fixed values, respectively, tas, tbs, tcs, tds and txs.

(Description of operation of the control processing unit IC2)
Hereinafter, the control operation performed by the control processing unit IC2 according to the third embodiment with reference to the table T3 when the dimming / toning signal data Va (n) is input will be described with reference to FIGS. While explaining.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control processing unit IC2. FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining control operations in the lighting device 302 and the lighting fixture 300 according to the third embodiment. Specifically, the timing indicating the gate voltages of the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6, the gate voltage of the switching element Q2, the voltage Vc1 at the output terminal of the power supply unit 10, and the output current I1 output from the power supply unit 10 It is a chart. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of the portion where the rush suppression control is executed in the timing chart of FIG.

  When the lighting apparatus 300 is turned on, the flow shown in FIG. 10 is started and the initial process is executed (step S201). The initial process in the third embodiment is as follows. First, the control processing unit IC2 reads the light adjustment and tonal signal data Va (n) stored in the sub memory SM. Then, burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n), output control time data ta (n) corresponding to the read dimming / toning signal data Va (n). ), Tb (n), tc (n), td (n) and inrush suppression control time data Tx (n) are read from the table T3 and stored in the main memory MM. The above processing is the initial processing in the flow of the third embodiment.

Here, the dimming / toning signal data Va (n) that is first read from the sub memory SM after power-on is the same as that of the first and second embodiments. Light toning signal data. That is, the data indicates the combination number which is the light adjustment and toning setting last selected by the user when used last time.
Then, the control processing unit IC2 resets and starts the timer TM and instructs the burst control circuit 14 to start the chopping operation. Further, the light source switch Q3 is turned on, and the light source switches Q4, Q5, and Q6 are turned off (step S202, time point t21 in FIG. 12).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the output current I1 has reached the allowable current value I1max (step S203). Here, the allowable current value I1max is a value of the inrush current at which the stress and damage received by the light sources 3, 4, 5, 6 and the light source switches Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6 due to the inrush current become an upper limit in the allowable range. . The allowable current value I1max is not necessarily limited to the upper limit value of the allowable range, and may be a value lower than the upper limit value with some allowance from the upper limit value.

  Further, the output current I1 is detected by the current detection unit 112. Specifically, the control processing unit IC2 acquires the voltage value at both ends of the resistance element R4, and acquires the output current I1 by calculation based on the acquired voltage value. Here, the fact that the control processing unit IC2 acquires the value of the output current I1 using the current detection unit 112 is expressed as the output current I1 being detected by the current detection unit 112.

When the detected output current I1 reaches the allowable current value I1max, the control processing unit IC2 starts rush suppression control for repeatedly turning on and off the light source switch Q3, and when the output current I1 reaches the allowable current value I1max. Is stored in the memory (step S203: YES, step S205, time tm in FIG. 12).
Subsequently, it is monitored whether Tm has reached tm + Tx (n) (step S206). When Tm reaches tm + Tx, the control processing unit IC2 continuously turns on the light source switch Q3 to end the rush suppression control (step S206: Yes, step S207, time point t22 in FIG. 12). Thus, the entry suppression control is executed during the period Tx (n) (second entry suppression period). Note that a value sufficiently shorter than the length (TA (n) -tm) obtained by subtracting the period tm from the period TA (n) is set in the period Tx (n).

Subsequently, it is monitored whether Tm has reached TA (n) (step S208). When Tm reaches TA (n), the control processing unit IC2 instructs the burst control circuit 14 to end the chopping operation and turns off the switching element Q2 (step S209, time t23 in FIG. 12).
Henceforth, since step S210 to step S222 is the same as step S107 to step S119 in the flow of Embodiment 2 shown in FIG. 7, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

If the output current I1 has not reached the allowable current value I1max in step S203, it is next determined whether Tm has reached TA (n) (step S203: No, step S204).
If Tm has not reached TA (n), the process returns to step S203 to determine whether or not the output current I1 has reached the allowable current value I1max (step S204: No, step S203).

