Method, system and apparatus for activating a lighting module using a buffer load module
First Claim
1. A control apparatus adapted to be coupled between a power source and a lighting module;
- wherein the power source is operable to generate an output voltage at a power source output; and
, 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;
the control apparatus comprising;
a buffer load module with a forward voltage less than the maximum voltage limit if current at the constant current level is flowing through the buffer load module; and
a controller operable to selectively couple the lighting module to the power source output;
wherein, after a period of deactivation in which the lighting module is not coupled to the power source output and the power source is generating the second output voltage at the maximum voltage limit, the controller is operable to selectively couple the buffer load module to the power source output during a buffer mode and subsequently to couple the lighting module to the power source;
wherein the output voltage generated by the power source is reduced from the maximum voltage limit during the buffer mode.
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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.
188 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control apparatus adapted to be coupled between a power source and a lighting module;
- wherein the power source is operable to generate an output voltage at a power source output; and
, 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;
the control apparatus comprising;a buffer load module with a forward voltage less than the maximum voltage limit if current at the constant current level is flowing through the buffer load module; and a controller operable to selectively couple the lighting module to the power source output;
wherein, after a period of deactivation in which the lighting module is not coupled to the power source output and the power source is generating the second output voltage at the maximum voltage limit, the controller is operable to selectively couple the buffer load module to the power source output during a buffer mode and subsequently to couple the lighting module to the power source;
wherein the output voltage generated by the power source is reduced from the maximum voltage limit during the buffer mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- wherein the power source is operable to generate an output voltage at a power source output; and
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11. A method of coupling a power source to a lighting module, wherein the power source is operable to generate an output voltage at a power source output;
- and, if the lighting module is coupled to the power source, 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, the power source is operable to generate a second output voltage at a maximum voltage limit;
the method comprising;after a period of deactivation in which the lighting module is not coupled to the power source output and the power source is generating the second output voltage at the maximum voltage limit, selectively coupling a buffer load module to the power source output during a buffer mode, the buffer load module with a forward voltage less than the maximum voltage limit if current at the constant current level is flowing through the buffer load module; and subsequently coupling the lighting module to the power source output;
wherein the output voltage generated by the power source is reduced from the maximum voltage limit during the buffer mode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- and, if the lighting module is coupled to the power source, 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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19. A system adapted to be coupled to a lighting module comprising:
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a power source operable to generate an output voltage at a power source output; and
, if the lighting module is coupled to the power source output, the power source 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 operable to generate a second output voltage at a maximum voltage limit;a buffer load module with a forward voltage less than the maximum voltage limit if current at the constant current level is flowing through the buffer load module; and a controller operable to selectively couple the lighting module to the power source output;
wherein, after a period of deactivation in which the lighting module is not coupled to the power source output and the power source is generating the second output voltage at the maximum voltage limit, the controller is operable to selectively couple the buffer load module to the power source output during a buffer mode and subsequently to couple the lighting module to the power source;
wherein the output voltage generated by the power source is reduced from the maximum voltage limit during the buffer mode. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification