阅读说明：本技术 负载控制系统及程序 (Load control system and program ) 是由 宫本贤吾 前场康太 于 2019-07-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的目的在于降低电源部的供给电力不足的可能性。本发明的负载控制系统(1)具备：开关(10)；控制部；附加功能部；电源部(30)；及调整部(23)。控制部将对于交流电源(2)而与负载(3)电性串联连接的开关(10)控制成导通状态或者非导通状态。附加功能部执行与开关(10)的开关运作相异的处理。电源部(30)接受从交流电源(2)供给的电力,而产生对于控制部及附加功能部供给的电力。调整部(23)将电源部(30)从交流电源(2)接受电力的供给的供给时间段,在附加功能部正常运作的状态下附加功能部的消耗电力成为最大的最大负载状态下予以调整。(The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of insufficient power supply from a power supply unit. A load control system (1) is provided with: a switch (10); a control unit; an additional function section; a power supply unit (30); and an adjusting part (23). The control unit controls a switch (10) electrically connected in series with a load (3) with respect to an AC power supply (2) to be in a conductive state or a non-conductive state. The additional function unit executes processing different from the switching operation of the switch (10). The power supply unit (30) receives power supplied from the AC power supply (2) and generates power to be supplied to the control unit and the additional function unit. The adjusting section (23) adjusts the supply time period in which the power supply section (30) receives the supply of electric power from the AC power supply (2) in a maximum load state in which the power consumption of the additional function section is maximized in a state in which the additional function section is operating normally.)

1. A load control system, comprising:

a switch that is electrically connected in series to a load with respect to an ac power source and that phase-controls an ac voltage supplied to the load;

a control unit that controls the switch to a conductive state or a non-conductive state;

an additional function unit for executing a process different from a switching operation of the switch;

a power supply unit that receives power supplied from the ac power supply and generates power to be supplied to the control unit and the additional function unit; and

and an adjusting unit that adjusts a supply time period during which the power supply unit receives supply of electric power from the ac power supply in a maximum load state in which the power consumption of the additional function unit is maximized in a state in which the additional function unit is normally operating.

2. The load control system according to claim 1, further comprising an operation receiving unit that receives an operation for changing the supply time period,

wherein the adjusting section changes the supply time period in accordance with the operation accepted by the operation accepting section.

3. The load control system of claim 1,

the adjusting section adjusts the supply time period so as to obtain the electric power required by the control section and the additional function section in the maximum load state.

4. The load control system of claim 1,

the adjusting section realizes the maximum load state by operating the additional function section.

5. The load control system of any of claims 1-3,

the adjusting part realizes the maximum load state by electrically connecting a virtual load different from the additional function part to the power supply part.

6. The load control system of any of claims 1-3,

the adjusting part is electrically connected with a virtual load different from the additional function part for the power supply part under the operation state of the additional function part, so that the maximum load state is realized.

7. The load control system of claim 5 or 6,

the power supply unit includes: a first charging unit 1 that generates a charging voltage by being charged with an alternating-current voltage from the alternating-current power supply; and a2 nd charging section charged by the charging voltage of the 1 st charging section,

the dummy load and the additional function part are electrically connected to an output side of the 2 nd charging part, an

The adjustment unit adjusts the supply time period during which the power supply unit receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply, in accordance with the magnitude of the charging voltage of the 1 st charging unit.

8. The load control system of claim 7,

a voltage stabilizing circuit is electrically connected to the output side of the 2 nd charging unit, and the voltage stabilizing circuit outputs a stabilized voltage by using the 2 nd charging unit as a power supply; and

the additional function part is electrically connected to the output side of the voltage stabilizing circuit.

9. The load control system of any of claims 1-8,

the additional function section operates intermittently.

10. The load control system of any of claims 1-9,

the load comprises a light source capable of dimmed lighting,

the control section performs phase control of the AC voltage supplied to the load by controlling the switch to a conductive state or a non-conductive state, an

The adjusting unit adjusts the supply period in a non-conduction period other than a conduction period in which the switch is in a conduction state, according to a dimming level of the light source.

11. A program for causing a computer system to execute:

controlling a switch, which is electrically connected in series to a load with respect to an ac power source and performs phase control on an ac voltage supplied to the load, to a conductive state or a non-conductive state;

causing the additional function unit to execute processing different from the switching operation of the switch; and

the control unit adjusts a supply time period during which the power supply unit receives supply of power from the ac power supply in a maximum load state in which power consumption of the additional function unit is maximized in a state in which the additional function unit is operating normally, and the power supply unit receives power supplied from the ac power supply and generates power to be supplied to the additional function unit.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a load control system and a program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a load control system and a program for performing phase control of an ac voltage supplied to a load.

Background

Conventionally, a light control device for controlling a lighting load is known (for example, patent document 1).

The light control device described in patent document 1 includes: a pair of terminals; a control circuit section; and a control power supply unit for supplying control power to the control circuit unit.

The control circuit unit and the control power supply unit are connected in parallel between the pair of terminals. Further, a serial circuit of an ac power source and a lighting load is connected between the pair of terminals. The lighting load is provided with: a plurality of LED (light Emitting diode) components; and a power supply circuit for lighting each LED assembly. The power supply circuit includes a smoothing circuit including a diode and an electrolytic capacitor.

The control circuit unit includes: a switching unit that performs phase control on an alternating-current voltage supplied to the lighting load; a switch driving unit that drives the switch unit; and a control unit for controlling the switch driving unit and the power supply unit.

The control power supply part is connected in parallel to the switch part. The control power supply unit converts an alternating voltage of an alternating current power supply into a control power supply. The control power supply unit includes: and an electrolytic capacitor for accumulating the control power source.

The control unit is supplied with control power from a control power supply unit (power supply unit) via an electrolytic capacitor. The control unit executes reverse phase control for interrupting the power supply to the lighting load during each half cycle of the alternating voltage, based on the dimming level set by the dimming operation unit.

In the light control device described in patent document 1, the control power supply unit (power supply unit) converts the ac voltage of the ac power supply into the control power supply and stores the control power supply in the electrolytic capacitor during the time period when the switch unit (switch) is off. The control power supply unit supplies the power consumption of the control circuit unit in all the time periods by the power stored in the off time period of the switch unit, and therefore, when the power consumption of the control circuit unit (the control unit and the additional function unit) increases, the power supplied by the control power supply unit may be insufficient.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2013-

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a load control system and a program that can reduce the possibility of insufficient power supplied from a power supply unit.

A load control system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a switch; a control unit; an additional function section; a power supply unit; and an adjusting part. The switch is electrically connected in series to a load with respect to an ac power source, and performs phase control of an ac voltage supplied to the load. The control unit controls the switch to be in a conductive state or a non-conductive state. The additional function unit is used for executing processing different from the switch operation of the switch. The power supply unit receives power supplied from the ac power supply and generates power to be supplied to the control unit and the additional function unit. The adjustment unit adjusts a supply time period during which the power supply unit receives power from the ac power supply in a maximum load state. The maximum load state is a state in which the power consumption of the additional function unit is maximized in a state in which the additional function unit is normally operated.

A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer system to execute the 1 st process, the 2 nd process, and the 3 rd process. The above-described process 1 is a process of controlling the switch to a conductive state or a non-conductive state. The switch is electrically connected in series to a load with respect to an ac power source, and performs phase control of an ac voltage supplied to the load. The process 2 is a process of causing the additional function unit to perform a switching operation different from that of the switch. The process of the 3 rd step is a process of adjusting a supply time period during which the power supply unit receives supply of electric power from the ac power supply in the maximum load state. The maximum load state is a state in which the power consumption of the additional function unit is maximized in a state in which the additional function unit is normally operated. The power supply unit receives power supplied from the ac power supply to generate power to be supplied to the additional function unit.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a load control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a state where the front cover of the load control system is removed, as above.

Fig. 3 is a waveform diagram of each part of the load control system as described above.

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of a power supply unit included in the load control system similar to the above.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the load control system as described above.

Fig. 6A is a waveform diagram of the load voltage and the charging current at the time of starting. Fig. 6B is a waveform diagram of the load voltage and the charging current after adjustment of the supply period.

Detailed Description

(embodiment mode)

(1) Summary of the invention

As shown in fig. 1, the load control system 1 of the present embodiment includes a switch 10 electrically connected in series with a load 3 with respect to an ac power supply 2. The load control system 1 performs phase control of an ac voltage Vac supplied from an ac power supply 2 to a load 3 by a switch 10. The "phase control" is a method of controlling the ac voltage Vac supplied (applied) to the load 3 by changing the phase angle (conduction angle) at which the current supply to the load 3 is started and the phase angle at which the current supply to the load 3 is ended, respectively, every half cycle of the ac voltage Vac. That is, the load control system 1 controls the load 3 such as a lighting load, a heater, or a fan by phase-controlling the ac voltage Vac supplied to the load 3.

