U.S. patent application number 11/059960 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for dimmer circuit for led.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ledtronics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Emery Alan Brown, Pervaz Lodhie.
Application Number | 20060192502 11/059960 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36931423 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060192502 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Emery Alan ; et
al. |
August 31, 2006 |
DIMMER CIRCUIT FOR LED
Abstract
The AC output from a source is rectified and applied to a
resistor/Zener diode circuit connection which determines the
magnitude of the rectified voltage applied via a circuit to a first
MOSFET device. The inverted output of the first MOSFET device is
applied to the gate electrode of a second MOSFET device in a manner
such that the second MOSFET device is ON even when the AC output
passes through zero. The output of the second MOSFET device is
connected to a resistor which determines the magnitude of the load
applied to the dimmer.
Inventors: |
Brown; Emery Alan; (Tujunga,
CA) ; Lodhie; Pervaz; (Rolling Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IRVING KESCHNER
21535 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD
SUITE 385
TORRANCE
CA
90503
US
|
Assignee: |
Ledtronics, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36931423 |
Appl. No.: |
11/059960 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
315/308 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 323/905 20130101;
Y02B 20/00 20130101; H05B 39/044 20130101; H05B 45/31 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
315/308 |
International
Class: |
H05B 41/36 20060101
H05B041/36; H05B 39/04 20060101 H05B039/04 |
Claims
1. A circuit adapted for use with a dimmer wherein a predetermined
variable electrical load is made available to said dimmer, an AC
source applying power to said circuit comprising: means for
coupling the output of said AC dimmer to a rectifier; a first Zener
diode having an anode and first and second resistors connected in
series, said series connected components being in turn connected in
parallel with said rectifier; a second Zener diode having an anode
and cathode, said second Zener diode connected in parallel with
second resistor, the cathode of said second Zener diode being
connected to the node between the first and second resistors; a
third resistor connected between said second Zener diode cathode
and the gate electrode of a first MOSFET device, the drain
electrode of said first MOSFET device being coupled to the cathode
of a first diode, a third Zener diode and the sixth resistor; a
fourth and fifth resistor connected in series, said series
connection in turn connected in parallel with said rectifier; the
anode of said first Zener diode being connected to the junction of
said fourth and fifth resistor; and a sixth resistor connected to
the base electrode of a second MOSFET device having a drain
electrode, the drain electrode of said second MOSFET device being
connected to the cathode of said first Zener diode via a seventh
resistor, said seventh resistor and second MOSFET cooperating to
apply said electrical load to said dimmer.
2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said second MOSFET device is
activated during the time period when the power applied to said
circuit by said AC source is substantially between +10 volts and
zero volts and between -10 volts and zero volts.
3. The circuit of claim 2 wherein the value of said seventh
resistor is determined by the dimmer load required during the time
period when power is applied to the circuit by said AC source.
4. The circuit of claim 3 wherein the output of said dimmer is
coupled to a LED illumination device.
5. A dimmer system for controlling the illumination output form a
LED device comprising: means for generating an AC waveform; a
dimmer circuit coupled to said generating means and having an
output; rectifier means coupled to the output of said dimmer
circuit; means for controlling the value of a load applied to said
dimmer circuit; and a load coupled to said controlling means, said
load being coupled to said dimmer circuit, said dimmer circuit
being coupled to said LED device.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the value of said load is adjusted
during predetermined time periods of said AC waveform.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention provides a simplified and inexpensive
circuit for dimming light emitting diodes utilizing a conventional
TRIAC AC dimmer.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Circuits for dimming incandescent bulbs have been available
in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,819 to Wolff
discloses a light control/dimmer system that can be touch operated
and includes a programmable timer that controls the light attached
thereto by switching the device to an "OFF" position after a
predetermined time period. In most dimmers, the current will not go
to zero unless there is a minimum load provided by the device being
dimmed. Thus, the dimmer device typically has a minimum load placed
on it of approximately 5 watts.
[0005] Light emitting diodes ("LEDs) that provide a specific,
focused light output of a predetermined wavelength have been
available for a number of years. U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,996 to Lodhie
sets forth, inter alia, the advantages of using LEDs when compared
to conventional incandescent bulbs. LEDs, in addition to replacing
incandescent bulbs used in motor vehicles, have also been used for
signage and other display systems. The illumination output from
LEDs typically have a single intensity and are not easily adapted
to having multiple levels of intensity and thus to dimming.
Specifically, LEDs do not provide the minimum load necessary when
used with conventional dimmers. Those LED circuits with dimmer
devices draw higher power from the AC input source which, in turn,
generates relatively higher heat levels which is undesirable in LED
based circuits.
[0006] What is desired is to provide a circuit which enables LEDs
to be dimmed and wherein the power/heat levels generated during LED
use is substantially reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a circuit that supplies a
specialized load to a conventional AC dimmer which, in turn,
controls a LED device. The circuit draws limited power from the
energy source and also operates in a manner such that the heat
generated by the circuit is substantially reduced.
