Human-Centric Lighting Control with Dual-DC CCT Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems fail to dynamically adjust correlated color temperature (CCT) to match natural daylight changes, leading to disruption of circadian rhythms and inefficiencies due to AC power requirements, heat generation, and complex programming.
Innovation Solution
A centrally-controlled DC tunable lighting system with dual DC power inputs for LEDs, controlled by a lighting controller that adjusts CCT and brightness based on solar events, using DC power supplies and communication interfaces to synchronize lighting with natural daylight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If AC power is used to drive LED lighting systems, then the system can operate with standard power infrastructure, but heat generation and power conversion inefficiencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the AC-to-DC power conversion function from individual lighting fixtures and relocates it to a centralized power supply system. This eliminates redundant conversion stages at each fixture, reducing overall power loss and heat generation while maintaining compatibility with standard AC power infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple power conversion functions into a single centralized DC power supply system that serves multiple LED modules. By consolidating power conversion at the source, the system eliminates repeated AC-DC conversion losses that would occur at each individual fixture, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individually programmable lighting fixtures are used, then customization flexibility increases, but programming complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary between the user and the lighting fixtures. This controller manages all programming and control functions centrally, eliminating the need for complex individual programming of each fixture. The intermediary simplifies the user interface while maintaining full customization capability through centralized scene management.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller serves multiple functions: it manages power distribution, controls lighting scenes, schedules operations, and provides user interface capabilities. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single universal device, the system maintains high adaptability while significantly reducing overall system complexity compared to individually programmable fixtures.
3Device complexity
If lighting systems do not dynamically adjust CCT, then system simplicity is maintained, but circadian rhythm disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic correlated color temperature (CCT) adjustment that automatically varies throughout the day to match natural sunlight patterns. The system transitions from warm white (lower CCT) in the morning to cool white (higher CCT) at noon, then back to warm white in the evening. This dynamic adaptation maintains system simplicity through automated control while eliminating circadian rhythm disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system incorporates feedback mechanisms that use time-of-day information and location data to automatically adjust CCT settings. By continuously monitoring temporal and spatial parameters, the system dynamically optimizes lighting characteristics to match natural circadian patterns without requiring complex manual programming or user intervention.
4Ease of operation
If wireless networking is used for lighting control, then installation flexibility increases, but system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into two parts: a wired backbone infrastructure for reliable data transmission and power distribution, and wireless interfaces for user interaction and configuration. This segmentation allows the critical control signals to travel through reliable wired connections while maintaining installation flexibility through wireless user interfaces and configuration capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A correlated color temperature (CCT) of one or more luminaires is controlled by obtaining a target CCT for the one or more luminaires and obtaining a first profile associated with a first luminaire of the one or more luminaires. A first target power for a first direct-current (DC) power input of the first luminaire and a second target power for a second DC power input of the first luminaire are calculated based on the target CCT and the first profile so that the first target power and the second target power drive the first luminaire to emit light at the target CCT. A first DC power supply is controlled to deliver the first target power to the first DC power input of the first luminaire and a second DC power supply is controlled to deliver the second target power to the second DC power input of the first luminaire.