Dimming Control Apparatus Dynamic Shunt Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dimming control systems face issues with increased power consumption and altered impedance characteristics when using resistors or capacitors as bypass loads, leading to flickering or disconnection of lighting loads, especially with limited dimming ranges.
Innovation Solution
A dimming control method and apparatus that detect the conduction angle of a dimming apparatus using an output signal to control a first shunt load, disconnecting it when a valid conduction angle is detected to lower power consumption and keeping it conducted otherwise, with an optional second shunt load connected in parallel to maintain normal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resistor is used as bypass load, then the dimmer can operate normally when load is absent or very low, but power consumption increases and heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass load is dynamically controlled by switching between resistor and capacitor based on detected load conditions. When load is absent or very low, the resistor is activated to enable dimmer operation. When load is present, the capacitor is activated to maintain operation while reducing power consumption and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance characteristics of the bypass load are changed by switching between two different components with distinct electrical properties. The resistor provides high impedance for reliable operation under no-load conditions, while the capacitor provides low impedance for efficient operation under loaded conditions, thereby optimizing power consumption across different operating states.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If a capacitor is used as bypass load, then power consumption is reduced, but impedance characteristics of lighting load are altered causing flickering or disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass load is dynamically controlled by switching between resistor and capacitor based on detected load conditions. When load is absent or very low, the resistor is activated to enable dimmer operation. When load is present, the capacitor is activated to maintain operation while reducing power consumption and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance characteristics of the bypass load are changed by switching between two different components with distinct electrical properties. The resistor provides high impedance for reliable operation under no-load conditions, while the capacitor provides low impedance for efficient operation under loaded conditions, thereby optimizing power consumption across different operating states.
3Reliability
If a resistor is used as bypass load, then dimmer operation is reliable under no-load conditions, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass load is dynamically controlled by switching between resistor and capacitor based on detected load conditions. When load is absent or very low, the resistor is activated to enable dimmer operation. When load is present, the capacitor is activated to maintain operation while reducing power consumption and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance characteristics of the bypass load are changed by switching between two different components with distinct electrical properties. The resistor provides high impedance for reliable operation under no-load conditions, while the capacitor provides low impedance for efficient operation under loaded conditions, thereby optimizing power consumption across different operating states.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a dimming control method and apparatus and a dimming system. The method according to an embodiment of the invention includes: detecting a conduction angle of a dimming apparatus according to an output signal; and controlling a first shunt load according to the conduction angle to disconnect the first shunt load upon detecting a valid conduction angle of the dimming apparatus and to keep the first shunt load conducted upon detecting no valid conduction angle of the dimming apparatus, thereby lowering power consumption.