If Tm has reached TA (n), the process proceeds to step S209, and the control processing unit IC2 instructs the burst control circuit 14 to end the chopping operation and turns off the switching element Q2 (step S204: Yes). Step S209, time t23 in FIG.
Henceforth, since step S210 to step S223 is the same as step S108 to step S120 in the flow of Embodiment 2 shown in FIG. 7, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  In step S223, when new dimming / dimming toning signal data Va (n) is not acquired, the process returns to step S202 (step S223: NO, step S202), and thereafter, from step S202 to step S223. Repeat the process. When the process proceeds from step S223 to step S202, the light source switch to be turned on is switched from Q6 to Q3.

  When the new light adjustment toning signal data Va (n) is acquired in step S223, the control processing unit IC2 stores the newly acquired light adjustment toning signal data Va (n) in the sub memory SM. Also, burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), TD (n), output control time data ta () corresponding to the newly obtained light adjustment toning signal data Va (n). n), tb (n), tc (n), td (n), and inrush suppression control time data Tx (n) are read from the table T3. Then, the read data is stored in the main memory MM (step S223: Yes, step S224).

Then, returning to step S202, the processing from step S202 to step S223 is repeated. Further, the light source switch that is turned on by the control of step S224 and step S202 is switched from Q6 to Q3.
In the third embodiment, since the output control data ta (n), tb (n), tc (n), td (n) and the inrush suppression control time data Tx (n) are fixed values, new adjustments are made. When the light toning signal data is acquired, in step S224, only burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC (n), and TD (n) are read from the table T3 and stored in the main memory MM. It may be memorized.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, the control processing unit IC2 continuously turns on the light source switch until the output current I1 reaches the allowable current value I1max. When the output current I1 reaches the allowable current value I1max, the control processing unit IC2 performs control to turn the light source switch on and off repeatedly. The above control is the rush suppression control in the third embodiment.

As in the inrush suppression control in this embodiment, the light source switch Q3 is continuously turned on until the output current I1 reaches the allowable current value I1max, thereby obtaining the following effects.
In the timing chart of the output current I1 in FIG. 13, I1s indicated by a broken line is assumed when inrush suppression control is performed in which the light source switch Q3 is intermittently turned on and off simultaneously with switching of the light source switch as in the second embodiment. It shows the change in output current. The inrush suppression control according to the third embodiment has an advantage that the output current I1 rises quickly after the light source switch is switched, and the light emission amount of the light source can be ensured immediately after switching. Specifically, in the timing chart of the output current I1 in FIG. 13, the amount of light immediately after switching is larger than the inrush suppression control in the second embodiment by the amount of light corresponding to the area of the hatched portion. . Thereby, flicker can be made inconspicuous. Furthermore, since the output current I1 does not exceed the allowable current value I1max, it is possible to avoid applying excessive stress and damage to the light source and the light source switch.

(Summary of Embodiment 3)
The lighting device 302 and the lighting fixture 300 according to the third embodiment can be summarized as follows.
The lighting device 302 and the lighting fixture 300 according to the third embodiment include a current detection unit 112 that detects a current flowing through the series load circuits 30, 40, 50, and 60. In the rush suppression control, the control processing unit IC2 includes the light source switch Q3 included in the series load circuit 30 that is the control target of the rush suppression control until the current value I1 detected by the current detection unit 112 reaches the allowable current value I1max. Turn on. When the current value I1 detected by the current detection unit 112 reaches the allowable current value I1max, the control processing unit IC2 intermittently turns on and off the light source switch Q3 during the second inrush suppression period Tx (n). During the second inrush suppression period Tx (n), the light source switch Q3 from the on period TA (n) of the light source switch Q3 included in the series load circuit 30 that is the control target of the inrush suppression control until the allowable current value I1max is reached. This is a period shorter than the period obtained by subtracting the period tm that was turned on.

Thereby, the light emission amount of the light source immediately after switching of the light source switch can be secured while suppressing the inrush current. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the stress and damage received by the light source and the light source switch to extend the life of the lighting device and the lighting fixture, and to suppress flickering.
≪Modification≫
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications can be implemented.

