JP5305010B2 - Discharge lamp lighting device, discharge lamp lighting method, and image display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a discharge lamp lighting device, a discharge lamp lighting method, and an image display device.

  As a light source of a projector, a discharge lamp (discharge lamp) such as a high-pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp is used. In order to light these discharge lamps, a higher voltage than that during stable lighting is supplied between the electrodes, and discharge is started by dielectric breakdown. Therefore, a discharge lamp lighting device having a circuit (igniter circuit) for generating a high voltage has been developed.

JP 2004-303498 A

  Depending on the specifications of a discharge lamp that is lit by supplying an AC driving current between the electrodes, there is a case where the electrode is less damaged when the discharge is started from a specific direction.

  However, the conventional igniter circuit charges the energy charging capacitor and timing determination capacitor regardless of the polarity of the AC drive current, and outputs a high voltage pulse at a timing that is independent of the polarity of the AC drive current. It is configured. In such a configuration, there is no guarantee that the polarity inversion timing of the AC drive current and the output timing of the high voltage pulse can be synchronized. In addition, it is very difficult to design the capacity of the energy charging capacitor and the capacity of the timing determination capacitor so as to be synchronized.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a discharge lamp lighting device, a discharge lamp lighting method, and an image display device that suppress damage to the electrodes of the discharge lamp.

  The discharge lamp lighting device according to the present invention starts the lighting of the discharge lamp by outputting a voltage pulse between the electrodes of the discharge lamp from the secondary winding of the transformer, and converts the current from the DC power source into AC. A discharge lamp lighting device for driving the discharge lamp by outputting an AC driving current between the electrodes of the discharge lamp by a conversion circuit, wherein the first capacitor is charged based on a current from the DC power source, and A second capacitor charged based on a current from one output terminal of the AC converter circuit, and the first capacitor charged after the voltage across the second capacitor exceeds the first reference voltage A discharge control circuit that discharges electric charge as a discharge current through the primary winding of the transformer, and a voltage is generated between the secondary winding of the transformer and the electrode of the discharge lamp based on the discharge current. It is characterized by outputting a pulse.

  According to the present invention, since the second capacitor is charged only at one polarity of the AC drive current, a voltage pulse is output at the polarity of the AC drive current. Therefore, it is possible to suppress damage to the electrodes of the discharge lamp by starting discharge from a polarity with little damage to the electrodes.

  The discharge lamp lighting device may include a charge control circuit that charges the second capacitor after a voltage across the first capacitor exceeds a second reference voltage.

  The discharge lamp lighting device includes a current limiting circuit that limits a charging current from the DC power source to the first capacitor, and the discharge control circuit includes a thyristor that is a part of a discharge path of the discharge current, The current limiting circuit may limit the charging current to a current value smaller than a holding current of the thyristor.

  The discharge lamp lighting method according to the present invention starts the lighting of the discharge lamp by outputting a voltage pulse between the electrodes of the discharge lamp from the secondary winding of the transformer, and the alternating current converts the current from the direct current power source into an alternating current. A discharge lamp lighting method for driving an AC drive current between electrodes of the discharge lamp by a conversion circuit to drive the discharge lamp, charging a first capacitor based on a current from the DC power supply, and A second capacitor is charged based on a current from one output terminal of the AC converter circuit, and the charge charged in the first capacitor after the second capacitor exceeds the first reference voltage is transferred to the transformer. The discharge current is discharged through the primary winding of the power supply, and a voltage pulse is output between the secondary winding of the transformer and the electrode of the discharge lamp based on the discharge current.

  The image display device according to the present invention includes any one of these discharge lamp lighting devices.

The circuit diagram of the discharge lamp lighting device which concerns on this embodiment. The timing chart for demonstrating the operation example of the discharge lamp lighting device which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a projector according to the present embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described below are essential constituent requirements of the present invention.

1. Discharge Lamp Lighting Device (1) Circuit Configuration FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a discharge lamp lighting device according to this embodiment. The discharge lamp lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment starts lighting of the discharge lamp 90 by outputting a voltage pulse between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90 from the secondary winding of the transformer 10, and the current from the DC power supply 80. The discharge lamp lighting device drives the discharge lamp 90 by outputting an AC drive current between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90 by the AC conversion circuit 20 that converts the current into AC.

