Multi-mode dimmer interfacing including attach state control
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a controller configured to;
sense a leading edge of a dimmer input voltage; and
after the sensing the leading edge of the dimmer input voltage, actively control a continuous, decreasing transition of a current through a triac-based dimmer until the current through the triac-based dimmer reaches a holding current value to prevent a triac of the dimmer from prematurely resetting;
wherein the controller comprises;
a multiplexer having an attach current value input and a peak current value input;
a low pass filter coupled to an output of the multiplexer to generate an output signal having a decreasing transition from the attach current value to the peak current value; and
a boost controller coupled to the low pass filter to control current through the dimmer in accordance with the output signal of the low pass filter.
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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) attaching a dimmer to a power converter system at the leading edge of a phase-cut, rectified input voltage, (iii), control of switch mode power conversion, and (iv) an inactive state to, for example, reduce the dimmer current while allowing 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), (iii), and (iv) the controller controls a power converter system that is compatible with a triac-based dimmer.
106 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a controller configured to; sense a leading edge of a dimmer input voltage; and after the sensing the leading edge of the dimmer input voltage, actively control a continuous, decreasing transition of a current through a triac-based dimmer until the current through the triac-based dimmer reaches a holding current value to prevent a triac of the dimmer from prematurely resetting; wherein the controller comprises; a multiplexer having an attach current value input and a peak current value input; a low pass filter coupled to an output of the multiplexer to generate an output signal having a decreasing transition from the attach current value to the peak current value; and a boost controller coupled to the low pass filter to control current through the dimmer in accordance with the output signal of the low pass filter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A lighting system comprising:
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a switching power converter having one or more inputs to couple to a triac-based dimmer; one or more light emitting diodes coupled to an output of the switching power converter; a controller, coupled to the switching power converter, and configured to; sense a leading edge of a dimmer input voltage; after the sensing the leading edge of the dimmer input voltage, actively controlling a continuous, decreasing transition of a current through a triac-based dimmer until the current through the triac-based dimmer reaches a holding current value to prevent a triac of the dimmer from prematurely resetting; and control the switching power converter to control power delivered to the light emitting diodes during operation of the lighting system; wherein the controller comprises; a multiplexer having an attach current value input and a peak current value input; a low pass filter coupled to an output of the multiplexer to generate an output signal having a decreasing transition from the attach current value to the peak current value; and a boost controller coupled to the low pass filter to control current through the dimmer in accordance with the output signal of the low pass filter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification