Lighting apparatus

The lighting apparatus includes a LED module, a constant current source, a bridge rectifier, a silicon-controlled rectifier, a wireless module and a detector. The lighting apparatus receives an alternating current power to generate a light. The constant current source provides a driving current to the LED module. The bridge rectifier converts the alternating current power of a first frequency to a direct current power with a second frequency. The second frequency is two times of the first frequency. The silicon-controlled rectifier is connected to the alternating current power and the bridge rectifier for adjusting the direct current power with a chopping signal. The wireless module receives an external control signal. The detector generates a dimming control signal supplied to the constant current source to adjust the driving current according to both the external control signal and the chopping signal.

FIELD

The present invention is related to a lighting apparatus, and more particularly related to a lighting apparatus with a smart control design.

BACKGROUND

The time when the darkness is being lighten up by the light, human have noticed the need of lighting up this planet. Light has become one of the necessities we live with through the day and the night. During the darkness after sunset, there is no natural light, and human have been finding ways to light up the darkness with artificial light. From a torch, candles to the light we have nowadays, the use of light have been changed through decades and the development of lighting continues on.

Early human found the control of fire which is a turning point of the human history. Fire provides light to bright up the darkness that have allowed human activities to continue into the darker and colder hour of the hour after sunset. Fire gives human beings the first form of light and heat to cook food, make tools, have heat to live through cold winter and lighting to see in the dark.

Lighting is now not to be limited just for providing the light we need, but it is also for setting up the mood and atmosphere being created for an area. Proper lighting for an area needs a good combination of daylight conditions and artificial lights. There are many ways to improve lighting in a better cost and energy saving. LED lighting, a solid-state lamp that uses light-emitting diodes as the source of light, is a solution when it comes to energy-efficient lighting. LED lighting provides lower cost, energy saving and longer life span.

The major use of the light emitting diodes is for illumination. The light emitting diodes is recently used in light bulb, light strip or light tube for a longer lifetime and a lower energy consumption of the light. The light emitting diodes shows a new type of illumination which brings more convenience to our lives. Nowadays, light emitting diode light may be often seen in the market with various forms and affordable prices.

After the invention of LEDs, the neon indicator and incandescent lamps are gradually replaced. However, the cost of initial commercial LEDs was extremely high, making them rare to be applied for practical use. Also, LEDs only illuminated red light at early stage. The brightness of the light only could be used as indicator for it was too dark to illuminate an area. Unlike modern LEDs which are bound in transparent plastic cases, LEDs in early stage were packed in metal cases.

In 1878, Thomas Edison tried to make a usable light bulb after experimenting different materials. In November 1879, Edison filed a patent for an electric lamp with a carbon filament and keep testing to find the perfect filament for his light bulb. The highest melting point of any chemical element, tungsten, was known by Edison to be an excellent material for light bulb filaments, but the machinery needed to produce super-fine tungsten wire was not available in the late 19th century. Tungsten is still the primary material used in incandescent bulb filaments today.

Early candles were made in China in about 200 BC from whale fat and rice paper wick. They were made from other materials through time, like tallow, spermaceti, colza oil and beeswax until the discovery of paraffin wax which made production of candles cheap and affordable to everyone. Wick was also improved over time that made from paper, cotton, hemp and flax with different times and ways of burning. Although not a major light source now, candles are still here as decorative items and a light source in emergency situations. They are used for celebrations such as birthdays, religious rituals, for making atmosphere and as a decor.

Illumination has been improved throughout the times. Even now, the lighting device we used today are still being improved. From the illumination of the sun to the time when human can control fire for providing illumination which changed human history, we have been improving the lighting source for a better efficiency and sense. From the invention of candle, gas lamp, electric carbon arc lamp, kerosene lamp, light bulb, fluorescent lamp to LED lamp, the improvement of illumination shows the necessity of light in human lives.

There are various types of lighting apparatuses. When cost and light efficiency of LED have shown great effect compared with traditional lighting devices, people look for even better light output. It is important to recognize factors that can bring more satisfaction and light quality and flexibility.

It is important to provide a flexible design of light devices to meet requirements of people.

When the control may be made from several sources, it is beneficial to make the design system more clever to provide more value to users.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a lighting apparatus includes a LED module, a constant current source, a bridge rectifier, a silicon-controlled rectifier, a wireless module and a detector.

The lighting apparatus receives an alternating current power to generate a light.

The constant current source provides a driving current to the LED module.

The bridge rectifier converts the alternating current power of a first frequency to a direct current power with a second frequency.

The second frequency is two times of the first frequency.

The silicon-controlled rectifier is connected to the alternating current power and the bridge rectifier for adjusting the direct current power with a chopping signal.

The wireless module receives an external control signal.

The detector generates a dimming control signal supplied to the constant current source to adjust the driving current according to both the external control signal and the chopping signal.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a DC-DC converter for converting the direct current power source to a constant direct current supplied to the constant current source.

In some embodiments, the silicon-controlled rectifier is a TRIAC device, and the chopping signal is a TRIAC signal corresponding to a conductive angle for conducting a ratio of a current of the bridge rectifier.

In some embodiments, the dimming control signal is a PWM signal for adjusting the driving current based on a duty ratio of the PWM signal.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a power supply for providing a working power to the wireless module and the detector.

In some embodiments, the detector has a priority setting for determining a priority order between the external control signal and the chopping signal.

In some embodiments, the priority setting controls the detector to output the dimming control signal completely based on the external control signal.

In some embodiments, the detector determines the dimming control signal according to the chopping signal with a ratio determined by the external control signal.

In some embodiments, when the external control signal is not received, the detector uses the chopping signal to determine the dimming control signal.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a manual switch connected to the detector for changing the priority setting.

In some embodiments, the chopping signal is converted to a digital value by the detector to determine the dimming control signal.

In some embodiments, the digital value corresponding to multiple control values respectively corresponding to multiple LED devices of the LED module to generate a mixed light.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED devices have different color temperatures, and a mixed color temperature of the mixed light is adjusted by changing the multiple control values.

In some embodiments, the driving current includes multiple sub driving currents respectively supplied to the multiple LED devices.

In some embodiments, the detector converted the chopping signal to the wireless module to generate a status signal sent to an external device.

In some embodiments, the external device generates the external control signal based on the status signal.

The external control signal has a set of commands sent to the detector.

In some embodiments, the detector determines the dimming control signal based on the set of commands to generate multiple sub driving currents to multiple LED devices of the LED module.

In some embodiments, different chopping signals correspond to different set of commands.

The external device references a table to perform the mapping between the status signal and the set of commands.

In some embodiments, the external control signal has a value to disable reference to the chopping signal of the detector.

In some embodiments, the wireless module has a detachable antenna module and a wireless processor.

The detachable antenna module is replaced with a different detachable antenna module to change a different wireless protocol but with the same wireless processor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer toFIG. 8, which illustrates a lighting apparatus embodiment. The lighting apparatus includes a LED module706, a constant current source706, a bridge rectifier703, a silicon-controlled rectifier702, a wireless module707and a detector708.

The lighting apparatus receives an alternating current power701to generate a light. The light is generated by the LED module706, known to persons of ordinary skilled in the art, and thus not illustrated onFIG. 8.

The LED module706may include multiple LED devices7061,7062,7063of the same or different types. For example, when different types of LED devices are used, different driving currents may be supplied to these LED devices to mix a required color or a required color temperature.

The constant current source705provides a driving current that includes three sub driving currents7064,7065,7066to three LED devices7061,7062,7063of the LED module706.