  The transformer 10 includes a primary side winding L1 and secondary side windings L2 and L3. For example, when the ratio of the number of turns of each winding is L1: L2: L3 = 1: 10: 10, 10 times the voltage generated by the current flowing through the winding L1 is generated in the windings L2 and L3, respectively. Then, a voltage pulse of a voltage corresponding to 20 times the voltage generated at L1 is output between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90.

  The AC conversion circuit 20 receives the DC current output from the DC power supply 80 and generates and outputs an AC driving current I for driving a discharge lamp having an arbitrary duty ratio and frequency by inverting the polarity at a given timing. To do. In the present embodiment, the AC conversion circuit 20 is configured by an inverter bridge circuit (full bridge circuit).

  The AC conversion circuit 20 is configured to include, for example, switch elements S1 to S4 including transistors and the like, and the switch elements S1 and S2 connected in series and the switch elements S3 and S4 connected in series are connected in parallel to each other. Configured. Control signals are respectively input from the control circuit 60 to the control terminals of the switch elements S1 to S4, and ON / OFF of the switch elements S1 to S4 is controlled.

  The alternating current conversion circuit 20 alternately reverses the polarity of the direct current output from the direct current power supply 80 by alternately switching on and off the switch elements S1 and S4 and the switch elements S2 and S3. Using the common connection point of S2 and the common connection point of the switch elements S3 and S4 as two output terminals, an AC drive current I having a controlled frequency, duty ratio, and the like is generated and output and supplied to the discharge lamp 90. .

  That is, control is performed so that the switch elements S2 and S3 are turned off when the switch elements S1 and S4 are on, and the switch elements S2 and S3 are turned on when the switch elements S1 and S4 are off. Therefore, when the switch elements S1 and S4 are ON, an AC drive current I that flows from the positive side of the DC power supply 80 in the order of the switch element S1, the winding L3, the discharge lamp 90, the winding L2, and the switch element S4 is generated. Further, when the switch elements S2 and S3 are turned on, an AC drive current I that flows from the positive side of the DC power supply 80 in the order of the switch element S3, the winding L2, the discharge lamp 90, the winding L3, and the switch element S2 is generated.

  The control circuit 60 can be realized by a dedicated circuit and perform the above-described control. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) functions as a computer by executing a control program stored in a memory or the like, Various controls of these processes can also be performed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the AC conversion circuit 20 generates and outputs the AC drive current I using the current supplied from the DC power supply 80, but the discharge lamp lighting device 1 includes a step-down circuit and a step-up circuit. In addition, the AC conversion circuit 20 may generate and output the AC drive current I using the current supplied from the voltage step-down circuit or the step-up circuit as a DC power source.

  A filter 70 may be included between the windings L2 and L3 of the transformer 10 and the AC conversion circuit 20. The filter 70 is provided so as not to give the AC conversion circuit 20 the influence of the voltage pulse generated and output by the transformer 10. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the filter 70 includes a transformer T1 and a capacitor C3.

  The discharge lamp lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first capacitor C1 that is charged based on a current from the DC power supply 80. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first capacitor C <b> 1 is configured to be charged from the DC power supply 80 via the current limiting circuit 50.

  The current limiting circuit 50 is a circuit for limiting the current value of the charging current I1 from the DC power supply 80 to the first capacitor C1 to a desired value as necessary. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the current limiting circuit 50 is configured by connecting resistors R10 and R11 and a diode D1 in series.

  The discharge lamp lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a second capacitor C <b> 2 that is charged based on a current from one output terminal of the AC conversion circuit 20. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the second capacitor C2 is configured to be charged from the common connection point of the switch elements S1 and S2 through the resistors R1 and R2 out of the two output ends of the AC conversion circuit 20. ing. The resistors R1 to R3 are circuits for limiting the voltage across the second capacitor C2 to a desired value as necessary.

