Emergency Backup Dimmer for LED Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional emergency backup systems for AC LED modules have limited backup time, are costly, and fail to meet code requirements for prolonged emergency lighting during power failures, as they drain backup batteries quickly when providing full power to LED loads during blackouts.

Innovation Solution

An integrated emergency backup system that includes an inverter, dimmer, charging circuit, and switch assembly to convert DC power to AC and dim the output power, allowing for DC backup power to be used during AC power failures, thereby reducing load on batteries and extending backup time while meeting illumination requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional UPS systems provide full power to LED loads during emergency backup, then the LED lighting meets illumination requirements, but the backup time is limited to only a few minutes due to rapid battery drainage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLED lighting brightnessVSAvoidbackup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing emergency backup power at reduced intensity (50% dimming) rather than full power. This allows the battery to sustain lighting for the required 90 minutes by consuming energy at a reduced rate, while still providing sufficient illumination for safe egress during emergency conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the power output parameter from 100% during normal operation to 50% during emergency backup mode. This parameter change enables the battery to provide extended backup time while maintaining adequate lighting levels for safety codes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If AC driver-on-board LED modules are used to improve reliability and compactness, then the lighting system becomes more reliable and space-efficient, but conventional backup power systems become incompatible and cannot provide adequate emergency backup time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting system reliabilityVSAvoidemergency backup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The emergency backup device is designed with universal compatibility to work with AC driver-on-board LED modules. It provides multiple functions: normal AC power pass-through, emergency backup power conversion from DC battery to AC, and automatic switching between modes, making it suitable for modern compact LED lighting systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The backup device acts as an intermediary between the DC battery and the AC LED module. It converts DC battery power to AC power compatible with the LED module's driver-on-board electronics, enabling emergency backup functionality for modern AC LED systems that otherwise cannot directly use battery power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If inverter battery backup systems are used to provide extended backup capacity, then the backup time can be extended, but the systems become larger, heavier, and more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup timeVSAvoidbattery weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By providing emergency backup at 50% power level rather than full power, the system extends backup time to 90 minutes using a smaller, lighter battery. The reduced power consumption allows a compact battery to meet code requirements without requiring large, heavy battery banks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 system provides extended backup time and reduced battery drain, ensuring adequate emergency lighting for at least 90 minutes at required illumination levels, meeting safety codes and reducing overall system cost and size.

Implementation Method 1

an inverter operable to convert a direct current (DC) power to an alternating current (AC) power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion (DC to AC):

Implementation Method 2

a dimmer operable to dim the AC power from the inverter to output a dimmed AC power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower reduction through dimming:

Implementation Method 3

The charging circuit may be operable to deliver a charging voltage from an AC power source received at an input connector to a battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS10333344B2Emergency backup systems providing dimmed power

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 DENOVO LIGHTING LLC

AI summary

A dimmer device for connection to a conventional uninterruptible power supply (UPS) may include a dimmer and a switch assembly that can be configured to provide an automatically switched dimming output to LED loads during a power failure. An integrated emergency backup system may include a charging circuit, a battery, an inverter, a dimmer and a switch circuit that provides an automatically switched dimming output to LED loads during a power failure. The system may operate in either phase dimming mode or 0-10 v low voltage dimming mode. A lighting fixture that includes a light fixture with built-in emergency backup system is also disclosed.