ELV Dimmer Position Detection for Solid-State Lighting Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dimmer controls, particularly electronic low voltage (ELV) dimmers, are not well suited for LED lighting sources as they may not ensure intended illumination settings and can cause operational issues when used with solid-state lighting due to their chopped AC waveforms.
Innovation Solution
A system and process that allows ELV dimmers to be used with both traditional and solid-state lighting systems by sampling the dimmer's position through low-power, low-voltage devices, converting AC line voltage to a suitable stimulus, and measuring electrical responses to determine the dimmer setting, thereby adjusting the light source intensity without direct connection to facility AC power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ELV dimmer controls are used to control lighting intensity, then dimming capability is achieved, but reliability of operation with solid-state lighting is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that couples between the ELV dimmer control and the solid-state lighting system. This intermediary converts the chopped AC waveform from the dimmer into a suitable control signal for the solid-state lighting, while also detecting the dimmer position to provide accurate dimming control. The intermediary acts as a buffer that translates between incompatible signaling methods, resolving the reliability issue while preserving dimming functionality.
2Ease of operation
If chopped AC waveform is applied to solid-state lighting, then ELV dimmer control is achieved, but illumination accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the ELV dimmer control position before applying the chopped AC waveform to the solid-state lighting. By detecting the dimmer position upfront and using this information to control the illumination output directly, the system ensures accurate illumination settings are established before the actual dimming operation occurs, preventing accuracy deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the ELV dimmer control position and using this detected information to adjust and control the illumination output of the solid-state lighting system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the illumination accuracy corresponds to the intended dimmer setting, even when chopped AC waveform is applied.
3Device complexity
If direct connection to facility AC power is used for dimming control, then power delivery is simplified, but adaptability to different lighting types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control system that can work with multiple lighting types (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, and other solid-state lighting) through a single intermediary device. The intermediary is designed to detect ELV dimmer control signals and adapt the output to suit different lighting types, making the system multi-functional and highly adaptable while maintaining relatively simple power delivery through the ELV dimmer interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and process for controlling power delivered to an electrical load, such as lighting system, to controllably effect operation of the load (e.g., intensity of illumination). In at least some embodiments, the system and process interpret a user-adjustable setting of a typical electronic low voltage (ELV) dimmer control device that is otherwise isolated from facility AC power. An electrical stimulus, such as a relatively low power AC or DC voltage, is applied at one or more externally accessible terminals of the ELV dimmer control. An electrical response of the dimmer control to the stimulus is measured at one or more externally accessible terminals of the dimmer control. The electrical response varies according to the applied electrical stimulus and a user-adjustable setting of the dimmer control. An indication of the setting of the user-adjustable control is determined from the measured electrical response, and used to correspondingly dim a lighting source.