Photoswitch Circuit Simplification Using Single Relay Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoswitches require two separate controlling circuits for setting different luminance intensities for turning on and off a lamp, leading to increased complexity, cost, and instability due to the use of multiple electronic elements.
Innovation Solution
A photoswitch design featuring a single luminance controlling circuit with a relay, trigger circuit, delay discharge circuit, photosensitive element, and adjusting module, which simplifies the circuit and reduces the number of electronic elements, while maintaining stability and flexibility for various lighting types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate controlling circuits are used to set different luminance intensities for turning on and off a lamp, then the luminance control function is achieved, but the circuit complexity increases and production cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate controlling circuits into a single controlling circuit that uses one photoresistor to achieve both turn-on and turn-off luminance control functions. The single circuit integrates the functionality of what would traditionally require two separate circuits with two photoresistors, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining the adaptability to control luminance at different thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The single controlling circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the turn-on and turn-off operations of the lamp at different luminance thresholds using a single photoresistor and integrated circuitry. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate controlling circuits are used to set different luminance intensities for turning on and off a lamp, then the luminance control function is achieved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging two separate controlling circuits into one, the patent reduces the number of photoresistors from two to one, and consolidates the associated circuitry. This directly reduces component count and assembly complexity, leading to lower production costs while preserving the dual-threshold luminance control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single controlling circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the turn-on and turn-off operations of the lamp at different luminance thresholds using a single photoresistor and integrated circuitry. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electronic elements are used in the controlling circuit, then the luminance control function is achieved, but the circuit stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the total number of electronic elements by combining two separate controlling circuits into one. Specifically, it uses a single photoresistor instead of two, and integrates the control logic into a unified circuit design. Fewer components mean fewer potential failure points, thereby improving circuit stability and reliability while maintaining the required luminance control functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If two photoresistors are used to form two control circuits, then different luminance values for turning on and off can be set, but the number of electronic elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two photoresistors into a single photoresistor-based controlling circuit. The single photoresistor works in conjunction with integrated circuit elements to provide both turn-on and turn-off threshold control, thereby halving the number of photoresistors required and reducing the overall quantity of electronic elements in the system.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective and stable photoswitch with reduced electronic complexity, ensuring reliable operation and extended lifespan of the lighting apparatus by avoiding interference from instantaneous light sources and maintaining consistent current through the lighting circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a photosensitive element in series connection with the delay discharge circuit module
Data Source
AI summary
A photoswitch includes a DC power supply, a luminance controlling circuit and a lightening apparatus. The luminance controlling circuit includes a relay RL1, a trigger circuit module, a delay discharge circuit module, a photosensitive element and an adjusting circuit module. The trigger circuit module includes a NPN triode Q1, a NPN triode Q2, NPN triode Q3, a resistor R3 and a resistor R6; the adjusting circuit module includes a resistor R4 and a resistor R5 and a resistor R7, one end of which is in connection with the current output end of the resistor R4 and the other of is in connection with the current input end of the relay RL1; a current value of a subcircuit with the resistor R7 and the relay RL1 is smaller than a pull-in current value or a release current value of the relay RL1.