  The discharge lamp lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a discharge control circuit 30. After the voltage Vc2 across the second capacitor C2 exceeds the first reference voltage Vth1, the discharge control circuit 30 transfers the charge charged in the first capacitor C1 via the primary winding L1 of the transformer 10. Discharge as a discharge current.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the discharge control circuit 30 includes a thyristor X1, a diac X2, and resistors R4 and R5. The thyristor X1 is a part of the discharge path of the discharge current.

  When the voltage Vc2 across the second capacitor C2 exceeds the first reference voltage Vth1, the diac X2 is switched from OFF to ON, and the charge charged in the second capacitor C2 is partially converted into a diac X2 as a current. Are supplied to the gate of the thyristor X1 via the resistor R4, and the remainder is discharged to the ground potential via the resistor R5.

  The thyristor X1 is switched from OFF to ON using the current supplied to the gate as a trigger, and the charge charged in the first capacitor C1 is set to the ground potential as a discharge current via the primary winding L1 of the transformer 10. Discharge. When the current flowing through the thyristor X1 becomes equal to or less than the holding current, the thyristor X1 is switched from ON to OFF, and charging to the first capacitor C1 is resumed.

  When a discharge current flows through the primary winding L1 of the transformer 10, a voltage corresponding to the turns ratio is generated in the secondary windings L2 and L3 of the transformer 10 based on the discharge current. The voltage generated in the windings L2 and L3 is output between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90 as a voltage pulse.

  As described above, the discharge lamp lighting device 1 according to this embodiment outputs a voltage pulse between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90, triggered by the timing when the voltage Vc2 across the second capacitor C2 exceeds the first reference voltage Vth1. can do.

  In addition, since the second capacitor C2 is charged based on the current from one output terminal of the AC conversion circuit 20, one polarity period of the AC drive current I (in the example shown in FIG. It is charged only during the period when S4 is ON. Therefore, by appropriately setting the value of the second capacitor C2, a voltage pulse can be output between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90 at a desired timing with reference to the polarity inversion timing of the AC drive current I.

  Further, since the charging path of the second capacitor C2 is different from that of the first capacitor C1, by appropriately setting the value of the second capacitor C2, the second capacitor C2 is not restricted by the value of the first capacitor C1. A voltage pulse can be output between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90 at a desired timing.

  The discharge lamp lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment may include a charge control circuit 40 that charges the second capacitor C2 after the voltage Vc1 across the first capacitor C1 exceeds the second reference voltage Vth2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the charge control circuit 40 includes transistors Q1 and Q2 and resistors R6 to R9. The second reference voltage Vth2 can be set by the voltage division ratio of the resistors R6 and R7.

  When the voltage Vc1 across the first capacitor C1 is equal to or lower than the second reference voltage Vth2, the transistor Q1 is turned off and the transistor Q2 is turned on. As a result, a current for charging the second capacitor C2 through the resistors R1 and R2 flows to the ground potential through the resistor R9 and the transistor Q2. For this reason, sufficient current is not supplied to charge the second capacitor C2, and charging is limited. In particular, when the resistance value of the resistor R9 is sufficiently smaller than the resistance value of the resistor R3, it can be considered that the second capacitor C2 is hardly charged.

  When the voltage Vc1 across the first capacitor C1 is equal to or higher than the second reference voltage Vth2, the transistor Q1 is turned on and the transistor Q2 is turned off. As a result, the current flowing through the resistors R1 and R2 can charge the second capacitor C2. For example, when the resistance value of the resistor R8 is equal to or greater than the combined resistance value of the resistors R1 to R3, the current flowing through the resistor R8 and the transistor Q1 is larger than the current flowing through the resistors R1 and R2. As a result, the second capacity C2 can be sufficiently charged.

  When the discharge control circuit 30 starts discharging when the first capacitor C1 is not sufficiently charged, a voltage pulse less than the voltage necessary for lighting the discharge lamp 90 is supplied between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90. become. When such an unnecessary voltage pulse is supplied to the electrode of the discharge lamp 90, an unnecessary burden is placed on the electrode of the discharge lamp 90.

