Lighting Control Device Phase Detection Stopper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control devices have limitations in compatibility with various types of illumination loads, leading to inaccurate phase detection and potential anomalies like blinking or flickering, especially when dealing with loads that generate reverse polarity voltages.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control device with a bidirectional switch, phase detector, and stopper configuration that switches the bidirectional switch based on detected AC voltage phases and dimming levels, and stops control electric power generation when the voltage exceeds a threshold during the OFF time period, maintaining high impedance and accurate phase detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control power supply continuously generates control electric power during the OFF time period, then the controller can maintain operation, but the voltage detected by the voltage detector becomes higher than or equal to a prescribed threshold causing erroneous phase detection and anomalies like blinking or flickering
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper halts generation of control electric power periodically during the OFF time period when the voltage exceeds a threshold, allowing the system to maintain reliable phase detection while consuming energy only when necessary. This periodic interruption prevents continuous power generation that would cause erroneous detections and anomalies.
2Measurement precision
If the bidirectional switch remains ON during the OFF time period, then the illumination load receives continuous power, but the phase detector cannot accurately detect the AC voltage phase leading to control anomalies
Solution Approach 1:
The control period is segmented into distinct ON and OFF time periods, with the bidirectional switch and power supply operation separated accordingly. During the OFF time period, the switch is turned OFF to enable accurate phase detection, while during the ON time period, the switch is turned ON to supply power to the illumination load.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lighting control device uses conventional phase control without a stopper, then the device structure is simpler, but compatibility with various types of illumination loads is limited and anomalies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper acts as an intermediary component between the power supply and the rest of the control circuit. It mediates the power flow by halting generation of control electric power under specific conditions, thereby preventing harmful effects and enabling compatible operation with various illumination loads without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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
Enhances compatibility with a broader range of illumination loads by reducing erroneous detections and preventing anomalies like blinking and flickering, ensuring stable operation and accurate phase control.
Implementation Method 1
The power supply is electrically connected between the pair of input terminals and is configured to be supplied with electric power from the AC power supply to generate control electric power
Implementation Method 2
The control power supply includes an electrolytic capacitor configured to store the control electric power
Implementation Method 3
The bidirectional switch is configured to switch between conduction and non-conduction of a bidirectional current between the pair of input terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply is electrically connected between a pair of input terminals and is configured to be supplied with electric power from an AC power supply to generate control electric power. A voltage detector is configured to detect a voltage of the control electric power. A controller is configured to be supplied with the control electric power from the power supply to operate. The controller is configured to control a bidirectional switch based on a detection signal from a phase detector so as to switch the bidirectional switch from an ON state to an OFF state at a switching time point when a variable time corresponding to a dimming level elapses from a starting point of a half period of an AC voltage. A stopper is configured to halt generation of the control electric power by the power supply when the voltage detected by the voltage detector is higher than or equal to a prescribed threshold during an OFF time period from the switching time point to an end time point of the half period.