Adaptive Current Ripple Control in Solid-State Lighting Drivers

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional solid state light source drivers face issues such as flashing, flickering, high temperatures, and reduced efficiency due to fixed current ripple percentages, which affect the lifespan and market adoption of solid state lighting devices.

Innovation Solution

A solid state driver circuit that adapts current ripple characteristics based on the operating characteristics of the lighting device, using a controller circuit to select and implement pre-determined settings for improved efficiency, reduced frequency, and lower component temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed current ripple percentage is used in traditional solid state buck converters, then a stable average current is provided, but flashing, flickering, high temperatures, EMI issues, and reduced efficiency occur under dimmed and full load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable average currentVSAvoidflashing and flickering issues

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed current ripple percentage to a dynamic, adjustable current ripple percentage that adapts based on operating conditions. The controller modifies the current ripple percentage in response to dimmed and/or full load conditions, allowing the system to maintain stability while avoiding the flashing and flickering issues that plague fixed-ripple designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying the current ripple percentage as a controllable parameter. The controller adjusts this parameter based on the operating state of the solid state lighting device, enabling the system to optimize performance across different load conditions rather than being constrained by a single fixed value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed current ripple percentage is used in traditional solid state buck converters, then a stable average current is provided, but high temperatures on components and reduced efficiency occur under dimmed and full load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable average currentVSAvoidhigh temperatures on components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed current ripple percentage to a dynamic, adjustable current ripple percentage that adapts based on operating conditions. The controller modifies the current ripple percentage in response to dimmed and/or full load conditions, allowing the system to maintain stability while avoiding the flashing and flickering issues that plague fixed-ripple designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying the current ripple percentage as a controllable parameter. The controller adjusts this parameter based on the operating state of the solid state lighting device, enabling the system to optimize performance across different load conditions rather than being constrained by a single fixed value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexibility is provided to accommodate a wide range of input voltages and output voltage demands, then users can operate various solid state lighting devices, but great costs are incurred in traditional drivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to accommodate voltage rangeVSAvoidcosts in traditional drivers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements parameter changes by systematically varying the current ripple percentage as a controllable parameter. The controller adjusts this parameter based on the operating state of the solid state lighting device, enabling the system to optimize performance across different load conditions rather than being constrained by a single fixed value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11510301B2Adaptive ripple in a solid state lighting driver circuit

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A solid state driver to adapt current ripple characteristics therein, at least partially based on operating characteristics of a solid state lighting device operated by the driver, is provided. The driver senses operating voltage, operating current, or a combination of operating voltage and operating current of a solid state lighting device. The driver stores pre-determined current ripple percentage settings in a data structure, for example, in a controller circuit. The driver selects and implements one of the pre-determined current ripple percentage settings based on one or more of the sensed operating characteristics of the solid state lighting device, to improve efficiency, to reduce the operating frequency, and/or to lower the operating temperature of one or more components of the driver.