In the present embodiment, a case of an illumination load in which the load 3 includes a plurality of LED modules and a lighting circuit for lighting the plurality of LED modules will be described as an example. That is, the load control system 1 constitutes a dimming device for adjusting the magnitude of the light output of the load 3 constituted by the lighting loads by phase control. The lighting circuit of the load 3 reads the dimming level from the waveform of the ac voltage Vac phase-controlled by the load control system 1, and changes the magnitude of the light output of the LED module. The lighting circuit of the load 3 includes a current securing circuit such as a bleeder circuit as an example. Therefore, even in a period in which the switch 10 of the load control system 1 is brought into a non-conductive state, a current can be caused to flow to the load 3. The AC power supply 2 is, for example, a single-phase 100V or 60 Hz commercial power supply.

The load control system 1 of the present embodiment is a 2-wire type, and is electrically connected between the ac power supply 2 and the load 3 in such a manner that the switch 10 is electrically connected in series with the load 3 with respect to the ac power supply 2. In other words, with the load control system 1, the 2 wires 4A, 4B connected to the electric wire 4A of the alternating-current power source 2 and the electric wire 4B connected to the load 3 are connected, and the switch 10 is inserted between the 2 wires 4A, 4B. Therefore, when the switch 10 is in the on state, the ac voltage Vac from the ac power supply 2 is applied to the load 3, and power is supplied to the load 3. When the switch 10 is in the non-conductive state, the ac voltage Vac from the ac power supply 2 is applied to the load control system 1, and the supply of electric power to the load 3 is stopped. The load control system 1 obtains the operation electric power of the load control system 1 itself from the ac power supply 2 via the 2 wires 4A and 4B, and controls the switch 10 and the like. That is, since the load control system 1 generates its own operational electric power by the power supply unit 30 described later when the switch 10 is in the non-conductive state, the 2-wire type load control system 1 can be realized.

The load control system 1 of the present embodiment includes: the above-described switch 10; a control unit (for example, a dimming control unit 21); an additional function section (for example, a wireless communication section 22); a power supply unit 30; and an adjusting section 23.

The control unit (dimming control unit 21) controls the switch 10 to be in a conductive state or a non-conductive state. Here, the operation of controlling the switch 10 to supply (apply) the ac voltage Vac to the load 3 by controlling the switch 10 to be in a conductive state or a non-conductive state to perform phase control on the ac voltage Vac to be supplied (applied) to the load 3 is referred to as a switching operation.

The additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) executes processing different from the switching operation of the switch 10. The "processing different from the switching operation" refers to processing for realizing a function other than the switching operation of the additional function unit. In the following embodiments, a case will be described in which the additional function unit is the wireless communication unit 22, and the processing different from the switching operation is the processing for performing communication by the wireless communication method.

The power supply unit 30 receives power supplied from the ac power supply 2 and generates power to be supplied to the control unit (the dimming control unit 21) and the additional function unit (the wireless communication unit 22).

The adjusting unit 23 adjusts the supply time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 in the maximum load state. The maximum load state is a state in which the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) is maximized in a state in which the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) is normally operating. The "state in which the additional function unit normally operates" refers to a state in which the additional function unit is operating in a state in which the function of the additional function unit can be realized. The "maximum load state" in which the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) is maximized in a state where the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) is normally operating means a state in which the power consumption is maximized except for a state in which the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) is increased due to a failure or the like. The supply time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 is a time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 and generates electric power to be supplied to the control unit (the light control unit 21) and the additional function unit (the wireless communication unit 22) every half cycle of the ac voltage Vac.

As described above, the power supply unit 30 generates power to be supplied to the control unit (the dimming control unit 21) and the additional function unit (the wireless communication unit 22) during the time period in which the switch 10 is in the non-conduction state, and supplies necessary power for the entire time period by the power generated during the time period. In the load control system 1 of the present embodiment, the adjusting unit 23 adjusts the supply time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 in the maximum load state. Therefore, if the supply time period is adjusted so that the supply power of the power supply unit 30 is not insufficient in the maximum load state, the possibility of the supply power of the power supply unit 30 being insufficient can be reduced when the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) has varied. Further, when the supply time period is lengthened at the timing when the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) increases, the supply time period may be adjusted to shorten the time period during which the switch 10 is turned on, and the output of the load may fluctuate. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 23 adjusts the supply time period in the maximum load state, and does not adjust the supply time period every time the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) varies, so that variation in the output of the load can be suppressed.

(2) Details of

As shown in fig. 1, a load control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes: the switch 10 and the power supply unit 30; and a processing circuit 20. Further, the load control system 1 of the present embodiment further includes: a pair of input terminals 61, 62; diodes D1, D2; an interface section 40; and an operation unit 50. The processing circuit 20 has: the control unit (light control unit 21) described above; an additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22); and the function of the adjusting section 23. In addition, the processing circuit 20 also has: and an operation receiving unit 24 for receiving an operation of the operation unit 50. Note that the "input terminal" may not be a member (terminal) for connecting an electric wire or the like, and may be, for example, a lead wire of an electronic component or a part of a conductor included in a circuit substrate. The load control system 1 of the present embodiment is applicable to a wall switch or the like as an example. As shown in fig. 2, the load control system 1 includes a housing 70 of a building material 100 mounted on a wall or the like using a frame member. The front face of the housing 70 is exposed from an opening of a decorative frame 80 attached to the front side of the frame member. Note that, on the front side of the housing 70 shown in fig. 2, a front cover 72 provided with a touch panel provided in the interface unit 40 described later is attached.

The switch 10 is composed of, for example, 2 switching elements Q1 and Q2 electrically connected in series between the input terminals 61 and 62. For example, each of the switching elements Q1 and Q2 is a Semiconductor switching element formed of a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor).

The switching elements Q1 and Q2 are connected in series between the input terminals 61 and 62 in a so-called reverse manner. That is, the sources of the switching elements Q1, Q2 are connected to each other. The drain of the switching element Q1 is connected to the input terminal 61, and the drain of the switching element Q2 is connected to the input terminal 62. The sources of the two switching elements Q1, Q2 are connected to the ground of the power supply section 30. The ground of the power supply unit 30 is a reference potential with respect to the internal circuit of the load control system 1.

The switch 10 is switchable between 4 states by a combination of on and off states of the switching elements Q1 and Q2. The switching elements Q1 and Q2 are controlled to be turned on or off by the dimming control unit 21. The 4 states include a "bidirectional off state" in which both the switching elements Q1 and Q2 are off, a "bidirectional on state" in which both the switching elements Q1 and Q2 are on, and 2 "unidirectional on states" in which only one of the switching elements Q1 and Q2 is on. In the one-way on state, the on-side switching element of the switching elements Q1 and Q2 is turned on in one direction between the pair of input terminals 61 and 62 by the parasitic diode of the off-side switching element. For example, when the switching element Q1 is on and the switching element Q2 is off, the "1 st one-way on state" in which a current flows from the input terminal 61 to the input terminal 62 is set. In addition, when the switching element Q2 is on and the switching element Q1 is off, the "2 nd one-way on state" in which a current flows from the input terminal 62 to the input terminal 61 is set. Therefore, when the ac voltage Vac is applied from the ac power supply 2 between the input terminals 61 and 62, the 1 st one-way on state becomes the "forward on state" and the 2 nd one-way on state becomes the "reverse on state" in a half cycle in which the ac voltage Vac is positive (that is, when the input terminal 61 is positive). In addition, in a half period in which the ac voltage Vac is negative in polarity (i.e., when the input terminal 62 is positive), the 2 nd one-way on state becomes the "forward on state", and the 1 st one-way on state becomes the "reverse on state".

Here, the two states of the "bidirectional on state" and the "forward on state" of the switch 10 are "on states" in which current flows to the load 3 through the switch 10. The two states of the "bidirectional off state" and the "reverse on state" in the case of the switch 10 are "non-conductive states" in which current flows to the load 3 without passing through the switch 10. Therefore, the dimming control unit 21 controls the switching elements Q1 and Q2 to be turned on or off in the positive half cycle or the negative half cycle of the ac voltage Vac, respectively, thereby controlling the switch 10 to be in the "conductive state" or the "non-conductive state".