(Modification 1)
In each of the above embodiments, the light amount emitted from the LED groups 3, 4, 5, 6 is adjusted by adjusting the burst control time data and the output control time data (reading different data values from the table and using them for control). It is adjusted and the apparent brightness is adjusted. In the configurations of the above embodiments and modifications, when it is desired to further reduce the apparent brightness, it is necessary to further increase the off period (non-lighting period) of each LED group in one cycle of the repetition order. However, when the off period of each LED group becomes too long, flickering becomes conspicuous. Another possible method is to further reduce the output current I1 by further increasing the interval at which the switching element Q2 is turned on (that is, by extending the off period). However, even in this case, flickering becomes conspicuous if the OFF period of the switching element Q2 becomes too long.

Therefore, in the first modification, a method for further reducing the brightness by reducing the output current I1 and reducing the light amount without increasing the off period of each LED group and the off period of the switching element Q2 will be described. . In addition, the circuit structure of the lighting fixture which concerns on the modification 1 is the same as the circuit configuration of the lighting fixture 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the current flowing through the light source unit 1 is adjusted according to the magnitude of the output control current target value IA in the first modification. FIG. 14A is a timing chart showing the output current I1 from the output adjustment circuit 12, the pulsating current IL2 of the inductor L2, and the on / off of the switching element Q2 when the output control current target value IA is A0. is there. FIG. 14B shows the output current I1 from the output adjustment circuit 12, the pulsating current IL2 of the inductor L2, and the switching element Q2 when the output control current target value IA is A1 smaller than A0. It is a timing chart which shows.

The semiconductor element IC1 increases or decreases the ON width (Ton) of each pulse for turning on and off the switching element Q2 so that the output current I1 matches the output control current target value IA that is the current target value (that is, increases or decreases the pulse frequency). )
That is, the output current I1 is monitored, and when the output current I1 is smaller than the output control current target value IA, the ON width (Ton) of the pulse is increased. On the other hand, when the output current I1 is larger than the output control current target value IA, the ON width (Ton) of the pulse is decreased. Therefore, if this is utilized, the output current I1 can be reduced if the ON width of the pulse is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 14A, when the ON width of the pulse is Ton (A), the peak of IL2 is large, and the output current I1 is A0. As shown in FIG. 14B, when the ON width of the pulse is set to Ton (a) smaller than Ton (A), the peak of IL2 becomes smaller, and the output current I1 becomes A1 smaller than A0.
By using the above method, by increasing the frequency of the pulse for turning on / off the switching element Q2, the output current I1 can be reduced, and the amount of light emitted from the light source unit can be reduced without conspicuous flickering. .

Note that the method of the present modification is not limited to the case of reducing the amount of emitted light, but is effective for both adjustment of increase and reduction. Further, the brightness may be adjusted using the method of the present modification even in a range where the flicker is inconspicuous.
Moreover, the structure of this modification can also be implemented as a lighting device in which the light source unit is removed from the lighting fixture. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

(Modification 2)
In the said embodiment etc., although LED is used for a light source, it is not restricted to this. For example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) element or an LD (Laser Diode) can be used as the light source.
Moreover, in the said embodiment etc., although LED group from which four types of luminescent colors differ is used, it is not restricted to this, What is necessary is just two or more. If there are a plurality of voltage drops, there are a maximum voltage drop and a minimum voltage drop. Therefore, an inrush current may occur, and the inrush current can be suppressed.

If there are three or more luminescent colors, the mixed light of the LEDs can be toned in a curved line in the chromaticity diagram. If the color can be adjusted in a curved line in the chromaticity diagram, for example, it is useful for a product that performs color adjustment from a light bulb color to daytime white color along a black body locus and CIE daylight.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and the like, the emission colors are different from each other in all the light sources (LED groups). However, as long as there are a plurality of voltage drops, the emission colors may be the same in some LED groups.

In the embodiment and the like, the light emission colors of the LED groups are R (red), G (green), B (blue), and W (white). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other light emitting color (for example, yellow) LED groups or LED groups emitting ultraviolet light may be used. In addition, for example, a plurality of LED groups that emit white light having different color temperatures may be used.
(Modification 3)
In the above embodiment, the switching order of the light source switches is switched from the light source switch connected to the light source with the smallest voltage drop to the one with the largest voltage drop, and the light source with the largest voltage drop at the end of the order. Switch to the connected light source switch. Next to the light source switch connected to the light source having the largest voltage drop, the light source switch is switched to the light source switch having the smallest voltage drop by returning to the beginning of the turn. Then, inrush suppression control is executed in accordance with the switching from the maximum to the minimum voltage drop.

