Dimming Control Device Stepless Brightness via Pull Duration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dimming control devices for lighting systems, such as ceiling lamps, can only adjust brightness in discrete and limited steps, lacking the ability to provide continuous and customizable brightness levels.
Innovation Solution
A dimming control device and system that includes a control module and a power module, electrically connected to a pull switch, which outputs a trigger signal based on the duration of cord pull, allowing for stepless adjustment of lighting brightness and mode switching among lighting elements, enabling continuous adjustment of light intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a zipper switch with discrete conductive pieces is used for brightness control, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the brightness adjustment is limited to discrete steps and cannot provide continuous dimming levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zipper switch system with discrete conductive pieces with an electronic control system that uses a microcontroller and pulse-width modulation (PWM) to achieve continuous brightness control. The pull cord switch triggers a control circuit that generates variable duty cycle signals to dim the lighting elements continuously, eliminating the need for multiple discrete mechanical contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from discrete resistance values in a mechanical switch to variable duty cycle percentages in an electronic PWM system. By varying the duty cycle from 0% to 100%, the system can provide any brightness level between fully off and fully on, transforming the brightness control from a discrete parameter set to a continuous parameter range.
2Device complexity
If multiple discrete brightness steps are provided through a mechanical switch, then the device complexity is low, but the user cannot achieve precise desired brightness levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical switch with an electronic control system incorporating a microcontroller that can precisely control the PWM duty cycle. This electronic system maintains relative simplicity while providing precise brightness control through software-based dimming algorithms that calculate and apply the appropriate duty cycle values based on user input or preset scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the microcontroller monitors the pull cord switch duration and intensity, then adjusts the PWM duty cycle accordingly. The system can detect how long the user pulls the cord and provide corresponding brightness levels, creating a feedback loop that enables precise brightness control while maintaining simple user interaction.
3Ease of operation
If a pull cord switch with duration-based triggering is used, then the operation is simple and intuitive, but the control precision for brightness adjustment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by measuring the duration of the pull cord trigger signal and converting it into precise brightness control. The microcontroller measures how long the user holds the pull cord pulled and uses this duration information to determine the appropriate PWM duty cycle, providing precise brightness adjustment while maintaining the simplicity of pull-cord operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic PWM action to achieve precise brightness control from a simple trigger. Once triggered by the pull cord, the system generates periodic PWM signals with variable duty cycles to control the lighting elements, transforming a single periodic trigger into continuous periodic dimming control throughout the lighting cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A dimming control device is configured to be electrically connected to a pull switch for controlling a lighting device. The dimming control device includes a control module and a power module. The control module is configured to be electrically connected to the pull switch for receiving a trigger signal that is indicative of a pulled duration for which a cord of the pull switch is pulled and held in a pulled state. The power module is controlled by the control module according to the trigger signal to operate the lighting device by turning on/off lighting elements of the lighting device, or steplessly adjusting brightness of light emitted from any lighting element that is turned on.