[0008] In particular, the AC output from a source is rectified and
applied to a resistor/Zener diode circuit connection which
determines the magnitude of the rectified voltage applied via a
circuit to a first MOSFET device. The inverted output of the first
MOSFET device is applied to the gate electrode of a second MOSFET
device in a manner such that the second MOSFET device is ON even
when the AC output passes through zero. The output of the second
MOSFET device is connected to a resistor which determines the
magnitude of the load applied to the dimmer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a better understanding of the present invention as well
as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to
the following description which is to be read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawing wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the dimmer system using the
circuit of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the dimming circuit of the present
invention; and
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates how the AC input waveform is acted upon
by the dimming system of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of the system 10 in
which the circuit 22 of the present invention is utilized is
illustrated.
[0014] The AC home power source 12 provides output leads 14 (the
"hot" lead) and 16 ("neutral"), lead 14 being coupled to a
conventional dimmer 18. The output lead 20 from dimmer 18,
corresponding to hot lead 14 is coupled to a first input of circuit
22 of the present invention, neutral lead 16 being coupled to a
second input of circuit 22. In the embodiment illustrated, the
output of circuit 22 is coupled to Edison base socket 24 having a
LED bulb 26 inserted therein. Although only a single LED bulb 26 is
shown, a plurality of such LED bulbs can be placed in parallel
across circuit 22. In an alternate arrangement, circuit 22 can be
combined with an Edison base and the resulting combination then
inserted into a conventional socket, thus eliminating the necessity
of a separate wiring connection for circuit 22.
[0015] As will be set forth hereinafter in more detail, circuit 22
provides a technique for providing a varying load to the dimmer
circuit 18 and absorbing leakage current therefrom, thus enabling
the proper dimming of LED devices with conventional dimmers.
[0016] Conventional dimming works by controlling the amount of
power furnished to the incandescent bulb; the greater the power
applied to the bulb, the more intense the generated illumination;
the lower the power applied to the bulb, the less intense the
generated illumination. As shown in FIG. 3, this is accomplished by
turning on the AC waveform generated by source 12 at different
times during the waveform cycle. Specifically, waveform 37
illustrates the "full off" state (i.e. output power from the dimmer
18 is zero since the dimmer triac is not triggered), waveform 39
illustrates the triac turn-on times ("dim" status), waveform 40
illustrates the triac turn-on timer ("bright status) and waveform
38 illustrates when the triac is continuously triggered
("turned-on" status). As noted hereinabove, incandescent bulbs
provide a minimum load when used with conventional dimmers. Since
LEDs consume so little power and actually will turn completely off
as the waveform voltage goes lower, a proper dimmer load is not
provided. The dimmer circuit 18 controls the waveform zero crossing
time with a triac but without a load the triac is not completely
turned off thereby not allowing the LEDs to be properly dimmed up
or down. Without a load, the leakage current from the triac will
cause the LEDs to glow even when dimmed or to flicker off without
dimming. A reasonable solution would be to place a load resistor in
parallel with the LEDs but it would draw 3-5 watts or more of power
thereby generating 3-5 watts or more or useless heat. Using the
above procedure to dim LED's is impractical since one of the
virtues of using LEDs in an illumination circuit is that low heat
levels are generated and low power levels are consumed. The circuit
as described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 2 eliminates this
problem by providing a mechanism of providing a load only when it
is necessary during the input AC waveform so the triac dimmer will
function properly although the total power used, and therefore the
total heat generated, is minimized thereby maintaining
significantly lower circuit power levels.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, the hot terminal 20 output from
dimmer 18 is coupled to node 30 of full wave bridge rectifier 32
via fuse F1 and neutral lead 16 is coupled to node 34 of rectifier
32. The positive output 33 from rectifier 32 is coupled to the
cathode of Zener diode ZD1 and a first terminal of resistor R4. The
anode of Zener diode ZD1 is connected to one terminal of resistor
R2, the other terminal of resistor R2 being connected to one
terminal of resistor R1. The connection node 36 between resistors
R1 and R2 is connected to the cathode of Zener diode ZD2 and to one
terminal of resistor R3, the other terminal of resistor R3 being
connected to the gate electrode of MOSFET Q1. The drain electrode
of MOSFET Q1 is coupled to the cathode of signal diode D1 and Zener
diode ZD3 and one terminal of resistor R6. The anode of diode D1 is
connected to node 33 of rectifier 32 via resistor R4. The anode of
diode D1 is also connected to a first terminal of resistor R5. The
anode of Zener diode ZD3 is connected to the source electrode of
MOSFET Q2, a second terminal of resistor R5, the source terminal of
MOSFET Q1, the anode of Zener diode ZD2 and a second terminal of
resistor of R1 which are directly coupled to node 35. The other
terminal of resistor R6 is connected to the gate electrode of
MOSFET Q2. The drain electrode of MOSFET Q2 is coupled to node 33
of rectifier 32 drain via resistor R7.