However, it is not limited to this. The repetitive switching order of the light source switches may not be the order in which the voltage drop is switched from the smaller one to the larger one. In this case, in the switching in which the voltage drop after the switching is lower than the voltage drop before the switching, the inrush suppression control may be performed in accordance with the switching in which the difference in the voltage drop before and after the switching is the maximum.
In summary, in the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to Modification 3, the control processing unit IC2 performs rush suppression control that suppresses the rush current flowing in the series load circuit after the switching in accordance with the switching described below. That is, in the predetermined repetition order, the difference between the voltage drop of the LED group connected to the light source switch after switching is smaller than the voltage drop of the LED group connected to the light source switch before switching is the difference. Inrush suppression control is performed according to the maximum switching.

  Among those having a smaller voltage drop after switching than before switching, switching with the largest voltage drop difference before and after switching tends to generate the largest inrush current. Since the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the modification 3 perform the inrush suppression control in accordance with the switching in which the difference in the voltage drop is maximized, the generation of the largest inrush current can be suppressed. Thereby, damage and stress to the LED group and the light source switch can be reduced, and the life of the lighting device and the lighting fixture can be extended.

(Modification 4)
In the third modification, in the switching in which the voltage drop after the switching is lower than the voltage drop before the switching, the rush suppression control is performed in accordance with the switching in which the difference between the voltage drops before and after the switching is the maximum. . However, it is not limited to this.
In switching where the voltage drop after switching is smaller than before switching, the switching is not limited to switching with the maximum difference, and rush suppression control may be performed also in other switching. In this case, the rush suppression control may be performed in all the switchings in which the voltage drop after the switching is smaller than that before the switching, or the rushing suppression control may be performed only in a part of the switching. In the case where the inrush suppression control is performed only at the time of partial switching, it is only necessary to include switching with at least a difference in voltage drop.

In summary, in the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the modified example 4, the control processing unit IC2 performs the following control in a predetermined repetition order of light source switch switching. That is, inrush suppression control is performed to suppress an inrush current flowing in a series load circuit including a light source whose voltage drop is smaller than the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch before switching is connected.
Thereby, even a smaller inrush current can be suppressed, stress and damage to the light source and the light source switch can be further reduced, and the life can be further extended.

(Modification 5)
In the above-described embodiment and the like, when the light source switch is switched, the chopping operation of the switching element Q2 is suspended prior to switching, but this is not restrictive. When the voltage drop after switching is larger than the voltage drop before switching, no inrush current is generated, so that the chopping operation does not have to be suspended prior to switching.

The above configuration can be implemented as a lighting fixture including a light source unit or a lighting device not including a light source unit, and the same effect can be obtained in any case.
That is, in the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to the modified example 5, the control processing unit IC2 performs the following control in the repetition order of the light source switch switching. That is, the chopping operation is not paused prior to the switching in which the voltage drop of the LED group to which the light source switch after switching is connected is larger than the voltage drop of the LED group to which the light source switch before switching is connected.

Thereby, the length of 1 period in the repetition order of light source switch switching can be shortened, and flicker can be reduced more.
(Modification 6)
In the modified example 5, when the voltage drop after switching the light source switch is larger than the voltage drop before switching, an inrush current does not occur, so it is not necessary to pause the chopping operation prior to switching. . However, when the light source switch is switched, stress is applied to the LED and the light source switch if a current is flowing. Even in this case, it is preferable to suspend the chopping operation prior to switching the light source switch.

  However, in this case, it is not necessary to pause until the voltage drops below the voltage drop of the LED group to which the light source switch to be turned on next is connected. Therefore, when the voltage drop after switching the light source switch is larger than the voltage drop before switching, the length of the pause period of the chopping operation is that when the voltage drop after switching the light source switch is smaller than the voltage drop before switching. It may be shorter than the length of the rest period of the chopping operation.

The above configuration can be implemented as a lighting fixture including a light source unit or a lighting device not including a light source unit, and the same effect can be obtained in any case.
In other words, when the suspending period of the chopping operation when the voltage drop after switching the light source switch is larger than the voltage drop before switching is the second period, it can be paraphrased as follows.

