Current Splitter Circuit for LED Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lighting systems lack precise control over current ratios between multiple LED arrays, limiting their ability to independently adjust color temperature and other lighting effects, especially when trying to mimic incandescent lighting behavior during dimming.

Innovation Solution

A current splitter circuit that receives a driver current and splits it into separate currents for multiple LED arrays, with an interface to receive a variable reference signal, allowing independent control of the current ratio based on a current ratio control curve, irrespective of the driver output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common driver circuit is used to power multiple LED arrays with different color temperatures, then the system structure is simplified, but the ability to independently control current ratios and adjust color temperature is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidindependent control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a current splitter circuit that divides the common driver output into separate controllable current paths for different LED arrays. This segmentation allows independent control of current ratios while maintaining the simplicity of a single driver circuit, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and control versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The current splitter acts as an intermediary component between the common driver circuit and multiple LED arrays. It mediates the current distribution by receiving a variable reference signal and adjusting current ratios accordingly, enabling independent control without requiring separate driver circuits for each LED array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the current ratio between LED arrays is controlled based on driver output, then the control system is simple, but the color temperature adjustment precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol systemVSAvoidcolor temperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The current splitter circuit incorporates feedback control by receiving a variable reference signal that represents the desired current ratio. The circuit compares this reference signal with actual current distribution and adjusts accordingly, enabling precise color temperature control while maintaining system simplicity through the feedback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If separate driver circuits are used for each LED array to achieve precise current control, then the current ratio control precision is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent ratio control precisionVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The current splitter serves as an intermediary that provides precise current ratio control without requiring separate driver circuits. It receives the common driver output and precisely divides it into controlled current paths for different LED arrays, achieving high control precision while avoiding the complexity and cost of multiple driver circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3228159B1Current splitter for LED lighting system
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 HUBBELL INC
  • EP3228159B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3228159B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3228159B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) system having a plurality of LED arrays are provided. The lighting system can include a dimmable LED driver circuit configured to provide a driver output suitable for providing a driver current to the LED arrays. A current splitter circuit can be provided between the LED driver circuit and the plurality of LED arrays to control the ratio of current from the driver output provided to each of the plurality of LED arrays. The current splitter circuit can be configured to control the current ratio provided to the plurality of LED arrays independently of the driver output according to a current ratio control curve based at least in part on a variable reference signal provided at the current splitter circuit.