The interface unit 40 receives an input level that defines a phase angle (conduction angle) at which current is supplied to the load 3 at the beginning or end of each half cycle of the ac voltage Vac. That is, the input level defines the timing at which the switch 10 is in a conductive state or a non-conductive state in a half cycle of the ac voltage Vac. In the present embodiment, since the load control system 1 is a dimming device, the interface unit 40 receives an operation performed by a user and receives an input of a dimming level as an input level. The interface unit 40 outputs a dimming signal indicating a dimming level to the processing circuit 20. The dimming signal is a numerical value or the like for specifying the magnitude of the light output of the load 3, and may include an "OFF level" for turning OFF the load 3. In the present embodiment, the interface unit 40 has a touch panel that receives a touch operation by a user, for example. The touch panel is held by a front cover 72 mounted on the front side of the housing 70, and is configured to be able to receive a touch operation by a user in a state where the housing 70 of the load control system 1 is mounted on the construction material 100 such as a wall. Note that the interface section 40 may be a configuration that outputs a signal indicating an input level (dimming level), and may be, for example, a variable resistor, a rotary switch, or the like. Further, the interface unit 40 may be a receiving unit that receives a signal from a communication terminal such as a remote controller or a smart phone.

The operation unit 50 includes a pair of operation buttons 51 and 52, for example, as shown in fig. 2, and is disposed on the front surface of a housing 70 of the load control system 1. The operation buttons 51 and 52 are covered with the front cover 72 in a state where the front cover 72 is attached to the front side of the housing 70. Therefore, in a state where the front cover 72 is mounted on the front side of the housing 70, the operation buttons 51, 52 cannot be operated, and in a state where the front cover 72 is removed, the operation buttons 51, 52 can be operated. The operation button 51 is a button operated by the user when, for example, the power supply section 30 extends the supply time period of the power supplied from the ac power supply 2. The operation button 52 is a button operated by the user when, for example, the power supply unit 30 shortens the supply time period of the power supplied from the ac power supply 2.

Further, a display lamp 71, for example, formed of an LED, is disposed on the front surface of the housing 70. When the adjustment unit 23 adjusts the supply time period, the processing circuit 20 determines whether or not the power supply unit 30 can generate the power necessary for operating the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22. If the power supply unit 30 cannot generate the power necessary for operating the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22, the processing circuit 20 turns on the indicator lamp 71. If the power supply unit 30 can generate the power necessary for operating the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22, the processing circuit 20 turns off the indicator lamp 71. Therefore, the user can adjust the supply time by confirming the state of the display lamp 71 and operating the operation part 50, so that the power supply part 30 generates the power required for operating the dimming control part 21 and the wireless communication part 22.

The interface unit 40 also has a display unit (indicator) for displaying the input level (dimming level) that has been input. The interface unit 40 includes, for example, a display unit configured by a plurality of LED modules, and displays the input level by the number of lighting of the LED modules.

The processing circuit 20 has, as described above: a light control unit 21; a wireless communication unit 22; an adjustment unit 23; and an operation receiving unit 24. The processing circuit 20 is mainly configured by a microcontroller having 1 or more processors and 1 or more memories, for example. The functions of the processing circuit 20 are realized by the processor of the microcontroller executing the program recorded in the memory of the microcontroller. The program may be recorded in a memory, may be provided via a telecommunication network such as the internet, or may be recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card. The functions of the processing circuit 20 will be described below. Note that, in the present embodiment, the processing circuit 20 includes the functions of the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22, but the dimming control unit 21 as the control unit and the wireless communication unit 22 as the additional function unit may be configured by other components.

The processing circuit 20 includes: a wireless communication unit 22 as an additional function unit for executing processing different from the switching operation. The wireless communication unit 22 is a communication module capable of performing communication by a short-range wireless communication method that does not require permission of a wireless station. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 22 is, for example, a communication module conforming to a communication standard of a specific low-power wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 22 performs intermittent communication with the control master 5 by wireless communication, for example. The wireless communication unit 22 intermittently waits for reception of a wireless signal transmitted from the control master 5 at an arbitrary timing. When the wireless communication unit 22 receives the wireless signal from the control host 5, the processing circuit 20 performs an operation corresponding to the wireless signal received by the wireless communication unit 22. The processing circuit 20 may also transmit a response signal corresponding to the wireless signal from the control master 5 from the wireless communication unit 22 to the control master 5. For example, when the control master 5 transmits a wireless signal including a control signal of the load 3 (for example, a dimming signal of the load 3), the processing circuit 20 controls the load 3 in accordance with the control signal received by the wireless communication unit 22, and transmits a control result from the wireless communication unit 22 to the control master 5 as a response signal. In the present embodiment, since the wireless communication unit 22 as the additional function unit operates intermittently, the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 22 is not constant. During transmission of the wireless communication unit 22, the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 22 increases. In addition, when the number of times of reception or transmission of the wireless communication unit 22 increases due to an increase in communication errors caused by deterioration of the surrounding noise environment, the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 22 further increases. Note that the wireless communication unit 22 is not limited to a communication module conforming to a communication standard of a specific low-power wireless communication, and may be a communication module conforming to a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The dimming control unit 21 detects the phase of the ac voltage Vac applied between the input terminals 61 and 62, and controls the switch 10 to be in the conductive state or the non-conductive state based on the detection result of the phase of the ac voltage Vac, thereby performing phase control of the ac voltage Vac supplied to the load 3. The "phase" herein includes a zero-crossing point of the ac voltage Vac and a polarity (positive polarity and negative polarity) of the ac voltage Vac. The dimming control unit 21 detects a zero cross point when the ac voltage Vac shifts from the negative polarity half cycle to the positive polarity half cycle, for example, based on a voltage obtained by dividing the voltage of the input terminal 61 by a resistance voltage dividing circuit composed of a plurality of resistors. The dimming control unit 21 detects a zero cross point when the ac voltage Vac shifts from the positive half cycle to the negative half cycle, based on a voltage obtained by dividing the voltage of the input terminal 62 by a resistance voltage dividing circuit including a plurality of resistors, for example. Wherein the zero-crossing point is not limited to the zero-crossing point (0[ V ]) in a strict sense. The zero-crossing point at which the alternating voltage Vac moves from the half cycle of the negative polarity to the half cycle of the positive polarity may be, for example, a point at which the alternating voltage Vac exceeds a positive threshold set in the vicinity of 0[ V ]. In addition, the zero-crossing point at which the alternating voltage Vac moves from the half cycle of positive polarity to the half cycle of negative polarity may be, for example, a point at which the alternating voltage Vac is lower than a negative threshold value set in the vicinity of 0[ V ]. Therefore, the detection point of the zero cross point detected by the light control unit 21 may be delayed by a little time from the zero cross point (0[ V ]) in a strict sense.

The dimming control unit 21 controls the switch 10 based on the detection result of the zero cross point and the dimming signal from the interface unit 40 or the wireless communication unit 22. The dimming control unit 21 controls each of the switch elements Q1 and Q2 to control the switch 10 to be in a conductive state or a non-conductive state. Specifically, the dimming control unit 21 controls the switching element Q1 by using the 1 st control signal SG1, controls the switching element Q2 by using the 2 nd control signal SG2, and controls each of the switching elements Q1 and Q2.

In the present embodiment, the dimming control unit 21 performs "reverse phase control" to interrupt the power supply to the load 3 during each half-cycle of the ac voltage Vac. Fig. 3 shows an ac voltage "Vac" when the light control unit 21 executes the reverse phase control, a load voltage "VL" applied to the load 3, and a voltage "V10" between both ends of the switch 10. The dimming control unit 21 controls the switch 10 to be in the on state at the timing (time t1, t5) when the 1 st supply period TA1 set by the adjustment unit 23 passes from the zero cross point (time t0, t4) every half cycle of the ac voltage Vac, and supplies power to the load 3. The dimming control unit 21 controls the switch 10 to the non-conductive state at the timing (time T2, T6) when the time period T10 elapses from the control of the switch 10 to the conductive state, thereby cutting off the power supply to the load 3. The time width of the time period T10 is a time width corresponding to the dimming signal from the interface unit 40 or the wireless communication unit 22. Thus, the dimming control unit 21 supplies power to the load 3 only during the time period T10 corresponding to the time width of the dimming signal in the middle of each half cycle of the ac voltage Vac in accordance with the dimming signal from the interface unit 40 or the wireless communication unit 22, so as to dim and light the load 3.