  In the lighting device and the lighting fixture according to Modification 6, the control processing unit IC2 pauses the chopping operation for a second period shorter than the first period. The pause is a switching in which the voltage drop of the LED group connected to the light source switch after switching is larger than the voltage drop of the LED group connected to the light source switch before switching in the repetition order of switching the light source switch. Done in advance. Then, the control processing unit IC2 restarts the chopping operation for the switching element Q2 together with the switching.

Moreover, the lighting fixture which concerns on the modification 6 has several LED group (light source) 3, 4, 5, 6 from which the voltage drop when the same electric current flows mutually differs, and the lighting device provided with said characteristic. .
Thereby, the length of 1 period in the repetition order of light source switch switching can be shortened, and flicker can be reduced more.
(Modification 7)
In the above-described embodiment and the like, the boost chopper circuit is used as the smoothing circuit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a smoothing capacitor may be used alone. Further, the step-down chopper circuit is used as the output adjustment circuit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other DC-DC converters such as a flyback circuit may be used.

(Modification 8)
In the above embodiments and the like, MOSFETs are used as the light source switches, but other switching elements such as bipolar transistors may also be used.
(Modification 9)
According to the configuration of the lighting fixture and the lighting device according to the above-described embodiment and the like, a special operation can be further performed by the control circuit when a component abnormality or circuit abnormality of the DC power supply circuit occurs. For example, assuming that the switching element in the DC power supply circuit generates abnormal heat, the control circuit is provided with a sensor for detecting heat generation. The control circuit disconnects all of the plurality of light sources from the DC power supply circuit when detecting abnormal heat generation of the switching element in the DC power supply circuit. Thereby, destruction of each light source by the excessive electric current output to each light source can be suppressed.

(Modification 10)
In the lighting fixture and the lighting device according to the above-described embodiment and the like, the switching element Q2 is caused to perform the chopping operation, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the switching element Q2 does not perform the chopping operation and is applied to the configuration of the lighting fixture 100 and the lighting device 2 according to the first embodiment, burst control time data TA (n), TB (n), TC During the periods (n) and TD (n), the switching element Q2 may be continuously turned on without performing the chopping operation.

Even with the configuration of this modification, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and the like can be obtained.
(Modification 11)
Furthermore, the switching element Q2 may not be turned off prior to switching the light source switch but may remain on. In this case, since a current flows when the light source switch is switched, some stress is applied to the light source switch and the LED. However, since the light source switch with the smallest voltage drop is not turned on next to the light source switch with the largest voltage drop, the occurrence of an excessive inrush current is suppressed, and the stress and damage received by the light source switch and LED from the excessive inrush current are suppressed. Can be reduced.

≪Example of application of lighting equipment≫
In FIG. 15, the specific application example of the lighting fixture which concerns on the said embodiment etc. is shown. Fig.15 (a) is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example when the lighting fixture which concerns on the said embodiment etc. is applied to a downlight. FIG. 15B is an external perspective view showing an example in which the luminaire according to the above embodiment is applied to a spotlight. FIG.15 (c) is an external appearance perspective view which shows another example when the lighting fixture which concerns on the said embodiment etc. is applied to a spotlight. Here, although the specific application example of the lighting fixture 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 is shown as a representative example, any of the lighting fixture which concerns on each said embodiment and each modification may be applied.

The lighting devices 2a, 2b, and 2c in the lighting fixtures 100a, 100b, and 100c shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are in a case where the circuit of the lighting device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is made of metal, resin, or the like. The case is basically the same except that the appearance of the case is different.
Lamps 7a, 7b, and 7c shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are a light source unit 1, a base on which the light source unit 1 is mounted, and light emitted from the light source unit 1 in a desired direction. And a cover for protecting the light source unit from the outside.

In FIGS. 15A, 15 </ b> B, and 15 </ b> C, the light source unit 1 and the base are not visible behind the reflecting member and the cover.
The wiring 8 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15C is for making an electrical connection between the light source unit 1 and the lighting device 2. In FIG. 15B, the wiring 8 is housed inside the lighting device 2b (the case) and the lamp body 7b, and is not visible from the outside.

