Double Dimmer Device Without Neutral Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current double dimmer devices with radiofrequency interfaces require significantly higher supply currents, making them complex and difficult to integrate into a standard wall-mounted box without a neutral connection, leading to the need for separate dimmers in multiple boxes.
Innovation Solution
A double dimmer device with a common radiofrequency interface powered by one dimmer and isolated from the other, using a galvanic isolation and opto-couplers for serial links, allowing independent operation of two dimmers with their own power supplies and a microcontroller for control via push-buttons or remote control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common radiofrequency interface is added to a double dimmer device, then remote control capability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly (from 1 mA to more than 10 mA)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate dimmer functions into a single device while sharing common components (housing, radiofrequency interface, control unit) to reduce overall complexity. The two dimming channels share the same physical enclosure and control architecture, allowing remote control capability to be implemented once for both channels rather than requiring separate interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiofrequency interface is designed as a universal component that serves both dimming channels simultaneously. A single remote control unit can manage both light circuits without requiring separate radiofrequency transceivers for each channel, thereby reducing total power consumption while maintaining full remote control functionality for both outputs.
2Reliability
If two independent dimmers with separate power supplies are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into two independent dimming channels, each with its own power supply and control circuitry. This segmentation allows each channel to operate independently with full reliability, while the overall device complexity is managed through shared common components (housing, radiofrequency interface, control unit) that reduce the total component count compared to completely separate installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested architecture where two complete dimmer systems are integrated within a single housing. Each dimmer channel contains its own power supply and control circuitry (independent functional units), but these are nested within a shared control unit and common housing structure, achieving both independence and integration.
3Ease of operation
If a double dimmer is integrated in a single wall-mounted box, then installation simplicity is improved, but space constraints and integration difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two complete dimmer systems into a single wall-mounted box by merging shared components (housing, radiofrequency interface, control unit) while maintaining independent power supplies and control circuits for each channel. This integration simplifies installation to a single location while managing space constraints through efficient component sharing and compact arrangement of independent functional units.
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
Enables efficient integration of a dual dimmer system in a single wall-mounted box, reducing power consumption and complexity while allowing separate control of two light circuits, replacing a double lamp switch without modifying the wall environment.
Implementation Method 1
a galvanic isolation being arranged between the radiofrequency control interface and the power supply of the second simple dimmer... the serial link between the second drive and the radiofrequency control interface then being galvanically isolated by means of opto-couplers
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A dual dimmer device without a neutral connection for dimming light intensity in two separate light load circuits, for example, compact fluorescent or dimmable LEDs, comprising a control unit that operates two single dimmers, each dimmer comprising, on the one hand, a phase-switching power stage connected between the mains phase and at least one light load, and on the other hand, a switching power supply. It includes a radio frequency interface common to both single dimmers and connected to the control unit to form a radio frequency control interface powered by the power supply of the first single dimmer, with galvanic isolation provided between the radio frequency control interface and the power supply of the second single dimmer.