The adjusting unit 23 changes the length of the supply time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac voltage Vac of the ac power supply 2, for example, at the time of startup of the load control system 1 (that is, at the time of lighting of the load 3) or at the time of changing the dimming level of the load 3. In the present embodiment, the light control unit 21 performs reverse phase control. The processing circuit 20 controls the semiconductor switch included in the power supply unit 30 to switch between a state in which the power supply unit 30 performs the power generation operation and a state in which the power supply unit 30 stops the power generation operation. The processing circuit 20 controls the power supply unit 30 to be in a state of executing the power generation operation in the 1 st supply period TA1 from the zero cross point to the timing of controlling the switch 10 to be in the on state every half cycle of the ac voltage Vac. Thus, in the 1 st supply period TA1, the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 to generate electric power to be supplied to the processing circuit 20. The processing circuit 20 switches the power supply unit 30 to a state in which the power generation operation is stopped at a timing at which the switch 10 is controlled to be in an on state every half cycle of the ac voltage Vac. Then, in a state where the switch 10 is controlled to be in the non-conductive state, the processing circuit 20 switches the power supply unit 30 to a state where the power generation operation is performed at a timing (time t3, t7 in fig. 3) at which the absolute value of the voltage value of the ac voltage Vac is lower than a predetermined reference voltage (voltage value to the extent that the load 3 is not operated). Thus, the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 and generates electric power during the 2 nd supply period TA2 from the timing (times t3, t7) when the absolute value of the voltage value of the ac voltage Vac is lower than the reference voltage to the zero cross point (times t4, t8) (see fig. 3). That is, since the power supply unit 30 generates the power to be supplied to the processing circuit 20, the supply period in which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of the power from the ac power supply 2 is a period including the 1 st supply period TA1 and the 2 nd supply period TA 2. The adjusting unit 23 of the present embodiment adjusts the time width (length) of the 1 st supply period TA1 to obtain the power required for the processing circuit 20 to operate. The adjusting unit 23 receives a charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321, which will be described later, from the power supply unit 30, and adjusts the time width of the supply time period according to the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321.

In the present embodiment, the adjusting unit 23 adjusts the supply time period in accordance with the timing of the luminance change of the load 3, such as when the lighting of the load 3 is changed or when the dimming level is changed. Therefore, even if the on-period of the switch 10 is changed by adjusting the supply period and the luminance of the load 3 is changed, the user is less likely to notice the change in luminance due to the adjustment of the supply period, and the possibility that the user feels a strange feeling can be reduced. Note that the adjusting section 23 may perform adjustment of the supply period even in a steady state other than the lighting of the load 3 or the change of the dimming level. Thus, even when the frequency or voltage of the ac power supply 2 fluctuates, the adjustment unit 23 adjusts the supply time period, thereby reducing the possibility of insufficient power supply from the power supply unit 30.

The operation receiving unit 24 receives an operation for changing the supply time slot from the operation unit 50. The operation unit 50 includes operation buttons 51 and 52, and when the user operates the operation button 51, the operation reception unit 24 receives an operation signal for extending the supply time period from the operation button 51. When the user operates the operation button 52, the operation receiving unit 24 receives an operation signal for shortening the supply time period from the operation button 52. When the operation reception unit 24 receives an operation signal from the operation button 51 or 52, the adjustment unit 23 adjusts the supply time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2, in accordance with the operation signal received by the operation reception unit 24.

Next, the power supply unit 30 will be described. The power supply unit 30 receives power supplied from the ac power supply 2, and generates power to be supplied to the processing circuit 20 including the dimming control unit 21 (control unit) and the wireless communication unit 22 (additional function unit).

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the power supply unit 30. The power supply unit 30 includes: the 1 st charging section 321; and a2 nd charging unit 322. The power supply unit 30 further includes: a voltage reducer circuit 31; a constant current circuit 33; a zener diode 34 as a virtual load; a switch 35; and a DC/DC converter 36 as a voltage stabilizing circuit.

The power supply section 30 is electrically connected to the input terminal 61 via a diode D1, and is electrically connected to the input terminal 62 via a diode D2. Thus, the ac voltage Vac applied between the input terminals 61 and 62 is full-wave rectified by the diode bridge including the diodes D1 and D2 and the parasitic diodes of the switching elements Q1 and Q2, and then supplied to the power supply unit 30. Therefore, when the switch 10 is in the non-conductive state, the full-wave rectified ac voltage Vac (pulsating voltage output from the diode bridge) is applied to the power supply unit 30.

The voltage reducer circuit 31 receives a voltage obtained by full-wave rectifying an ac voltage Vac of the ac power supply 2 by a full-wave rectifier including diodes D1 and D2 and parasitic diodes of switching elements Q1 and Q2. The step-down circuit 31 is a series regulator type power supply circuit that performs step-down and smoothing of an applied voltage by applying a full-wave rectified ac voltage Vac to generate a dc voltage. In the present embodiment, the processing circuit 20 controls the semiconductor switch included in the step-down circuit 31, thereby changing the input impedance of the step-down circuit 31 (i.e., the power supply unit 30). The processing circuit 20 may switch the input impedance of the buck circuit 31 to either of the relatively high 1 st state and the relatively low 2 nd state. The processing circuit 20 is set to a state in which the generation operation of the power by the power supply unit 30 is stopped by switching the input impedance of the step-down circuit 31 to the 1 st state. The processing circuit 20 switches the input impedance of the step-down circuit 31 to the 2 nd state, thereby setting the state in which the power generation operation by the power supply unit 30 is executed.

The 1 st charging unit 321 includes a capacitor C1 such as an electrolytic capacitor. The 1 st charging part 321 is connected to the output side of the voltage reducer circuit 31. When the full-wave rectified ac voltage Vac is applied to the voltage reducer circuit 31, the 1 st charging unit 321 is charged by the output voltage of the voltage reducer circuit 31, and a charging voltage V1 is generated across the 1 st charging unit 321.

The constant current circuit 33 is connected to the 1 st charging unit 321, and the 2 nd charging unit 322 is connected to the output side of the constant current circuit 33. The constant current circuit 33 generates a constant current by the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321. The 2 nd charging unit 322 is charged by the current outputted from the constant current circuit 33.

The 2 nd charging unit 322 includes a capacitor C2 such as an electrolytic capacitor. The 2 nd charging unit 322 is connected to the output side of the 1 st charging unit 321, specifically, to the output side of the constant current circuit 33 connected to the 1 st charging unit 321, and is charged by the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321. That is, when the 1 st charging unit 321 generates the charging voltage V1, the constant current circuit 33 outputs a current having a predetermined current value using the 1 st charging unit 321 as a power source, and the 2 nd charging unit 322 is charged by the output current of the constant current circuit 33. The output current of the constant current circuit 33 is, for example, 2[ mA ].

Further, a serial circuit of a zener diode 34 and a switch 35 as a dummy load is connected to the output side of the 1 st charging unit 321. A serial circuit of the zener diode 34 and the switch 35 is connected in parallel to the 2 nd charging unit 322. The switch 35 is controlled to be turned on or off by the adjustment unit 23, and when the switch 35 is turned on, the zener diode 34 (dummy load) is connected to the output side of the 1 st charging unit 321. The zener voltage of the zener diode 34 is, for example, 10V. Therefore, when switch 35 is turned on, the power consumption of the circuit connected to the output side of charging unit 1 321 is set to 2[ mA ] × 10[ V ] to 20[ mW ], and the maximum load state is achieved.

The DC/DC converter 36 is connected to the output side of the 2 nd charging section 322. DC/DC converter 36 outputs the stabilized voltage using 2 nd charging unit 322 as a power supply. The processing circuit 20 including the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22 is connected to the output side of the DC/DC converter 36. In this way, to the output side of the 2 nd charging unit 322, the DC/DC converter 36 (voltage stabilizing circuit) which outputs the stabilized voltage using the 2 nd charging unit 322 as a power source is connected, and to the output side of the DC/DC converter 36 (voltage stabilizing circuit), the wireless communication unit 22 which is an additional functional unit is connected. Therefore, since the DC/DC converter 36 supplies the stabilized voltage to the processing circuit 20 including the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22, the operation of the processing circuit 20 can be stabilized. For example, the output voltage of the DC/DC converter 36 is 3.3[ V ], the output current is 5[ mA ], and the power consumption of the processing circuit 20 is 16.5[ mW ]. Therefore, in the maximum load state, the power consumption is larger than that when the processing circuit 20 including the wireless communication section 22 as the additional function section is normally operated.

(3) Operation of

(3.1) operation of Power supply section

When the ac power supply 2 is connected between the input terminals 61 and 62 via the load 3 at the time of mounting the load control system 1 of the present embodiment, the ac voltage Vac applied between the input terminals 61 and 62 from the ac power supply 2 is rectified and supplied to the power supply unit 30. In the power supply unit 30, the full-wave rectified ac voltage Vac is input to the step-down circuit 31, and is converted into a dc voltage having a predetermined voltage value by the step-down circuit 31, thereby generating a charging voltage V1 across the 1 st charging unit 321. At this time, a current having a predetermined current value is output from constant current circuit 33 to charge 2 nd charging unit 322, thereby generating charging voltage V2 across both ends of 2 nd charging unit 322. The charging voltage V2 of the 2 nd charging unit 322 is stabilized by the DC/DC converter 36 and supplied to the processing circuit 20 and the interface unit 40, and then the processing circuit 20 and the interface unit 40 start operating.

