LOAD CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20120153930A1
• Filed: 08/23/2010
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Goto, Kiyoshi
• Granted Patent: US 8,975,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/311
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/08 Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/36 Means for starting or stopping converters
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/725 for ac voltages or currents H03K17/722, H03K17/735 take precedence

Abstract

A load control device includes: a main switching unit which has a main switch element connected in series to an AC power source and a load and controls the supply of power to the load; a manipulation switch that outputs a start-up signal for starting at least the load; a control unit which controls the opening and closing of the main switching unit; a first power source unit supplying a stable voltage to the control unit; and a second and a third power source unit each supplying power to the first power source unit. The load control device is characterized in that upon receiving the start-up signal, the control unit outputs an initial drive signal, for closing the main switch element, to the main switching unit before a power source supplying power to the first power source unit is switched from the second to the third power source unit.

Claims

1. A two-wire load control device connected in series between an alternating current (AC) power source and a load, comprising:

a main switching unit which has a main switch element connected in series to the AC power source and the load, and controls a supply of power to the load;

a manipulation switch which is manipulated by a user, and outputs a start-up signal for starting at least the load;

a control unit which is connected to the manipulation switch and controls opening/closing of the main switching unit based on a signal transmitted from the manipulation switch;

a first power supply unit, to which power is supplied from both terminals of the main switching unit through a rectifying unit, for supplying a stable voltage to the control unit;

a second power supply unit, to which power is supplied from both terminals of the main switching unit through the rectifying unit, for supplying power to the first power supply unit no power is supplied to the load; and

a third power supply unit for supplying power to the first power supply unit when power is supplied to the load in a closed state of the main switching unit,

wherein upon receiving the start-up signal from the manipulation switch, the control unit outputs an initial drive signal for putting the main switch element in a conducting state to the main switching unit before a power source for supplying power to the first power supply unit is switched from the second power supply unit to the third power supply unit.

2. The load control device of claim 1, wherein the main switch element is a triac, and the initial drive signal is a pulse signal having a predetermined pulse width, the pulse signal being inputted to a gate of the triac.

3. The load control device of claim 1, wherein the main switch element is an element having a transistor structure, and the initial drive signal is a pulse signal having a pulse width equal to or larger than ¼

cycle of the commercial AC power source and smaller than ½

cycle of the commercial AC power source, the pulse signal being inputted to a gate of the transistor structure.

4. The load control device of claim 3, further comprising an auxiliary switching unit which includes an auxiliary switch element having a thyristor structure, and controls the supply of power to the load when the main switching unit is in a non-conducting state.

5. The load control device of claim 4, further comprising:

a buffer capacitor which supplies power to the first power supply unit when any of the second power supply unit and the third power supply unit fails to supply power to the first power supply unit; and

a voltage detection unit which detects an input voltage of the third power supply unit or a terminal voltage of the buffer capacitor when power is supplied to the load in the closed state of the main switching unit,

wherein when power is supplied to the load, the control unit outputs a first pulse signal for putting the main switching unit in a conducting state for a predetermined period to the main switching unit if the voltage detection unit detects that the input voltage of the third power supply unit or the terminal voltage of the buffer capacitor reaches a predetermined threshold, and outputs a second pulse signal for putting the auxiliary switching unit in a conducting state when the main switching unit is put in a non-conducting state by absence of the first pulse signal.

6. A two-wire load control device connected in series between an AC power source and a load, comprising:

a main switching unit which includes a switch element having a transistor structure, and controls a supply of power to the load;

an auxiliary switching unit which includes a switch element having a thyristor structure, and controls the supply of power to the load when the main switching unit is in a non-conducting state;

a control unit which controls opening/closing of the main switching unit and the auxiliary switching unit;

a first power supply unit, to which power is supplied from both terminals of the main switching unit through a rectifying unit, for supplying a stable voltage to the control unit;

a second power supply unit, to which power is supplied from both terminals of the main switching unit through the rectifying unit, for supplying power to the first power supply unit when no power is supplied to the load;

