Patent Application
20110025226
The present invention relates in general to the switching of discharge lamps.
It is generally known that gas discharge lamps, for example the well-known TL-lamps, are driven by an electro magnetic ballast (EM ballast).
In a more sophisticated design, the mechanical switch is replaced by a controllable semiconductor switch, operated by an intelligent control device such as for instance a controller.
The electronic switching circuit 20 further comprises a control device 28, having a control output connected to the control terminal of the switch 26. The control device 28 may derive its power from the terminals 24, 25, or may derive its power from an external circuit (not shown). The control device 28 may be responsive to external command signals, transmitted over an external circuit (not shown), via a wired or wireless link, e.g. RF.
In normal operation, the switch 26 is non-conductive. Assume that the lamp is OFF. If the control device 28 wishes to switch ON the lamp 2, it generates a control signal for the switch 26 such as to render the switch 26 conductive. As a consequence, a current will start flowing through the inductor L, charging the capacitor C. After some time, the control device 28 renders the switch 26 non-conductive again. Current flowing in the inductor L will continue to flow, increasing the voltage over the capacitor C, which voltage is present over the lamp terminals. If the voltage exceeds the lamp ignition voltage, the lamp will ignite.
For allowing the control device 28 to implement a correct timing of the switching, the control device 28 inter alia receives a signal indicating momentary current magnitude from a current sensor. In the example of
In order to easily exchange starter switches, the standard mechanical switch S is implemented in a cylindrical housing 30 having two projecting terminals 31, 32 with T-shaped cross-section in one end face 33, as schematically illustrated in
An electronic switching circuit is typically designed to match a certain lamp type. This means that the behavior of the control device 28 is adapted to parameters of, among others, the lamp and the combination of inductor L and capacitor C. In practice, the control device 28 comprises a microcontroller with a memory, and the control behavior is defined by control parameters stored in such memory. Such control parameters may be independent of a certain lamp, or may be adapted to match a certain lamp. Now, it is possible that such control parameters are stored in the memory upon manufacture of the electronic switching circuit. However, this effectively means that it is necessary to manufacture many different types of electronic starters, with increased costs of storage, transport, etc. Further, it is costly to produce a new electronic starter type in case a new lamp type is developed. Further, if wrong parameters are stored in the memory, it is necessary to disassemble the electronic starter if it is required to correct the parameters, which is relatively costly to such extent that the electronic starters can be considered waste.
Further, the memory of the control device may contain information such as an address, a name, software version, production date, etc, and it is desirable to be able to change such information later. Especially, it is desirable to be able to change the software of the control device.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic starter wherein the above-mentioned problems are overcome.
In one aspect, the present invention provides additional connector terminals on the housing of the electronic starter, which connector terminals are suitably coupled to suitable terminals of the control device (microcontroller) for enabling communication to the control device, particularly reprogramming of the control device and/or amending parameters in the memory of the control device.
Although these additional connector terminals may in principle be located anywhere on the starter housing, it is preferred that these terminals are located in the same housing face as the input terminals. In that case, these additional terminals are automatically shielded when the starter is mounted, while further the T-shaped input terminals can be used to assist for coupling to a programming device.
Further advantageous elaborations are mentioned in the dependent claims.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained by the following description of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which same reference numerals indicate same or similar parts, and in which:
The starter 100 further comprises a communication connector 140 arranged in the bottom face 133, having a plurality of communication terminals 141 that are distinct from the main input connector terminals 131, 132, i.e. electrically insulated from these main input connector terminals. In the illustrated embodiment, the communication connector 140 comprises three such communication terminals 141, but this number is shown for illustrative purposes rather than restrictive purposes. The communication terminals 141 may be arranged in any suitable array; in the preferred embodiment shown, the communication terminals 141 are arranged in a linear array perpendicular to the line connecting the main input connector terminals 131, 132.
The implementation of the communication terminals 141 is not critical, and can be designed suitably by any person skilled in the art in accordance with his liking. However, in order not to interfere with the normal connectivity of the starter 100 in any type of common socket 35, the communication terminals 141 preferably do not, or only to a negligible extent, project outwards from the bottom face 133. Advantageously, the communication terminals 141 are implemented as a ball-grid terminal, a female bush terminal, or a flat contact flush with or recessed in the bottom face 133. Although the communication terminals 141 may mutually be identical, it is also possible that they are mutually implemented in a different way.
In normal operation, the electronic starter 100 is mounted in a starter socket 35; the communication terminals 141 then are not accessible and are shielded by the socket. When it is desired to change the programming of the control device 180, the electronic starter 100 is taken from starter socket 35 so that the communication terminals 141 become accessible. Programming may be done by, for instance, a PC with a suitable connector.
The present invention also provides a specially adapted programming tool 200.
For easy cooperation with the electronic starter 100, the housing 310 has two mutually parallel guiding channels 321 and 322 formed in the rear surface 312, each guiding channel having a T-shaped cross-section matching the cross-section of the main starter input connector terminals 131, 132, and each extending from the top surface 313 to a position close to the programming contacts 316. The main input connector terminals 131, 132 are inserted in these guiding channels 321, 322, and the starter 100 is moved downwards until the terminals 131, 132 abut the respective ends 323, 324 of the guiding channels 321, 322. When the starter 100 is in this position defined by the ends 323, 324 of the guiding channels 321, 322, which will be indicated as a programming position, the communication terminals 141 are aligned with and in contact with the programming contacts 316. It is not necessary for the user to hold on to the starter 100, because the shape of the guiding channels 321, 322 assures that the main starter input connector terminals 132, 132 are held firmly. After the starter 100 has been (re-)programmed, the starter 100 is disconnected simply by shifting the starter towards the top surface 313.
It is also possible to copy the settings of one starter 100 (master) into one or a plurality of other starters (slaves). In a first step, the master starter is mounted to the tool 200, and its settings are read and stored in a memory of the tool 200. In a second step, a slave starter is mounted to the tool 200, and the settings are communicated to its control device. This second step can be repeated for multiple slaves.
Summarizing, the present invention provides an electronic starter 100 comprising a housing 130 with a bottom face 133 and main input connector terminals 131, 132 projecting externally from the bottom face 133. The starter further comprises an electronic switching circuit 150 arranged in the housing 130, the electronic switching circuit 150 comprising:
The control device 180 further has programming input terminals 182.
The housing 130 further is provided with a communication connector 140 having a plurality of communication terminals 141 connected to the programming input terminals 182 of the control device 180.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments; rather, several variations and modifications are possible within the protective scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims.
For instance, the electronic circuit in the starter 100 may differ from the circuit shown and discussed. Especially, embodiments are possible in which the rectifier is omitted.
Further, it should be clear that the exact implementation of the electronic circuit of the programming tool (200) is not important.
Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
In the above, the present invention has been explained with reference to block diagrams, which illustrate functional blocks of the device according to the present invention. It is to be understood that one or more of these functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, where the function of such functional block is performed by individual hardware components, but it is also possible that one or more of these functional blocks are implemented in software, so that the function of such functional block is performed by one or more program lines of a computer program or a programmable device such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, etc.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08151435.8 | Feb 2008 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB09/50475 | 2/5/2009 | WO | 00 | 8/5/2010 |
