EP0053896A1 - Régulateur de luminosité - Google Patents

Régulateur de luminosité Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0053896A1
EP0053896A1 EP81305579A EP81305579A EP0053896A1 EP 0053896 A1 EP0053896 A1 EP 0053896A1 EP 81305579 A EP81305579 A EP 81305579A EP 81305579 A EP81305579 A EP 81305579A EP 0053896 A1 EP0053896 A1 EP 0053896A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
circuit
power
dimmer device
emitting unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP81305579A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Borge Riis Jensen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SA Patscentre Benelux Nv
Original Assignee
SA Patscentre Benelux Nv
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SA Patscentre Benelux Nv filed Critical SA Patscentre Benelux Nv
Publication of EP0053896A1 publication Critical patent/EP0053896A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B39/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources
    • H05B39/04—Controlling
    • H05B39/08—Controlling by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices
    • H05B39/083—Controlling by shifting phase of trigger voltage applied to gas-filled controlling tubes also in controlled semiconductor devices by the variation-rate of light intensity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a light dimmer device and in particular to such a device for connection between a light emitting unit and a source of electrical power to the light emitting unit.
  • a dimming regulator circuit in the path between the mains power source and a light unit; the circuit is generally incorporated in a housing intended to replace the conventional light switch, and relies on a semi-conductor switch, such as a triac, being turned on during just a portion of the mains voltage cycle so as to reduce the average power to the light and hence dim the light.
  • the triac is generally controlled by the setting of a potentiometer provided in the switch housing which the user operates to provide a continuously variable range of dimmed settings from full illumination to no illumination.
  • Such light dimmers have the disadvantage that they must be incorporated in place of the conventional light switch if the light unit to be controlled is connected directly to the household wiring. This will normally require the services of an electrician. Furthermore, this type of light dimmer is relatively expensive. Also, once the dimmer has been installed, there is no flexibility of use in that the dimmer is committed to controlling that particular light unit or units to which it is connected; the dimmer would need to be removed and re-installed in order to change its usage to a different light.
  • the present invention provides a light dimmer device of the above type having a dimming regulator circuit for regulating the intensity of illumination of an associated light emitting unit, characterised in that there is provided a detector circuit responsive to interruption of the electrical power source, the regulator circuit being responsive to detection of an interruption by the detector circuit to regulate the power to the light emitting unit and hence the intensity of illumination thereof.
  • the preferred embodiment of the invention provides a device in the form of an adaptor which may be fitted into a light socket, a light bulb being inserted into the adaptor.
  • the device is then responsive to interruption of the mains supply by means of the conventional light switch to control the light intensity.
  • the preferred mode of operation is for the device to provide substantially full power to the light when turned on initially; if subsequently the light switch is turned off and on again within a predetermined time, the device will reduce the power supplied to the light to provide a dimmed setting.
  • the dimmer device itself need have no control switches or knobs built in its housing since control of whether the full or a dimmed setting is to be provided is externally and remotely determined by suitable activation of the conventional light switch.
  • the preferred form of dimmer device includes an externally settable potentiometer, but this is used to preset the dimmed setting to a desired level, remote control between this setting and the substantially full power setting being maintained.
  • the device can readily be fitted into any light socket without specialised electrical knowledge; also it can easily be removed and fitted into a different socket if required.
  • a single dimmed setting is usually sufficient, but the device could readily be adapted to provide more than one dimmed setting as well as the full illumination setting.
  • a continuously variable arrangement might have a steadily decreasing light intensity which could be halted at a desired level by a'short interruption of the mains by the light switch.
  • the device is connected to the mains supply through terminals 10 and controls the intensity of a light 11 through a regulator 12 responsive via a line 13 to a detector 14.
  • a power supply 15 provides low voltage power to the detector 14 and also, if required, to regulator 12, this latter connection being shown by broken line 16 to denote that it is only provided when the regulator requires a low voltage supply.
  • the detector 14 also conveniently detects interruption of the mains supply by monitoring the output of the low voltage power supply 15.
  • the regulator 12 In operation, when mains voltage is applied to terminals 10 upon operation of the remote conventional switch (not shown), the regulator 12 initially applies substantially full power to the light 11. This state can be maintained if desired. Should a dimmed setting be required, the light switch is turned off and then on again thereby interrupting power to the terminals 10 for a predetermined time, such as two seconds, and the detector 14 responds to the interruption (via low voltage power supply 15) to set the regulator 12 to a dimmed setting. The sequence of events could be reversed if desired so that the lower setting comes on first and the higher setting after the power interruption.
