Lighting Phase Angle Sensing from Average and Peak Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems fail to accurately reflect the phase angle of a universal waveform power input while rejecting common power line noise, leading to ineffective light dimming.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a voltage detector and a phase angle detector that calculates the phase angle by detecting ratios of average and peak voltages, using formulas and lookup tables to determine the phase angle independently of voltage amplitude, facilitating accurate power control signals for light emitters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional lighting systems use simple voltage detection methods, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of phase angle determination deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase angle determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic phase detection circuits with a computational approach using a microcontroller. The system detects average voltage (V-ave) and peak voltage (V-peak), then calculates the phase angle Φ using the formula Φ = arcsin(V-ave/V-peak) through software processing. This substitution of computational methods for hardware-based phase detection reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that uses the ratio of average voltage to peak voltage as a mediator to determine the phase angle. Instead of directly measuring phase angle with complex circuitry, the system measures two voltage parameters and uses their ratio as an intermediary step to calculate the phase angle, simplifying the overall measurement system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If lighting systems use phase-cutting operations to control light output, then the power control capability is improved, but the reliability of phase angle detection deteriorates due to power line noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight dimming controlVSAvoidphase angle detection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the ratio of average voltage to peak voltage and adjusts the phase angle calculation accordingly. The microcontroller uses this feedback to compensate for variations and noise in the power line, maintaining reliable phase angle detection even during phase-cutting operations. The system can detect and adapt to different dimming levels by monitoring voltage characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of power line noise and voltage variations into a beneficial feature. By using the ratio of average voltage to peak voltage, the system transforms noise and variations that would normally degrade detection reliability into a robust measurement method. The phase angle calculation Φ = arcsin(V-ave/V-peak) inherently filters out common-mode noise while preserving the phase information needed for dimming control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If the system detects both average voltage and peak voltage to calculate phase angle, then the measurement precision is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase angle measurement accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption for voltage detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal voltage detection circuit that serves multiple functions: detecting peak voltage, calculating average voltage, determining phase angle, and controlling light dimming. The same detection infrastructure is used for all these purposes, maximizing the utility of the energy consumed during voltage measurement and eliminating the need for separate detection systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10306724B2Lighting systems, and systems for determining periodic values of a phase angle of a waveform power input

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 KORRUS INC

AI summary

System for determining periodic values of phase angle Φ of waveform power input including voltage detector for detecting periodic values of average voltage of waveform power input and detecting corresponding periodic values of peak voltage of waveform power input. System also includes phase angle Φ detector in signal communication for receiving periodic values of average voltage and peak voltage from voltage detector. Phase angle Φ detector also detects periodic values each being ratio of one of periodic values of average voltage divided by corresponding periodic value of peak voltage, or being ratio of peak voltage divided by average voltage; and determines periodic values of phase angle Φ of waveform power input corresponding to periodic values of ratio. Lighting systems.