  By providing the charge control circuit 40, when the first capacitor C1 is not sufficiently charged, the second capacitor C2 is not charged and the discharge control circuit 30 does not start discharging. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the voltage pulse which is less than the voltage required for lighting of the discharge lamp 90 can be suppressed.

  In the discharge lamp lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment, the current limiting circuit 50 may limit the charging current I1 to a current value smaller than the holding current of the thyristor X1. Thereby, the thyristor X1 can be reliably switched off.

  Since the charging current I1 is not used to charge the second capacitor C2, changing the current value of the charging current I1 does not affect the time required for charging the second capacitor C2. Absent. Therefore, the value of the charging current I1 can be designed independently of the value of the second capacitor C2.

(2) Operation Example FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the discharge lamp lighting device 1 according to the present embodiment. The voltage Vc1 across the first capacitor C1, the voltage Vc2 across the second capacitor C2, and the voltage Vp output between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90 are shown in order from the top.

  Here, a period in which the switch elements S1 and S4 are turned on is defined as a + polarity period, and a period in which the switch elements S2 and S3 are turned on is defined as a -polarity period. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the + polarity period is the period from time t1 to t3 and time t4 to t6, and the −polarity period is the period from time t0 to t1 and time t3 to t4. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the period starts from the −polarity period, but may start from the + polarity period.

  First, when the DC power source 80 is applied to the discharge lamp lighting device 1 at time t0, the first capacitor C1 is charged and the both-end voltage Vc1 increases. On the other hand, since the second capacitor C2 is not charged during the negative polarity period, the both-end voltage Vc2 remains 0 during the period from time t0 to time t1. Therefore, no voltage pulse is output between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90.

  Since the positive polarity period starts at time t1, charging of the second capacitor C2 starts and the both-ends voltage Vc2 rises. When the voltage Vc2 at both ends exceeds the first reference voltage Vth1 at time t2, the diac X2 and the thyristor X1 are turned on, and the charges charged in the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 are discharged.

  When the electric charge charged in the first capacitor C1 is discharged as a discharge current through the primary winding L1 of the transformer 10, the secondary windings L2 and L3 of the transformer 10 based on the discharge current. A voltage pulse is output between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90.

  After the first capacitor C1 is discharged at time t2, charging is resumed and the both-end voltage Vc1 rises. At times t2 to t3, the voltage Vc1 at both ends is equal to or lower than the second reference voltage Vth2, and thus the second capacitor C2 is not charged even during the + polarity period. Therefore, the both-end voltage Vc2 remains zero.

  From time t3 to t4, charging of the first capacitor C1 continues and the both-end voltage Vc1 continues to rise. Further, since it is a negative polarity period, the second capacitor C2 is not charged, and the both-end voltage Vc2 remains zero.

  Since the positive polarity period starts at time t4, charging of the second capacitor C2 starts and the both-ends voltage Vc2 rises. When the both-end voltage Vc2 exceeds the first reference voltage Vth1 at time t5, the diac X2 and the thyristor X1 are turned on, and the charges charged in the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 are discharged and released. A voltage pulse is output between the electrodes of the lamp 90.

  After the first capacitor C1 is discharged at time t5, charging is resumed, and the both-end voltage Vc1 increases. At times t5 to t6, the voltage Vc1 at both ends is equal to or lower than the second reference voltage Vth2, and thus the second capacitor C2 is not charged even during the + polarity period. Therefore, the both-end voltage Vc2 remains zero.

  In addition, after the lighting of the discharge lamp 90 is started, it can be set so that the output of the voltage pulse is automatically stopped. Hereinafter, the case where the output voltage of the DC power supply 80 before starting the lighting of the discharge lamp 90 is 380 V and the interelectrode voltage (lamp voltage) of the discharge lamp 90 after starting the lighting of the discharge lamp 90 will be described as an example. Note that the voltage drop due to the switch elements S1 to S4 will be described as being sufficiently smaller than the output voltage of the DC power supply 80 and the voltage between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90.

