LED Driver Circuit With Switch-Based Dimming Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED driving circuits lack user-adjustable light output, requiring additional components like external dimmers or special switches, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A driving circuit incorporating a transformer, switch controller, and dimming controller that adjusts input power based on feedback signals from an optical coupler and switch monitoring signals, allowing for user-controlled light output adjustment through a simple on/off switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional LED driving circuit with predetermined light output is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but the light output cannot be adjusted by users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dimming control function with the existing power switch by making the switch capable of both power control and dimming control. The switch controller integrates multiple functions including detecting switch operation states, generating drive signals, and producing feedback signals, thereby eliminating the need for separate dimming components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining light output adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power switch is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a power on/off switch and a dimming control interface. By monitoring the switch's operation states (including brief press durations), the system provides both power control and continuous dimming adjustment capabilities through a single component, enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a linear LED current regulator with operational amplifier is used to allow light output adjustment, then light output can be controlled, but additional special switches and components are needed increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the existing power switch's operation states to automatically generate dimming control signals without requiring additional user input devices or special switches. The switch controller detects the switch's on/off states and brief press durations, converting them into appropriate dimming signals that automatically adjust the LED current, thereby reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining full light output control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the existing power switch by detecting brief press durations (different from normal on/off operation) to encode dimming level information. This allows the system to extract multiple control signals from a single switch component, eliminating the need for expensive special switches with multiple buttons or remote control interfaces, thus reducing manufacturing cost while preserving full light output adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional dimming components are added to enable light output adjustment, then light output can be adjusted, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dimming control functionality into the existing power switch and its controller. The switch controller integrates multiple functions including detecting switch operation states, generating drive signals for the power switch, and producing feedback signals for the isolated DC/DC converter. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate dimming components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining full light output adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the switch controller generates feedback signals based on detected switch operation states and sends them to the isolated DC/DC converter. This feedback loop enables the converter to automatically adjust its output to achieve the desired dimming effect, eliminating the need for additional dimming components while maintaining precise light output control.
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
Enables adjustable light output without the need for additional dimming components, reducing costs and simplifying user control of LED light sources.
Implementation Method 1
a feedback signal indicative of a target level of a current flowing through the LED light source from the optical coupler
Data Source
AI summary
A driving circuit for controlling power of a light-emitting diode (LED) light source includes a transformer, a switch controller, and a dimming controller. The transformer has a primary winding that receives input power from an AC/DC converter and a secondary winding that provides output power to the LED light source. The switch controller coupled between an optical coupler and the primary winding receives a feedback signal indicative of a target level of a current flowing through the LED light source from the optical coupler, and controls input power to the primary winding according to the feedback signal. The dimming controller coupled to the secondary winding receives a switch monitoring signal indicative of an operation of a power switch coupled between an AC power source and the AC/DC converter, and regulates the output power by adjusting the feedback signal according to the switch monitoring signal.