Multi-Location Dimmer System With Power And Data Over Accessory Wiring
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-way and four-way switch systems for controlling electrical loads, such as lighting, lack the ability to provide advanced control features like smart dimming due to the absence of power supplies and microcontrollers in dimmer switches, which restricts the capability to offer features like visual feedback to remote dimmer switches.
Innovation Solution
A multiple location dimming system that includes a smart dimmer and remote dimmers, where all dimmers are equipped with visual indicators and microprocessors, allowing for the display of lighting intensity levels and enabling advanced control features by using a communication circuit to transmit digital messages through the electrical wire, enabling communication between the main dimmer and remote dimmers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional three-way and four-way switch systems are used, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system lacks advanced control features like smart dimming and visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling dimmer switches to perform multiple roles: traditional on/off switching, smart dimming control, power supply generation for remote devices, and visual feedback display. The dimmer switch becomes a universal control device that combines functions previously requiring separate components, thereby achieving advanced control features while managing system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimmer switch generates its own power supply for remote dimmer switches by rectifying and regulating the AC line voltage, eliminating the need for external power sources or batteries in remote devices. This self-service approach allows the system to provide advanced features like visual feedback and communication without adding external power infrastructure complexity.
2Loss of information
If remote dimmer switches are equipped with microprocessors and visual indicators, then visual feedback and advanced control features are enabled, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an LED indicator as an intermediary element that provides visual feedback about lighting intensity levels. The LED is controlled by the dimmer's control circuitry and serves as a simple, low-cost visual interface that communicates system state without requiring complex display hardware or processing power, thereby providing information feedback while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator provides feedback to users about the current lighting intensity level, enabling them to understand the system state without needing to physically check the lighting. This feedback mechanism enhances user experience and control awareness while using simple, low-complexity components rather than sophisticated sensing or communication systems.
3Productivity
If communication circuits are added to transmit digital messages through electrical wires, then seamless communication between dimmers is enabled, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication circuit operates continuously during the AC line cycle, using the existing electrical wiring infrastructure to transmit digital messages between dimmer switches. By leveraging the always-present AC power lines as communication medium, the system achieves continuous communication capability without requiring separate communication infrastructure or intermittent activation, thereby improving communication efficiency while minimizing additional energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical wiring infrastructure serves dual purposes: delivering AC power to lighting loads and transmitting digital communication signals between dimmer switches. This multi-functional use of existing infrastructure eliminates the need for separate communication wiring, reducing device complexity and avoiding the energy consumption associated with dedicated communication systems, while enabling seamless communication between devices.
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 the remote dimmers to provide visual feedback to users and offer advanced control features, enhancing the user experience by allowing for the display of lighting intensity levels and enabling seamless communication and control of lighting loads from multiple locations.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply circuitry coupled to the communication circuit and the visual indicator and adapted to convert the AC voltage to a DC voltage
Implementation Method 2
a controllably conductive device adapted to be electrically coupled in series between the AC power source and the electrical load, a control circuit configured to control the controllably conductive device to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple location load control system comprises a main device and remote devices, which do not require neutral connections, but allow for visual and audible feedback at the main device and the remote devices. The main device and the remote devices are adapted to be coupled together via an accessory wiring. The main device can be wired on the line side and the load side of the load control system. The main device is configured to enable a charging path to allow the remote devices to charge power supplies through the accessory wiring during a first time period of a half cycle of the AC power source. The main device and the remote devices are configured to communicate with each other via the accessory wiring during a second time period of the half cycle, for example, by actively pulling-up and actively pulling-down the accessory wiring to communicate using tri-state logic.