Coordinated dimmer compatibility functions
First Claim
1. An apparatus, wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states for multiple cycles of the dimmer voltage that occur from:
- (A) an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of the dimmer until a phase cut, leading edge of the dimmer voltage;
(B) an end of state A until energy transferred to a load is sufficient to meet at least one energy transfer parameter; and
(C) an end of state B until a beginning of state A in a next cycle of the dimmer voltage,the apparatus comprising;
a load;
a controller configured to;
for state A, enable a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein an impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer;
for state B,generating a control signal to enable control of switch mode power conversion of the dimmer voltage; and
control the switch mode power conversion to maintain the dimmer current above a current threshold; and
for state C, enter an inactive state, wherein during the inactive state the low impedance path and the control of mode power conversion is disabled; and
a switching power converter, coupled to the controller and the load, configured to receive the control signal, the dimmer voltage, and the dimmer current to convert the dimmer voltage and dimmer current into energy for the load in response to the control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method includes a controller that is configured to coordinate (i) a low impedance path for a dimmer current, (ii), control of switch mode power conversion and (iii) an inactive state to, for example, to allow a dimmer to function normally from cycle to cycle of an alternating current (AC) supply voltage. In at least one embodiment, the dimmer functions normally when the dimmer conducts at a correct phase angle indicated by a dimmer input setting and avoids prematurely resetting while conducting. In at least one embodiment, by coordinating functions (i), (ii), and (iii), the controller controls a power converter system that is compatible with a triac-based dimmer. In at least one embodiment, the controller coordinates functions (i), (ii), and (iii) in response to a particular dimming level indicated by a phase cut, rectified input voltage supplied to the power converter system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states for multiple cycles of the dimmer voltage that occur from:
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(A) an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of the dimmer until a phase cut, leading edge of the dimmer voltage; (B) an end of state A until energy transferred to a load is sufficient to meet at least one energy transfer parameter; and (C) an end of state B until a beginning of state A in a next cycle of the dimmer voltage, the apparatus comprising; a load; a controller configured to; for state A, enable a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein an impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer; for state B, generating a control signal to enable control of switch mode power conversion of the dimmer voltage; and control the switch mode power conversion to maintain the dimmer current above a current threshold; and for state C, enter an inactive state, wherein during the inactive state the low impedance path and the control of mode power conversion is disabled; and a switching power converter, coupled to the controller and the load, configured to receive the control signal, the dimmer voltage, and the dimmer current to convert the dimmer voltage and dimmer current into energy for the load in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states for multiple cycles of the dimmer voltage that occur from:
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(A) an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of a dimmer until a phase cut, leading edge of the dimmer voltage; (B) an end of state A until energy transferred to a load is sufficient to meet at least one energy transfer parameter; and (C) an end of state B until a beginning of state A in a next cycle of the dimmer voltage; the method comprising; for state A, enabling a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein an impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer; for state B; generating a control signal to enable control of switch mode power conversion of the dimmer voltage; and controlling switch mode power conversion to maintain the dimmer current above a threshold; and for state C, entering an inactive state, wherein during the inactive state the low impedance path and the control of mode power conversion is disabled; receiving the control signal, the dimmer voltage, and the dimmer current with a switching power converter; and converting the dimmer voltage and dimmer current into energy for the load in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus wherein a dimmer voltage to a power converter system comprises three states for multiple cycles of the dimmer voltage that occur from:
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(A) an approximately zero volt crossing of the dimmer voltage of a dimmer until a phase cut, leading edge of the dimmer voltage; (B) an end of state A until energy transferred to a load is sufficient to meet at least one energy transfer parameter; and (C) an end of state B until a beginning of state A in a next cycle of the dimmer voltage; the apparatus comprising; a load comprising one or more light emitting diodes; for state A, means for enabling a low impedance path for a dimmer current of the dimmer, wherein an impedance of the low impedance path is sufficiently low to maintain a stable phase angle of the dimmer; for state B; means for enabling control of switch mode power conversion of the dimmer voltage; and means for controlling switch mode power conversion to maintain the dimmer current above a threshold; and for state C, means for entering an inactive state, wherein during the inactive state the low impedance path and the control of mode power conversion is disabled; and means, coupled to the controller and the load, for receiving the control signal, the dimmer voltage, and the dimmer current and for converting the dimmer voltage and dimmer current into energy for the load in response to the control signal.
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Specification