Solid State Lighting Switch Selective Dimming Color Linking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid state lighting systems face challenges in accurately reproducing colors due to variations in LED manufacturing, leading to unnatural color representation in objects illuminated by these systems, particularly because they often lack sufficient red light spectrum, resulting in low color rendering index (CRI).

Innovation Solution

A solid state lighting switch that selectively links or unlinks dimming and color indications, allowing for independent control of dimming and color settings, enabling the adjustment of correlated color temperature (CCT) and color rendering index (CRI) to achieve a wider range of color outputs, including the addition of red light to improve color accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If blue LED with yellow phosphor is used for backlight, then energy efficiency is improved, but color rendering is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcolor rendering
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple LED types (blue LEDs with yellow phosphor, red LEDs, and green LEDs) into a single backlight system. This merging of different light sources enables the system to maintain the energy efficiency of blue LEDs while adding red and green components to improve color rendering, directly resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and color accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite approach by integrating multiple phosphor materials (yellow phosphor, red phosphor) and multiple LED types into one system. This composite structure allows the backlight to achieve both high energy efficiency from the blue LED-phosphor combination and improved color rendering through the added red and green light components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple LED types are combined for better color rendering, then color accuracy is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the backlight system into distinct functional modules: blue LED array with yellow phosphor for efficiency, red LED array for color rendering, and green LED array for color rendering. Each segment can be independently controlled and optimized, which manages the complexity by organizing multiple LED types into separate, controllable groups rather than a monolithic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of multiple LED types through independent dimming controls for warm white, cool white, and red light components. This dynamic capability allows the system to adjust the contribution of each LED type based on desired color temperature and rendering requirements, managing complexity through flexible, programmable control rather than fixed hardware configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If independent control of dimming and color is implemented, then versatility is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol versatilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional control system where a single interface handles multiple functions: dimming control, color temperature adjustment (warm/cool white), and red light component control. This universal controller consolidates what could be multiple separate controls into one unit, maintaining ease of operation while achieving versatile control over all lighting parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple control functions (dimming, color temperature selection, red light adjustment) into a unified control interface. This consolidation allows users to access all lighting adjustments through one system rather than multiple separate controls, maintaining ease of operation while providing comprehensive versatility in lighting customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for improved color rendering and natural color representation by enabling precise control over dimming and color outputs, enhancing the ability of solid state lighting systems to accurately reproduce colors and maintain equilibrium between dimming and color indications, thus improving the overall color appearance of objects and displays.

Implementation Method 1

a solid state light emitting device may include, for example, a packaged light emitting device including one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). Inorganic LEDs typically include semiconductor layers forming p-n junctions. Organic LEDs (OLEDs), which include organic light emission layers, are another type of solid state light emitting device. Typically, a solid state light emitting device generates light through the recombination of electronic carriers, i.e. electrons and holes, in a light emitting layer or region.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode (LED) effect: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

backlight assemblies typically employ white LED lighting devices that include a blue-emitting LED coated with a wavelength conversion phosphor that converts some of the blue light emitted by the LED into yellow light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentEP2781139B1Solid state lighting switches and fixtures providing selectively linked dimming and color control and methods of operating
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 IDEAL IND LIGHTING LLC
  • EP2781139B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2781139B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2781139B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

A solid state lighting switch can include a first input control that can be configured to adjust a dimming indication or color indication for a solid state lighting fixture that is configured for coupling to the solid state lighting switch. A selective linking mechanism can be configured to activate a linked mode of operation of the switch to link the dimming indication to the color indication or to activate an unlinked mode of operation of the switch to unlink the dimming indication from the color indication.