  • the low voltage power supply 15 includes a resistor R1 and zener diode D1 connected across terminals 10, a diode D2 being connected to the junction therebetween, and an electrolytic capacitor C1 and resistor R2 connected in parallel across the output of the diode D2.
  • the zener diode D1 is chosen to provide a stabilised voltage suitable for the circuits to be powered, e.g. 9.1V.
  • a further diode D3 is connected between diode D2 and the output of the power supply V cc .
  • the detector 14 is based around two cross-coupled NAND gates G1, G2 forming an RS flip-flop 20. These gates are conveniently available on a single integrated circuit.
  • the R input to the flip-flop is taken from the output of circuit 15, and the S input is taken from the cathode of diode D3 via resistors R3, R4, an electrolytic capacitor C2 being connected between the junction of resistors R3, R4 and the neutral line.
  • the Q output of flip-flop 20 is connected via a resistor R5 to the gate of an FET switch T1 forming part of the regulator 12.
  • FET switch T1 provides a means of selectively connecting a capacitor C3 in parallel with a capacitor C4 which forms part of a conventional phase control circuit further comprising a potentiometer P1, resistor R6, diac D4 and triac TR.
  • Capacitor C4 is of considerably lower value than capacitor C3 as will be explained; typically capacitor C3 is 47nF and C4 is 2.2 nF.
  • the regulator 12 provides two levels of illumination in light 11, dependent on whether FET switch T1 is switched on or not, i.e. whether the capacitance in the phase control circuit is C4 or C3 + C4.
  • Resistor R6 is included to prevent the possibility of the potentiomete P1 being adjsted to an excessively low (or zero) resistance value and thereby upset the setting of the phase control.
  • the firing angle of triac TR will always be kept below a negligeable value, e.g. 20 degrees; such a phase angle will give substantially full power to the light since the "lost" portion of the waveform is just after the zero crossing and hence of very low amplitude. Variation of potentiometer P1 resistance under these conditions will provide such minimal change in illumination as to be unnoticeable in practice.
  • An RS flip-flop has the following truth table:
  • capacitor C1 discharges rapidly through resistor R2, but capacitor C2 discharges slowly as a function of resistances R3 and R4, leakage currents through capacitor C2 and diode D3, and the input bias current to gate Gl. It will be seen that the combined leakage path presented by these components should be arranged to present an effective resistance much greater than that of resistor R2.
  • a further resistor can alternatively be connected in parallel with capacitor C2 so as to define the discharge time constant more precisely.
  • Capacitor C2 Since the discharge time of capacitor C2 is much slower than that of capacitor Cl, a logical "one" is maintained at the S input, the R input having gone to “zero” due to the rapid discharge of capacitor Cl.
  • Capacitor C2 also provides the supply voltage Vcc to the integrated circuit forming the gates Gl and G2. From the truth table, it can be seen that when the S input is at “one” and the R input at “zero", the Q output is at "zero”. If the light switch is turned on again within the time period before the capacitor C2 has discharged to a voltage below the threshold of the gate G1, the flip-flop 20 will again have logical “ones” at both R and S inputs and the Q output will hold the previous "zero". The FET switch T1 therefore puts the regulator circuit 12 into the dimmed state, the degree of dimming depending on the settir of potentiometer P1.
  • potentiometer P1 can be omitted and a fixed resistor substituted.
  • Controlling light intensity by triggering a triac has the disadvantage of gen.eration of radio frequency interferences having an energy spectrum of amplitude inversely proportional to frequency.
  • Capacitor C5 and inductor L are included as shown to suppress such interference. With a value of inductance L of 3mH and capacitance C5 of 100nF, adequate suppression is provided in accordance with British Standard BS 800 and similar standards as recommended by CISPR (Comite International Special des Perturbations Radio- etc.).
  • a toroidal coil wound on a core provides a suitable inductor.
  • FIG. 3 shows a partly schematic cross-section of an adaptor suitable for housing the dimmer circuit.
  • suitable terminations for input 31 and output 32 Within the housing 30 of the adaptor are included suitable terminations for input 31 and output 32, the toroidal coil L positioned around the output socket part of the adaptor, the interference suppression capacitor C5 and a thick film circuit 34 carrying the majority of the electronic components including the potentiometer P1 provided with an external control knob 35.
  • the adaptor is used in a vertical downwardly suspended light fitting (such as a ceiling fitting) the effect of heat can be minimised by positioning the circuit 34 off centre as shown.
  • a heat sensitive device such as a thermistor, can be incorporated in the power line to switch off the light if the temperature becomes excessive.
  • the circuit can be provided at any other position between the light switch and the light-emitting element, e.g - it can be built into an actual light fitting, rather than in an adaptor for insertion between the fitting and the bulb.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
EP81305579A 1980-11-28 1981-11-25 Régulateur de luminosité Withdrawn EP0053896A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8038172 1980-11-28
GB8038172 1980-11-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0053896A1 true EP0053896A1 (fr) 1982-06-16

