Buck-Boost LED Driver Circuit Reduces Component Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for operating electronic light arrangements, such as LED systems, are often expensive and technically complex due to the need for constant voltage regulators and different current supplies for various groups of LEDs, which increases complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a buck-boost-device connected to a primary group of light-emitting devices to provide a constant current and voltage to both primary and secondary groups, eliminating the need for additional constant voltage regulators by leveraging the voltage drop across the primary group, and using buck-devices to supply constant currents to each group efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a constant voltage regulator and separate constant current drivers are used for different LED groups, then stable operation and constant voltage are achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable operationVSAvoidtechnical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the constant voltage regulation function and constant current driving function into a single integrated circuit. This integrated circuit simultaneously provides both voltage regulation and current control for LED groups, eliminating the need for separate constant voltage regulators and multiple constant current drivers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining stable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated circuit performs multiple functions: it acts as both a constant voltage regulator and a constant current driver for different LED groups. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable and stable LED operation

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate constant current drivers are provided for different LED groups with different current requirements, then proper current supply to each group is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifferent current supplyVSAvoidtechnical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated circuit incorporates dynamic control capabilities that allow it to automatically adjust current supply parameters based on the specific requirements of different LED groups. Through dynamic regulation mechanisms, the single integrated circuit can provide different constant currents to different LED groups as needed, eliminating the requirement for multiple separate constant current drivers while maintaining proper current supply to each group

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If additional constant voltage regulators are added to supply buck devices, then constant voltage operation is ensured, but cost and component quantity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant voltageVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the constant voltage regulation function into the single integrated circuit that also serves as the constant current driver. This integration eliminates the need for separate constant voltage regulators that would traditionally be added to supply buck devices, reducing the total number of components while ensuring constant voltage operation through the integrated regulation mechanism

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

This configuration provides a stable, cost-effective, and efficient operation of electronic light arrangements by reducing the number of components and complexity, allowing for flexible configuration and efficient power supply to different groups of LEDs with varying current requirements.

Implementation Method 1

an electronic buck-boost-device which is electrically connected to the primary group for providing a first constant (supply) current to the corresponding light-emitting devices of the primary group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Implementation Method 2

at least one electronic buck-device which is electrically connected to the at least one secondary group for providing a second constant (supply) current to the corresponding light-emitting devices of the secondary group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Implementation Method 3

the light arrangement with (particularly exactly) one primary group of light-emitting devices and at least one secondary group of light-emitting devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3666041B1System for operating an electronic light arrangement
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 HELLA GMBH & CO KGAA
  • EP3666041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3666041B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3666041B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is related to a system (1) for operating an electronic light arrangement (2), comprising: - the light arrangement (2) with one primary group (2a) and at least one secondary group (2b) of light-emitting devices (30), - an electronic buck-boost-device (10) which is electrically connected to the primary group (2a) for providing a first constant current to the corresponding light-emitting devices (30) of the primary group (2a), - at least one electronic buck-device (20) which is electrically connected to the at least one secondary group (2b) for providing a second constant current to the corresponding light-emitting devices (30) of the secondary group (2b).