Wired Lamp Control via AC Power Cycle Interruptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase control dimmer switches for lighting systems result in power quality degradation, increased energy costs, and high total harmonic distortion, limiting their use in commercial settings due to reduced power factor and compromised power line integrity.
Innovation Solution
A system that communicates commands between a lighting control switch and lamps through brief interruptions in the AC power cycle, maintaining a high power factor and low harmonic distortion by using digital data packets to control brightness, color temperature, and alert settings without disrupting the power line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If phase control dimmer switches are used to control lighting brightness, then dimming functionality is achieved, but power factor is reduced and total harmonic distortion is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function from the power flow by using separate control wires for signaling and the power line for electricity delivery. The dimmer switch communicates control signals through control wires to the lighting device, while the power line maintains continuous, undisturbed power flow, eliminating the harmonic distortion caused by phase control switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control wires as an intermediary communication channel between the dimmer switch and lighting device. This intermediary allows control signals to be transmitted without directly modulating the power line, thus preserving power quality while achieving dimming functionality.
2Illumination intensity
If phase control dimmer switches are used to achieve dimming, then brightness control is possible, but power factor is reduced requiring higher current
Solution Approach 1:
By separating control signals from power delivery using distinct control wires, the system eliminates the need for phase control switching. This allows the power line to operate at full efficiency while the control wires carry low-power signaling, resolving the energy efficiency problem caused by reduced power factor.
3Loss of information
If brief interruptions in AC power cycle are used for communication, then command transmission is achieved, but power flow is temporarily disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses control wires as an intermediary communication channel that is independent of the power line. This allows command transmission to occur continuously without any interruptions to the AC power cycle, as the control signals travel through the separate control wire infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control signals are transmitted in advance through the control wires before any power flow changes occur. This preliminary communication of control commands allows the lighting device to prepare for upcoming power state changes without any interruptions to the power cycle itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing high power factor wired lamp control that include receiving a lighting control input though a switch that is associated with at least one of: an operation and a function of at least one lamp. The system and method also include processing a digital data packet that includes at least one electronic data command associated with the lighting control input. The system and method additionally include implementing at least one powerline interruption associated with an AC power cycle to communicate the digital data packet to the at least one lamp. The system and method further include controlling the at least one lamp to operate based on the lighting control input based on the receipt of the digital data packet communicated through the AC power cycle.