Bi-level low voltage dimming controller for lighting drivers
First Claim
1. A dimming controller, comprising:
- a dimming preset selector for setting a preset dim level;
a dimming control circuit responsive to the preset dim level to drive a dimming voltage output proportional to the preset dim level, the dimming control circuit further responsive to maintain the dimming voltage output for a varied electrical characteristic of dimming control inputs of at least one lighting driver; and
a dim enable circuit responsive to a detection signal to selectively couple and uncouple the dimming voltage output to the dimming control input of the lighting driver, thereby providing switching between the preset dim level and a full light level.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An illustrative bi-level dimming controller for coupling to a dimming control input of a lighting driver includes a dimming preset selector for setting a preset dim level, and a dimming control circuit having variable impedance and providing a constant dimming voltage output for a preset dim level, even if the current supplied to or impedance coupled to the dimming controller changes. The dimming control circuit is responsive to the preset dim level to drive a dimming voltage output proportional to the preset dim level. The dimming controller may also include a dim enable circuit responsive to a detection signal to selectively couple and uncouple the dimming signal output with the dimming control input of the lighting driver, thereby providing switching between a preset dim level and a full light level. The detection signal may be electrically isolated from the dimming voltage output.
28 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A dimming controller, comprising:
-
a dimming preset selector for setting a preset dim level; a dimming control circuit responsive to the preset dim level to drive a dimming voltage output proportional to the preset dim level, the dimming control circuit further responsive to maintain the dimming voltage output for a varied electrical characteristic of dimming control inputs of at least one lighting driver; and a dim enable circuit responsive to a detection signal to selectively couple and uncouple the dimming voltage output to the dimming control input of the lighting driver, thereby providing switching between the preset dim level and a full light level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A bi-level dimming controller configured to couple to a dimming control input of at least one lighting driver, comprising:
-
a dimming preset selector configured to set a preset dim level; a dimming control circuit providing a dimming voltage output, the dimming control circuit responsive to the preset dim level to drive the dimming voltage output proportional to the preset dim level, the dimming control circuit further responsive to a varied impedance presented by the dimming control inputs of the at least one lighting driver to maintain the dimming voltage output irrespective of a change in the varied impedance; and a dim enable circuit responsive to a detection signal to selectively couple and uncouple a ground of the dimming voltage output to the dimming control input of the at least one lighting driver, thereby providing switching between the preset dim level and a full light level; and wherein the detection signal is electrically isolated from the dimming voltage output.
-
-
20. A bi-level dimming controller configured to couple to a dimming control input of at least one lighting driver, comprising:
-
a dimming preset selector for setting a preset dim level; a dimming control circuit including a voltage buffer providing a dimming voltage output, the voltage buffer responsive to the preset dim level to drive a dimming voltage output proportional to the preset dim level; and a dim enable circuit responsive to a detection signal to selectively couple and uncouple at least one of a supply and a return of the dimming voltage output to the dimming control input of the at least one lighting driver, thereby providing switching between the preset dim level and a full light level.
-
Specification