Current-Controlled Voltage Regulator for LED Groups
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting systems in the automotive industry face challenges in efficiently regulating voltage across multiple LEDs due to varying threshold voltages, leading to inefficiencies and susceptibility to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues and misalignments, as previous solutions often rely on complex voltage signal transmissions and extensive wiring.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a current-controlled voltage regulator with multiple integrated circuits (ICs) that feed a common bias current into a control bus, generating a control signal to regulate output voltage across LED groups, thereby simplifying the coupling of multiple controllers and reducing susceptibility to EMC signals and misalignments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage signal transmission is used to control multiple LED groups, then voltage regulation can be achieved, but the system becomes susceptible to electromagnetic compatibility issues and misalignments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces voltage signal transmission with current signal transmission for controlling LED groups. By using current-controlled voltage regulation, the system eliminates susceptibility to electromagnetic compatibility issues and misalignments that plague voltage-based control, while maintaining effective voltage regulation across multiple LED groups
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a current-controlled voltage regulator as an intermediary between the control signals and the LED groups. This intermediary converts current control signals into appropriate voltage regulation, providing robust control while isolating the system from EMC interference and misalignment problems
2Reliability
If complex voltage signal transmissions and extensive wiring are used to regulate voltage across multiple LEDs, then voltage control is achieved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple LED groups into a unified current-controlled voltage regulation system. By combining the control signals and using a common voltage regulator, the system reduces wiring complexity and operational difficulty while maintaining effective voltage control across all LED groups
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal voltage regulation system that can control multiple LED groups with different threshold voltages through a single current-controlled voltage regulator. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate control circuits for each LED group, significantly reducing device complexity
3Device complexity
If a common voltage source is used for multiple LED groups with varying threshold voltages, then the system is simplified, but efficient voltage regulation becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic voltage regulation through a current-controlled voltage regulator that can adapt to varying LED group requirements. The regulator dynamically adjusts the output voltage based on current control signals, enabling efficient regulation of LED groups with different threshold voltages while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through the current-controlled voltage regulation mechanism. The system continuously monitors and adjusts the voltage output based on the control signals, ensuring efficient voltage regulation across multiple LED groups with varying threshold voltages while keeping the overall system simple
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a voltage regulator, circuits, and a current bus. Each of the circuits includes at least one LED driver. The voltage regulator supplies electrical energy to a plurality of LED groups. Each of the circuits includes a voltage measuring circuit for detecting voltage drops across the LED drivers. The LED drivers set the currents through the LED groups. Each of the circuits includes a local controller. The local controller withdraws a current from the control bus in dependence on the detected voltage drops of the LED drivers included in the circuit. A bias current source injects a bias current into the control bus. The control bus sums the currents in the current bus. The output of the regulator is controlled based on the summed current.