LED Luminaire Controller Eliminates Ballast for Remote Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED luminaire systems face challenges with high maintenance costs and inefficiency due to the need for ballasts in ballast-compatible LED lamps, which require frequent replacements and constant power consumption, while AC mains-operable LED lamps lack centralized control and dimming capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An LED luminaire controller that couples to external LED arrays and power supply units, utilizing a power converter circuit, relay switch, and transceiver circuit to enable remote on/off and dimming control without rewiring, and includes a metering circuit for energy management, using phase-shift keying signals and PWM signals to control LED driving current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ballast-compatible LED lamps are used to replace fluorescent lamps, then installation is straightforward without rewiring, but maintenance costs increase due to frequent ballast replacements and constant power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ballast component entirely from the lighting system by using AC mains-operable LED drivers that can directly interface with the power supply, eliminating the need for ballast replacements and reducing maintenance costs while maintaining installation simplicity through direct replacement of the lamp module
2Reliability
If AC mains-operable LED lamps are used, then maintenance costs are reduced by eliminating ballasts, but control and dimming capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication module as an intermediary between the user and the LED luminaire controller, enabling remote control and dimming capabilities through wireless signals without requiring physical wiring modifications, thus maintaining operational control while preserving the simplified AC mains-operable architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The LED luminaire controller is designed with multi-functionality, integrating power factor correction, dimming control, and wireless communication capabilities into a single device, allowing the system to maintain comprehensive control features while eliminating the separate ballast component
3Quantity of substance
If ballast-compatible LED lamps are used, then initial cost is low, but total cost of ownership increases due to energy consumption and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements power factor correction circuitry that continuously optimizes power factor throughout the LED luminaire's operation, ensuring efficient energy utilization at all times and reducing reactive power losses, which lowers total energy consumption and cost of ownership over the product lifecycle
Solution Approach 2:
The LED luminaire controller automatically regulates its own power consumption and optimizes energy efficiency through integrated control circuits that adjust operating parameters in real-time, eliminating the need for external ballast components that consume additional power and reducing overall energy waste
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 solution provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and remotely controllable LED lighting system that reduces maintenance costs and energy wastage by eliminating the need for ballasts and enabling efficient dimming and monitoring of LED luminaires, enhancing energy utilization and control.
Implementation Method 1
a power converter circuit configured to couple to the two electrical conductors L and N to convert a line voltage from the AC mains into a direct-current voltage
Implementation Method 2
The relay switch comprises a coil with a set voltage and is configured to couple the line voltage from the AC mains to the external power supply unit to operate thereof when enabled
Implementation Method 3
using phase-shift keying signals and PWM signals to control LED driving current
Implementation Method 4
using phase-shift keying signals and PWM signals to control LED driving current
Implementation Method 5
external LED luminaire comprising external one or more LED arrays
Implementation Method 6
solid-state lighting from semiconductor LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
A light-emitting diode (LED) luminaire controller comprising a transceiver circuit, a power converter circuit, and a control circuit is adopted to convert remote control signals into a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal and a controllable DC voltage to operate an external LED luminaire by turning it on and off and controlling its luminous intensity. The LED luminaire controller further comprises a remote controller. When the remote control signals are initiated by the remote controller with phase-shift keying (PSK) signals transmitted, the transceiver circuit can demodulate such PSK signals and subsequently send the PWM signal, the controllable DC voltage, and a metering command to the control circuit to request responses accordingly.