Control apparatus and system for coupling a lighting module to a constant current DC driver
First Claim
1. A control apparatus adapted to be coupled between a power source and a lighting module, the power source operable to generate an output voltage at a power source output;
- wherein, if the lighting module is coupled to the power source output, the power source is operable to generate a first output voltage to maintain a constant current level flowing through the lighting module; and
, if the lighting module is not coupled to the power source output, the power source is operable to generate a second output voltage at a maximum voltage limit for the power source;
the control apparatus comprising;
a voltage control module adapted to be coupled to the power source output and operable to convert the output voltage generated by the power source to a controlled voltage independent of whether the output voltage generated by the power source is the first output voltage or the second output voltage;
wherein the voltage control module has a maximum input voltage equal to or greater than the maximum voltage limit of the power source; and
a controller powered by the controlled voltage and operable to selectively couple the lighting module to the power source output.
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Abstract
Control apparatus and system for controlling an output of a constant current driver are disclosed. A control apparatus is coupled between a constant current driver and a load, such as a lighting module, in order to add functionality to the overall system. The control apparatus is powered by the constant current driver and may control the dimming of the constant current driver by controlling the 0-10V dim input into the driver. The control apparatus may comprise one or more switching elements between the constant current driver and the load to allow for mixing of groups of LEDs of various colors or color temperatures. The control apparatus may include a buffer load to mitigate negative impacts of turning on the lighting module after a period of deactivation. The control apparatus can also be adapted to operate as a dim-to-warm module within a lighting apparatus.
187 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control apparatus adapted to be coupled between a power source and a lighting module, the power source operable to generate an output voltage at a power source output;
- wherein, if the lighting module is coupled to the power source output, the power source is operable to generate a first output voltage to maintain a constant current level flowing through the lighting module; and
, if the lighting module is not coupled to the power source output, the power source is operable to generate a second output voltage at a maximum voltage limit for the power source;
the control apparatus comprising;a voltage control module adapted to be coupled to the power source output and operable to convert the output voltage generated by the power source to a controlled voltage independent of whether the output voltage generated by the power source is the first output voltage or the second output voltage;
wherein the voltage control module has a maximum input voltage equal to or greater than the maximum voltage limit of the power source; anda controller powered by the controlled voltage and operable to selectively couple the lighting module to the power source output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- wherein, if the lighting module is coupled to the power source output, the power source is operable to generate a first output voltage to maintain a constant current level flowing through the lighting module; and
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10. A system adapted to be coupled to a load module, the system comprising:
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a power source operable to generate an output voltage at a power source output;
wherein, if the load module is coupled to the power source output, the power source is operable to generate a first output voltage to maintain a constant current level flowing through the load module; and
, if the load module is not coupled to the power source output, the power source is operable to generate a second output voltage at a maximum voltage limit for the power source; anda control apparatus operable to selectively couple the load module to the power source output;
wherein the control apparatus is powered by the first output voltage when the lighting module is coupled to the power source output and is powered by the second output voltage when the lighting module is not coupled to the power source output;
wherein the control apparatus has a maximum input voltage equal to or greater than the maximum voltage limit of the power source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification