Driving circuit and driving method for piezoelectric transformer, backlight apparatus, liquid crystal display apparatus, liquid crystal monitor, and liquid crystal TV

• US 7,034,800 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakatsuka, Hiroshi, Takeda, Katsu, Moritoki, Katsunori, Ishikawa, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Xiao
• Assistant Examiner(s): FATAHI YAR, MAHMOUD
• Application Number:
  US10/295,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 345211-213, 345/102, 315254-259, 310/314, 307/17
• US Class Current: 345/102
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2827 using specially adapted components in the load circuit, e.g. feed-back transformers, piezoelectric transformers; using specially adapted load circuit configurations
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2828 using control circuits for the switching elements H05B41/2827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/3925 by frequency variation H05B41/3922 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer is provided, which is capable of driving a piezoelectric transformer at a high efficiency and with low distortion, and being miniaturized. At the commencement of lighting a cold-cathode fluorescent tube, a digital controller fixes frequencies of first and second control signals VC1 and VC2 at a predetermined frequency and controls the phase difference therebetween so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power. After lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the digital controller controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals VC1 and VC2 so that current detecting data CD substantially is matched with reference data RD.

Claims

1. A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power, and

after lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the reference data.

2. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 1, wherein the control portion controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals at a phase sweep speed in at least two stages during startup of the driving circuit.

3. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 2, wherein the control portion sweeps at a first phase sweep speed until the cold-cathode fluorescent tube lights up half, and at a second phase sweep speed until emission brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube reaches a set value.

4. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 3, wherein the first phase sweep speed is higher than the second phase sweep speed.

5. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 2, wherein the control portion changes a change ratio of a phase difference to a time in accordance with an impedance of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube.

6. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 1, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing the reference data.

7. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 6, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by turning on/off the cold-cathode fluorescent tube alternately to perform burst driving.

8. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 7, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing a ratio between a set time of first reference data and a set time of second reference data.

9. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 7, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing a change ratio from first reference data to second reference data.

10. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a switching frequency of the first reference data and the second reference data is 1 kHz or less.

11. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 1, wherein the control portion sets the frequencies of the first and second control signals and the phase difference therebetween so that a frequency component corresponding to a vibration mode of a frequency higher than a desired vibration mode of the piezoelectric transformer is not included.

12. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 1, wherein the third series connection body includes a capacitor connected between the pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer.

13. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 1, wherein the control portion is controlled by a microcomputer.

14. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 13, wherein the control portion is mounted in one chip together with the microcomputer.

15. A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor as a current detecting value after rectifying it;

a comparator comparing the current detecting value from the feedback portion with a reference voltage value; and

a control portion receiving a comparison result from the comparator to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on the comparison result from the comparator, wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power, and

after lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting value substantially is matched with the reference voltage value.

16. A method for driving a piezoelectric transformer using:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion receiving a first control signal to generate the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion receiving a second control signal to generate the third and fourth driving signals; and

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it, the method comprising;

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, fixing frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency;

controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power;

after lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, comparing current detecting data corresponding to the voltage signal from the feedback portion with reference data; and

controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the reference data.

17. A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes frequencies of the first and second control signals at a first frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a second frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

18. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the first frequency is higher than the second frequency.

19. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the control portion controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals fixed at the first frequency at a phase sweep speed in at least two stages.

20. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the control portion sweeps at a first phase sweep speed until the cold-cathode fluorescent tube lights up half, and at a second phase sweep speed until the current detecting data reaches the first reference data.

21. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 20, wherein the first phase sweep speed is higher than the second phase sweep speed.

22. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein, in phase difference control of the first and second control signals fixed at the first frequency, when the current detecting data has not reached the first reference data within a predetermined time, the control portion changes the frequencies of the first and second control signals to a frequency lower than the first frequency and higher than a resonance frequency under a no-load condition of the piezoelectric transformer.

23. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 22, wherein the control portion changes the frequencies by a predetermined number of times.

24. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 23, wherein the control portion decreases a change width of the frequencies as they approach the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transformer.

25. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the first frequency is higher than a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transformer when the cold-cathode fluorescent tube is not lighting, and the second frequency is higher than a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transformer when the cold-cathode fluorescent tube is lighting and lower than the first frequency.

26. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the control portion changes a change ratio of a phase difference to a time in accordance with an impedance of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube.

27. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing the second reference data.

28. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 27, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by turning on/off the cold-cathode fluorescent tube alternately to perform burst driving.

29. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 28, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing a ratio between a set time of the first reference data and a set time of the second reference data.

30. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 28, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing a change ratio from the first reference data to the second reference data.

31. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 29 or 30, wherein a switching frequency of the first reference data and the second reference data is 1 kHz or less.

32. The riving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the control portion sets the frequencies of the first and second control signals and the phase difference therebetween so that a frequency component corresponding to a vibration mode of a frequency higher than a desired vibration mode of the piezoelectric transformer is not included.

33. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the third series connection body includes a capacitor connected between the pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer.

34. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 17, wherein the control portion is controlled by a microcomputer.

35. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 34, wherein the control portion is mounted in one chip together with the microcomputer.

36. A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it;

a first comparator comparing the current detecting value from the feedback portion with a first reference voltage value;

a second comparator comparing the current detecting value from the feedback portion with a second reference voltage value; and

a control portion receiving a comparison result from the first or second comparator to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on the comparison result from the first or second comparator, wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes frequencies of the first and second control signals at a first frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power, and

when the current detecting value becomes the first reference voltage value or more, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a second frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting value substantially is matched with the second reference voltage value.

37. A method for driving a piezoelectric transformer using:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion receiving a first control signal to generate the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion receiving a second control signal to generate the third and fourth driving signals; and

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it,

the method comprising;

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube,

fixing frequencies of the first and second control signals at a first frequency;

controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power;

comparing current detecting data corresponding to the voltage signal from the feedback portion with first reference data;

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more, fixing the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a second frequency;

comparing the current detecting data with second reference data; and

controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

38. A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion performs the frequency sweep until the stop frequency is reached, and simultaneously controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

39. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 38, wherein the control portion performs the frequency sweep at a sweep speed in at least two stages.

40. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 39, wherein after performing the frequency sweep at the first sweep speed, the control portion sets a time interval for changing the frequencies to be constant and sets a change width of the frequencies to be smaller than the first sweep speed, and performs the frequency sweep at a second sweep speed.

41. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 38, wherein the control portion changes a change ratio of a phase difference to a time in accordance with an impedance of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube.

42. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 38, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing the second reference data.

43. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 42, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by turning on/off the cold-cathode fluorescent tube alternately to perform burst driving.

44. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 43, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing a ratio between a set time of the first reference data and a set time of the second reference data.

45. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 43, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing a change ratio from the first reference data to the second reference data.

46. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 44 or 45, wherein a switching frequency of the first reference data and the second reference data is 1 kHz or less.

47. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 38, wherein the control portion sets the frequencies of the first and second control signals and the phase difference therebetween so that a frequency component corresponding to a vibration mode of a frequency higher than a desired vibration mode of the piezoelectric transformer is not included.

48. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 38, wherein the third series connection body includes a capacitor connected between the pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer.

49. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 38, wherein the control portion is controlled by a microcomputer.

50. The riving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 49, wherein the control portion is mounted in one chip together with the microcomputer.

51. A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor as a current detecting value after rectifying it;

a first comparator comparing the current detecting value from the feedback portion with a first reference voltage value;

a second comparator comparing the current detecting value from the feedback portion with a second reference voltage value; and

a control portion receiving a comparison result from the first or second comparator to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on the comparison result from the first or second comparator, wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency, and

when the current detecting value becomes the first reference voltage value or more during frequency sweep, the control portion performs the frequency sweep until the stop frequency is reached, and simultaneously controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting value substantially is matched with the second reference voltage value.

52. A method for driving a piezoelectric transformer using:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion receiving a first control signal to generate the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion receiving a second control signal to generate the third and fourth driving signals; and

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it,

the method comprising;

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, fixing a phase difference between the first and second control signals;

sweeping frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency;

during frequency sweep, comparing current detecting data corresponding to the voltage signal from the feedback portion with first reference data;

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during the frequency sweep, performing the frequency sweep until the stop frequency is reached;

comparing the current detecting data with second reference data; and

controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

53. A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

54. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 53, wherein the control portion performs driving control in a first vibration mode of the piezoelectric transformer until the current detecting data reaches the first reference data, and thereafter, performs the driving control in a second vibration mode lower than the first vibration mode.

55. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 53, wherein the control portion changes a change ratio of a phase difference to a time in accordance with an impedance of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube.

56. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 53, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing the second reference data.

57. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 56, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by turning on/off the cold-cathode fluorescent tube alternately to perform burst driving.

58. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 57, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing a ratio between a set time of the first reference data and a set time of the second reference data.

59. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 57, wherein the control portion controls brightness of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube by changing a change ratio from the first reference data to the second reference data.

60. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 58 or 59, wherein a switching frequency of the first reference data and the second reference data is 1 kHz or less.

61. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 53, wherein the control portion sets the frequencies of the first and second control signals and the phase difference therebetween so that a frequency component corresponding to a vibration mode of a frequency higher than a desired vibration mode of the piezoelectric transformer is not included.

62. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 53, wherein the third series connection body includes a capacitor connected between the pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer.

63. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 53, wherein the control portion is controlled by a microcomputer.

64. The driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer according to claim 63, wherein the control portion is mounted in one chip together with the microcomputer.

65. A driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor as a current detecting value after rectifying it;

a first comparator comparing the current detecting value from the feedback portion with a first reference voltage value;

a second comparator comparing the current detecting value from the feedback portion with a second reference voltage value; and

a control portion receiving a comparison result from the first or second comparator to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on the comparison result from the first or second comparator, wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency, and

when the current detecting value becomes the first reference voltage value or more during frequency sweep, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting value substantially is matched with the second reference voltage value.