a third power supply unit for supplying power to the first power supply unit when power is supplied to the load in a closed state of the main switching unit or the auxiliary switching unit;

a voltage detection unit which detects a voltage inputted to the third power supply unit; and

a zero-cross detection unit which detects a zero-cross point of a load current,

wherein when power is supplied to the load, the control unit causes a rise of a main switching unit drive signal for putting the main switching unit in a conducting state if the voltage detection unit detects that the voltage inputted to the third power supply unit reaches a predetermined threshold within a predetermined standby time limit after the zero-cross detection unit detects the zero-cross point of the load current, and starts supplying the main switching unit drive signal after a predetermined period, that is shorter than half cycle of the load current, after the zero-cross detection unit detects the zero-cross point of the load current, and

wherein when power is supplied to the load, the control unit causes a rise of the main switching unit drive signal after the standby time limit is elapsed if the voltage detection unit fails to detect that the voltage inputted to the third power supply unit reaches a predetermined threshold within the standby time limit, and starts supplying the main switching unit drive signal after a predetermined period, that is shorter than half cycle of the load current, after the zero-cross detection unit detects the zero-cross point of the load current.

7. The load control device of claim 6, wherein the standby time limit is equal to or smaller than ¼

of a power source cycle.

16. The load control device of claim 6, wherein the control unit puts the auxiliary switching unit in a conducting state only for a predetermined period when a state of the main switching unit is a non-conducting state.

17. The load control device of claim 16, further comprising a current detection unit which detects a current flowing into the auxiliary switching unit,

wherein the control unit first puts the main switching unit in a conducting state if the current flowing in the auxiliary switching unit is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, and then puts the auxiliary switching unit in a conducting state when the main switching unit turns into a non-conducting state.

18. The load control device of claim 6, further comprising a drive circuit for driving the main switching unit,

wherein the main switching unit includes a main switch element which is connected in series to the AC power source and the load,

wherein the main switch element has a lateral dual gate transistor structure having two gates, to each of which a control voltage is applied, with respect to connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load, and

wherein the lateral dual gate transistor structure has a withstand voltage maintaining region at one location.

19. The load control device of claim 18, wherein the drive circuit supplies, on the basis of a drive signal transmitted from the control unit, power electrically isolated from the control unit to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference a potential of each of the connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load, and drives the main switch element.

20. The load control device of claim 19, wherein the drive circuit includes two optically coupled semiconductor switch elements corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and have light emitting parts and light receiving parts;

wherein each of the light emitting parts is connected to the control unit and receives a drive signal inputted from the control unit, and each of the light receiving parts performs photoelectric conversion when light emitted from each of the light emitting parts is incident thereon; and

wherein each of the light emitting parts is connected such that power is generated in each of the light receiving parts to apply a positive potential to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference each of the connection points as the reference respectively connected to the AC power source and the load.

21. The load control device of claim 19, wherein the drive circuit includes a transformer having a primary coil connected to the control unit, and two secondary coils corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and connected to the gates of the main switch element through rectifier circuits, and

wherein power, obtained by rectifying an electromotive force generated in each of the secondary coils when alternating current flows in the primary coil on the basis of the drive signal transmitted from the control unit, applies a positive potential to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference each of the connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load.

22. The load control device of claim 18, wherein the drive circuit includes two diodes corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and connected to the first power supply unit, capacitors having one ends connected to respective power lines and the other ends connected to the diodes, and drive switch elements connected between the gates of the main switch element of the main switching unit and connection points between the diodes and the capacitors, and

wherein the drive circuit supplies driving power to the main switching unit by putting the drive switch elements in a conducting state based on a signal transmitted from the control unit.

