Lighting control device with air gap switch controlled output

Abstract

A lighting control apparatus includes a lighting control circuit and an air gap switch electrically connected to the lighting control circuit. When the air gap switch is closed, the lighting control circuit is configured to provide controlled output power at a first output terminal of the lighting control device based on input power received by the air gap switch via an input terminal of the lighting control device. The air gap switch is electrically connected to a second output terminal of the lighting control device such that when the air gap switch is closed, bypass output power is provided independently of the lighting control circuit via the second output terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting system solutions, and more particularly to a lighting control device having an air-gap switch controlled output. Background Art

[0002] Some lighting control devices (such as some dimmers and electronic switches) are not physically isolated even when the device is turned off. Therefore, changing the light source or other components of a lamp that receives power from or through such a lighting control device carries the risk of electric shock, component damage, etc. To avoid such problems, some lighting control devices may include an air gap switch, and the lamp that receives power controlled by such a lighting control device can be safely operated by turning off the air gap switch. However, some smart lamps are not physically wired to such a lighting control device, and safely changing the light source or other components of such a smart lamp may require, for example, turning off the power from the primary power source (e.g., mains power) at a circuit breaker. However, such an action may cause an overly large power outage to many other lamps and non-lighting devices (such as other electronic appliances). Therefore, a solution that limits large-scale power outages to lighting devices and non-lighting devices may be desired. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting system solutions, and more particularly to lighting control devices with air-gap switch controlled outputs. In an example embodiment, a lighting control device includes a lighting control circuit and an air-gap switch electrically connected to the lighting control circuit. When the air-gap switch is closed, the lighting control circuit is configured to provide controlled output power at a first output terminal of the lighting control device based on input power received by the air-gap switch via an input terminal of the lighting control device. The air-gap switch is electrically connected to a second output terminal of the lighting control device, such that when the air-gap switch is closed, bypass output power is provided via the second output terminal independently of the lighting control circuit.

[0004] In another example embodiment, a lighting system includes a first lighting device, a second lighting device, and a lighting control device. The lighting control device includes a lighting control circuit and an air gap switch electrically connected to the lighting control circuit. When the air gap switch is closed, the lighting control circuit is configured to provide a controlled output power at a first output terminal of the lighting control device based on an input power received by the air gap switch via an input terminal of the lighting control device. The air gap switch is electrically connected to a second output terminal of the lighting control device so that when the air gap switch is closed, a bypass output power is provided independently of the lighting control circuit via the second output terminal.

[0005] These and other aspects, objects, features and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0007] Figure 1 A lighting system including a lighting control device according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0008] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a circuit comprising an electronic switch according to an example embodiment is shown. Figure 1 lighting control equipment;

[0009] Figure 3 A device including a dimmer circuit according to an example embodiment is shown. Figure 1 lighting control equipment; and

[0010] Figure 4 According to an example embodiment, Figure 3 Details of lighting control equipment.

[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate only example embodiments and therefore should not be considered to limit the scope. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, instead emphasis is placed on clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help convey these principles visually. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals used in different drawings may represent similar or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following paragraphs, example embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, well-known components, methods and / or processing techniques are omitted or briefly described. In addition, mentioning various (multiple) features of the embodiment does not mean that all embodiments must include the mentioned (multiple) features.

[0013] Figure 1A lighting system 100 including a lighting control device 102 according to an example embodiment is shown. In some example embodiments, the lighting system 100 includes the lighting control device 102, the lighting device 104, and the intelligent lighting device 106. For example, the lighting device 104 and the intelligent lighting device 106 may be in the same lighting area, group, and / or zone. The lighting system 100 may also include a load device 108 and a circuit breaker 124. The load device 108 may be an appliance, a lamp, or another electrical device. The lighting control device 102 may be electrically connected (i.e., connected by one or more wires and optionally by electrical components) to the circuit breaker 124. For example, the lighting control device 102 may include an input terminal 114 electrically connected to the circuit breaker 124 by a wire. The input terminal 114 may be or may include an end (e.g., an exposed / uninsulated end) of a wire and / or an electrical connector. For example, the input terminal 114 may include one or more screw terminals and / or push-in terminals. As another example, the input terminal 114 may include one or more electrical connectors attached (e.g., soldered) to a printed circuit board to which one or more other components of the lighting control device 102 are also attached. As another example, the input terminal 114 may be an "input" terminal of the air gap switch 112. In some example embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may be inside a housing, and the input terminal 114 may be partially or entirely inside, on, or outside the housing. The lighting control device 102 and the load device 108 may receive alternating current (A / C) input power (e.g., utility power) through the circuit breaker 124, unless the A / C input power is turned off at the circuit breaker 124. The A / C input power may be provided to the lighting control device 102 and the load device 108 at 120V AC or at another suitable voltage.

