Emergency Lighting Dimmer Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency lighting systems lack a dimming function, leading to inefficient energy consumption and increased costs due to the need for full power output during emergencies, which is not aligned with the actual power requirements, resulting in wasted energy and increased system volume and cost.
Innovation Solution
A dimming method and system that calculates a dimming ratio (K=Psource/Pload) to control the load unit's power output when switching from mains to emergency power, using a dimmer with modules for emergency power source and load unit power acquisition, and generating a dimming signal (TriAC, PWM, 0-10V, Dali, or DMX) to adjust power accordingly, allowing for efficient power allocation and response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full power output is used during emergency state, then lighting reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power output parameter dynamically by introducing a dimming ratio K that adjusts the emergency power output based on actual lighting needs. The controller modifies the power delivery parameter from full power to a controlled portion of power, resolving the contradiction between maintaining lighting reliability and reducing energy consumption during emergency states.
2Reliability
If full power output is used during emergency state, then lighting reliability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the power output parameter through the dimming ratio K, the system avoids the need for oversized emergency power sources. The controller enables cost-effective implementation by delivering only the necessary portion of power during emergencies, reducing system cost while maintaining lighting reliability.
3Loss of energy
If dimming function is added to emergency lighting system, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dimmer as an intermediary device between the emergency power source and the lighting load. This intermediary component implements the dimming function with a simple structure that includes a controller and power delivery mechanism, improving energy efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Speed
If response time for dimming is shortened, then lighting effectiveness is improved, but control precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the emergency state and pre-calculates the dimming ratio K based on stored power parameters. When emergency occurs, the controller immediately applies the pre-calculated dimming ratio, achieving both short response time and precise power control without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a dimming method and a dimmer. In the dimming method, when a mains power state is switched to an emergency state, a dimming ratio K is used to perform dimming control on a load unit; the dimming ratio K is calculated as follows: K=Psource/Pload. The dimmer includes: an emergency power source power acquisition module, configured to acquire an output power Psource of an emergency power source; a load unit power acquisition module, configured to acquire a power Pload of a load unit in a mains power state; and a dimming signal generation module, configured to acquire a dimming ratio according to K=Psource/Pload when the mains power state is switched to an emergency state, generate a dimming signal according to the dimming ratio K, and output the dimming signal to the load unit. The present disclosure also provides a dimming emergency inverter and an emergency lighting system.