Light Fixture Controller with Dual Switches for Intensity and Color Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting fixtures require separate devices to control light intensity and color temperature, which can be unsuitable due to size and space constraints, making it difficult to select and adjust these parameters for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A controller with light intensity and color temperature control circuitry, featuring manually selectable switches with detents and graphics for easy adjustment, integrated into a single module that can be mounted above the light engine, allowing independent control of light intensity and color temperature using pulse width modulation for different LED strings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices are used to control light intensity and color temperature, then control functionality is complete, but device size and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate control devices for light intensity and color temperature into a single integrated controller. The controller includes a first switch for intensity control and a second switch for color temperature control, both housed in one unit that mounts above the light engine. This merging reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining complete control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single controller performs multiple functions by incorporating both intensity control circuitry and color temperature control circuitry. The controller can independently adjust light intensity through the first switch and color temperature through the second switch, making it a universal control device that replaces multiple specialized devices.
2Measurement precision
If separate devices are used to control light intensity and color temperature, then control precision is maintained, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both control functions into one accessible location, the controller improves ease of operation. Users can adjust both intensity and color temperature from a single mounted position above the light engine, eliminating the need to access separate devices scattered in different locations while maintaining precise control through dedicated switches.
3Device complexity
If a single module is used to control both intensity and color temperature, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is segmented into distinct control circuits: light intensity control circuitry with a first switch, and color temperature control circuitry with a second switch. This segmentation within the integrated module ensures that each function has its own dedicated control path, maintaining control precision while reducing the overall number of separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single controller housing that contains separate, dedicated control circuits for each function. The first switch connects to intensity control circuitry while the second switch connects to color temperature control circuitry, allowing precise control of each parameter independently within the unified device.
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 simplified selection and adjustment of light intensity and color temperature in a single module, suitable for various lighting fixtures, reducing the need for separate devices and improving flexibility in lighting applications.
Implementation Method 1
The color temperature control circuitry may include pulse width modulator circuitry. The position of the second switch cover may cause the pulse width modulator circuitry to provide separate pulse width modulated signals to separate light elements of the light engine to cause the light engine to produce light having different color temperatures.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for a light fixture includes light intensity control circuitry to control intensity of light and color temperature control circuitry to control color temperature of light produced by a light engine, a first switch having a first switch cover disposed on an exterior portion of the controller, the first switch configured to communicate with the light intensity control circuitry to cause the light engine to produce a specified light intensity based on a position of the first switch cover, and a second switch having a second switch cover disposed on the exterior portion of the controller, the second switch configured to communicate with the color temperature control circuitry to cause the light engine to produce a specified color temperature of light based on a position of the second switch cover. The position of the first switch cover and the position of the second switch cover are manually selectable.