Anti-flicker Apparatus for LED and CFL Light Sockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
High efficiency lighting elements like CCFLs and LEDs flicker and emit a soft glow when connected to commonly powered electronic switching devices due to low current leakage in the 'off' state, causing annoyance and reducing their lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An anti-flicker and anti-glow apparatus is installed between a light socket and an energy efficient lighting element, featuring a switchable load, controller, and voltage sensor to minimize current flow during the 'off' state, redirecting current to the lamp only when the device is switched to the 'on' state, thus preventing flickering and glowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high efficiency lighting elements (CCFL/LED) are connected to electronic switching devices to achieve energy efficiency, then power efficiency is improved, but flickering and glowing occur during off state due to low current leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A high value resistor (100kΩ to 1MΩ) is introduced as an intermediary component connected in parallel with the lighting element. This resistor provides an alternative path for the low leakage current during off state, preventing the current from flowing through the sensitive LED/CCFL and causing flicker or glow, while having minimal impact on overall power consumption due to its high resistance value.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameter (resistance) by introducing a high value resistor that significantly alters the current distribution characteristics. The resistor's high resistance value (100kΩ to 1MΩ) ensures that during off state, the leakage current preferentially flows through the resistor rather than the lighting element, eliminating flicker while maintaining energy efficiency during on state.
2Reliability
If a minimal load is provided for current to pass through in off state, then flickering is prevented, but power is wasted passing current through the load in on state
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit configuration dynamically changes the current path based on the switching state. During off state, the high value resistor provides a path for leakage current to prevent flicker. During on state, the low impedance path through the powered switching device and lighting element becomes the dominant current path, causing minimal power loss through the resistor due to its high resistance value and the much larger current flowing through the lighting element.
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-flicker and anti-glow switchable load apparatus to be installed in the light socket of a commonly powered electronic switching device, such as a motion activated light switch. An energy efficient light bulb or lamp, such as a cathode fluorescent lamp or light emitting diode is then screwed into the apparatus. A first embodiment of the present invention includes a switchable light source, a switchable load, a controller, and a voltage sensor. When the present invention in the first embodiment detects a higher voltage, thus indicating the lamp has been switched from the “off” state to the on state, the switchable load is disconnected, and the current is re-routed to pass through the energy efficient lamp.