[0018] Typical values of the components shown in FIG. 2 are as
follows: [0019] D1--15V, 1.5W [0020] R22--910 Kohms, 1/4 W [0021]
R1--110 Kohms, 1/4 W [0022] ZD2--9.1V, 1 W [0023] R3--10 ohms, 1/4
W [0024] Q1--IRFD210 (200V, 0.6 A) [0025] R4--200 Kohms, 1/4 W
[0026] R5--91 Kohms, 1/4 W [0027] D1--IN 4148 [0028] ZD3--1N 4148
[0029] R6--10 ohms, 1/4 W [0030] Q2--IRFR9N20N (200V, 9.4 A) [0031]
R7--3.0 Kohms, 1/2 W
[0032] (the value of resistor R7, in accordance with the teachings
of the invention, is adjustable and depends on the required dimmer
load and can vary up to 9 Kohms and 1 W).
[0033] All the above components are available from Digi-Key
Corporation, Thief River Falls, Minn.
[0034] In operation, energy source 12 provides a live, or hot, AC
output on leads 20 and a ground voltage on neutral leads 16.
[0035] The AC output is coupled to full wave rectifier bridge
circuit 32, the output of circuit 32 at terminals 33 and 35 being a
series of full wave rectified sine waves of a single (positive)
polarity (waveform 41, FIG. 3). The output of circuit 32 is applied
across Zener diode ZD1 and resistors R1 and R2 and functions to
provide a window such that when the voltage thereacross goes above
a predetermined magnitude such as 10 volts, Zener diode ZD2 and
resistor R3 cooperate to turn on MOSFET Q1. Q1 inverts the input
thereto and the inverted output is applied to the input of MOSFET
Q2 to apply a bias thereto and, as a result, turn on Q2. Resistor
R6 enables a sufficient amount of residual charge to be applied to
the gate electrode of Q2 to keep Q2 on even though the input power
drops to zero. Thus, Q2 is maintained on when the input AC voltage
is in the range between -10V to +10V (waveform 42, FIG. 3) and
applies a load via resistor R7 across bridge rectifier 32 which, in
turn, applies a load across lines 16 and 20. When the voltage is
greater than 10 volts and regardless of polarity, the load is put
into a high impedance state thereby removing the load.
[0036] In effect, the required dimmer load is provided to the
dimmer at the needed time and removed when it would have no effect
except for drawing power, thereby creating the proper dimmer load
but only allowing a very low wattage to be added to the dimming
circuit.
[0037] It should be noted that the circuit described in FIG. 2 can
be used in a system having both LED and incandescent bulbs. Even
though the incandescent bulbs provide a load, the LEDs will respond
to the circuit as described hereinabove, and dim better than using
the incandescent bulbs for a load. The incandescent bulbs used with
this circuit will work as normal, in effect not responding to the
circuit.
[0038] In summary, the load for resistor R7 is coupled to the
dimmer circuit 18 by being shorted across the dimmer output. When
the MOSFET Q2 conducts it becomes, in essence, a piece of wire.
When MOSFET Q2 conducts it therefore puts the load resistor R7
directly across the output of the dimmer. The rectifier does not
interfere with the action of the load resistor R7 but since the
MOSFET Q2 is used to turn a polarized signal off and on, the
rectifier is necessary to assure that only a positive going power
signal is flowing through the MOSFET Q2 and the load resistor R7.
The dimmer circuit 18 output only sees the equivalent of a simple
load resistor across it.
[0039] As noted hereinabove, an AC dimmer device requires a load to
operate properly and most such dimmers operate using a triac.
Although a triac is an inexpensive component that works well for AC
dimming, it causes problems when used with LEDs.
[0040] First, there is a current leakage through the triac even
when the triac is in the off mode. This causes the leakage current
to light up an LED even when such small leakage current would not
light an incandescent bulb.
[0041] In addition, the triac is triggered by its dimmer circuitry,
and once triggered, the triac continues to conduct until the
current through it stops. This does not work with DC circuits (used
with LED circuits) because the current never stops but on an AC
circuit the current goes to zero every time the power goes to zero
(120 times a second on a standard 60 Hz power line). However, most
dimmers require a minimum load to draw power out of the dimmer
circuit to enable the triac to turn off properly so that the
incandescent bulb would be illuminated at the right time. The
dimmer does not operate properly without a load and the circuit of
the present invention supplies a load at the right time without the
waste of power which would occur using a power load resistor.
[0042] While the invention has been described with reference to its
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true
spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications
may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the
teachings of the invention without departing from its essential
teachings.
* * * * *