Tunable Light Engine PWM Signal Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current illumination systems lack the ability to efficiently control and adjust color temperature and brightness independently in tunable lighting applications, limiting their versatility and user input options.

Innovation Solution

A tunable illumination system that splits a single channel output into three pulse-width modulated (PWM) channels using current steering and time division multiplexing techniques, allowing individual duty cycles to be adjusted based on a control signal, with a light engine comprising three signal generators to power LEDs emitting different types of light, enabling precise control over color and brightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single channel output is used to control LED light sources, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently control color temperature and brightness is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor temperature and brightness controlVSAvoidsignal channel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single control channel into three separate PWM signal channels, each independently controlling different LED groups with distinct color temperatures. This segmentation enables independent control of color temperature and brightness while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a time dimension by using pulse-width modulation (PWM) signaling to control LED brightness and color temperature. By varying the duty cycle of PWM signals across different time periods, the system achieves independent control of multiple parameters without requiring additional physical channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LED light sources with different color temperatures are controlled separately, then the adaptability for tunable lighting is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetunable lighting controlVSAvoidcontrol signal interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into three independent PWM signal generators, each handling a specific color temperature range. This allows the complex task of tunable lighting control to be divided into manageable segments while presenting a simplified single-channel interface to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces PWM signaling as an intermediary mechanism between the single control channel and multiple LED groups. The PWM signals act as mediators that translate single-channel control inputs into multi-channel LED control, simplifying the user interface while maintaining full tunable lighting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If PWM signaling is used to control LED brightness and color, then the precision of light output control is improved, but the signal processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight output control precisionVSAvoidsignal generator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal generation function is segmented into three dedicated PWM signal generators, each optimized for specific control precision requirements. This segmentation allows high-precision control to be achieved in each channel without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes PWM duty cycle parameter changes to precisely control LED brightness and effective current. By varying the duty cycle percentage, the system achieves precise control of light output intensity and color temperature without requiring complex analog control circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3729912B1Illumination system including tunable light engine and method
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 LUMILEDS LLC
  • EP3729912B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3729912B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3729912B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An illumination system is disclosed that provides a control signal interface configured to provide a voltage control signal via a control channel. A light engine is provided and includes a first signal generator configured to provide a first pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal based on the control signal, via a first channel, a second signal generator configured to provide a second PWM signal based on the control signal, via a second channel, and a third signal generator configured to provide a third PWM signal based on the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal, via a third channel.