Dimming Interface Control Circuit for DALI and Push-Button Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing DALI dimming interface circuits suffer from low accuracy, high susceptibility to temperature drifts, and complex peripheral circuitry, particularly in low-accuracy voltage detection and overvoltage protection, which limits their consistency and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A dimming interface control circuit compatible with multiple dimming modes, including DALI and push-button dimming, featuring a transmission control module, reception control module, and push-button dimming control module, utilizing MOS transistors and bandgap reference voltage sources to simplify circuitry, enhance accuracy, and provide overvoltage protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a standalone triode component is used for voltage detection and overvoltage protection, then the circuit can be implemented with simple components, but the measurement precision and temperature stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit implementation simplicityVSAvoidvoltage detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the voltage detection function and overvoltage protection function into a single integrated circuit chip. The chip contains both the detection module (with first comparison circuit) and protection module (with second comparison circuit and control switch) integrated together, eliminating the need for separate standalone triode components while achieving both high precision and temperature stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary integrated circuit chip that acts as a mediator between the simple component approach and high precision requirements. The chip internally implements complex precision detection circuits while presenting a simple external interface, serving as an intermediary solution that bridges component simplicity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a standalone triode component is used for voltage detection, then the circuit structure remains simple, but temperature drift susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit structure complexityVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines temperature compensation circuits and stable reference voltage sources within the integrated chip structure. The detection module uses internally compensated comparison circuits that maintain consistent performance across temperature variations, achieving temperature stability without increasing external circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in the form of internally compensated comparison circuits with optimized threshold voltages and reference parameters. The chip internally adjusts operating parameters to compensate for temperature effects, maintaining stable detection thresholds across different temperature conditions without requiring external temperature compensation components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate components are used for voltage detection and overvoltage protection, then component selection is flexible, but the overall circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent selection flexibilityVSAvoidperipheral circuitry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions (voltage detection, overvoltage protection, threshold comparison, and control switching) into a single integrated circuit chip. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate components and their interconnections, significantly reducing peripheral circuitry complexity while maintaining design flexibility through the chip's integrated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated circuit chip performs multiple functions universally - it simultaneously provides voltage detection, overvoltage protection, and control switching capabilities. The chip can be configured for different voltage thresholds and protection levels through internal programming or external pins, providing versatility without requiring different component selections for different functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional voltage detection methods are used, then the implementation is straightforward, but consistency across different operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation straightforwardnessVSAvoidoperational consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines consistent reference voltage sources, temperature-compensated comparison circuits, and protected control switches into a single integrated chip. This integration ensures that all components operate under consistent electrical and thermal conditions, improving reliability and operational consistency across different working conditions while maintaining straightforward implementation through the unified chip interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution achieves higher accuracy, reduced temperature drift susceptibility, improved consistency, and increased surge immunity, enabling effective operation in both DALI and push-button dimming modes with fewer peripheral components and lower costs.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing MOS transistors and bandgap reference voltage sources to simplify circuitry, enhance accuracy, and provide overvoltage protection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBandgap reference:

Implementation Method 2

a first power supply module coupled to each of an energy-storage capacitor, the DALI bus, the transmission control module, the reception control module and the push-button dimming control module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

utilizing MOS transistors and bandgap reference voltage sources to simplify circuitry, enhance accuracy, and provide overvoltage protection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMOS transistor switching:

Data Source

PatentEP4383952A1Dimming interface control circuit compatible with multiple dimming modes and dimming system
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 SHANGHAI BRIGHT POWER SEMICONDUCTOR CO LTD
  • EP4383952A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4383952A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4383952A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A dimming interface control circuit compatible with multiple dimming modes and a dimming system are disclosed. The dimming interface control circuit is coupled to both a DALI bus and a DALI control gear, includes a first power supply module, a transmission control module, a reception control module and a push-button dimming control module and is compatible with both DALI dimming and push-button dimming modes. Associated peripheral circuitry for the dimming interface control circuit can be simplified to be more consistent and include fewer peripheral components, compared to existing interface circuits consisting of standalone components. Additionally, signal path(s) in the transmission control module and/or reception control module may be switched on and off using MOS transistor(s), resulting in higher accuracy, less susceptibility to temperature drifts and better consistency. Further, apart from transmission of a push-button dimming signal, an overvoltage protection circuit may be integrated in the push-button dimming control module to impart overvoltage protection ability to the chip, which enables the chip to withstand high voltage required by push-button dimming.