Dimmer Sole Actuator Adjusting End Trim Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-wire dimmers require additional space and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for a secondary potentiometer and controller monitoring for end-trim adjustments, lacking the ability to adjust high-end trim levels and not saving user-selected low-end trim values, leading to inefficient energy consumption and complex installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A dimmer system with a sole intensity actuator and potentiometer that allows users to adjust both low-end and high-end trim values without additional components, using a single slider for configuration mode entry and dimming control, reducing the need for continuous controller monitoring and simplifying installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary potentiometer and controller monitoring are added for end-trim adjustments, then the ability to adjust low-end trim values is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The main intensity actuator and potentiometer are designed to serve dual purposes: controlling light intensity during normal operation and adjusting end-trim values during configuration mode. This eliminates the need for a separate secondary potentiometer and reduces controller monitoring requirements, directly resolving the contradiction between end-trim capability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the intensity control function and end-trim adjustment function into a single actuator-potentiometer pair. By merging these functions and using mode switching logic in the controller, the system achieves end-trim adjustment capability without adding secondary components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the overall device structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary potentiometer is added for low-end trim adjustment, then the ability to adjust minimum light intensity is improved, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The main intensity potentiometer is designed to perform both intensity control and low-end trim adjustment functions. By making this single component multi-functional through software mode switching, the patent eliminates the need for additional physical space that would be required for a secondary potentiometer, directly addressing the space constraint
3Measurement precision
If continuous controller monitoring is implemented for sensing trim levels, then the precision of trim value detection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the potentiometer voltage only periodically when configuration mode is activated through specific actuator movements, rather than continuously. This periodic monitoring approach maintains measurement precision when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and power usage
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional potentiometer and monitoring circuitry are added, then the capability to adjust both low-end and high-end trim levels is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the main intensity actuator and potentiometer to provide both low-end and high-end trim adjustment capabilities through software-controlled configuration modes. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for additional hardware components that would increase manufacturing costs, while still achieving full dual end-trim adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves different trim adjustment capabilities by changing operational parameters (mode switching) rather than changing physical hardware. The controller interprets different actuator movement patterns to distinguish between intensity control, low-end trim, and high-end trim functions, enabling dual end-trim capability without additional manufacturing complexity or cost
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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs, conserves energy, and simplifies installation by eliminating the need for secondary components, while providing users with enhanced control over light intensity through adjustable high-end trim values and saved user settings.
Implementation Method 1
a sole intensity potentiometer mechanically coupled to the sole intensity actuator and comprising a variable resistor, the sole intensity potentiometer structured to measure an input voltage based on variable resistance, wherein the variable resistance changes based on a position of the sole intensity actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A dimmer includes a sole intensity actuator structured to be used for at least one of: adjusting light intensity based on a first user input during normal operation; or entering configuration mode based on a second user input and adjusting an end trim value based on a third user input; a sole intensity potentiometer coupled to the sole intensity actuator and comprising a variable resistor, the sole intensity potentiometer structured to measure an input voltage based on variable resistance, and a controller coupled to the sole intensity potentiometer and a driver circuit coupled to a bidirectional switching device, the controller structured to control dimmer operation, comprising receiving an input voltage signal and transmitting a dimming signal to the driver circuit, the dimming signal based at least in part on the signal.