Light Dimming Device Zero-Cross PWM Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light-dimming devices face instability in controlling the lighting load due to poor charging of electrolytic capacitors, leading to unstable operation of the controller and difficulty in maintaining a consistent lighting state.

Innovation Solution

A light-dimming device with a switch, controller, and power supply module that includes a zero-cross detection circuit and PWM signal generation to control the conduction angle of the switch, ensuring stable operation by charging the capacitor within a prescribed period shorter than the AC voltage half cycle, thereby preventing current flow issues and maintaining a stable lighting state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the switch conducts from OFF state when absolute value of AC voltage is non-zero, then light output can be adjusted, but current may not flow through the lighting load depending on conduction angle, causing unstable control operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight output adjustmentVSAvoidcontrol operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic switching action where the switch conducts from OFF state at specific intervals during the AC voltage cycle. By controlling the switch to turn on when the absolute value of AC voltage is non-zero and maintaining conduction for a controlled duration, the system achieves both light output adjustment and stable control operation through periodic on-off cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 stabilizes the operation of the controller and maintains a consistent lighting state, reducing noise and allowing for a wider range of lighting loads to be effectively dimmed.

Implementation Method 1

a zero-cross detection circuit configured to detect zero-cross of an AC voltage from the AC power supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectZero-cross detection:

Implementation Method 2

the electrolytic capacitor of the control power supply is charged by the control power for a certain period of time within time from the OFF state to turn-on of the switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

The control circuit is configured to generate a PWM signal that defines an on-duty ratio corresponding to the conduction angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse width modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP3128814B1Light-dimming device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3128814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3128814B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Light-dimming device (10) includes: first and second terminals (1, 2); switch (3) including switching device (7) connected between terminals (1, 2); adjuster (6) for varying conduction angle of switch (3); controller (4) for controlling switch (3) and power supply module (5) for supplying power to controller (4). Controller (4) includes zero-cross detection circuit (9) for detecting zero-cross of AC voltage (Va), control circuit (11) for generating PWM signal of on-duty ratio corresponding to conduction angle from adjuster (6), and driver circuit (8) for turning device (7) on and off by PWM signal. Controller (4) allows device (7) to conduct and then turn off within variable period of time, from start of half cycle of AC voltage, shorter than half cycle. Circuit 11 starts generation of pulse in PWM signal when prescribed period of time, shorter than variable period of time, from zero-cross of voltage Va elapses.