Multi-Function Pin LED Dimming Circuit

Solution Overview

Problem

Current LED dimming circuits become complex and costly due to the need for multiple dimming pins to handle different dimming signals, increasing the size and expense of the circuit.

Innovation Solution

A dimming chip with a multi-function pin that can receive dimming signals and regulate current flow by adjusting amplitude or duty cycle based on the signal type, allowing for simplified processing of multiple dimming forms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dimming pins are used to receive different dimming signals, then the dimming circuit can handle various dimming signal types, but the circuit complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different dimming signal typesVSAvoidcircuit complexity and size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-function pin that can accept different types of dimming signals (analog voltage signals, pulse signals with different frequency ranges) through a single physical pin. The control circuit internally identifies the signal type and routes it to the appropriate processing path, enabling one pin to perform multiple signal reception functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated pins for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dimming pins are used to receive different dimming signals, then various dimming signal types can be processed, but the cost of the dimming circuit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different dimming signal typesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-function pin that can accept different types of dimming signals (analog voltage signals, pulse signals with different frequency ranges) through a single physical pin. The control circuit internally identifies the signal type and routes it to the appropriate processing path, enabling one pin to perform multiple signal reception functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated pins for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dimming pins are used to receive different dimming signals, then various dimming signal types can be processed, but the size of the dimming circuit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different dimming signal typesVSAvoidcircuit size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-function pin that can accept different types of dimming signals (analog voltage signals, pulse signals with different frequency ranges) through a single physical pin. The control circuit internally identifies the signal type and routes it to the appropriate processing path, enabling one pin to perform multiple signal reception functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated pins for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11523478B2Flexible dimming circuit and a method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 CHENGDU MONOLITHIC POWER SYST

AI summary

A dimming circuit for dimming a current flowing through a light emitting device, having: a multi-function pin, configured to receive a dimming signal; wherein when the dimming signal is an analog voltage signal, an amplitude of the current flowing through the light emitting device is regulated based on the dimming signal; when the dimming signal is a pulse signal and a frequency of the dimming signal is in a first frequency range, a duty cycle of the current flowing through the light emitting device is regulated based on the dimming signal; and when the dimming signal is the pulse signal and the frequency of the dimming signal is in a second frequency range, the amplitude of the current flowing through the light emitting device is regulated based on the dimming signal.