The bridge rectifier703converts the alternating current power701of a first frequency to a direct current power with a second frequency. For example, the input alternating current power is 50 Hz 110V alternating current power. The bridge rectifier703converts the alternating current power to a 100 Hz direct current power. In other words, there is a variation on the direct current power and the changing frequency is 100 Hz. Compared with half wave rectifier that cuts half of input of alternating current input, such rectifier saves more power during conversion. In some other embodiments, half wave rectifier may be used.

The second frequency is two times of the first frequency.

The silicon-controlled rectifier is connected to the alternating current power and the bridge rectifier for adjusting the direct current power with a chopping signal. TRIAC device is an example of such silicon-controlled rectifier. The TRIAC device is connected to a rotator device to generate a TRIAC control signal that determines a conductive angle so as to control a volume of the current generated by the bridge rectifier703.

The wireless module707receives an external control signal from an external device710like a remote server, a remote control, a mobile phone or other control device.

The detector708generates a dimming control signal711supplied to the constant current source705to adjust the driving current according to both the external control signal713and the chopping signal713. The chopping signal713is hidden in the power signal and may be extracted from the signal line.FIG. 8illustrates a way to obtain the chopping signal related to a conductive angle of the silicon control rectifier.

In other words, the detector may reference both the chopping signal derived from the silicon-controlled rectifier and the external control signal from a remote device.

The silicon-controlled rectifier and the constant current source are known to persons of ordinary skilled in the art and are not repeated for describing their examples for brevity.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a DC-DC converter704for converting the direct current power source to a constant direct current supplied to the constant current source705. For example, the DC-DC converter converts a low voltage DC power to a high voltage DC power. The DC-DC convert in this example is a constant voltage circuit, which is also known to persons skilled in the art and is not explained in more details for brevity. The key of the present invention is not on these separate components but on how to combine these components.

In some embodiments, the silicon-controlled rectifier is a TRIAC device, and the chopping signal is a TRIAC signal corresponding to a conductive angle for conducting a ratio of a current of the bridge rectifier. TRIAC circuits are widely used, and very common in AC power control applications. These circuits have the ability to switch high voltages, as well as very high levels of current in the two parts of an AC waveform. They are semiconductor devices, similar to a diode.

TRIAC's ability to switch high voltages makes it an ideal choice for use in diverse electrical control applications. This means it can work to suit everyday lighting-control needs. TRIAC circuits are used for more than just domestic lighting though, they are also utilized when controlling fans and small motors, and also in other AC switching and control applications.

TRIAC stands for Triode for Alternating Current, and is a switch that is used to control power. When used in lighting applications, it's commonly referred to as ‘TRIAC dimming’. TRIAC control works via a gate electrode when a positive or negative voltage is applied.

Triggering the circuit allows conduction of electricity until the current falls below the intended threshold. In this case, a TRIAC allows for high voltage to pass through with very small control currents.

Using phase control, a TRIAC can control the percentage of current that flows through a circuit load.

In some embodiments, the dimming control signal is a PWM signal for adjusting the driving current based on a duty ratio of the PWM signal. PWM refers to Pulse Width Modulation. PWM controlled power source is known to persons skilled in the art and persons skilled in the art may select any PWM component to implement this present invention based on the disclosure provided here.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a power supply709for providing a working power to the wireless module707and the detector708.

In some embodiments, the detector has a priority setting for determining a priority order between the external control signal and the chopping signal.

In some embodiments, the priority setting controls the detector to output the dimming control signal completely based on the external control signal.

In some embodiments, the detector determines the dimming control signal according to the chopping signal with a ratio determined by the external control signal.

In some embodiments, when the external control signal is not received, the detector uses the chopping signal to determine the dimming control signal.

In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may also include a manual switch715connected to the detector708for changing the priority setting.

In some embodiments, the chopping signal is converted to a digital value by the detector to determine the dimming control signal.

In some embodiments, the digital value corresponding to multiple control values respectively corresponding to multiple LED devices of the LED module to generate a mixed light.

In some embodiments, the multiple LED devices have different color temperatures, and a mixed color temperature of the mixed light is adjusted by changing the multiple control values.