  If the ratio of the resistance values of the resistors R1 to R3 is set to about (R1 + R2): R3 = 7.5: 1 before the lighting of the discharge lamp 90, the voltage applied to both ends of the second capacitor C2 is maximum. It becomes about 45V. In this case, if the first reference voltage (the trigger voltage of the Diac X2) Vth1 is set to about 32 V, for example, the Diac X2 and the thyristor X1 can be switched to the ON state, and the discharge lamp lighting device 1 Pulses can be generated.

  After the lighting of the discharge lamp 90 is started, the output voltage of the DC power supply 80 is approximately the voltage between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90. In this case, the maximum voltage applied to both ends of the second capacitor C2 is about 8V. Therefore, the voltage across the second capacitor C2 cannot exceed the first reference voltage Vth1, and thus the diac X2 does not switch to the ON state. Therefore, the discharge lamp lighting device 1 does not output voltage pulses.

  Further, for example, the second reference voltage Vth2 is set to about 250 V so that the voltage across the first capacitor C1 cannot exceed the second reference voltage Vth2 in the charge limiting circuit 40 after the lighting of the discharge lamp 90 is started. By doing so, the charging of the second capacitor C2 can be stopped. Thereby, the discharge lamp lighting device 1 does not output a voltage pulse.

2. Projector FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a projector according to the present embodiment. The projector is an example of an image display device according to the present invention. The projector 500 is an example of a projector including the discharge lamp lighting device 1 described above.

  The projector 500 includes an image signal converter 510, an image processing device 570, a DC power supply device 520, a discharge lamp lighting device 1, a discharge lamp 90, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 580, a mirror group 550, and liquid crystal panels 560R, 560G, and 560B. Including.

  The image signal converter 510 converts an externally input image signal 502 (such as a luminance-color difference signal or an analog RGB signal) into a digital RGB signal having a predetermined word length to generate image signals 512R, 512G, and 512B. This is supplied to the image processing device 570.

  The image processing device 570 performs image processing on the three image signals 512R, 512G, and 512B, and outputs drive signals 572R, 572G, and 572B for driving the liquid crystal panels 560R, 560G, and 560B, respectively.

  The DC power supply device 520 converts an AC voltage supplied from an external AC power supply 600 into a constant DC voltage, and an image signal conversion unit on the secondary side of a transformer (not shown, but included in the DC power supply device 520). 510, a DC voltage is supplied to the image processing device 570 and the discharge lamp lighting device 1 on the primary side of the transformer.

  The discharge lamp lighting device 1 generates a high-voltage voltage pulse between the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90 at the time of start-up to cause a dielectric breakdown to form a discharge path, and thereafter the AC drive current for the discharge lamp 90 to maintain discharge I is supplied. In the present embodiment, a discharge lamp lighting device having the same configuration as that of the discharge lamp lighting device 1 described with reference to FIG. 1 is used.

  The luminous flux emitted from the discharge lamp 90 is separated into R, G, and B color light through two dichroic mirrors included in the mirror group 550, reflected by the other mirrors, and transmitted to the liquid crystal panels 560R, 560G, and 560B, respectively. The

  The liquid crystal panels 560R, 560G, and 560B are light modulation units that form images based on the drive signals 572R, 572G, and 572B, respectively, and modulate the amount of color light transmitted through each liquid crystal panel by the images. Each color light modulated by the light modulation means is again synthesized by the dichroic prism and projected onto the screen 700.

  The CPU 580 controls the operation from the start of lighting of the projector to the turning off of the projector. When the projector 500 receives a lighting operation from a user, the projector 500 transmits a lighting command as a communication signal 582 to the discharge lamp lighting device 1. In addition, when the projector 500 receives a turn-off operation from the user, it sends a turn-off command as a communication signal 582 to the discharge lamp lighting device 1. Further, the CPU 580 may receive information regarding the driving state of the discharge lamp 90 from the discharge lamp lighting device 1 as the communication signal 532.

  The projector 500 configured as described above can suppress damage to the electrodes of the discharge lamp 90 by starting discharge from a polarity with little damage to the electrodes. Thereby, a projector capable of extending the life of the discharge lamp can be realized. In addition, it is possible to realize a projector that can reduce the number of replacements of the discharge lamp.

