Multi-Channel LED Fixture Control for Natural Color Temperature Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Discrete-spectrum light sources, such as LEDs and CFLs, do not follow Plank's law when dimmed, resulting in unnatural color temperature changes that can be distracting and incongruous with traditional incandescent light sources, which are accustomed to shifting to redder hues upon dimming.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control system that uses multiple LED drivers and a controller to adjust the intensity of LED light sources within a fixture to achieve desired color temperatures by transmitting a single digital message, allowing for precise control of cumulative light emitted, mimicking the color temperature shift of traditional light sources during dimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If discrete-spectrum light sources (LEDs, CFLs) are dimmed using traditional methods, then light intensity is reduced, but color temperature shifts unnaturally which creates visual discomfort and inconsistency with traditional lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting control into multiple independent channels, each controlling a specific LED driver with its own color temperature characteristics. By segmenting the control system, each channel can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired composite color temperature while dimming, preventing the unnatural color shifts that occur with traditional single-channel dimming approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes multiple parameters simultaneously (intensity of each LED channel, color temperature of each channel) based on the target color temperature and desired brightness level. This allows the discrete-spectrum light sources to maintain natural color temperature characteristics during dimming by adjusting the spectral composition along with the intensity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple LED drivers are used to control different color temperatures, then color temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each LED driver is designed to be multi-functional, capable of operating at multiple color temperatures and intensities. The drivers can function both as independent light sources and as controllable components within a multi-channel system. This universality allows the system to achieve precise color temperature control through software coordination rather than requiring dedicated single-function drivers for each wavelength.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.