Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Surge generator or inductance in the supply circuit
Patent
1997-01-03
1999-04-13
Wong, Don
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Surge generator or inductance in the supply circuit
315241R, 315DIG2, H05B 3700
Patent
active
058942025
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an ignition device for gas discharge lamps, in particular for motor vehicle lights. The invention pertains to an ignition device of the general type in which a transformer has a secondary side that produces a gas discharge ignition voltage and a primary side that receives an alternating current produced from a direct current supply voltage.
Recently, various proposals have been made to use gas discharge lamps in motor vehicles, in particular in headlights. In addition to a longer service life, there are also advantages with regard to efficiency. Thus, for example, the same light intensity can be achieved with substantially less energy.
To turn on gas discharge lamps, ignition devices or ignition circuits are required, which produce the required high ignition voltage. Ignition devices of this kind are known, for example, from "Lamps and Lighting", Third Edition, 1983, Edward Arnold, pp. 292, 293. An ignition device is described there that has two transformers, wherein a device with controllable switches converts the direct current supply voltage into a pulsed voltage for powering the primary winding of the first transformer. A problem with it is its susceptibility to malfunction and its structural size, since rough vehicle use demands components that are not susceptible to malfunction and subassemblies that do not require much space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The ignition device according to the invention may include a capacitor which constitutes a closed circuit together with the primary winding of the transformer and a spark gap and which is acted upon by a charging current. The ignition device according to the invention; and has the advantage that the spark gap used is very reliable for a long service life, and--in contrast to semiconductor switches--is also suited for higher temperatures. A particular trigger circuit is not required.
To generate the charging current for the capacitor, the direct current supply voltage is applied in a simple and cost effective manner to the series connection of this capacitor with a charging resistor. In a suitable manner, a smoothing capacitor is connected between the connecting terminals for the direct current supply voltage.
In order to reliably achieve the required high ignition voltage, the secondary winding of the transformer is advantageously followed by at least one other voltage increasing stage. For this purpose, the secondary winding of the transformer is embodied to charge another capacitor which in another voltage increasing stage, constitutes a circuit together with a switch and the primary winding of a second transformer, wherein the secondary winding of this second transformer produces the increased voltage. In a suitable manner, this switch is likewise embodied as another spark gap that arcs at a predetermined charge state of the other capacitor.
In order to be able to keep the size of the transformers small despite a high ignition voltage, the capacitor is a component of an additional voltage multiplication stage. Preferably, the capacitor, together with two diodes, constitutes a voltage doubling stage. At the same time, these diodes are used for producing the charging direct current for the other capacitor. This device can also be advantageously used in ignition devices in which the primary side alternating current for the first transformer is produced in another manner.
To increase operational reliability, during its transfer, the discharging current traveling through the lamp is limited by means of a current limiting device, preferably an inductor.
At least two of the inductive components are advantageously combined into one inductive unit, in particular by virtue of the fact that these components are inserted into a plastic housing that is open on one end and then are cast with a casting compound that fills the plastic housing. This achieves a small, compact component that is well-insulated on the high voltage end. To increase voltage reliability, this component can also have an output end high
REFERENCES:
patent: 3758815 (1973-09-01), Paget
patent: 4410837 (1983-10-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5036256 (1991-07-01), Garrison et al.
patent: 5233273 (1993-08-01), Waki et al.
Betz Dieter
Drews Ulrich
Gross Thomas
Kienzler Thomas
Rothfuss Bernd
Kunitz Norman N.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Vu David H.
Wong Don
Wood Allen
LandOfFree
Ignition device for gas discharge lamps, particularly for motor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ignition device for gas discharge lamps, particularly for motor , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ignition device for gas discharge lamps, particularly for motor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-224635