[0014] In some example embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may include an air-gap switch 112 and a lighting control circuit 110. The air-gap switch 112 may be electrically connected to an input terminal 114 and the lighting control circuit 110. For example, when the air-gap switch 112 is closed (i.e., turned on) to allow current to pass therethrough, the lighting control circuit 110 may operate based on an A / C input power received via the input terminal 114. For illustration, the lighting control circuit 110 may be electrically connected to an output terminal 116 of the lighting control device 102, and when the air-gap switch 112 is closed, the lighting control circuit 110 may provide a controlled output power (i.e., controlled power) via the output terminal 116 based on the A / C input power received via the input terminal 114. When the air-gap switch 112 is open (i.e., turned off), the controlled output power provided by the lighting control circuit 110 via the output terminal 116 is turned off and is therefore unavailable. The controlled output power provided by the lighting control circuit 110 via the output terminal 116 may also depend on one or more user inputs provided to the lighting control device 102.

[0015] To illustrate, in some example embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may include a user interface 120, and the lighting control device 102 may receive user input via the user interface 120. A user, such as a contractor or a consumer, may provide input to the lighting control device 102 using the user interface 120. For example, the user interface 120 may be a dimmer slider or knob, a touch screen interface, a push button switch, a wireless and / or wired communication unit that may communicate with a user control device (e.g., a mobile phone), or another type of user interface that may be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0016] In some example embodiments, the lighting control circuit 110 may be or may include a dimmer (e.g., a TRIAC dimmer), and the controlled output power provided by the lighting control circuit 110 via the output terminal 116 may be used for lighting device dimming control. The controlled power provided by the lighting control circuit 110 may depend on one or more user inputs provided via the user interface 120. For example, a user may provide a dimming level setting to the lighting control circuit 110 via the user interface 120, and the controlled output power provided by the lighting control circuit 110 via the output terminal 116 may depend on the dimming level setting. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control circuit 110 may be or may include an electronic switch (such as a solid-state switch) instead of or in addition to a dimmer circuit, and whether the lighting control circuit 110 provides the controlled output power via the output terminal 116 may depend on an on / off user input provided to the electronic switch via the user interface 120.

[0017] In some example embodiments, the air-gap switch 112 may be physically connected to the output terminal 118 of the lighting control device 102 mechanically (e.g., welded or screwed) or through one or more wires. The air-gap switch 112 may be electrically connected to the output terminal 118 of the lighting control device 102 (e.g., through one or more wires and / or electrical components). For example, one of the cables may be connected to the output terminal 118, and the other end of the cable may be directly connected to the "output" terminal of the air-gap switch 112, or may be engaged with a cable connecting the "output" terminal of the air-gap switch 112 and the lighting control circuit 110 (e.g., at the electrical node 126). When the air-gap switch 112 is closed (i.e., turned on) to allow current to pass therethrough, the lighting control device 102 may provide output power (i.e., bypass output power) via the output terminal 118 based on the A / C input power. For example, when the air-gap switch 112 is closed, the input terminal 114 of the lighting control device 102 may actually be the same electrical node as the output terminal 118. That is, unlike the controlled output power provided by the lighting control circuit 110 via the output terminal 116, the bypass output power provided via the output terminal 118 may be independent of (i.e., not controlled by) the lighting control circuit 110 and the user input provided to the lighting control circuit 110. When the air-gap switch 112 is open (i.e., turned off), the bypass output power provided by the lighting control device 102 via the output terminal 118 is turned off and is therefore unavailable. It may be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the air-gap switch 112 may be opened and closed by a user.