Family

ID=10517623

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81305579A Withdrawn EP0053896A1 (fr) 1980-11-28 1981-11-25 Régulateur de luminosité

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0053896A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS5871592A (fr)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2146183A (en) * 1981-08-03 1985-04-11 David John Martin Lamp-dimmer unit
GB2155706A (en) * 1984-02-07 1985-09-25 Diehl Gmbh & Co A device for measuring the relative humidity of the air
GB2155708A (en) * 1984-02-24 1985-09-25 Colin Robert Francis Electrical devices
GB2187018A (en) * 1984-02-24 1987-08-26 Colin Robert Francis Hazzard or security monitoring device
US5294849A (en) * 1982-04-29 1994-03-15 Potter Bronson M Reflexive circuit
EP0818944A1 (fr) * 1996-07-09 1998-01-14 Rudolf Schmidt Dispositif de réglage de l'intensité lumineuse, en particulier pour lampe de poche
US5798620A (en) * 1996-12-17 1998-08-25 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Fluorescent lamp dimming
US5900392A (en) * 1998-07-24 1999-05-04 Loeffler Chemical Corporation Aqueous belt lubricant composition based on fatty alkyl propylene tettramines and fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers and method for lubricating belt conveyor systems
GB2381674A (en) * 2001-11-01 2003-05-07 Lawrence George Gray Lamp dimmer
GB2397706A (en) * 2003-01-21 2004-07-28 George Albert Skyner Light dimmer device
WO2010062156A1 (fr) * 2008-11-28 2010-06-03 Antunano San Martin Fernando Atténuateur de lumière
US7777427B2 (en) 2005-06-06 2010-08-17 Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. Methods and apparatus for implementing power cycle control of lighting devices based on network protocols
US9137865B2 (en) 2009-12-08 2015-09-15 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Driver for a solid state lamp
CN105264764A (zh) * 2013-10-28 2016-01-20 巨铠实业股份有限公司 直流变频电动机控制装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3573543A (en) * 1969-02-10 1971-04-06 Melvyn B Grindstaff Variable light intensity lamp socket having semiconductor mounted on heat sink thermally isolated from lamp base
FR2330244A2 (fr) * 1975-10-30 1977-05-27 Transeco Sa Procede et appareillage permettant la reduction de puissance des lampes a recharge

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3573543A (en) * 1969-02-10 1971-04-06 Melvyn B Grindstaff Variable light intensity lamp socket having semiconductor mounted on heat sink thermally isolated from lamp base
FR2330244A2 (fr) * 1975-10-30 1977-05-27 Transeco Sa Procede et appareillage permettant la reduction de puissance des lampes a recharge

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2146183A (en) * 1981-08-03 1985-04-11 David John Martin Lamp-dimmer unit
US5294849A (en) * 1982-04-29 1994-03-15 Potter Bronson M Reflexive circuit
GB2155706A (en) * 1984-02-07 1985-09-25 Diehl Gmbh & Co A device for measuring the relative humidity of the air
GB2155708A (en) * 1984-02-24 1985-09-25 Colin Robert Francis Electrical devices
GB2187018A (en) * 1984-02-24 1987-08-26 Colin Robert Francis Hazzard or security monitoring device
EP0818944A1 (fr) * 1996-07-09 1998-01-14 Rudolf Schmidt Dispositif de réglage de l'intensité lumineuse, en particulier pour lampe de poche
US5798620A (en) * 1996-12-17 1998-08-25 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Fluorescent lamp dimming
US5900392A (en) * 1998-07-24 1999-05-04 Loeffler Chemical Corporation Aqueous belt lubricant composition based on fatty alkyl propylene tettramines and fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers and method for lubricating belt conveyor systems
GB2381674A (en) * 2001-11-01 2003-05-07 Lawrence George Gray Lamp dimmer
GB2381674B (en) * 2001-11-01 2006-03-15 Lawrence George Gray Improvements in and relating to electrical controls
GB2397706A (en) * 2003-01-21 2004-07-28 George Albert Skyner Light dimmer device
US7777427B2 (en) 2005-06-06 2010-08-17 Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. Methods and apparatus for implementing power cycle control of lighting devices based on network protocols
WO2010062156A1 (fr) * 2008-11-28 2010-06-03 Antunano San Martin Fernando Atténuateur de lumière
US9137865B2 (en) 2009-12-08 2015-09-15 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Driver for a solid state lamp
CN105264764A (zh) * 2013-10-28 2016-01-20 巨铠实业股份有限公司 直流变频电动机控制装置
EP3065288A4 (fr) * 2013-10-28 2017-09-27 Jaguar Precision Industry CO., LTD Appareil de commande pour moteur à courant continu à fréquence variable
US9899947B2 (en) 2013-10-28 2018-02-20 Jaguar Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Control apparatus for DC inverter electric motor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5871592A (ja) 1983-04-28

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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Effective date: 19821209

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Effective date: 19840602

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Inventor name: JENSEN, BORGE RIIS