Multi-Channel Lighting Power Allocation for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-channel lighting units sacrifice light-generating capability to avoid excessive thermal power generation, particularly when a prescribed percent operating power for one channel is significantly higher than another, limiting their ability to produce desired colors and brightness.
Innovation Solution
A power allocation method that sets maximum per channel operating power equal to the lighting unit's maximum power handling capability and reapportions prescribed powers to maintain the power ratio while staying within safe thermal limits, optimizing channel operating powers without exceeding the maximum power handling capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If maximum available operating power is allocated to each channel to maximize light output, then light-generating capability is improved, but thermal power generation becomes excessive causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the controller adjusts the operating power of each channel in real-time based on the total power consumption. The system continuously monitors the sum of operating powers across all channels and dynamically scales individual channel powers to maintain the desired color output while staying within the maximum power handling capability of the lighting unit, thereby preventing excessive thermal generation while maximizing light output.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional power allocation divides maximum power handling capability by number of channels, then thermal power is controlled, but light-generating capability is sacrificed particularly when channel power requirements are uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power allocation parameter from a fixed equal division (maximum power handling capability divided by number of channels) to a dynamic proportional allocation. The controller calculates the desired operating power for each channel based on the lighting command and the total power handling capability, allowing channels with higher light-output requirements to receive more power while still maintaining safe thermal limits. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to uneven channel power requirements and maximize overall light generation.
3Illumination intensity
If per channel power is increased to operate at maximum capability, then brightness output is improved, but risk of exceeding maximum power handling capability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the total power consumption across all channels and adjusts individual channel powers accordingly. When the sum of operating powers approaches the maximum power handling capability, the controller automatically scales down the power allocation while maintaining the desired color ratios. This feedback loop enables the system to operate at or near maximum brightness output while reliably preventing excessive thermal power generation that could cause damage.
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
This approach allows the lighting unit to operate at or near its maximum power handling capability for high brightness conditions, effectively increasing light output while preventing damage from excessive thermal power, thereby enhancing the unit's light-generating capability while maintaining safe operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting device (hereinafter referred to as a lighting fixture or lighting unit) may be configured to generate variable color light or variable color temperature white light by employing multiple different source spectrums
Implementation Method 2
In various implementations, each different source spectrum in such a lighting unit may be generated by one light source or multiple light sources
Implementation Method 3
A command calling for 100% of available operating power for each channel would correspond to a maximum total power consumption by the lighting unit, some of which is converted to radiant output power and some of which is converted to thermal power dissipated by the lighting unit
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for allocating power amongst different source spectrums, or “channels,” of a multi-channel lighting unit, and apparatus that employ such methods. Power allocation methods exploit the total light-generating capability of a lighting unit while maintaining safe operating power conditions, so as to avoid damage to the lighting unit due to excessive thermal power generation. In one example, a power allocation method ensures that a lighting unit operates at or near its maximum power handling capability for a variety of possible high brightness lighting conditions by ascribing a maximum per channel operating power equal to the maximum power handling capability of the lighting unit. The power allocation method then reapportions, if necessary, prescribed operating powers for multiple channels, in response to a given lighting command, such that the ratio of the prescribed powers remains the same but the sum of the channel operating powers does not exceed the maximum power handling capability of the lighting unit.