[0018] In some example embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may include output terminals 116, 118. The output terminal 116 may be or may include exposed ends of one or more wires and / or one or more electrical connectors. For example, the output terminal 116 may include one or more screw terminals and / or push-in terminals that are attached to and terminate one or more wires. As another example, the output terminal 116 may include one or more electrical connectors attached (e.g., soldered) to a printed circuit board, where one or more other components of the lighting control device 102 are also attached to the printed circuit board. In some example embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may be inside a housing, and the output terminal 116 may be partially or entirely inside the housing, on the housing, or outside the housing. The output terminal 118 may also include exposed ends of one or more wires and / or one or more electrical connectors. For example, the output terminal 118 may include one or more screw terminals and / or push-in terminals that are attached to and terminate one or more wires. As another example, the output terminal 118 may include one or more electrical connectors attached (e.g., soldered) to a printed circuit board, where one or more other components of the lighting control device 102 are also attached to the printed circuit board. As yet another example, output terminal 118 may be an “output” terminal of air-gap switch 112. In some example embodiments, lighting control device 102 may be inside a housing, and output terminal 118 may be partially or fully inside, on, or outside the housing.

[0019] In some example embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may be electrically connected to the lighting device 104. The lighting device 104 may be operated using power (i.e., controlled output power) received from the lighting control circuit 110. For example, the lighting device 104 may be a light emitting diode (LED) lamp that includes an integrated driver or an external driver electrically connected to the output terminal 116 of the lighting control device 102. The lighting device 104 may be electrically connected to the output terminal 116 via a cable (e.g., one or more wires). For example, the cable may be part of the building's electrical wiring. As described above, the lighting control circuit 110 may include a dimmer (e.g., a TRIAC dimmer) and / or an electronic switch, and the controlled output power provided by the lighting control device 102 to the lighting device 104 via the output terminal 116 may be power controlled by the dimmer and / or the electronic switch (e.g., a solid-state switch).

[0020] In some example embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may be electrically connected to the smart lighting device 106. The smart lighting device 106 may be electrically connected to the output terminal 118 via a cable (e.g., one or more wires), where the cable may be part of the building electrical wiring. The smart lighting device 106 may operate using bypass output power received from the lighting control device 102 via the output terminal 118 of the lighting control device 102. For illustration, when the air gap switch 112 is closed, the bypass output power is available to the lighting device 106 via the output terminal 118. When the air gap switch 112 is open (i.e., turned off), the bypass output power is turned off and is therefore not available to the lighting device 106 via the output terminal 118.

[0021] In some example embodiments, the smart lighting device 106 may be an LED lamp that can be wirelessly controlled by a user to turn on and off the light provided by the smart lighting device 106, change the intensity of the light, etc. For illustration, the smart lighting device 106 may include a wireless and / or wired communication module 122 that can receive lighting control instructions sent to control the smart lighting device 106. For example, the communication module 122 may receive wireless signals that conform to one or more of the wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, BLE, ZigBee, etc. In some alternative embodiments, the smart lighting device 106 may be controlled by other means that may be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0022] The lighting control device 102 can provide power to the lighting devices alone by providing controlled power to the lighting devices 104 from the lighting control circuit 110, and by providing bypass output power to the lighting devices 106 independently of the lighting control circuit 110. When a person wants to change the light source or another component of the lighting device 106, the person can turn off the power provided to the lighting device 106 by turning off the air gap switch 112 to disconnect the bypass output power from the output terminal 118. If the lighting device 106 is connected to receive power directly through the circuit breaker 124 instead of the lighting control device 102, changing the components of the lighting device 106 would require disconnecting the A / C input power at the circuit breaker 124, which could cause a wide-scale interruption of power to other devices such as the load device 108. The ability to provide the bypass output power to the lighting device 106 and disconnect the bypass output power from the lighting device 106 by using the air gap switch 112 can avoid power interruptions to other devices (such as the load device 108) by avoiding the need to turn off the AC input power at the circuit breaker 124. In some cases, because an air-gap switch, such as air-gap switch 112, is required for use with some dimmer devices to meet certification standards (eg, UL standards), providing bypass output power may be accomplished with minimal additional cost.