66. A method for driving a piezoelectric transformer using:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion receiving a first control signal to generate the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion receiving a second control signal to generate the third and fourth driving signals; and

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it,

the method comprising;

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube,

fixing a phase difference between the first and second control signals;

sweeping frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency;

during frequency sweep, comparing current detecting data corresponding to the voltage signal from the feedback portion with first reference data;

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during the frequency sweep, fixing the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency;

comparing the current detecting data with second reference data; and

controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

67. A backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixing frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power,

after lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the reference data, and

the cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates an object to be illuminated from a back surface.

68. A backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixing frequencies of the first and second control signals at a first frequency, and controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power,

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more, the control portion fixing the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a second frequency, and controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data, and

the cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates an object to be illuminated from a back surface.

69. A backlight apparatus comprising a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixing the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeping the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency,

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion performing the frequency sweep until the stop frequency is reached, and simultaneously controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data, and

the cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates an object to be illuminated from a back surface.

70. A backlight apparatus comprising a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which a cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixing the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeping the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency,

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion fixing the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data, and

the cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates an object to be illuminated from a back surface.

71. A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates an object to be illuminated from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixing the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power,

after lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the reference data, and

the object to be illuminated is a liquid crystal panel.

72. A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates an object to be illuminated from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixing the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a first frequency, and controlling the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power,

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a second frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data, and

the object to be illuminated is a liquid crystal panel.

73. A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates an object to be illuminated from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency,

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion performs the frequency sweep until the stop frequency is reached, and simultaneously controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data, and

the object to be illuminated is a liquid crystal panel.

74. A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates an object to be illuminated from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency,

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data, and

the object to be illuminated is a liquid crystal panel.

75. A liquid crystal monitor with a liquid crystal display apparatus mounted thereon, the liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates a liquid crystal panel from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power, and

after lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the reference data.

76. A liquid crystal monitor with a liquid crystal display apparatus mounted thereon, the liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates a liquid crystal panel from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes frequencies of the first and second control signals at a first frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a second frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

77. A liquid crystal monitor with a liquid crystal display apparatus mounted thereon, the liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates a liquid crystal panel from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion performs the frequency sweep until the stop frequency is reached, and simultaneously controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

78. A liquid crystal monitor with a liquid crystal display apparatus mounted thereon, the liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates a liquid crystal panel from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

79. A liquid crystal TV with a liquid crystal display apparatus mounted thereon, the liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates a liquid crystal panel from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power, and

after lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the reference data.

80. A liquid crystal TV with a liquid crystal display apparatus mounted thereon, the liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates a liquid crystal panel from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes frequencies of the first and second control signals at a first frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that an output power of the piezoelectric transformer becomes from substantially zero to a predetermined output power, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a second frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

81. A liquid crystal TV with a liquid crystal display apparatus mounted thereon, the liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates a liquid crystal panel from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion performs the frequency sweep until the stop frequency is reached, and simultaneously controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.

82. A liquid crystal TV with a liquid crystal display apparatus mounted thereon, the liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a backlight apparatus including a driving circuit for a piezoelectric transformer and being composed so that a cold-cathode fluorescent tube illuminates a liquid crystal panel from a back surface, the driving circuit comprising:

a first series connection body connected to both terminals of a DC power source, in which first and second switching members are turned on/off alternately by first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a second series connection body connected in parallel with the first series connection body, in which third and fourth switching members are turned on/off alternately by third and fourth driving signals respectively having the same frequency and duty ratio as those of the first and second driving signals and are connected in series;

a piezoelectric transformer outputting a voltage, which is input from a primary side electrode, from a secondary side electrode after stepping-up or down the voltage by using a piezoelectric effect;

a third series connection body connected between a connection point of each switching member of the first series connection body and a connection point of each switching member of the second series connection body, including an inductor and a pair of input electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer;

a fourth series connection body connected between a pair of output electrodes of the piezoelectric transformer, in which the cold-cathode fluorescent tube and a current detecting resistor are connected in series;

a first driving portion generating the first and second driving signals;

a second driving portion generating the third and fourth driving signals;

a feedback portion returning a voltage signal generated at the current detecting resistor after rectifying it; and

a control portion receiving the voltage signal from the feedback portion to output first and second control signals respectively to the first and second driving portions,

the control portion comprising;

an A/D converter converting the voltage signal from the feedback portion to current detecting data having a digital value;

a comparator comparing the current detecting data from the A/D converter with first or second reference data; and

a phase controller changing a phase difference between the first and second control signals based on a comparison result from the comparator,

wherein

at a commencement of lighting of the cold-cathode fluorescent tube, the control portion fixes the phase difference between the first and second control signals, and sweeps the frequencies of the first and second control signals from a start frequency to a stop frequency, and

when the current detecting data becomes the first reference data or more during frequency sweep, the control portion fixes the frequencies of the first and second control signals at a predetermined frequency, and controls the phase difference between the first and second control signals so that the current detecting data substantially is matched with the second reference data.