The present invention relates generally to power supplies utilized in lighting control applications and, more specifically, to power supplies used to power internal dimmer circuits.
A common application for a two wire connection circuit is to power the internal control of a dimmer. Conventional power supplies for two line dimmers are often based on a linear analog approach, including different capacitor charging schemes with a linear post regulator. Examples of power supplies utilizing this approach are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,334,184; 4,504,778; 4,678,985; and 5,600,552. These designs have a number of drawbacks, including bulky components and inefficiency, as they can draw current while the device is in its OFF state. These power supplies also sometimes have high implementation costs.
A switching power supply can avoid the above-noted problems. A switch mode power supply regulates by switching a transistor between saturation (fully on) and cutoff (fully off). When the transistor turns on, energy is delivered to an inductor, and in some cases to the output capacitor and load. When the transistor turns off, the stored energy in the inductor is delivered to an output filter capacitor and a load. The transistor is operating either at full current and minimum voltage, or at full voltage and minimum current, which results in little wasted power. Efficiencies of switch mode power supplies are typically in the range of 80% to 95%, and in some instances even higher. Switching frequencies may range from 25 kHz to over 1 MHz, with 100 kHz to 400 KHz being a typical range. In an off line switch mode power supply (AC mains at 50 Hz or 60 Hz), a transformer which is sometimes needed for isolation operates with a core flux in the frequency range noted above, which is very much higher than 50 or 60 Hz. This results in a core which is much smaller and lighter compared to a conventional power supply. Also, since much less heat is generated due to high efficiency, smaller parts and smaller heat sinks can be used; in some power supplies the PC board alone can act as a sufficient heat sink.
Another advantage of a switch mode power supply is that the input voltage need not be higher than the output voltage. While a linear regulator can only step down, a switch mode power supply can step up or down and can have a negative output voltage. Furthermore, a linear regulator can neither boost nor switch polarity.
A block diagram of a typical dimmer using a switching device is shown in
The power supply 18 for a dimmer is typically connected across the switching device terminals. The design of this type of power supply can be a problem because the available AC power source will normally depend on the status of the load. For example, when the dimmer is at its full ON position the AC input can be utilized only for a short time period close to the zero crossing; this limits the amount of power available for the circuit power supply 18.
The minimum operating voltage represents a restriction on the switching device of the switch mode power supply which may be critical for lighting applications. As shown in
The present invention addresses the above-noted problems by providing a switching power supply circuit in which the input voltage level is increased, thereby improving the performance of the switching power supply. A voltage multiplier such as a voltage doubler circuit is introduced between the load switching device and the input to the switching power supply. The voltage multiplier permits stable operation of the power supply even at low voltages.
According to an aspect of the invention, a power supply circuit for providing power to internal circuits of a lighting dimmer device is adapted to be connected to a source of potential; the power supply circuit includes a voltage multiplier, a switching power supply, and a linear post regulator. The voltage multiplier is adapted to be coupled to the source of potential to provide an output signal of at least double the source of potential; the switching power supply is coupled to the voltage multiplier to receive the multiplied voltage as an input. The linear post regulator is interposed between the switching power supply and the internal circuits of the dimmer device.
According to another aspect of the invention, a power supply circuit for connection to a lighting dimmer device is provided which includes a voltage doubler circuit, a filter circuit, a switching power supply, and a linear regulator circuit In one embodiment, the voltage doubler circuit includes a first stage having a first capacitor and a first diode, and a second stage having a second capacitor and a second diode. The switching power supply may include a feedback circuit, and may be a non-isolated power supply. In an embodiment, the dimmer device is variable between an OFF position and a full ON position, and the circuit is effective to provide power for operation of the switching power supply while the dimmer device is in the full ON position.
Referring to
In this embodiment, power supply 38 is a non-isolated switching power supply with feedback determining the output voltage. It will be appreciated that an isolated power supply may also be used. In addition, the input of circuit 40 may be connected to an AC source other than AC mains power having line and neutral terminals as shown in
While the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is evident in view of the foregoing description that numerous alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the scope and spirit of the invention and the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/730,981, filed Oct. 27, 2005.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60730981 | Oct 2005 | US |