AC LED Circuit Assembly for Flicker Reduction and Voltage Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AC-driven LED circuits face challenges in matching voltage requirements and producing objectionable flicker, particularly at low frequencies, which complicates lighting fixture design and reduces light output.
Innovation Solution
The development of scalable AC-driven LED circuits and assemblies that mitigate flicker by configuring LEDs to operate during both positive and negative phases of an AC source, allowing for modular scalability and improved light output through parallel and series connections of LED branches, and using discrete packaging with close spatial arrangements to reduce flicker perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LEDs are connected in simple series or parallel configurations, then the circuit design is simple, but the voltage requirements cannot be matched for different lighting fixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is divided into multiple bridge circuits, each containing a specific number of LEDs in series. These bridge circuits are then connected in parallel to form the complete LED circuit. This segmentation allows flexible configuration to match different voltage requirements while maintaining manageable circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional configuration approach: within each bridge circuit, LEDs are arranged in series (one dimension), and multiple bridge circuits are connected in parallel (second dimension). This dimensional approach enables scalable voltage matching by adjusting the number of series LEDs per bridge and the number of parallel bridges.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If AC-driven LEDs are used without special circuit configuration, then the circuit operation is simple, but objectionable flicker occurs at low frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different circuit configurations to different parts of the LED circuit. Specifically, certain bridge circuits are configured with an odd number of series LEDs while others use an even number, creating local variations in how each bridge responds to the AC waveform. This local differentiation ensures continuous light output and eliminates flicker.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit is designed to exploit the periodic nature of AC power by configuring bridges with odd and even series LED counts. During each AC cycle, different bridges are active during different half-cycles, creating a complementary periodic action that maintains continuous illumination and eliminates flicker at the AC frequency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual semiconductor-level design is used, then precise voltage matching is achieved, but the design and manufacturing process becomes overly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal bridge circuit module that can be configured for different voltage requirements by simply changing the number of series LEDs and the number of parallel bridges, without requiring custom semiconductor design. This universal module approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise voltage matching for various lighting fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of redesigning semiconductor circuits for different voltages, the patent achieves voltage matching by changing macro-level parameters: the number of LEDs in series within each bridge and the number of parallel bridges. These parameter changes are made at the assembly level, not the semiconductor level, preserving ease of manufacture.
4Illumination intensity
If more LEDs are added to increase light output, then illumination intensity improves, but the circuit complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LED array into multiple bridge circuits connected in parallel. This segmentation allows light output to be increased by simply adding more parallel bridges rather than creating a single complex series circuit, thereby increasing illumination while maintaining manageable circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple bridge circuits are merged in parallel to achieve higher total light output. Each bridge contributes to the overall illumination, and their parallel combination provides additive light output while maintaining independent, simple circuit paths that are easy to manufacture and assemble.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides improved ease of designing and building lighting fixtures by reducing flicker and enhancing light output per component, enabling scalability to match voltage requirements without individual semiconductor-level design, and allowing for multi-voltage and multi-brightness configurations.
Implementation Method 1
LED circuits and assemblies... AC-driven LED circuits and assemblies... LED package assembly configurations... current flows through each of the respective one or more LEDS upon both a negative and positive phase of an AC driving source
Data Source
AI summary
An LED lighting device is disclosed. The LED lighting device includes a first LED circuit and at least one additional LED circuit. The first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit each include LEDs connected in series. The LEDs in the first LED circuit emit a different color of light than the LEDs in the at least one additional LED circuit. The LED lighting device also includes a switch configured to be actuated by an end user and provide the end user with a means to produce a change in brightness of at least one of the first LED circuit or the at least one additional LED circuit, and switch at least one of the first LED circuit and the at least one additional LED circuit on or off.