Lighting Unit With Independent LED Strings for Candlelight Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting units that create dynamic effects, such as candlelight, often require complicated and expensive circuitry to also provide functional lighting, which is not suitable for high-powered LED bulbs and is unnecessary for low-level dynamic effects.
Innovation Solution
A lighting unit with a dimmable first light source and a second light source that can independently adjust to create dynamic effects by transitioning between various brightness levels, using an AC/DC converter and a flicker modulator to mimic candlelight flicker without the need for complex circuitry, allowing both functional and dynamic lighting without the need for expensive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LED controllers are made capable of handling low RMS voltages to create dynamic effects like candlelight, then dynamic lighting effects are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple independent LED strings, each with its own controller. This allows the system to create dynamic effects by controlling individual strings at different brightness levels without requiring the entire system to handle low RMS voltages, thereby reducing overall controller complexity while maintaining dynamic lighting capability
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lighting fixture (individual LED strings) are controlled with different brightness levels, with some strings operating at low brightness to create flicker effects and others at higher brightness for functional lighting. This local differentiation allows dynamic effects to be achieved without complicating the entire controller design
2Illumination intensity
If high-powered LED bulbs are used to provide functional lighting, then illumination intensity is improved, but the complexity of circuitry increases when dynamic effects are also required
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system separates functional lighting LEDs from dynamic effect LEDs into distinct strings. High-powered LEDs provide functional illumination while dedicated lower-powered LEDs create dynamic effects, allowing both functions to operate independently without requiring complex integrated circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lighting fixture serve different functions: some LED strings are optimized for high brightness functional lighting while others are optimized for low-brightness dynamic effects. This spatial differentiation of function allows simple circuitry to control each region independently
3Device complexity
If a single light source is used to provide both functional lighting and dynamic effects, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently control brightness levels for different functions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit contains multiple independent LED strings that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple overall structure while enabling independent brightness control of different light strings to simultaneously provide functional lighting and dynamic effects
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple LED strings within the same fixture serve dual purposes: they can individually provide functional lighting when needed and collectively create dynamic effects when controlled together. This multi-functionality is achieved through simple independent control of each string rather than requiring complex switching mechanisms
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 the creation of dynamic lighting effects like candlelight while providing functional lighting without the necessity for costly or complicated circuitry, making it suitable for high-powered LED bulbs and reducing electronic complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting unit may include an AC/DC convertor to convert AC power from the AC power source to a constant voltage for the second light source
Implementation Method 2
a first light source that is dimmable and that stops emitting the first light in response to being dimmed below a floor brightness level
Implementation Method 3
a second light source that is capable of transitioning between various brightness levels to create dynamic effects
Data Source
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AI summary
Lighting units, lighting unit controls and lighting control methods are described herein. In various embodiments, a lighting unit (100, 500, 600, 700) may include a first light source (106, 06, 606, 706) that is adjustable to emit first light having a range of levels of a particular lighting property, such as brightness, saturation or hue. The lighting unit may further include a second light source (108, 508, 608, 708) that automatically, and independently of the first light source, transitions between a plurality of states in which the second light source emits second light at a plurality of levels of the particular lighting property that collectively form a dynamic effect.