In some embodiments, the driving current includes multiple sub driving currents,7064,7065,7066respectively supplied to the multiple LED devices7061,7062,7063.

In some embodiments, the detector converted the chopping signal to the wireless module to generate a status signal sent to an external device.

In some embodiments, the external device generates the external control signal based on the status signal. In such embodiments, the wireless module707not only receives the external control signal, but also sends a status to the external device710.

The external control signal has a set of commands sent to the detector. For example, when user rotates a TRIAC button, a chopping signal is generated. Usually, a TRIAC button is only used for increasing or decreasing a light intensity level. With such design, the TRIAC signal is interpreted with a different meaning by the detector, and also by the external device.

In other words, the external device and/or the detector may convert the chopping signal to different meanings based on a predetermined table or a configuration. When the set of commands are determined by the external device, the meaning may be changed even dynamically. The set of commands are electronic signals and thus are not particularly illustrated in the drawings but should be known to persons skilled in the art based on the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the detector determines the dimming control signal based on the set of commands to generate multiple sub driving currents to multiple LED devices of the LED module.

In some embodiments, different chopping signals correspond to different set of commands. For example, when the TRIAC rotator provides a value between 0 to 100, 0-10 may be converted to a first color temperature and 40-50 may be converted to a second color temperature.

The external device references a table to perform the mapping between the status signal and the set of commands. The table is a mapping relation stored in a storage device of the detector. The detector may be an integrated circuit chip and the storage is an embedded memory device.

In some embodiments, the external control signal has a value to disable reference to the chopping signal of the detector. In other words, in such case, no matter how users operate the TRIAC button, the final result is not related to the TRIAC button operation.

In some embodiments, the wireless module has a detachable antenna module7071and a wireless processor7072.

The detachable antenna module7071is replaced with a different detachable antenna module to change a different wireless protocol but with the same wireless processor. In such embodiment, the wireless module may have a socket for plugging antenna modules of different protocols like Bluetooth, Zig-B and may be modified by plugging required antenna module while using the same wireless processor7072.

Please refer toFIG. 1, which shows a block diagram of a lighting apparatus embodiment. InFIG. 1, an external power10is connected to a TRIAC device20and a rectifier30. Users may use a TRIAC button to operate the TRIAC device20to generate a chopping signal to adjust output of the rectifier30, e.g. by changing a control angle and a conductive angle.

A dimming control device may include a constant current source300and a detector100. The detector controller100receives an external control signal from an external device50.

The detector detects a chopping signal of the TRIAC device20and the external control signal of the external device50to determine a final dimming control signal sent to the constant current source200to generate a corresponding driving current to the light source40. For example, the constant current source200is a constant current source generator controlled by a PWM signal.

FIG. 2shows a more detailed example ofFIG. 1. In addition to the components mentioned above, the detector controller100has a detector120and a wireless module110.

FIG. 3shows a variation of the example ofFIG. 2. In addition to the components mentioned inFIG. 2, there is a power supply130to supplying proper power to the detector120and the wireless module110.

FIG. 4shows an exemplary circuit diagram for the detector120. The components inFIG. 3are also illustrated for showing their relation to the components of the detector120.

An integrated circuit U4is connected to resistors R11, R12, R13, R14, capacitor C11, diodes D11, D12for extracting the chopping signal in the generated direct current power. The external control signal is also received from the wireless module110.

FIG. 5shows a power supply130example diagram. InFIG. 5, an integrated circuit of power supply is connected to a diode D5, D6, D7, capacitors CD3, CD4, C7, conductor L4, resistors R12, R13, R14to create a stable power providing to the detector and the wireless module.

FIG. 6shows another example. InFIG. 6, in addition to the components mentioned above, the constant current source200includes a DC-DC converter210and a constant current source circuit220. The DC-DC converter working with the constant current source circuit makes a better driver circuit to improve light quality.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.