[0023] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may include other components in addition to those shown without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting system 100 may include more load devices than shown without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting devices 104, 106 may be non-LED lamps without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, the lighting device 106 may be a non-lighting device without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting system 100 may include more lighting devices than shown without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the output terminal 116 may be electrically connected to two or more lighting devices, and the output terminal 118 may be electrically connected to two or more lighting devices. In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may include other terminals or interfaces in addition to those shown without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, the A / C input power may be provided by a power company, or may be obtained from a location equipment such as a solar power source.

[0024] Figure 2 A circuit including an electronic switch 202 according to an example embodiment is shown. Figure 1 The lighting control device 102. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , as mentioned above Figure 1 As described, the lighting control device 102 includes a lighting control circuit 110 and an air gap switch 112. The lighting control device 102 may also include an input terminal 114, output terminals 116, 118, and a user interface 120. The lighting control circuit 110 may include an electronic switch 202 (e.g., a solid-state switch), which may be turned on and off based on user input provided to the lighting control circuit 110 via the user interface 120.

[0025] In some example embodiments, when the air-gap switch 112 is closed (i.e., turned on), if the electronic switch 202 is turned on, the lighting control circuit 110 may provide the controlled output power via the output terminal 116. Even when the air-gap switch 112 is closed, if the electronic switch 202 is turned off, the controlled output power may be turned off or otherwise unavailable at the output terminal 116. If the air-gap switch 112 is open (i.e., turned off), the controlled output power provided at the output terminal 116 may be turned off or otherwise unavailable, regardless of the user input(s) provided via the user interface 120 for controlling the electronic switch 202. The air-gap switch 112 may be used with the electronic switch 202, for example, to mitigate inherent risks (e.g., electric shock) associated with electronic switches and lighting devices that receive power through the electronic switches.

[0026] As above about Figure 1 As described above, when the air-gap switch 112 is closed, the bypass output power is available via the output terminal 118 electrically connected to the air-gap switch 112. When the air-gap switch 112 is open (i.e., turned off), the bypass output power is turned off and thus unavailable at the output terminal 118. The bypass output power is made available or unavailable at the output terminal 118 independently of the lighting control circuit 110.

[0027] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control circuit 110 may include other than Figure 2 In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device 102 may include components other than those shown in FIG. Figure 2 The parts shown in .

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a device including a dimmer circuit 302 according to an example embodiment is shown. Figure 1 The lighting control device 102. Figure 1 and Figure 3 , as mentioned above Figure 1 As described, the lighting control device 102 includes a lighting control circuit 110 and an air gap switch 112. The lighting control device 102 may also include an input terminal 114, output terminals 116, 118, and a user interface 120. The lighting control circuit 110 may include a dimmer circuit 302 (e.g., a TRIAC dimmer), which may be operated (e.g., dimming level setting) by user input provided to the lighting control circuit 110 via the user interface 120. For example, the user interface 120 may be a dimmer slider or knob.

[0029] In some example embodiments, when the air-gap switch 112 is closed (i.e., turned on), the dimmer circuit 302 may provide controlled output power via the output terminal 116, wherein the amount of power may depend on the dimming level setting provided to the lighting control circuit 110 via the user interface 120. If the air-gap switch 112 is open (i.e., turned off), the controlled output power provided by the dimmer circuit 302 at the output terminal 116 may be turned off or otherwise unavailable, regardless of the user input(s) provided via the user interface 120 for controlling the dimmer circuit 302. The air-gap switch 112 may be used with the dimmer circuit 302, for example, to mitigate inherent risks (e.g., electric shock) associated with dimmer circuits and lighting devices controlled by the dimmer circuits.

[0030] As above about Figure 1As described above, when the air-gap switch 112 is closed, the bypass output power is available via the output terminal 118 electrically connected to the air-gap switch 112. When the air-gap switch 112 is open (i.e., turned off), the bypass output power is turned off and thus unavailable at the output terminal 118. The bypass output power is made available or unavailable at the output terminal 118 independently of the lighting control circuit 110.

[0031] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control circuit 110 may include other than Figure 3 In some alternative embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the lighting control device 102 may include components other than those shown in FIG. Figure 3 Parts other than those shown.