23. The load control device of claim 22, wherein the drive switch elements of the drive circuit are optically coupled semiconductor switch elements having light emitting parts each of which emits light by a drive signal transmitted from the control unit and light receiving parts each of which receives the light emitted from the respective light emitting parts to be in a conducting state, and

wherein driving power is supplied to the main switching unit using power of the first power supply unit by putting the light emitting parts in a conducting state.

24. The load control device of claim 20, wherein the light emitting parts of the two optically coupled semiconductor switch elements of the drive circuit are connected in series to each other.

25. The load control device of claim 22, wherein the drive circuit includes capacitors connected between power lines each of which is used as a reference of each of the gates and connection points between the gates of the main switch element and the drive switch elements.

26. The load control device of claim 18, further comprising synchronous switching elements connected between a point connected to an AC line of the rectifying unit and a minus output point of the rectifying unit, wherein an operation of closing the synchronous switching elements is performed in synchronization with an operation of closing the main switching unit.

27. The load control device of claim 26, wherein the drive switch elements have a thyristor or triac structure, and are driven based on a signal isolated from any of the power supply units of the load control device.

8. A two-wire load control device connected in series between an AC power source and a load, comprising:

a main switching unit which includes a switch element having a transistor structure, and controls a supply of power to the load;

an auxiliary switching unit which includes a switch element having a thyristor structure, and controls the supply of power to the load when the main switching unit is in a non-conducting state;

a control unit which controls opening/closing of the main switching unit and the auxiliary switching unit;

a first power supply unit, to which power is supplied from both terminals of the main switching unit through a rectifying unit, for supplying a stable voltage to the control unit;

a second power supply unit, to which power is supplied from both terminals of the main switching unit through the rectifying unit, for supplying power to the first power supply unit when no power is supplied to the load;

a third power supply unit for supplying power to the first power supply unit when power is supplied to the load in a closed state of the main switching unit or the auxiliary switching unit;

a voltage detection unit which detects a voltage inputted to the third power supply unit; and

a current detection unit which detects a current flowing into the auxiliary switching unit,

wherein when power is supplied to the load, the auxiliary switching unit is put in a conducting state if the voltage detection unit detects that the voltage inputted to the third power supply unit reaches a predetermined threshold, and

wherein the control unit puts the main switching unit in a conducting state and simultaneously puts the auxiliary switching unit in a non-conducting state if the current detection unit detects that the current flowing into the auxiliary switching unit reaches a predetermined threshold.

9. The load control device of claim 8, further comprising a zero-cross detection unit which detects a zero-cross point of a load current,

wherein after putting the main switching unit in a conducting state, the control unit puts the main switching unit in a non-conducting state after a predetermined period, that is shorter than half cycle of the load current, after the zero-cross detection unit detects the zero-cross point of the load current.

10. The load control device of claim 9, wherein after putting the main switching unit in a non-conducting state, the control unit puts the auxiliary switching unit in a conducting state for a predetermined period.

11. The load control device of claim 10, wherein the control unit first puts the main switching unit in a conducting state if the current detection unit detects that the current flowing in the auxiliary switching unit reaches a predetermined threshold, and then puts the auxiliary switching unit in a conducting state when the main switching unit turns into a non-conducting state.

12. The load control device of claim 8, wherein the current detection unit includes an integrating circuit.

13. The load control device of claim 8, wherein when power is supplied to the load, if the voltage detection unit fails to detect that the voltage inputted to the third power supply unit reaches a predetermined threshold within a predetermined standby time limit, the control unit puts the auxiliary switching unit in a conducting state after the standby time limit is elapsed.

30. The load control device of claim 8, further comprising a drive circuit for driving the main switching unit,

wherein the main switching unit includes a main switch element which is connected in series to the AC power source and the load,

wherein the main switch element has a lateral dual gate transistor structure having two gates, to each of which a control voltage is applied, with respect to connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load, and

wherein the lateral dual gate transistor structure has a withstand voltage maintaining region at one location.

32. The load control device of claim 30, wherein the drive circuit supplies, on the basis of a drive signal transmitted from the control unit, power electrically isolated from the control unit to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference a potential of each of the connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load, and drives the main switch element.

