LED Color Temperature Switching With Constant-Power Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems, particularly those using mechanical switches and infrared sensors, face challenges such as the risk of sparking in hazardous environments, complex sensor constructions, and inefficient power transmission, as well as contamination concerns in areas like kitchens and hospitals.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller-based electronic switch that utilizes controllable semiconductor switching elements and various detection devices like infrared ray sensors or electrostatic induction sensors to control lighting loads with different color temperatures, allowing for contactless operation and efficient power management through software-coded control of conduction states and power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical-type electric switch is used for on/off control, then the switching operation is simple and reliable, but it generates electric sparks that can ignite fire in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical switch with a solid-state electronic switch using a triac (controllable semiconductor switching element). This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact between metal conductors that causes sparking, while maintaining reliable on/off control functionality through electronic switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical coupling element as an intermediary between the control circuit and the power circuit. This isolates the control side from the high-power switching side, allowing safe control of the triac without direct electrical contact, thereby preventing spark generation while maintaining switching reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical toggle or spring button is used for manual operation, then the operation is straightforward, but it requires hand contact which causes contamination in kitchens and hospitals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based operation (toggles, buttons) with touchless sensing mechanisms. The system uses sensors to detect user presence or gestures, converting these into control signals that operate the lighting without requiring physical contact, thereby eliminating contamination risks while maintaining ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an infrared sensor is used for touchless control, then hand contact contamination is avoided, but the sensor construction and circuit design become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single microcontroller unit that handles sensing, signal processing, and lighting control. The microcontroller reads signals from the infrared sensor and automatically executes predefined programs to control the triac, eliminating the need for separate complex circuit designs for each function and simplifying the overall system construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the infrared sensor to automatically detect user presence and triggers lighting control without manual intervention. The microcontroller autonomously processes the sensor signals and executes the appropriate control routines, making the system self-operating and reducing the complexity of user interaction design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate control circuits are used for on/off and dimming functions, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall circuit design becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines on/off control and dimming control into a single integrated circuit design using one triac and a unified control approach. The microcontroller manages both functions by varying the firing angle of the triac, eliminating the need for separate control circuits and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full functionality.
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 solution provides a safe, efficient, and user-friendly control system for lighting that avoids sparks, reduces contamination risks, and allows for seamless integration of on/off, dimming, and color temperature control modes without hardware complexity, enhancing safety and usability in sensitive environments.
Implementation Method 1
detection device for detecting an external motion signal played by a user and converting the external motion signal into a message carrying sensing signal
Implementation Method 2
various detection devices like infrared ray sensors or electrostatic induction sensors
Implementation Method 3
controllable semiconductor switching element, such as a triac, has nearly zero voltage between two output-electrodes in conduction mode and nearly zero current through two output-electrodes in cut-off mode
Implementation Method 4
first lighting load for emitting light with a first color temperature, a second lighting load for emitting light with a second color temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing a diffused light color temperature switching control for an LED lamp includes using at least a first LED lighting load emitting a first color temperature light and at least a second LED lighting load emitting a second color temperature light, using a light diffuser covering the first LED lighting load and the second LED lighting load to create a diffused light with a diffused light color temperature, using a power allocation circuitry working with a power allocation algorithm to manage different electric powers respectively delivered to at least the first LED lighting load and at least the second LED lighting load while keeping a total electric power unchanged to generate diffused lights with different diffused light color temperatures.