<Supplement>
Each of the embodiments and the modifications described above shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the embodiment, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are described as arbitrary constituent elements that constitute a more preferable form.

In addition, in order to easily understand the invention, the scales of the constituent elements in the drawings described in the above embodiments may be different from actual ones. Each figure shown above is a schematic diagram, and is not necessarily illustrated strictly.
The present invention is not limited by the description of each of the above embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the lighting fixture which combines suitably the partial structure of the lighting fixture which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2, and the structure which concerns on each said modification may be sufficient.

2 lighting device 2a lighting device 2b lighting device 2c lighting device 3 LED group (light source)
4 LED group (light source)
5 LED group (light source)
6 LED group (light source)
11 DC power supply circuit 12 output adjustment circuit 30 series load circuit 40 series load circuit 50 series load circuit 60 series load circuit 100 lighting fixture 100a lighting fixture 100b lighting fixture 100c lighting fixture 112 current detection unit 200 lighting fixture 202 lighting device 220 control unit 300 Lighting fixture 302 Lighting device IC2 Control processing unit Q2 Switching element (chopping switch)
Q3 Light source switch Q4 Light source switch Q5 Light source switch Q6 Light source switch

Claims (13)

A lighting device for lighting a light source unit having a plurality of light sources having different voltage drops when the same current flows,
An output adjustment circuit for adjusting the output DC power;
A plurality of light source switches connected in series to each of the plurality of light sources in a one-to-one relationship to form a series load circuit;
A control processing unit for controlling a current flowing through each of the plurality of light sources,
Each of the series load circuits is connected in parallel to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit,
The control processing unit switches on and off the plurality of light source switches according to a predetermined repetition order so that on periods of the plurality of light source switches do not overlap each other.
In the predetermined repetition order, the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is smaller than the voltage drop of the light source connected to the light source switch before switching. , suppressing inrush suppression control the inrush current flowing through the series load circuit after the switching of the difference becomes maximum, have rows in accordance with the switching the difference is maximum,
In the rush suppression control, the control processing unit switches the light source switch during a first rush suppression period shorter than the ON period of the light source switch included in the series load circuit that is a control target of the rush suppression control. A lighting device that turns on and off intermittently . The control processing unit has an inrush current that flows in the series load circuit including the light source in which the voltage drop is smaller than the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch before switching is connected in the predetermined repetition order. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the rush suppression control is performed to suppress the rush. An inrush suppression circuit having an impedance element and a switching element connected in series to the impedance element is connected to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit in parallel with the plurality of series load circuits,
The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein in the rush suppression control, the control processing unit turns on the switching element. A lighting device for lighting a light source unit having a plurality of light sources having different voltage drops when the same current flows,
An output adjustment circuit for adjusting the output DC power;
A plurality of light source switches connected in series to each of the plurality of light sources in a one-to-one relationship to form a series load circuit;
A control processing unit for controlling a current flowing through each of the plurality of light sources,
Each of the series load circuits is connected in parallel to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit,
The control processing unit switches on and off the plurality of light source switches according to a predetermined repetition order so that on periods of the plurality of light source switches do not overlap each other.
In the predetermined repetition order, the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is smaller than the voltage drop of the light source connected to the light source switch before switching. The inrush suppression control for suppressing the inrush current flowing in the series load circuit after the switching that maximizes the difference is performed in accordance with the switching that maximizes the difference,
A current detection unit for detecting a current flowing in the series load circuit;
In the rush suppression control, the light source switch included in the series load circuit that is a control target of the rush suppression control until the current value detected by the current detection unit reaches an allowable current value. When the current value detected by the current detection unit reaches the allowable current value, the period during which the light source switch is turned on until the predetermined allowable current value is reached is controlled by the inrush suppression control. A lighting device that intermittently turns on and off the light source switch during a second inrush suppression period that is shorter than the period of subtraction from the on period of the light source switch included in the series load circuit. In the predetermined repetition order, in order from the light source switch connected to the light source with the smallest voltage drop among the plurality of light sources, the voltage drop is turned on in the larger order.
When the ON period of the light source switch connected to the light source with the largest voltage drop is completed, the control processing unit returns to the beginning of the predetermined repetition order and is connected to the light source with the smallest voltage drop. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the light source switch is turned on again and the rush suppression control is performed. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the control processing unit adjusts a length of the on period of each of the plurality of light source switches. A DC power supply circuit;