34. The load control device of claim 32, wherein the drive circuit includes two optically coupled semiconductor switch elements corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and have light emitting parts and light receiving parts;

wherein each of the light emitting parts is connected to the control unit and receives a drive signal inputted from the control unit, and each of the light receiving parts performs photoelectric conversion when light emitted from each of the light emitting parts is incident thereon; and

wherein each of the light emitting parts is connected such that power is generated in each of the light receiving parts to apply a positive potential to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference each of the connection points as the reference respectively connected to the AC power source and the load.

36. The load control device of claim 32, wherein the drive circuit includes a transformer having a primary coil connected to the control unit, and two secondary coils corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and connected to the gates of the main switch element through rectifier circuits, and

wherein power, obtained by rectifying an electromotive force generated in each of the secondary coils when alternating current flows in the primary coil on the basis of the drive signal transmitted from the control unit, applies a positive potential to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference each of the connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load.

38. The load control device of claim 30, wherein the drive circuit includes two diodes corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and connected to the first power supply unit, capacitors having one ends connected to respective power lines and the other ends connected to the diodes, and drive switch elements connected between the gates of the main switch element of the main switching unit and connection points between the diodes and the capacitors, and

wherein the drive circuit supplies driving power to the main switching unit by putting the drive switch elements in a conducting state based on a signal transmitted from the control unit.

40. The load control device of claim 38, wherein the drive switch elements of the drive circuit are optically coupled semiconductor switch elements having light emitting parts each of which emits light by a drive signal transmitted from the control unit and light receiving parts each of which receives the light emitted from the respective light emitting parts to be in a conducting state, and

wherein driving power is supplied to the main switching unit using power of the first power supply unit by putting the light emitting parts in a conducting state.

42. The load control device of claim 34, wherein the light emitting parts of the two optically coupled semiconductor switch elements of the drive circuit are connected in series to each other.

44. The load control device of claim 38, wherein the drive circuit includes capacitors connected between power lines each of which is used as a reference of each of the gates and connection points between the gates of the main switch element and the drive switch elements.

46. The load control device of claim 30, further comprising synchronous switching elements connected between a point connected to an AC line of the rectifying unit and a minus output point of the rectifying unit, wherein an operation of closing the synchronous switching elements is performed in synchronization with an operation of closing the main switching unit.

48. The load control device of claim 46, wherein the drive switch elements have a thyristor or triac structure, and are driven based on a signal isolated from any of the power supply units of the load control device.

14. A two-wire load control device connected in series between an AC power source and a load, comprising:

a main switching unit which includes a switch element having a transistor structure, and controls a supply of power to the load;

an auxiliary switching unit which includes a switch element having a thyristor structure, and controls the supply of power to the load when the main switching unit is in a non-conducting state;

a control unit which controls opening/closing of the main switching unit and the auxiliary switching unit;

a first power supply unit, to which power is supplied from both terminals of the main switching unit through a rectifying unit, for supplying a stable voltage to the control unit;

a second power supply unit, to which power is supplied from both terminals of the main switching unit through the rectifying unit, for supplying power to the first power supply unit when no power is supplied to the load;

a third power supply unit for supplying power to the first power supply unit when power is supplied to the load in a closed state of the main switching unit or the auxiliary switching unit;

a voltage detection unit which detects a voltage inputted to the third power supply unit; and

a manipulation unit which is manipulated by a user to adjust a current flowing in the load,

wherein the control unit sets a main switching unit conducting time which is counted in order to put the main switching unit in a conducting state every half cycle of the AC power source in response to a manipulation inputted to the manipulation unit, and

wherein the control unit puts the main switching unit in a conducting state only while a predetermined period, which is counted from when the voltage detection unit detects that the voltage inputted to the third power supply unit reaches a predetermined threshold, overlaps with the main switching unit conducting time.