[0032] Figure 4 According to an example embodiment, Figure 3 Details of the lighting control device 102. Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some example embodiments, the lighting control circuit 110 includes a dimmer circuit 302. The dimmer circuit 302 may include a TRIAC 402, a controller 404, and a power unit 406. For example, the power unit 406 may include one or more voltage regulators that receive AC power through the air gap switch 112 and provide a voltage compatible with the controller 404 when the air gap switch 112 is closed. For illustration, the controller may include a microcontroller and one or more memory devices (e.g., static random access memory and / or flash memory), wherein the microcontroller executes software code stored in the one or more memory devices, as may be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0033] In some example embodiments, the controller 404 may receive user input (e.g., dimmer setting information) via the user interface 120, and control the TRIAC 402 to control the controlled output power provided via the output terminal 116. To illustrate, when the air-gap switch 112 is closed (i.e., turned on), the dimmer circuit 302 may provide the controlled output power via the output terminal 116, wherein the amount of power may depend on the dimming level setting provided to the controller 404 via the user interface 120. If the air-gap switch 112 is open (i.e., turned off), the controlled output power provided by the dimmer circuit 302 at the output terminal 116 may be turned off or otherwise unavailable, regardless of the dimmer setting information provided via the user interface 120.

[0034] In some alternative embodiments, the dimmer circuit 302 may be another type of dimmer circuit instead of a TRIAC dimmer circuit without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the dimmer circuit 302 may include other components than those shown without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] Although specific embodiments have been described in detail herein, these descriptions are by way of example. The features of the example embodiments described herein are representative, and in alternative embodiments, certain features, elements, and / or steps may be added or omitted. In addition, those skilled in the art may modify various aspects of the example embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be consistent with the broadest interpretation so as to cover modifications and equivalent structures.

Claims

1. A lighting control device (102), comprising: Lighting control circuit (110); and An air-gap switch (112) electrically connected to the lighting control circuit (110), wherein when the air-gap switch is closed, the lighting control circuit is configured to provide controlled output power at a first output terminal (116) of the lighting control device based on input power received by the air-gap switch via an input terminal (114) of the lighting control device, and wherein the air-gap switch is electrically connected to a second output terminal (118) of the lighting control device so that when the air-gap switch is closed, bypass output power is provided via the second output terminal independently of the lighting control circuit, and wherein a load electrically connected to the second output terminal is not controlled by the lighting control circuit.

2. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control circuit (110) comprises an electronic switch (202).

3. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein the lighting control circuit (110) comprises a dimmer circuit (302).

4. The lighting control device of claim 3, wherein the dimmer circuit (302) comprises a TRIAC (402).

5. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein the controlled output power is dependent on a user input received by the lighting control circuit via a user input interface (120) of a lighting control unit.

6. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein the air-gap switch (112) is electrically connected to the input terminal (114) and the second output terminal (118).

7. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the input terminal (114), the first output terminal (116), and the second output terminal (118) are ends of one or more electrical wires or one or more electrical connectors.

8. The lighting control device of claim 1, wherein the second output terminal (118) comprises an electrical connector terminating one or more electrical wires.

9. A lighting system comprising: a first lighting device (104); a second lighting device (106); as well as A lighting control device (102), comprising: a lighting control circuit (110), and An air-gap switch (112) electrically connected to the lighting control circuit (110), wherein when the air-gap switch is closed, the lighting control circuit is configured to provide a controlled output power at a first output terminal (116) of the lighting control device based on an input power received by the air-gap switch via an input terminal (114) of the lighting control device, wherein the air-gap switch is electrically connected to a second output terminal (118) of the lighting control device so that when the air-gap switch is closed, bypass output power is provided via the second output terminal independently of the lighting control circuit, wherein the first lighting device is coupled to the first output terminal, and wherein the second lighting device is coupled to the second output terminal, wherein a load electrically connected to the second output terminal is not controlled by the lighting control circuit.

10. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the lighting control circuit (110) comprises an electronic switch (202).

11. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the lighting control circuit (110) comprises a dimmer circuit (302).

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the dimmer circuit (302) comprises a TRIAC (402).

13. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the controlled output power is dependent on a user input received by the lighting control circuit via a user input interface (120) of a lighting control unit.

14. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the air-gap switch (112) is electrically connected to the input terminal (114) and the second output terminal (118).

15. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the second lighting device (106) is a smart lighting fixture.

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