Thyristor Dimming Control Circuit With Fixed Bleed Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional control systems for LED dimming with thyristors face inefficiencies due to the inability to control the time period of the bleed-off current, affecting the maintenance of the thyristor in a normal on state when the main path current is lower than the sustaining current.

Innovation Solution

A control circuit and method with a detection module, timing module, control module, and bleeder module that allows for fixed bleed time, where a trigger signal initiates timing, an end-of-timing signal controls the bleeder module to bleed off current within a preset time, and all modules perform a power-off reset, enabling efficient operation of the thyristor at maximum angle during dimming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bleed-off current path is always on to maintain the thyristor in a normal on state, then the thyristor can be sustained, but the efficiency of the system would be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethyristor sustainingVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by controlling the bleed-off current path to operate only during specific time intervals (first time interval) rather than continuously. The control circuit activates the bleed-off current path periodically based on timing signals, allowing the thyristor to be sustained during critical periods while minimizing energy consumption during non-critical periods when the main current is sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the current of the control system is less than the minimum sustaining current, then the thyristor will be turned off, but providing continuous bleed-off current reduces system efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethyristor on stateVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the bleed-off current path dynamically controllable rather than static. The control circuit adjusts the activation of the bleed-off current path based on real-time conditions, using a control signal generated by comparing timing signals with threshold values. This dynamic control allows the system to provide bleed-off current only when necessary to maintain the thyristor in the on state, optimizing both reliability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a bleed-off current path is always on, then the thyristor can be maintained in a normal on state, but the efficiency of the system would be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethyristor normal on stateVSAvoidbleed-off current consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by controlling the bleed-off current path to operate only during specific time intervals (first time interval) rather than continuously. The control circuit activates the bleed-off current path periodically based on timing signals, allowing the thyristor to be sustained during critical periods while minimizing energy consumption during non-critical periods when the main current is sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the operational parameters of the bleed-off current path. The control circuit changes the activation state of the bleed-off current path based on timing signals and threshold comparisons, transitioning between active and inactive states. This parameter change allows the system to optimize energy consumption by providing bleed-off current only when the main current is insufficient to maintain the thyristor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3749059B1Control circuit and control method capable of fixing discharge duration
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 SHENZHEN SUNMOON MICROELECTRONICS
  • EP3749059B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3749059B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a technical field of electronic circuits, and provides a control circuit and a control method with fixed bleed time, a trigger signal is obtained and transmitted via a detection module; a timing module starts timing upon receiving the trigger signal, and outputs an end-of-timing signal when a preset time is reached; a control module outputs a control signal according to the end-of-timing signal; a bleeder module bleeds off a current within the preset time according to the control signal; and when the control circuit is powered off, the detection module, timing module, control module and bleeder module automatically perform a power-off reset. This achieves a new round of logic control performed by all modules after the power-off reset; with a fixed bleed time, the system can achieve a higher efficiency when the thyristor opens at the maximum angle, and during a thyristor dimming process, the thyristor can be maintained in a normal on state via a bleed-off current when the main path current is lower than the sustaining current of the thyristor, so that the system operates normally.