Dimming Buck LED Driver Integrates Capacitor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED driving techniques require external device controllers like PWM ICs for dimming, leading to increased device size and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A dimming buck type LED driving apparatus that includes a main switch, current detector, power level determination unit, dimming capacitor, dimming control unit, reset circuit, pulse generation unit, and latch to control the charging and discharging of a dimming capacitor, enabling gradual power increase and decrease for dimming functionality without external controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external device controller such as a PWM IC or micom is used to implement the dimming function, then the dimming function can be realized, but the size and power consumption of the entire device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dimming control function with the existing LED driver circuit by utilizing the current detector and control logic already present in the driver. The dimming capacitor is integrated into the existing circuit topology, and the control unit uses the same power level determination signals to regulate both the LED current and dimming behavior, eliminating the need for separate external dimming controllers
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit in the LED driver is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects current levels, determines power states, regulates LED current, and controls dimming behavior through the dimming capacitor. This multi-functional approach allows a single integrated circuit to handle both driving and dimming operations that would traditionally require separate components
2Adaptability or versatility
If an external device controller such as a PWM IC or micom is used to implement the dimming function, then the dimming function can be realized, but the power consumption of the entire device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dimming control function with the existing LED driver circuit by utilizing the current detector and control logic already present in the driver. The dimming capacitor is integrated into the existing circuit topology, and the control unit uses the same power level determination signals to regulate both the LED current and dimming behavior, eliminating the need for separate external dimming controllers
Solution Approach 2:
The LED driver circuit uses its own internal current detection and power level determination mechanisms to control the dimming function. The control unit monitors the current through the existing current detector and automatically adjusts the dimming capacitor charge/discharge based on the detected power levels, without requiring additional power-hungry external control devices
Data Source
AI summary
A dimming buck type light emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus includes a main switch controlling a driving current flowing into an LED; a current detector detecting a driving current flowing into the LED; a power level determination unit determining a level of the driving power; a dimming capacitor for dimming control; a dimming control unit controlling charging and discharging of the dimming capacitor according to a power level determination signal and an enable signal; a reset circuit unit generating a reset signal according to a detection voltage from the current detector and a voltage of the dimming capacitor; a pulse generation unit generating a pulse signal; and a latch set by the pulse signal of the pulse generation unit and reset by the reset signal of the reset circuit unit to generate a switching signal, and turning on and off the main switch using the switching signal.