Backlight Drive Circuit Voltage Drop Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles with idle-stop technology, the temporary reduction in battery supply voltage during engine cranking causes instability in the operation of in-vehicle liquid crystal displays, leading to potential shutdowns due to excessive current draw by the backlight, which is not adequately addressed by existing drive control methods.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus with detection means to identify voltage drops, adjusting the drive current and duty cycle of the backlight to reduce power consumption, using variable resistance and PWM control to maintain operation within a guaranteed voltage range and compensate for luminance reductions, while also correcting image data luminance and gamma values as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the drive circuit maintains constant current output to the backlight, then the luminance and chromaticity stability is improved, but the supply voltage drops further when cranking is performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminance and chromaticity stabilityVSAvoidsupply voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive circuit dynamically adjusts its operating parameters based on the supply voltage level. When cranking is detected or supply voltage drops below a threshold, the circuit transitions from constant current mode to a mode that limits current consumption, thereby adapting to changing voltage conditions and preventing excessive voltage drops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drive circuit changes its current output parameters in response to supply voltage variations. By monitoring the supply voltage and adjusting the drive current accordingly, the circuit maintains stable backlight performance during normal operation while reducing current draw during voltage drops to prevent shutdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the drive circuit draws large current to maintain backlight luminance, then the display brightness is improved, but the supply voltage drops below the guaranteed operating voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklight luminanceVSAvoidguaranteed operating voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor supply voltage levels and adjust backlight current accordingly. When voltage drops are detected, the circuit reduces current output to prevent the voltage from falling below the guaranteed operating threshold, thereby maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of cranking conditions or voltage drops and takes preventive action by reducing backlight current before the voltage drops below the guaranteed operating level, thus avoiding display shutdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the supply voltage is reduced during cranking, then the power consumption is reduced, but the display operation becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddisplay operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive circuit dynamically adapts its operation to match supply voltage conditions. During voltage drops, it transitions to a low-current mode that consumes less power, while maintaining sufficient backlight output through extended duty cycle to preserve display stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drive circuit uses PWM (pulse width modulation) to control backlight output, adjusting the duty cycle periodically. During voltage drops, it increases the duty cycle to compensate for reduced current, maintaining average luminance and display stability despite lower instantaneous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 extends the guaranteed operating voltage range of the display and minimizes noticeable luminance reductions by synchronizing current and duty cycle adjustments with voltage fluctuations, ensuring stable display operation even during battery voltage drops.

Implementation Method 1

detection means for detecting whether a supply voltage from the battery is less than or equal to a threshold value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage detection: Ohm's Law

Implementation Method 2

variable resistance unit that can change a resistance value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

the drive circuit 522 determines a time period for which the LEDs 502 are on or off in accordance with the duty cycle contained in the PWM signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse width modulation:

Implementation Method 4

light emitting devices, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), are typically used as a backlight source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode effect: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 5

As for light emitting devices, such as the LEDs 502 constituting the backlight 500, because luminance and chromaticity are determined by a drive current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2911144B1Display apparatus and display control method
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2911144B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2911144B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2911144B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

A drive control circuit (200) of a backlight (220) includes a drive circuit (240) that drives the backlight (220), a voltage detection unit (250) that detects whether or not a supply voltage Vp from a battery (210) is less than or equal to a threshold value, and a controller (260) that controls the operation of the drive circuit (240). When the supply voltage Vp from the battery (210) is less than or equal to the threshold value, the drive circuit (240) changes a drive current to be supplied to the backlight (220) to a low current value. Furthermore, in response to a change in the drive current, the controller (260) provides, to the drive circuit (240), a PWM signal to extend a time period for which the backlight (220) are on.