Dimming Module for Solid State Lighting with Phase Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid state lighting devices using LEDs face instability and flickering issues when traditional phase-cut dimmers are used to control brightness and color temperature, requiring separate dimming controls for each parameter.

Innovation Solution

A dimming module comprising a rectifying circuit, driving circuits, and a processing circuit that converts AC voltage, adjusts control voltage signals to control the phase delay angle and duty cycle of currents in multiple lighting modules with different color temperatures, allowing simultaneous control of brightness and color temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional phase-cut dimmers are used to control brightness and color temperature, then dimming control can be provided, but instability and flickering occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimming control stabilityVSAvoidflickering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a processing circuit as an intermediary between the phase-cut dimmer and the lighting modules. This processing circuit receives the dimming control signal, processes it to generate appropriate drive signals for different color temperature modules, and synchronizes with the rectified voltage. This intermediary component eliminates direct connection issues that cause flickering and instability, resolving the contradiction between providing dimming control and avoiding harmful flickering effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If two or more sets of phase-cut dimmer are required to control brightness and color temperature separately, then separate control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate control of brightness and color temperatureVSAvoidnumber of dimmer circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single phase-cut dimmer circuit control both brightness and color temperature by processing its output signal to generate multiple drive signals. The processing circuit distributes the processed signal to different lighting modules with different color temperatures, enabling one dimmer to perform multiple control functions that previously required separate dimmer circuits, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining separate control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the lighting system into multiple lighting modules with different color temperatures (e.g., warm white and cool white LED modules). Each module can be independently controlled through the processed dimming signal, allowing separate adjustment of brightness and color temperature without requiring separate physical dimmer circuits for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If phase delay angle and duty cycle are controlled by a single control voltage signal, then simultaneous control of brightness and color temperature is achieved, but control precision requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol voltage signal precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the distribution of the dimming control signal to different lighting modules based on the desired color temperature and brightness levels. The processing circuit modifies the control signals in real-time to achieve different lighting effects, allowing a single phase-cut dimmer to provide versatile simultaneous control of multiple parameters through dynamic signal processing rather than requiring ultra-precise static control voltages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 stabilizes dimming control, simplifies the adjustment of brightness and color temperature, and prevents flickering by synchronizing control voltage signals with the rectified voltage, improving the overall performance of solid state lighting devices.

Implementation Method 1

a rectifying circuit, a first driving circuit... The rectifying circuit is configured to convert an AC voltage to a rectified voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentUS9867241B2Dimming module and solid state lighting device

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 ENNOSTAR CORP

AI summary

A dimming module and a solid state lighting device are shown. The dimming module includes a rectifying circuit, a first driving circuit, and a processing circuit. The rectifying circuit is configured to convert an AC voltage to a rectified voltage. The first driving circuit is configured to receive the rectified voltage to provide a first current so as to drive a first lighting module. The first driving circuit includes a first switch. The first switch turns ON or OFF selectively according to a first control voltage signal so as to control the first current. The processing circuit is configured to receive a dimming command, and adjust the first control voltage signal according to the dimming command. The first control voltage signal is configured to control a phase delay angle and a duty cycle of the first current.