Patent ID: 7002304

Claim:
A multi-lamp drive device connected with a power source for driving at least a lamp, comprising: a drive circuit comprising a pulse width modulation controller for outputting a modulation signal and a converter connected to said pulse width modulation controller for forming an output excitation power source based on said power source; a transformer comprising a magnetic core, a primary coil and a secondary coil, said magnetic core having a first side column, a second side column and at least a central column between said first and second side columns, said second side column being magnetically coupled to said first side column through a first magnetic gap and said central column having a second magnetic gap formed therein, said primary coil being wound around said first side column and electrically coupled with said output excitation power source, said secondary coil being wound around said second side column and electrically coupled with one end of at least a ballast component, the other end of said ballast component being connected to a first end of at least a balanced inductor; and at least a lamp whose one end is connected to a second end of said balanced inductor and whose other end is connected to said drive circuit.