When the processing circuit 20 is activated, the processing circuit 20 determines the frequency of the ac power supply 2 based on, for example, a voltage obtained by dividing the voltage of the input terminals 61 and 62 by a voltage dividing circuit. Then, the processing circuit 20 refers to a numerical value table stored in advance in a memory according to the determined frequency to set parameters such as various times. When the lamp is mounted, the processing circuit 20 receives a dimming signal of, for example, an OFF level from the interface 40, and the dimming control unit 21 controls the switch 10 to be in a non-conductive state to turn OFF the load 3.

In the load control system 1 of the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 23 performs a process of adjusting the supply time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 when the load 3 is switched from the off state to the on state or when the dimming level of the load 3 is changed. Here, the process of adjusting the supply time period by the adjusting unit 23 will be described with reference to fig. 5. Note that the initial value of the supply time period is set to an arbitrary time within a range in which the time width of the supply time period can be acquired.

When the processing circuit 20 accepts the dimming signal from the interface section 40 to light the load 3 from the extinguished state at the dimming level corresponding to the dimming signal, the adjustment section 23 performs a process of adjusting the supply period. Specifically, the adjusting unit 23 sets the switch 35 to the on state so that the output side of the constant current circuit 33 is connected to the zener diode 34 in a state where the wireless communication unit 22 is operated. The zener diode 34 is a dummy load for achieving a maximum load state. The maximum load state is a state in which the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 22 is maximized in a state in which the processing circuit 20 including the wireless communication unit 22 is operating normally. The wireless communication section 22 operates intermittently, and the power consumption of the wireless communication section 22 varies depending on the operating state of the wireless communication section 22. In addition, when the communication error increases due to deterioration of the surrounding noise environment, the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 22 may also vary due to the surrounding noise environment when the wireless communication unit 22 increases the transmission output of the wireless signal. Therefore, when the zener diode 34 is connected to the output side of the constant current circuit 33, the zener diode 34 as a dummy load is selected so as to realize a maximum load state in which the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 22 becomes maximum.

The adjusting unit 23 monitors the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321 in a state where the maximum load state occurs.

However, if the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321 is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold voltage Vth, the adjusting unit 23 determines that the power necessary for operating the processing circuit 20 including the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22 can be secured. The adjusting unit 23 does not perform the process of changing the 1 st supply time period TA1 (supply time period) during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 (no in S1), that is, the process proceeds to step S3.

If the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321 does not reach the threshold voltage Vth, the adjusting unit 23 determines that the power necessary for operating the processing circuit 20 cannot be secured, and increases the 1 st supply time period TA1 until the charging voltage V1 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth. When the process of changing the 1 st feeding period TA1 (feeding period) is executed (yes in S1), the adjusting unit 23 cannot set the lower limit of the feeding period because the lower limit of the 1 st feeding period TA1 (feeding period) is set (S2), and the process proceeds to step S7.

When the process of changing the supply time period (the 1 st supply time period TA1) is not executed at the time of lighting the load 3, the adjusting unit 23 determines whether or not the lower limit setting mode is set by the setting switch disposed on the front surface of the housing 70, for example (S3).

When the setting switch is used to set the lower limit setting mode (S3: yes), the adjusting unit 23 starts the process of setting the 1 st supply period TA1 (i.e., the supply period) during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac voltage Vac.

The adjustment unit 23 sets the switch 35 to the on state to realize the maximum load state in the state where the wireless communication unit 22 is operated, and executes the process of adjusting the supply time period in the maximum load state (S4). That is, the adjusting part 23 shortens the time width of the 1 st supply period TA1 in the maximum load state while monitoring the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging part 321.

Here, when the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging part 321 is not lower than the threshold voltage Vth (S5: no), the adjusting part 23 sets the time width of the 1 st supply time period TA1 to the preset minimum time width, and then moves to step S7.

In addition, when the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging section 321 is lower than the threshold voltage Vth (S5: yes), the adjusting section 23 sets the time width until the charging voltage V1 is lower than the threshold voltage Vth to the lower limit value of the 1 st supply period TA1 (i.e., supply period) (S6), and then moves to the process of step S7.

Fig. 6A and 6B show changes in the 1 st supply time period TA1 before and after the lower limit value is set. Fig. 6A shows a load voltage VL at the time of starting the load 3 and a charging current I1 flowing from the ac power supply 2 to the power supply unit 30. Fig. 6B sets the load voltage VL and the charging current I1 after the lower limit value of the 1 st supply period TA 1. In the present embodiment, the 1 st supply time period TA1 is set to a slightly longer time in the initial period (when the load 3 is turned on), so that the power supply unit 30 can secure the power necessary for the processing circuit 20. In the lower limit setting mode, the adjustment unit 23 adjusts the time width of the 1 st supply time period TA1 to a lower limit value to the extent that the power supplied from the power supply unit 30 to the processing circuit 20 is not insufficient, so that the maximum value of the time period for turning on the switch 10 can be further increased. That is, by setting the 1 st supply period TA1 to the minimum time, the maximum value of the period for turning on the switch 10 can be further increased, and the dimming level of the load 3 can be made brighter.

In step S7, the adjustment unit 23 monitors whether or not the dimming level has changed based on the dimming signal from the interface unit 40 or the wireless communication unit 22.

When the dimming level has changed in step S7 (S7: yes), adjustment unit 23 turns on switch 35 and connects zener diode 34 to the output side of charging unit 2, thereby achieving the maximum load state. The adjusting section 23 monitors the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging section 321 in the maximum load state. When the charging voltage V1 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth, the adjusting unit 23 does not change the 1 st supply period TA1 (supply period) during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2. When the charging voltage V1 is lower than the threshold voltage Vth, the adjusting section 23 lengthens the 1 st supply period TA1 (supply period) during which the power supply section 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 (S8). In this way, the adjusting section 23 moves to the process of step S9 after setting the 1 st supply period TA1 (supply period) during which the power supply section 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2.

In addition, in step S7, when the dimming level is not changed (S7: no), adjustment section 23 moves to step S9.

In step S9, the adjustment unit 23 monitors whether or not the processing circuit 20 has a power supply disabled state in which the necessary power cannot be obtained at a given time due to the occurrence of unexpected wireless noise or a voltage variation of the ac voltage Vac of the ac power supply 2.

In step S9, if the adjusting unit 23 determines that the power supply disabled state has occurred (S9: yes), the adjusting unit 23 compares the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321 with the threshold voltage Vth (S10).

When the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth (S10: no), the adjusting unit 23 determines that the power supplied from the power supply unit 30 to the processing circuit 20 is not insufficient, and ends the processing.

When the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321 is lower than the threshold voltage Vth (S10: yes), the adjusting unit 23 changes the 1 st supply time period TA1 during which power is supplied from the ac power supply 2, within a range in which the change in the luminance of the load 3 is not significant. Even if the adjusting section 23 changes the 1 st supply period TA1, the adjusting section 23 can maintain the charging voltage V1 as long as the charging voltage V1 is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vth, that is, the adjusting section 23 determines that the power supplied from the power supply section 30 to the processing circuit 20 is not insufficient (S11: yes), and ends the processing.

When the adjusting unit 23 changes the 1 st supply time period TA1 and the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321 does not reach the threshold voltage Vth, the adjusting unit 23 determines that the charging voltage V1 cannot be maintained, that is, the adjusting unit 23 determines that the power supplied from the power supply unit 30 to the processing circuit 20 is insufficient (S11: no). At this time, the adjustment unit 23 performs a process of reducing the power consumption of the wireless communication unit 22 by lengthening the cycle in which the wireless communication unit 22 is intermittently operated or shortening the operation time when the wireless communication unit 22 is intermittently operated (S12), and ends the process. The adjusting unit 23 can thereby reduce the possibility of the occurrence of a situation in which the power supplied from the power supply unit 30 to the processing circuit 20 is insufficient.

In step S9, if the adjusting unit 23 determines that the power feeding disabled state does not occur (S9: no), the adjusting unit 23 ends the process.