The output adjustment circuit has a chopping switch connected to the output terminal of the DC power supply circuit,
The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the control processing unit adjusts a current output from the output adjustment circuit by a chopping operation in which the chopping switch is repeatedly turned on and off. The lighting device according to claim 7 , wherein the control processing unit adjusts a length of an operation period of the chopping operation in the ON period of each of the plurality of light source switches. In the predetermined repetition order, the control processing unit is configured such that the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is the voltage of the light source to which the light source switch before switching is connected. prior to the switching to be smaller than the drop, the first period, the off the chopping switch rested the chopping operation, according to claim 7 or resuming the chopping operation with respect to the chopping switch together with the switch 8 The lighting device described in 1. A lighting device for lighting a light source unit having a plurality of light sources having different voltage drops when the same current flows,
An output adjustment circuit for adjusting the output DC power;
A plurality of light source switches connected in series to each of the plurality of light sources in a one-to-one relationship to form a series load circuit;
A control processing unit for controlling a current flowing through each of the plurality of light sources,
Each of the series load circuits is connected in parallel to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit,
The control processing unit switches on and off the plurality of light source switches according to a predetermined repetition order so that on periods of the plurality of light source switches do not overlap each other.
In the predetermined repetition order, the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is smaller than the voltage drop of the light source connected to the light source switch before switching. The inrush suppression control for suppressing the inrush current flowing in the series load circuit after the switching that maximizes the difference is performed in accordance with the switching that maximizes the difference,
A DC power supply circuit;
The output adjustment circuit has a chopping switch connected to the output terminal of the DC power supply circuit,
The control processing unit adjusts the current output from the output adjustment circuit by a chopping operation that repeatedly turns on and off the chopping switch,
In the predetermined repetition order, the control processing unit is configured such that the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is the voltage of the light source to which the light source switch before switching is connected. Prior to the switching smaller than the descent, for a first period, the chopping switch is turned off to pause the chopping operation, and the chopping operation is resumed for the chopping switch with the switching,
The control processing unit is configured such that, in the predetermined repetition order, the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is the voltage of the light source connected to the light source switch before switching. Prior to the switching that is greater than the descent, the chopping operation is suspended for a second period shorter than the first period, and the chopping operation is resumed for the chopping switch along with the switching. . A lighting device for lighting a light source unit having a plurality of light sources having different voltage drops when the same current flows,
An output adjustment circuit for adjusting the output DC power;
A plurality of light source switches connected in series to each of the plurality of light sources in a one-to-one relationship to form a series load circuit;
A control processing unit for controlling a current flowing through each of the plurality of light sources,
Each of the series load circuits is connected in parallel to the output terminal of the output adjustment circuit,
The control processing unit switches on and off the plurality of light source switches according to a predetermined repetition order so that on periods of the plurality of light source switches do not overlap each other.
In the predetermined repetition order, the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is smaller than the voltage drop of the light source connected to the light source switch before switching. The inrush suppression control for suppressing the inrush current flowing in the series load circuit after the switching that maximizes the difference is performed in accordance with the switching that maximizes the difference,
A DC power supply circuit;
The output adjustment circuit has a chopping switch connected to the output terminal of the DC power supply circuit,
The control processing unit adjusts the current output from the output adjustment circuit by a chopping operation that repeatedly turns on and off the chopping switch,
In the predetermined repetition order, the control processing unit is configured such that the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is the voltage of the light source to which the light source switch before switching is connected. Prior to the switching smaller than the descent, for a first period, the chopping switch is turned off to pause the chopping operation, and the chopping operation is resumed for the chopping switch with the switching,
In the predetermined repetition order, the control processing unit is configured such that the voltage drop of the light source to which the light source switch after switching is connected is the voltage of the light source to which the light source switch before switching is connected. A lighting device that does not pause the chopping operation prior to the switching being greater than the descent. A plurality of light sources the voltage drop are different from each other, the lighting device according to any one of different claims 1 luminescent color from each other 11. A plurality of light sources having different voltage drops when the same current flows;
A lighting fixture comprising: the lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 .

Images