LED Driver Circuit for Incandescent-Like Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional incandescent lamps' dimming technology does not seamlessly transition with solid state light sources, leading to inconsistent light intensity and color temperature changes, which can confuse consumers accustomed to traditional incandescent lighting.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that drives two LEDs with different color temperatures, using a front-end circuit, converter circuit, and load current control circuit to mimic the dimming behavior of incandescent lamps by adjusting current flow based on a sense voltage from a phase-cut dimmer, ensuring collaborative operation to replicate incandescent light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solid state light sources are used to replace incandescent lamps, then energy efficiency and longevity are improved, but light emission behavior during dimming becomes inconsistent with consumer expectations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light emission characteristics adjustable and adaptive. The system dynamically changes the color temperature and intensity profile of LED light sources based on the dimming level, transitioning from a fixed LED behavior to a dynamic response that mimics incandescent lamps. This is achieved through control circuits that modify electrical parameters in real-time during dimming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes electrical parameters (current, voltage, pulse width) of the LED driver circuit to alter light emission characteristics. By varying these parameters in response to dimmer settings, the system reproduces the non-linear intensity and color temperature changes characteristic of incandescent lamps, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and operational consistency.
2Device complexity
If conventional dimming technology is used with solid state light sources, then device simplicity is maintained, but light intensity and color temperature changes become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary control circuits between the dimmer and LED light sources. These intermediary circuits (including pulse width modulation controllers and color temperature adjustment circuits) act as mediators that translate simple dimmer signals into complex electrical patterns that produce incandescent-like light behavior, thereby maintaining device simplicity while achieving consistent light intensity changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical control with electronic pulse modulation and digital signal processing. Instead of directly controlling LED current with analog dimmer signals, the system uses pulse width modulation and digital controllers to achieve precise control over light intensity and color temperature, substituting mechanical/electrical direct control with electronic intermediary processing.
3Device complexity
If LED light sources operate independently without collaborative control, then individual light source simplicity is maintained, but overall light emission behavior fails to replicate incandescent characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LED light sources with different color temperatures under a single coordinated control system. By combining warm white LEDs and cool white LEDs and controlling them collaboratively, the system reproduces the continuous color temperature variation of incandescent lamps during dimming, achieving light emission consistency that neither individual LED type could achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the LED lighting system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both illumination and color temperature adjustment functions through a single integrated control system. The collaborative control mechanism allows the same circuitry to manage multiple LED types and adjust both intensity and color characteristics, replicating the universal behavior of incandescent lamps across different operating conditions.
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 effectively replicates the dimming behavior of incandescent lamps with solid state light sources, providing consistent light intensity and color temperature changes, enhancing user experience while leveraging the efficiency and longevity of LEDs.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source (e.g., at least one LED to emit light of a first color temperature) and a second light source (e.g., at least one LED to emit light of a second color temperature)
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems to control light color temperature during dimming are disclosed. A power supply drives a load include a first light source (e.g., to emit a first color of light) and a second light source (e.g., to emit a second color of light). The power supply includes a front end circuit, a converter circuit, and a load current control circuit. The front end circuit receives an input voltage from a dimmer and generates a direct current (DC) voltage based on the received input voltage. The converter circuit generates a first voltage to drive the first light source and a second voltage to drive the second light source. The load current control circuit controls the current flowing through the second light source based on a light control setting configured in the dimmer.