In use of the load control system 1, the adjustment unit 23 adjusts the supply time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 by periodically or aperiodically executing the above-described processing. For example, the adjusting unit 23 can reduce the possibility of the occurrence of a situation in which the power supplied from the power supply unit 30 to the processing circuit 20 including the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22 is insufficient by making the time width of the 1 st supply period TA1 longer than the minimum time width required for ensuring the power in the power supply unit 30. Further, the adjusting unit 23 can set the time width of the 1 st supply period TA1 to a time width shorter than a time width obtained by adding a predetermined margin to the time width required for ensuring the electric power in the power supply unit 30, and can reduce the possibility that the time width of the 1 st supply period TA1 is set to a time longer than the required time. Thus, since the time period T10 in which the switch 10 is in the on state can be lengthened, it is possible to suppress the dimming of the brightness when the load 3 is turned on at the maximum dimming level. When the time width of the 1 st supply period TA1 is longer, the voltage value of the ac voltage Vac when the switch 10 is in the on state (time t1 in fig. 3) is increased. Therefore, if the time width of the 1 st supply period TA1 is longer, the minimum value of the dimming level becomes larger, and by shortening the time width of the 1 st supply period TA1, the minimum value of the dimming level can be reduced as much as possible.

Note that, although the adjustment unit 23 compares the charging voltage V1 and the threshold voltage Vth of the 1 st charging unit 321 in the above description, it is possible to set 2 thresholds (1 st threshold and 2 nd threshold) for the charging voltage V1 and adjust the supply time period in accordance with the charging voltage V1 and the level of the 2 thresholds. Wherein the 1 st threshold is set to a value larger than the 2 nd threshold. When the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging section 321 falls below the 1 st threshold, the adjusting section 23 lengthens the supply period (the 1 st supply period TA1) to increase the charging voltage V1. In addition, when the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging section 321 increases to the 2 nd threshold or more, the adjusting section 23 shortens the supply period (the 1 st supply period TA1) to decrease the charging voltage V1. Thereby, the adjusting section 23 can adjust the 1 st supply period TA1 so that the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging section 321 becomes a voltage value greater than the 1 st threshold and less than the 2 nd threshold.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the adjusting unit 23 adjusts the supply time period (specifically, the 1 st supply time period TA1) so as to obtain the electric power required by the dimming control unit 21 (control unit) and the wireless communication unit 22 (additional function unit) in the maximum load state. Therefore, the adjusting section 23 can automatically adjust the supply time period without depending on the operation of the user. Note that the adjusting portion 23 adjusts the supply period by adjusting the length of the 1 st supply period TA1, but may adjust the supply period by adjusting the length of at least one of the 1 st supply period TA1 and the 2 nd supply period TA 2.

In the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to realize the maximum load state by electrically connecting the zener diode 34 as the dummy load to the power supply unit 30 in a state where the wireless communication unit 22 as the additional function unit is operating. The zener diode 34 as a dummy load is a load different from the wireless communication section 22 as an additional functional section. Thus, in the present embodiment, the maximum load state can be realized in a state where the wireless communication unit 22 can communicate with the control master 5, that is, in a state where the additional function unit can execute the function.

In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 30 includes: a1 st charging unit 321 that generates a charging voltage V1 by being charged with an ac voltage Vac from an ac power supply 2; and a2 nd charging unit 322 charged by the charging voltage of the 1 st charging unit 321. The zener diode 34 as a dummy load and the wireless communication unit 22 as an additional function unit are electrically connected to the output side of the 2 nd charging unit 322. However, the adjusting section 23 adjusts the supply time period (1 st supply time period TA1) during which the power supply section 30 receives the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2, according to the magnitude of the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging section 321. The adjusting unit 23 can determine whether or not the power supplied to the light control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22 is insufficient, based on the magnitude of the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321. Therefore, the adjusting section 23 adjusts the supply time period TA1 in accordance with the magnitude of the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging section 321, thereby reducing the possibility of insufficient power supply from the power supply section 30.

In the present embodiment, the load 3 includes a light source (LED module) that can be lit by light. The control unit (dimming control unit 21) controls the switch 10 to be in a conductive state or a non-conductive state, thereby performing phase control on the ac voltage supplied to the load 3. The adjusting unit 23 adjusts the supply period (for example, the 1 st supply period TA1) in the non-conduction period other than the conduction period (period T10) in which the switch 10 is turned on in accordance with the dimming level of the light source. Therefore, when the on time (time period T10) of the switch 10 is shortened by adjusting the supply time period, the luminance of the light source may become dark, but since the adjustment unit 23 adjusts the supply time period in the maximum load state, the possibility of shortage of the supply power of the power supply unit 30 can be reduced.

(3.2) load control operation

Next, the load control operation of the load control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 3.

First, the operation of the load control system 1 in which the ac voltage Vac is in a positive half cycle will be described. The dimming control unit 21 controls the switch 10 to be in the on state at the timing (time t1 in fig. 3) when the 1 st supply period TA1 elapses from the zero cross point (time t0 in fig. 3) based on the result of detecting the zero cross point of the ac voltage Vac in the positive half cycle of the ac voltage Vac.

In the positive half cycle of the ac voltage Vac, the switch 10 is in the non-conductive state during the 1 st supply period TA1 from the zero cross point (time t0) to time t1 of the ac voltage Vac, and the power supply unit 30 can receive the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2. The power supply unit 30 receives power supply from the ac power supply 2 to generate power for supplying to the processing circuit 20 and the like, and supplies the generated power to the processing circuit 20 and the like. In addition, the processing circuit 20 controls the semiconductor switch of the step-down transformer circuit 31 at time t1 to set the input impedance of the step-down transformer circuit 31 to the 1 st state, thereby achieving the state in which the power supply section 30 stops the power generation operation.

Further, the dimming control unit 21 controls the switch 10 to the non-conductive state at the timing when the period T10 corresponding to the dimming level elapses from the time T1 (time T2 in fig. 3).

Accordingly, in the time period T10 from the time T1 to the time T2, the power is supplied from the ac power supply 2 to the load 3 via the switch 10, and therefore the load 3 is lit at the predetermined dimming level.

Thereafter, when the absolute value of the voltage value of the ac voltage Vac is lower than the predetermined reference voltage (time t3 in fig. 3), the processing circuit 20 sets the input impedance of the step-down circuit 31 to the 2 nd state, thereby setting the power supply unit 30 to a state in which it is performing the power generation operation. Thereby, the power supply unit 30 can receive the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 even in the 2 nd supply period TA2 from the time t3 to the zero cross point of the ac voltage Vac (time t4 in fig. 3). Therefore, the power supply unit 30 can receive the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 even during the 2 nd supply period TA2 and then generate electric power for supply to the processing circuit 20 and the like.

Next, the operation of the load control system 1 in which the ac voltage Vac is in the negative half cycle will be described. The dimming control unit 21 sets the switch 10 to the on state at the timing (time t5 in fig. 3) when the 1 st supply period TA1 elapses from the zero cross point (time t4 in fig. 3) based on the result of detecting the zero cross point of the ac voltage Vac in the negative half cycle of the ac voltage Vac.

In the negative half cycle of the ac voltage Vac, the switch 10 is in the non-conductive state during the 1 st supply period TA1 from the zero-crossing point (time t4) to time t5 of the ac voltage Vac, and the power supply unit 30 can receive the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2. The power supply unit 30 receives power supply from the ac power supply 2 to generate power for supply to the processing circuit 20 and the like, and then supplies the generated power to the processing circuit 20 and the like. In addition, the processing circuit 20 controls the semiconductor switch of the step-down transformer circuit 31 at time t5 to set the input impedance of the step-down transformer circuit 31 to the 1 st state, thereby setting the power supply unit 30 to a state in which the power generation operation is stopped.

Further, the dimming control unit 21 controls the switch 10 to the non-conductive state at the timing when the period T10 corresponding to the dimming level elapses from the time T5 (time T6 in fig. 3).

Accordingly, in the time period T10 from the time T5 to the time T6, the power is supplied from the ac power supply 2 to the load 3 via the switch 10, so that the load 3 is lit at the predetermined dimming level.

Thereafter, when the absolute value of the voltage value of the ac voltage Vac is lower than the predetermined reference voltage (time t7 in fig. 3), the processing circuit 20 sets the input impedance of the step-down circuit 31 to the 2 nd state, thereby setting the power supply unit 30 to a state in which it is performing the power generation operation. Thereby, the power supply unit 30 can receive the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 even in the 2 nd supply period TA2 from the time t7 to the zero cross point of the ac voltage Vac (time t8 in fig. 3). Therefore, the power supply unit 30 can receive the supply of electric power from the ac power supply 2 even in the 2 nd supply period TA2 and generate electric power for supply to the processing circuit 20 and the like.

The load control system 1 alternately repeats the operation of the positive half cycle of the ac voltage Vac and the operation of the negative half cycle of the ac voltage Vac, thereby dimming the load 3 at a dimming level set by the dimming signal from the interface unit 40 or the wireless communication unit 22.