  In each of the above embodiments, a projector using three liquid crystal panels has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one, two, four or more liquid crystal panels are used. It can also be applied to projectors.

  In each of the above embodiments, the projector including the transmission type light modulation unit has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applicable to a projector including the reflection type light modulation unit. Is possible. Here, “transmission type” means that an electro-optic modulation device as a light modulation means such as a transmission type liquid crystal panel transmits light, and “reflection type” means This means that an electro-optic modulator as a light modulator such as a reflective liquid crystal panel or a micromirror type light modulator is a type that reflects light. As the micromirror light modulator, for example, DMD (digital micromirror device; trademark of Texas Instruments) can be used. Even when the present invention is applied to a projector including a reflection type light modulation unit, the same effect as that of a projector including a transmission type light modulation unit can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the projector provided with the transmissive light modulation means has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various image display apparatuses. For example, even when the present invention is applied to a device that employs a discharge lamp as a light source, such as a rear projection type image display device, an overhead projector (OHP), or a projector, the above effect can be obtained.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention.

  The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations that have the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations that have the same objects and effects). In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a non-essential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. In addition, the present invention includes a configuration that exhibits the same operational effects as the configuration described in the embodiment or a configuration that can achieve the same object. Further, the invention includes a configuration in which a known technique is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Discharge lamp lighting device, 10 transformer, 20 AC conversion circuit, 30 Discharge control circuit, 40 Charge control circuit, 50 Current limiting circuit, 60 Control circuit, 70 Filter, 80 DC power supply, 90 Discharge lamp, 500 Projector, 502 Image signal , 510 Image signal conversion unit, 512R, 512G, 512B Image signal, 520 DC power supply, 532 Communication signal, 550 Mirror group, 560R, 560G, 560B Liquid crystal panel, 570 Image processing unit, 572R, 572G, 572B Drive signal, 580 CPU, 582 communication signal, C1 first capacitor, C2 second capacitor, C3 capacitor, D1 diode, Q1, Q2 transistor, R1-R11 resistor, S1-S4 switch element, T1 transformer, X1 thyristor, X2 diac

Claims (4)

A voltage pulse is output from the secondary winding of the transformer between the electrodes of the discharge lamp to start lighting the discharge lamp, and an AC conversion circuit that converts the current from the DC power source into AC is connected between the electrodes of the discharge lamp. A discharge lamp lighting device that drives the discharge lamp by outputting an alternating current drive current,
A first capacity charged based on a current from the DC power supply;
A second capacitor charged on the basis of a current from one output terminal of the AC converter circuit;
A charge control circuit for charging the second capacitor after a voltage across the first capacitor exceeds a second reference voltage;
A discharge control circuit for discharging the charge charged in the first capacitor after the voltage across the second capacitor exceeds the first reference voltage as a discharge current through the primary winding of the transformer; It includes,
A discharge lamp lighting device that outputs a voltage pulse between the secondary winding of the transformer and the electrode of the discharge lamp based on the discharge current. In the discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1 ,
A current limiting circuit for limiting a charging current from the DC power source to the first capacitor;
The discharge control circuit includes a thyristor that becomes a part of a discharge path of the discharge current,
The discharge lamp lighting device, wherein the current limiting circuit limits the charging current to a current value smaller than a holding current of the thyristor. A voltage pulse is output from the secondary winding of the transformer between the electrodes of the discharge lamp to start lighting the discharge lamp, and an AC conversion circuit that converts the current from the DC power source into AC is connected between the electrodes of the discharge lamp. A discharge lamp lighting method for driving an AC drive current to drive the discharge lamp,
The first capacitor is charged based on the current from the DC power source, and the current from one output terminal of the AC converter circuit is determined after the voltage across the first capacitor exceeds the second reference voltage. To charge the second capacity,
Discharging the electric charge charged in the first capacitor after the second capacitor exceeds the first reference voltage through the primary winding of the transformer;
A discharge lamp lighting method characterized in that a voltage pulse is outputted between the secondary winding of the transformer and the electrode of the discharge lamp based on the discharge current. An image display device which comprises a discharge lamp lighting device according to claim 1 or 2.

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