Dim-to-Warm Lighting Controller CCT Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
LED lighting systems controlled by dimmers often experience changes in correlated color temperature (CCT) as lighting power is reduced, failing to provide user-preferred CCT settings at different power levels.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that receives a dimming signal and a CCT partition signal to distribute power between high and low CCT LEDs, allowing users to select and set a CCT partition set-point for specific lighting power levels, ensuring consistent CCT across varying power settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If lighting power is reduced by conventional dimming, then energy consumption decreases, but correlated color temperature (CCT) changes unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple LED channels with different CCT characteristics (e.g., warm white and cool white LEDs). Each channel can be independently controlled to maintain the desired overall CCT while adjusting total lighting power. This segmentation allows separate optimization of energy consumption and color temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters (current allocation) of different LED channels based on the desired lighting power level and target CCT. By adjusting the current distribution among channels with different CCT characteristics, the system maintains constant CCT across varying power levels, resolving the contradiction between energy savings and color consistency.
2Temperature
If power distribution ratio between high CCT and low CCT LEDs is adjusted, then overall CCT changes, but user control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically calculates and adjusts the power distribution ratio between high CCT and low CCT LED channels based on user-selected parameters (such as dimming level and desired CCT). This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually calculate or adjust complex power ratios, maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise CCT control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the actual CCT and lighting power level, then adjusts the power distribution ratio accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the desired CCT is maintained while simplifying user interaction, as users only need to set high-level parameters rather than directly control complex power ratios.
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 users to maintain preferred CCT settings across different lighting power levels by dynamically adjusting the power distribution between high and low CCT LEDs, enhancing user control and lighting consistency.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may include one or more high CCT LEDs. The light source may include one or more low CCT LEDs.
Implementation Method 2
LED lighting is often controlled by dimmers.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for lighting. The apparatus may include a power supply. The apparatus may include a controller. The controller may be configured to receive power from the power supply. The controller may be configured to receive a dimming signal generated external to the controller. The controller may be configured to receive from a user selection that includes a CCT partition set-point. The controller may be configured to transmit to a light source lighting power. The lighting power may correspond to the dimming signal. The lighting power may correspond to the CCT partition set-point. The light source may include a high correlated color temperature (“CCT”) LED. The light source may include a low CCT LED. The CCT partition set-point may correspond to a selected value of a partition of power between the high CCT LED and the low CCT LED.