Color Tunable Lighting Module Mechanical Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing color tunable light sources face challenges in efficiently changing the correlated color temperature of light output while maintaining high luminous flux and color rendering index (CRI), often requiring multiple components, differential aging issues, and increased costs due to complex electronics and micro-controllers.

Innovation Solution

A lighting module design that manipulates the spectral distribution of light by adjusting the relative position of side walls and reflectors within a cavity, using a combination of light emitting diodes and phosphor layers to achieve desired color temperatures through mechanical rotation, reducing the need for multiple drivers and sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple strings of red, green and blue LEDs are used with adjustable current sources to change color temperature, then color temperature adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to multiple drivers being required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor temperature adjustment capabilityVSAvoidnumber of drivers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple LED strings (red, green, blue) into a single integrated module driven by a single driver circuit. The driver controls the overall current to the LED array, and color temperature is adjusted by varying the drive current level rather than using separate drivers for each LED string. This merging approach reduces component count while maintaining color temperature adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single driver circuit serves multiple functions: it drives all LED strings simultaneously, enables color temperature adjustment across a wide range, and maintains high luminous flux output. The driver is designed to be universal for different color temperature requirements without needing separate specialized drivers for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and micro-controllers are used to measure and control actual color point, then measurement precision and control accuracy are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactual color point measurement accuracyVSAvoidnumber of sensors and micro-controllers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the LED module's own luminous output to indirectly indicate its color temperature state. By monitoring the overall light output characteristics and using the LED drive current as feedback, the system self-regulates without requiring external sensors to measure color point. The micro-controller uses the drive current information to adjust the LED output and maintain target color temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces optical sensing mechanisms (sensors) with electrical control mechanisms. Instead of using sensors to detect color temperature and feed this information back for control adjustments, the system uses electrical current control and basic electrical measurements to achieve the same control objective, thereby reducing component complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If LEDs are driven at high current to maximize luminous flux output, then productivity and energy efficiency are improved, but reliability decreases due to differential aging of different LED types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminous flux outputVSAvoiddifferential aging of LEDs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the drive current level based on the desired color temperature and operating conditions. Rather than operating at a fixed high current, the driver optimizes the current in real-time to balance luminous flux output with LED lifespan. This dynamic current control allows the system to maintain high productivity while reducing differential aging effects through optimized operational parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and cost-effective adjustment of color temperature with minimal added components, maintaining high luminous efficacy and CRI, while minimizing differential aging and electronic complexity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light source, and at least one reflector that is within the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentUS8297766B2Color tunable light source

Publication Date: 2012.10.30 SBC XICATO CORP

AI summary

A lighting module includes a light output window, at least one side wall that defines a cavity and a mounting plate, and at least one light source, and at least one reflector that is within the cavity. The light output window may be one of the side walls in a side-emitting configuration. The spectral distribution of the light coming out of the light output window may be changed by manipulating the relative position of the side wall to the at least one reflector that is within the cavity.