Note that, when the dimming level of the dimming signal from the interface unit 40 or the wireless communication unit 22 is the "OFF level", the dimming control unit 21 maintains the switch 10 in the non-conduction state, thereby setting the impedance between the pair of input terminals 61 and 62 to the high impedance state. Thereby, the load 3 is turned off.

The above embodiment is only one of various embodiments of the present invention. The above embodiment can be variously modified according to design and the like, as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. The same functions as those of the load control system 1 can be embodied by a computer program for controlling the load control system 1, a non-transitory recording medium on which the program is recorded, or the like. One mode of the program is a program for causing a computer system to execute the 1 st process, the 2 nd process, and the 3 rd process. The 1 st process is a process of controlling the switch 10 to a conductive state or a non-conductive state. The switch 10 is electrically connected in series to the load 3 with respect to the ac power supply 2, and controls the phase of the ac voltage Vac supplied to the load 3. The 2 nd process is a process of causing the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) to execute a process different from the switching operation of the switch 10. The 3 rd process is a process of adjusting a supply time period during which the power supply unit 30 receives power supply from the ac power supply 2 in the maximum load state. The maximum load state is a state in which the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) is maximized in a state in which the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22) is normally operating. The power supply unit 30 receives power supplied from the ac power supply 2 and generates power to be supplied to the additional function unit (wireless communication unit 22). In addition, the control method of the load control system 1 according to an aspect includes the above-described 1 st process, 2 nd process, and 3 rd process.

Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. The modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate.

The main body of the load control system 1 or the control method of the load control system 1 of the present invention includes a computer system. The main components of a computer system are a processor and a memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, thereby realizing the functions as the main execution body of the load control system 1 or the control method of the load control system 1 of the present invention. The program may be recorded in advance in a memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be recorded in a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system. Non-transitory recording media that can be read out by a computer system are memory cards, optical disks, hard drives, and the like. The processor of the computer system may be constituted by 1 or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor Integrated Circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). Although referred to as an IC or an LSI, they are called differently depending on the degree of Integration, and may be integrated circuits called a system LSI (Very Large Scale Integration), a VLSI (Large Scale Integration), or an ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). A Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) which is Programmable after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device which allows the reconfiguration of the connection relationship inside the LSI, or the reconfiguration of circuit blocks inside the LSI, may also be employed in the same manner. The plurality of electronic circuits may be designed to be integrated in 1 chip or may be designed to be dispersed over a plurality of chips. Multiple chips may be designed to be pooled across 1 device or may be designed to be dispersed across multiple devices.

In the above-described embodiment, the load control system 1 may be implemented by 1 device housed in 1 housing 70, and the functions of the load control system 1 may be distributed among 2 or more devices. At least a part of the functions of the load control system 1 may be implemented by a cloud (cloud computing), for example.

In the above embodiment, the adjusting unit 23 adjusts the supply time period in the maximum load state so that the control unit and the additional function unit can obtain the necessary electric power, but the adjusting unit 23 may change the supply time period in accordance with the operation received by the operation receiving unit 24 (for example, the 1 st supply time period TA 1).

When the operation receiving unit 24 receives an operation of the operation button 51 by the user, the adjusting unit 23 lengthens the supply time period. When the operation receiving unit 24 receives the operation of the operation button 52 by the user, the adjusting unit 23 shortens the supply time period. The processing circuit 20 monitors the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging unit 321 to determine whether the power supply unit 30 can generate the necessary power for operating the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22. When it is determined that the power supply unit 30 cannot generate the necessary power for operating the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22, the processing circuit 20 turns on the indicator lamp 71. When it is determined that the power supply unit 30 can generate the necessary power for operating the dimming control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 22, the processing circuit 20 turns off the indicator lamp 71. Therefore, the user can operate the operation portion 50 while confirming the on/off of the display lamp 71, thereby adjusting the supply time period so that the power supply portion 30 generates the necessary power for operating the dimming control portion 21 and the wireless communication portion 22.

In this way, the load control system 1 has the operation receiving unit 24 that receives an operation for changing the supply time zone, and the adjusting unit 23 changes the supply time zone in accordance with the operation received by the operation receiving unit 24. Therefore, the adjustment unit 23 can change the supply time period in accordance with the operation of the user.

In the above embodiment, the adjusting unit 23 adjusts the supply time period when the lower limit setting mode is set or when the dimming level of the load 3 is changed (when the load 3 is turned on, when the dimming level is changed, or the like), but the supply time period may be adjusted at a timing other than this. For example, the adjusting section 23 continuously monitors the state of the power supply section 30 (for example, the charging voltage V1), and adjusts the supply time period when the supply power of the power supply section 30 shows a shortage.

In the above embodiment, the adjustment unit 23 achieves the maximum load state by connecting the zener diode 34 as the dummy load to the power supply unit 30 in a state where the wireless communication unit 22 as the additional function unit is operated, but the method of achieving the maximum load state is not limited to this.

The adjusting unit 23 achieves the maximum load state by connecting the zener diode 34 as the dummy load to the power supply unit 30 in a state where the wireless communication unit 22 as the additional functional unit is stopped.

The adjustment unit 23 can realize the maximum load state by operating the wireless communication unit 22 as an additional function unit in a state where the power consumption is maximized without connecting the dummy load to the power supply unit 30. That is, the adjusting section 23 can realize the maximum load state by operating the additional function section. Since the additional function unit itself can realize the maximum load state, it is not necessarily required to have a dummy load.

The dummy load is not limited to the zener diode 34, and may be a resistor or other resistive element.

In the above embodiment, the additional function unit is the wireless communication unit 22, but the additional function unit is not limited to the wireless communication unit 22. The additional function portion may be, for example, a voice recognition function that recognizes a command uttered by a user in voice. When the additional function section is a voice recognition function, the processing different from the switch operation refers to processing of recognizing a voice uttered by the user and then acquiring a command of the user. Here, when the user command is a control command for controlling the load 3, the processing circuit 20 controls the load 3 according to the user command. When the user command is a command requesting a response to a question of the user, the processing circuit 20 executes communication with an external server apparatus using a communication function for communicating with the external server apparatus, and acquires the content of the response to the question from the server apparatus. The processing circuit 20 then outputs the content of the acquired response from, for example, a speaker or to a display monitor. Wherein the voice recognition function as the additional function portion performs recognition processing for the voice uttered by the user, and the processing circuit 20 performs operations according to the recognition result, whereby the power consumption of the processing circuit 20 including the voice recognition function increases.

The load control system 1 of the above embodiment is not limited to the load 3 using the LED module as the light source, and may be applied to a light source on which a capacitor input type circuit is mounted and which can be lit with a small amount of current and has a high impedance. Examples of such a light source include an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) module. The load control system 1 is applicable to a load 3 of various light sources such as a discharge lamp.

Further, the load 3 controlled by the load control system 1 is not limited to the lighting load, and may be, for example, a heater or a fan. When the load 3 is a heater, the load control system 1 adjusts the amount of heat generated by the heater by adjusting the average power supplied to the heater. In addition, when the load 3 is a fan, the load control system 1 constitutes a regulator that regulates the rotational speed of the fan.

The switch 10 is not limited to being configured by the switching elements Q1 and Q2 each formed of a MOSFET, and may be formed of, for example, 2 IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar transistors) connected in reverse series. Further, in the switch 10, the rectifying element (diode) for realizing the one-direction on state is not limited to the parasitic diode of the switching elements Q1 and Q2, and may be an externally connected diode. The diodes may be built into the same package as each of the switching components Q1, Q2. The switch 10 may be a semiconductor element having a double-gate (double-gate) structure using a semiconductor material having a wide energy gap such as GaN (gallium nitride). With this configuration, the conduction loss of the switch 10 can be reduced.

In the power supply unit 30, the 1 st charging unit 321 can be directly charged from the full-wave rectified ac voltage Vac without passing through the step-down circuit 31. Further, the 2 nd charging part 322 may be directly charged with the charging voltage V1 of the 1 st charging part 321 without passing through the constant current circuit 33.

In addition, the switch 10 may be controlled to be in the "forward on state" instead of the "two-way on state" or may be controlled to be in the "two-way on state" instead of the "forward on state". In addition, the "reverse direction on state" may be controlled instead of the "bidirectional off state", and the "bidirectional off state" may be controlled instead of the "reverse direction on state". That is, the state of the conductive state or the non-conductive state of the switch 10 may not be changed.

