Dimmable Lighting Device With Dual Wireless And Wired Control Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state lighting devices, such as LED lighting, face challenges in being dimmable with traditional dimmer switches and lack flexible control options, especially when wireless controllers like smartphones are unavailable due to battery issues or out of range.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a solid state lighting engine, a controller, and dual communication modules for wireless and wired communication, allowing independent dimming control using smartphones or mechanical switches, and entering a sleep mode to conserve power by disabling communication modules during disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication module is used for dimming control, then flexibility and remote control capability are improved, but power consumption increases and control is lost when smartphone battery is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into two independent segments: a wireless communication module (for smartphone control) and a wired communication module (for traditional dimmer control). Each module can operate independently, allowing the system to switch between wireless and wired modes based on power availability and user needs, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state of the wireless communication module by disabling it under certain conditions (e.g., when powered from a dimmer switch). This parameter change (from enabled to disabled) directly reduces power consumption while the wired communication module takes over to maintain control functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dual communication modules are integrated for flexible control, then control versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal controller that can handle both wireless and wired communication protocols through a unified control interface. The controller is designed to accept control signals from either the wireless communication module or the wired communication module and process them through a common control logic, thereby reducing the need for separate processing paths and minimizing overall system complexity despite the dual-module architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the communication-specific processing logic into separate modular components (wireless communication module and wired communication module), each handling its own protocol-specific tasks. This extraction allows the main controller to focus on high-level control decisions without being burdened by protocol-specific complexities, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If communication modules are always active for continuous control, then control availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic power management strategy where the operational state of communication modules is adjusted in real-time based on power source detection. When the system detects AC power input, the wireless communication module is enabled to provide full control functionality. When only battery power is available or during sleep mode, the wireless module is disabled and control is routed through the wired communication module, thereby maintaining control availability while optimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the power source status and the operational state of communication modules. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts which communication module is active, ensuring that control availability is maintained while minimizing power consumption by disabling unnecessary communication functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting device (10) is disclosed comprising a light engine (12) comprising at least one solid state lighting element (11); a controller (100) for controlling a dimming level of the light engine; a wireless communication module (16) communicatively coupled to the controller for receiving a wireless dimming instruction from a wireless controller (20); and a further communication module (15) communicatively coupled to the controller for connecting to a wired communication channel and for receiving a further dimming instruction from a further controller (30) wired to the further communication module through the wired communication channel; wherein the controller is adapted to independently control the dimming level of the light engine in response to the wireless dimming instruction and the further dimming instruction.