15. The load control device of claim 14, further comprising a zero-cross detection unit which detects a zero-cross point of a load current,

wherein after the zero-cross detection unit detects the zero-cross point, the control unit counts a main switching unit non-conducting time for putting the main switching unit in a non-conducting state in response to the manipulation inputted to the manipulation unit, and then counts the main switching unit conducting time.

28. The load control device of claim 14, wherein the control unit puts the auxiliary switching unit in a conducting state only for a predetermined period when a state of the main switching unit is a non-conducting state.

29. The load control device of claim 28, further comprising a current detection unit which detects a current flowing into the auxiliary switching unit,

wherein the control unit first puts the main switching unit in a conducting state if the current flowing in the auxiliary switching unit is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, and then puts the auxiliary switching unit in a conducting state when the main switching unit turns into a non-conducting state.

31. The load control device of claim 14, further comprising a drive circuit for driving the main switching unit,

wherein the main switching unit includes a main switch element which is connected in series to the AC power source and the load,

wherein the main switch element has a lateral dual gate transistor structure having two gates, to each of which a control voltage is applied, with respect to connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load, and

wherein the lateral dual gate transistor structure has a withstand voltage maintaining region at one location.

33. The load control device of claim 31, wherein the drive circuit supplies, on the basis of a drive signal transmitted from the control unit, power electrically isolated from the control unit to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference a potential of each of the connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load, and drives the main switch element.

35. The load control device of claim 33, wherein the drive circuit includes two optically coupled semiconductor switch elements corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and have light emitting parts and light receiving parts;

wherein each of the light emitting parts is connected to the control unit and receives a drive signal inputted from the control unit, and each of the light receiving parts performs photoelectric conversion when light emitted from each of the light emitting parts is incident thereon; and

wherein each of the light emitting parts is connected such that power is generated in each of the light receiving parts to apply a positive potential to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference each of the connection points as the reference respectively connected to the AC power source and the load.

37. The load control device of claim 33, wherein the drive circuit includes a transformer having a primary coil connected to the control unit, and two secondary coils corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and connected to the gates of the main switch element through rectifier circuits, and

wherein power, obtained by rectifying an electromotive force generated in each of the secondary coils when alternating current flows in the primary coil on the basis of the drive signal transmitted from the control unit, applies a positive potential to each of the gates of the main switch element by using as a reference each of the connection points respectively connected to the AC power source and the load.

39. The load control device of claim 31, wherein the drive circuit includes two diodes corresponding to the dual gates of the main switch element and connected to the first power supply unit, capacitors having one ends connected to respective power lines and the other ends connected to the diodes, and drive switch elements connected between the gates of the main switch element of the main switching unit and connection points between the diodes and the capacitors, and

wherein the drive circuit supplies driving power to the main switching unit by putting the drive switch elements in a conducting state based on a signal transmitted from the control unit.

41. The load control device of claim 39, wherein the drive switch elements of the drive circuit are optically coupled semiconductor switch elements having light emitting parts each of which emits light by a drive signal transmitted from the control unit and light receiving parts each of which receives the light emitted from the respective light emitting parts to be in a conducting state, and

wherein driving power is supplied to the main switching unit using power of the first power supply unit by putting the light emitting parts in a conducting state.

43. The load control device of claim 35, wherein the light emitting parts of the two optically coupled semiconductor switch elements of the drive circuit are connected in series to each other.

45. The load control device of claim 39, wherein the drive circuit includes capacitors connected between power lines each of which is used as a reference of each of the gates and connection points between the gates of the main switch element and the drive switch elements.

47. The load control device of claim 31, further comprising synchronous switching elements connected between a point connected to an AC line of the rectifying unit and a minus output point of the rectifying unit, wherein an operation of closing the synchronous switching elements is performed in synchronization with an operation of closing the main switching unit.

49. The load control device of claim 47, wherein the drive switch elements have a thyristor or triac structure, and are driven based on a signal isolated from any of the power supply units of the load control device.