The control method of switch 10 by dimming control unit 21 is not limited to the above example, and may be, for example, a method in which 1 st control signal SG1 and 2 nd control signal SG2 are alternately set to "ON" signals in the same cycle as ac voltage Vac. At this time, the switch 10 is turned on during a period in which the switching element on the high potential side of the ac voltage Vac of the switching elements Q1 and Q2 is turned on. That is, in this modification, so-called reverse phase control is realized in which conduction between the pair of input terminals 61 and 62 is performed from the zero-crossing point of the ac voltage Vac to the halfway point of the half cycle. At this time, the on-time of the switch 10 can be adjusted by adjusting the phase difference between the 1 st control signal and the 2 nd control signal and the ac voltage Vac.

Further, the control method of the dimming control unit 21 of the load control system 1 may be a general control method corresponding to either one of the positive phase control method and the reverse phase control method.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the load control system 1 is a 2-wire type has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the load control system 1 may be, for example, a so-called three-way switch capable of connecting 3 wires, or a so-called four-way switch capable of connecting 4 wires. When the load control system 1 constitutes a three-way switch, the energization state to the load 3 can be switched, for example, at 2 of the upper and lower portions of the stairs of the building by combining 2 load control systems 1.

In addition, "above" may mean "greater than" in comparison of 2 values such as measurement data. That is, in the comparison of 2 values, whether or not 2 values are equal is arbitrarily changed depending on the setting of the reference value or the like, and there is no difference in technical point that "above" or "above" is used. Likewise, "below" may mean "below".

(conclusion)

As described above, the load control system (1) according to aspect 1 includes: a switch (10); a control unit (21); an additional function unit (22); a power supply unit (30); and an adjusting part (23). The switch (10) is electrically connected in series to the load (3) with respect to the AC power supply (2), and controls the phase of the AC voltage (Vac) supplied to the load (3). The control unit (21) controls the switch (10) to be in a conductive state or a non-conductive state. The additional function unit (22) executes processing different from the switching operation of the switch (10). The power supply unit (30) receives power supplied from the AC power supply (2) and generates power to be supplied to the control unit (21) and the additional function unit (22). The adjustment unit (23) adjusts a supply time period (TA1) during which the power supply unit (30) receives power from the AC power supply (2) in the maximum load state. The maximum load state is a state in which the power consumption of the additional function unit (22) is maximized in a state in which the additional function unit (22) is operating normally.

According to this aspect, the adjustment unit (23) adjusts the supply time period during which the power supply unit (30) receives the supply of electric power from the AC power supply (2) in the maximum load state. Therefore, if the supply time period in the maximum load state is adjusted so that the supply power of the power supply unit (30) is not insufficient, the possibility of the supply power of the power supply unit (30) becoming insufficient can be reduced when the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit (22)) has varied.

The load control system (1) according to claim 2 referring to claim 1 further includes an operation receiving unit (24) that receives an operation for changing the supply time period (TA 1). The adjustment unit (23) changes the supply time period (TA1) in accordance with the operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit (24).

According to this aspect, the adjustment unit (23) can change the supply time period (TA1) in accordance with the operation of the user.

In a load control system (1) according to claim 3 referring to claim 1, an adjustment unit (23) adjusts a supply time period (TA1) so that power required by the control unit (21) and the additional function unit (22) can be obtained in a maximum load state.

According to this aspect, the adjustment unit (23) can adjust the supply time period (TA1) without depending on the operation of the user.

In the load control system (1) according to the 4 th aspect referring to any one of the 1 st aspect to the 3 rd aspect, the adjustment unit (23) realizes the maximum load state by operating the additional function unit (22).

According to this aspect, the additional function unit (22) itself can realize the maximum load state.

In the load control system (1) according to the 5 th aspect referring to any one of the 1 st to 3 rd aspects, the adjustment unit (23) realizes the maximum load state by electrically connecting the dummy load (34) to the power supply unit (30). The dummy load (34) is a load different from the additional function unit (22).

According to this aspect, the maximum load state can be realized by connecting the dummy load (34) to the power supply section (30).

In the load control system (1) according to the 6 th aspect referring to any one of the 1 st to 3 rd aspects, the adjustment unit (23) electrically connects the dummy load (34) to the power supply unit (30) in a state where the additional function unit (22) is operated, thereby realizing a maximum load state. The dummy load (34) is a load different from the additional function unit (22).

According to this aspect, the maximum load state can be realized by connecting the dummy load (34) to the power supply unit (30) in a state where the additional function unit (22) is operating normally.

In a load control system (1) according to claim 7 referring to the 5 th aspect or the 6 th aspect, a power supply unit (30) includes: a1 st charging unit (321); and a2 nd charging unit (322). The 1 st charging unit (321) is charged by an alternating current voltage (Vac) from an alternating current power supply (2) to generate a charging voltage (V1). The 2 nd charging unit (322) is charged by the charging voltage (V1) of the 1 st charging unit (321). A dummy load (34) and an additional function unit (22) are electrically connected to the output side of the 2 nd charging unit (322). The adjustment unit (23) adjusts a supply time period (TA1) during which the power supply unit (30) receives power from the AC power supply (2) in accordance with the magnitude of the charging voltage (V1) of the first charging unit (321).

According to this aspect, it is possible to determine whether or not the electric power to be supplied to the control unit (21) and the additional function unit (22) is insufficient, based on the magnitude of the charging voltage (V1) of the 1 st charging unit (321). Therefore, the adjusting unit (23) can adjust the supply time period (TA1) according to the magnitude of the charging voltage (V1) of the 1 st charging unit (321), thereby reducing the possibility of insufficient power supply from the power supply unit (30).

In a load control system (1) according to an 8 th aspect referring to the 7 th aspect, a voltage stabilization circuit (36) that outputs a stabilized voltage using a2 nd charging unit (322) as a power supply is electrically connected to an output side of the 2 nd charging unit (322). An additional function unit (22) is electrically connected to the output side of the voltage stabilization circuit (36).

According to this aspect, the stabilized voltage can be supplied to the additional function unit (22).

In a load control system (1) according to a 9 th aspect referring to any one of the 1 st to 8 th aspects, an additional function unit (22) is intermittently operated.

According to this aspect, the additional function unit (22) can be operated intermittently, so that the possibility of insufficient power supplied from the power supply unit (30) can be reduced even when the power consumption of the additional function unit (22) varies.

In the load control system (1) according to the 10 th aspect referring to any one of the 1 st to 9 th aspects, the load (3) includes a light source that can be lit up by light. The control unit (21) controls the switch (10) to be in a conductive state or a non-conductive state, thereby performing phase control on the alternating voltage (Vac) supplied to the load (3). The adjustment unit (23) adjusts the supply time period (TA1) according to the dimming level of the light source in a non-conduction time period other than the conduction time period in which the switch (10) is in the conduction state.

According to this aspect, when the on time of the switch (10) is shortened by adjusting the supply time period (TA1), the luminance of the light source may become dark, but the possibility of insufficient power supply from the power supply unit (30) can be reduced by adjusting the supply time period (TA1) in the maximum load state.

The program according to the 11 th aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute the 1 st process, the 2 nd process, and the 3 rd process. The 1 st process is a process of controlling the switch (10) to a conductive state or a non-conductive state. The switch (10) is electrically connected in series to the load (3) with respect to the AC power supply (2), and controls the phase of the AC voltage (Vac) supplied to the load (3). The 2 nd process is a process for causing the additional function unit (22) to execute a process different from the switching operation of the switch (10). The 3 rd process is a process of adjusting a supply time period (TA1) during which the power supply unit (30) receives supply of electric power from the ac power supply (2) in the maximum load state. The maximum load state is a state in which the power consumption of the additional function unit (22) is maximized in a state in which the additional function unit (22) is operating normally. The power supply unit (30) receives power supplied from the AC power supply (2) and generates power to be supplied to the additional function unit (22).

According to this aspect, the supply time period during which the power supply unit (30) receives power from the AC power supply (2) in the maximum load state is adjusted. Therefore, if the supply time period is adjusted so that the supply power of the power supply unit (30) is not insufficient in the maximum load state, the possibility of the supply power of the power supply unit (30) becoming insufficient can be reduced when the power consumption of the additional function unit (wireless communication unit (22)) varies.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations (including modifications) of the load control system (1) according to the above-described embodiment can be embodied by a (computer) program, a non-transitory recording medium on which a program is recorded, or the like.

The configurations of the 2 nd to 10 th aspects are not essential to the load control system (1), and may be omitted as appropriate.

[ notation ] to show

1 load control system

2 AC power supply

3 load

10 switch

21 light modulation control part (control part)

22 Wireless communication part (additional function part)

23 adjustment part

24 operation receiving part

30 power supply unit

34 Zener diode (virtual load)

36 DC/DC converter (Voltage stabilizing circuit)

321 st charging part

322 nd 2 nd charging part

TA1 supply time period 1 (supply time period)

V1 charging voltage

Vac AC voltage