Anti-Flicker Switchable Load for LED and CFL Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
High efficiency lighting elements like CCFLs and LEDs experience flickering or glowing when connected to electronic switching devices due to parasitic load control devices that require a quiescent current, even when the lights are in the 'off' state, causing operational issues.
Innovation Solution
An anti-flicker and anti-glow apparatus is installed between the light socket and energy efficient lighting elements, featuring a switchable load, controller, and voltage sensor to prevent quiescent current from reaching the bulb, redirecting current only when the device is activated, thus eliminating 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, then power efficiency and life expectancy are improved, but flickering and glowing occur due to parasitic load control devices requiring quiescent current
Solution Approach 1:
A parallel resistive load is introduced as an intermediary component that absorbs the parasitic quiescent current required by electronic switching devices, preventing this current from flowing through the high efficiency lighting element. This mediator allows the lighting element to remain truly off while still providing the necessary load for the switching device to function properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The current path is segmented into two separate branches: one branch provides the quiescent current through the parallel resistive load to power the electronic switching device, while the other branch remains isolated from the lighting element. This segmentation prevents the parasitic current from affecting the lighting element's operational state.
2Ease of operation
If quiescent current is allowed to pass through high efficiency bulbs to power electronic switching devices, then switching devices can operate, but power wastage and false activation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel resistive load serves as a dedicated intermediary that consumes the parasitic quiescent current, acting as a dummy load that satisfies the electronic switching device's requirement for minimum current without wasting energy through the expensive high efficiency lighting element. The resistive load is optimized to handle only the small quiescent current while being efficient for this specific purpose.
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 electrically connected to 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.