LED Load Control Calibration for Wiring Voltage Drop

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

LED light sources controlled via voltage load control techniques experience varying intensity due to differing electrical wiring lengths, leading to inconsistent light output across multiple installations.

Innovation Solution

A load regulation device with a calibration circuit that adjusts output voltage based on external feedback to maintain a predetermined load voltage level, using a calibration device near the electrical load to provide feedback on the actual voltage magnitude.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If voltage load control technique is used to control LED light sources, then the LED light sources can be operated with simplified control circuitry, but the light intensity varies due to differing electrical wiring lengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol circuitryVSAvoidlight intensity consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a calibration device measures the actual voltage at the LED light source and communicates this information back to the load control device. The load control device then adjusts its output voltage based on this feedback to compensate for voltage drops in the electrical wiring, thereby maintaining consistent light intensity across multiple installations with different wiring lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If longer electrical wiring is used in LED installations, then the installation flexibility and reach are improved, but the voltage drop increases causing inconsistent light output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidlight output consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration device measures the actual voltage at the LED light source and communicates this information back to the load control device. The load control device then adjusts its output voltage based on this feedback to compensate for voltage drops in the electrical wiring, thereby maintaining consistent light intensity across multiple installations with different wiring lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Illumination intensity

If the output voltage is increased to compensate for voltage drop, then the light intensity at the load can be maintained, but the risk of overvoltage damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensity maintenanceVSAvoidovervoltage protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Illumination intensity

If calibration is performed for each individual installation, then the light intensity consistency is improved, but the calibration time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensity consistencyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration device automatically measures the actual voltage at the LED light source and communicates this information back to the load control device, which then automatically adjusts its output voltage. This self-service calibration process eliminates the need for manual calibration procedures, reducing calibration time and complexity while maintaining light intensity consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250344304A1Calibration of a Load Control Device for a Light-Emitting Diode Light Source

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC

AI summary

A load regulation device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load may be able to calibrate the magnitude of an output voltage of the load regulation device in order to control the magnitude of a load voltage across the electrical load to a predetermined level. The load regulation device may receive the feedback from a calibration device adapted to be coupled to load wiring near the electrical load. The feedback may indicate when the magnitude of the load voltage across the electrical load has reached a predetermined level. The load regulation device may gradually adjust the magnitude of the output voltage, receive the feedback from the calibration device, and then use the feedback to determine the magnitude of the output voltage corresponding to when the magnitude of the load voltage across the electrical load has reached the predetermined level.