Enhanced trip resolution voltage-controlled dimming led driving circuit
First Claim
1. A pushbutton switch mechanism comprising:
- an array of light emitting diodes; and
a plurality of driver circuits, each driver circuit driving three pairs of the light emitting diodes, each driver circuit including switching diodes and switching resistances collectively switching the three pairs of light emitting diodes between series connection and parallel connection as an input voltage applied to the respective driver circuit is varied between a value equaling or exceeding a cumulative forward bias voltages of the three pairs of light emitting diodes and the switching diodes and a value less than the cumulative forward bias voltages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Each driver circuit for a six-by-four array of light emitting diodes illuminating a pushbutton switch switches three pairs of the light emitting diodes between series connection and parallel connection based on changes to an applied input voltage. Driving six light emitting diodes instead of only four allows illumination of a larger area and improves power efficiency at higher applied input voltages, while retaining dimming compatibility at low voltage levels. Each driver circuit also includes a rectifier allow illumination of the pushbutton switch with direct current voltages of either polarity. The quiescent current limiting resistance is split into multiple resistors for further improved power efficiency. Each driver circuit also includes a bridge rectifier to allow illumination of the pushbutton switch with direct current voltages of either polarity or alternating current voltages.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A pushbutton switch mechanism comprising:
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an array of light emitting diodes; and a plurality of driver circuits, each driver circuit driving three pairs of the light emitting diodes, each driver circuit including switching diodes and switching resistances collectively switching the three pairs of light emitting diodes between series connection and parallel connection as an input voltage applied to the respective driver circuit is varied between a value equaling or exceeding a cumulative forward bias voltages of the three pairs of light emitting diodes and the switching diodes and a value less than the cumulative forward bias voltages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A pushbutton switch comprising:
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an array of light emitting diodes within a housing for the pushbutton switch; and a plurality of driver circuits within the pushbutton switch housing, each driver circuit driving a plurality of the light emitting diodes, each driver circuit including enabling the respective light emitting diodes to be driven either by an alternative current voltage or by a direct current voltage of any polarity. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A pushbutton switch comprising:
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a switch body; and a switch cap seated on the switch body, the switch cap containing; an array of twenty four light emitting diodes; four driver circuits, each driver circuit including; a rectifier; first and second switching diodes connected in series between first, second and third pairs of the light emitting diodes, the switching diodes and the light emitting diode pairs connected in series with a common forward bias orientation; a first resistance connected in parallel with the first light emitting diode pair; a second resistance connected in parallel with the second light emitting diode pair; a third resistance connected in parallel with the third light emitting diode pair; a fourth resistance connected in parallel with both the first light emitting diode pair and the first switching diode; a fifth resistance connected in parallel with both the third light emitting diode pair and the second switching diode; a sixth resistance connected in parallel with both the first and second light emitting diode pairs and the first switching diode; and a seventh resistance connected in parallel with both the second and third light emitting diode pairs and the second switching diode, wherein the resistances and the switching diodes collectively switch the first, second and third light emitting diode pairs between series connection and parallel connection as an input voltage applied to the respective driver circuit is varied between a value equaling or exceeding the cumulative forward bias voltage of the first, second and third light emitting diode pairs and the first and second switching diodes and a value less than the cumulative forward bias voltage. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification