Adaptive Insulating DC/DC Converter for LED Drivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED power supply systems are complex due to the need for multiple circuit blocks such as rectifiers, PFC, galvanic isolation, and constant current sources, leading to intricate designs.

Innovation Solution

A modular LED driving circuit with an isolating energy-transferring DC/DC converter and integrated control circuits, including a microcontroller or ASIC, that provides a stabilized DC voltage and galvanic isolation, allowing for flexible operation and independent control of LED channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple circuit blocks (rectifier, PFC, galvanic isolation, constant current source) are used to properly operate LED lines, then the LED power supply system achieves proper functionality and reliability, but the circuit complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper LED operationVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple circuit blocks (rectifier, PFC, galvanic isolation, constant current source) into a single integrated LED driver circuit. This merging approach maintains all necessary functions for proper LED operation while reducing the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate discrete circuit blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The LED driver circuit is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that performs rectification, power factor correction, galvanic isolation, and constant current regulation simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit to replace multiple specialized circuit blocks, achieving both reliability and simplified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a constant current source with PWM modulation is used for LED dimming, then the LED brightness can be controlled, but the circuit requires additional components and increased complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimming capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the PWM dimming function directly into the constant current source circuit, combining brightness control capabilities with the current regulation function. This integration eliminates the need for separate dimming control circuits while maintaining full dimming functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If galvanic isolation is implemented between LED path and PFC supply voltage, then safety and reliability are improved, but the circuit requires additional isolation components increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegalvanic isolationVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates galvanic isolation as an integrated function within the LED driver circuit, combining it with the power conversion and current regulation functions. This approach maintains the necessary safety isolation while avoiding the complexity of separate isolation stages by implementing isolation within the unified circuit architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Simplifies the LED power supply system by modularizing components, enabling efficient and flexible operation of LEDs with reduced complexity and allowing for adjustable brightness and error detection, while minimizing electrical losses.

Implementation Method 1

an isolating energy-transferring DC/DC converter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2548295B1LED operating circuit comprising an adaptive insulating dc/dc-converter
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 TRIDONIC AG
  • EP2548295B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2548295B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP2548295B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6a

AI summary

The invention relates to an LED operating circuit comprising an insulating energy transmission DC/DC converter. Said converter comprises an inverter (14) having at least one switch (S1, optionally S2), a resonance circuit (15) fed by the inverter (14), a transformer (19) connected to the resonance circuit (15), a rectifier (22), and a control unit (G) which controls the at least one switch (S1, optionally S2) and is embodied such that it can modify the control frequency of the switch or the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit (15) in a first control mode to adapt the power provided on the secondary side of the converter, said control unit also being embodied to operate, according to the load, at least one additional control mode of the DC/DC converter influencing the provided power.