Coordinated Holding Current Control for TRIAC Dimmer Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
In architectural lighting systems using TRIAC dimmers, holding current circuits in multiple light fixtures collectively draw significantly more current than necessary, leading to wasted energy, as each fixture has its own holding current circuit to ensure proper operation.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with a dimmer that requires a holding current, where multiple light sources are connected in parallel, each equipped with a holding current circuit and a control circuit to selectively enable or disable the holding current, reducing the excess current drawn by the holding current circuits, either through a central controller or distributed control components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each light fixture has its own holding current circuit to ensure proper operation of the TRIAC dimmer, then the dimmer operates reliably, but the aggregate current drawn by all holding current circuits becomes significantly excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the holding current function from multiple distributed circuits into a single centralized holding current circuit. Instead of each light fixture having its own holding current circuit, one fixture is designated to provide the holding current for the entire group, combining redundant functions into a single efficient implementation that maintains dimmer reliability while eliminating excessive current draw.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the holding current function from individual light fixture circuits and separates it as a dedicated function performed by a single fixture. This extraction allows the holding current responsibility to be removed from N-1 fixtures, reducing the aggregate current draw while maintaining the necessary function for TRIAC operation.
2Reliability
If multiple light fixtures each draw holding current independently, then each fixture ensures proper dimmer operation, but the total power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the redundant holding current functions from multiple fixtures into a single unified holding current source. By merging these distributed functions, the system maintains reliable TRIAC operation while eliminating the wasted energy that would otherwise be consumed by multiple separate holding current circuits drawing current simultaneously.
3Reliability
If N light fixtures all have holding current circuits enabled, then the dimmer receives sufficient holding current, but the current draw becomes N times the required amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the holding current function from N fixtures and concentrates it in a single fixture. This extraction reduces the current draw from N times the required holding current to just one times the required holding current, dramatically improving energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient current for proper TRIAC conduction and dimmer operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Holding current circuits in light sources controlled by a dimmer are operated in a coordinated manner to maintain proper operation of the dimmer without wasting energy. A plurality of light sources each including a separate holding current circuit may be controlled by a dimmer. The holding current units are selectively disabled and/or a maximum holding current drawn by the holding current units are selectively adjusted to maintain a desired current draw.