AC Direct-Coupled LED Power Supply Without Converter Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
In AC direct-coupled LED driving schemes, the addition of a converter circuit compromises power factor and harmonic characteristics, increases volume and cost, while linear schemes reduce efficiency and deteriorate power factor characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that includes a rectifier unit, a light emitting unit with series-connected LEDs, a signal generation unit using Zener diodes and transistors to generate driving signals, and a switch unit with transistors and resistances to control current flow to a microcontroller, allowing efficient power supply without an inductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a converter circuit is added to supply power in AC direct-coupled LED driving, then power supply functionality is achieved, but power factor deteriorates, harmonic characteristics worsen, volume increases, and cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the traditional converter circuit and implements it directly within the LED driving circuit itself. By using the existing AC input and LED current path to generate the required voltages for the microcontroller and sensor, the design eliminates the need for a separate converter circuit, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving power supply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED driving circuit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it drives the LED lights, senses current for control, and generates power for the microcontroller and sensor. This multi-functionality is achieved by strategically placing resistors and diodes to create voltage drops and rectification paths that provide necessary operating voltages without requiring additional dedicated power supply components.
2Ease of manufacture
If a converter circuit is added to supply power in AC direct-coupled LED driving, then power supply functionality is achieved, but volume increases and cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply circuit with the LED driving circuit by integrating power generation components (resistors, diodes) into the existing current path. The same current that flows through the LEDs also passes through sense resistors and rectifier diodes that generate power for auxiliary components, thereby eliminating the need for separate power supply components and reducing overall volume.
3Device complexity
If a linear type circuit is used for power supply in AC direct-coupled LED driving, then structure is simple, but power factor characteristics deteriorate and efficiency is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic rectification and voltage dropping actions to generate power for auxiliary components. By using diodes to rectify the AC current periodically and resistors to drop voltages at specific moments in the AC cycle, the system generates the necessary DC voltages for the microcontroller and sensor without continuous energy dissipation, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
This solution maintains the advantages of AC direct-coupled LED driving schemes while preventing current flow when the LEDs are turned off, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs by eliminating the need for additional converter circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a rectifier unit configured to apply a voltage by rectifying alternating current power source
Implementation Method 2
a signal generation unit configured to generate a driving signal by dropping the voltage of the rectifier unit
Implementation Method 3
a light emitting unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes which emit light by electric current according to the voltage
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for supplying power. The apparatus includes a rectifier unit configured to apply a voltage by rectifying alternating current power source, a light emitting unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes which emit light by electric current according to the voltage and are connected in series, a signal generation unit configured to generate a driving signal by dropping the voltage of the rectifier unit, and a switch unit including a plurality of transistors which are connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes, respectively, and are turned on by the driving signal and switch a route of electric current flowing in the plurality of light emitting diodes to be supplied to a microcontroller as power source.