Driver Circuit Low Inrush Current Pulse Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driver circuits face issues with excessive inrush current when powering light-emitting components, leading to noise and potential damage, as they supply a high transient current at startup, which can harm the circuit and loads.
Innovation Solution
A driver circuit and method that utilize a pulse generating circuit, light driving circuit, output inductor, storage capacitor, and switch component to supply low inrush current sequentially, with the pulse generating circuit outputting pulse signals to charge and discharge the storage capacitor, allowing the light-emitting assembly to emit light using smaller currents than the high inrush threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a driver circuit supplies high transient current at startup to power light-emitting components, then the light-emitting components can emit light immediately, but excessive inrush current generates noise and may damage the driver circuit or loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high inrush current into multiple lower current pulses by using a pulse generating circuit that outputs sequential pulse signals. The light driving circuit divides the charging current into multiple smaller current pulses that are supplied sequentially to the light-emitting assembly, avoiding the harmful effects of a single high current surge while still achieving rapid startup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by using a storage capacitor that is charged in advance through the light driving circuit before the light-emitting assembly is activated. The pulse generating circuit预先 generates pulse signals that charge the capacitor, so that when the light-emitting assembly is powered on, the energy is already stored and can be released as controlled current pulses, eliminating the need for a high inrush current at startup.
2Reliability
If a driver circuit supplies high inrush current to light-emitting components, then the components can be powered on quickly, but the high transient current may even damage the driver circuit or loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the current supply adaptive and variable rather than static. The pulse generating circuit dynamically adjusts the current delivery by outputting a series of pulse signals with varying widths and amplitudes. The light driving circuit responds dynamically to these pulses, adjusting the charging current accordingly, allowing the system to balance fast power-on with component protection through real-time current modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action through the pulse generating circuit that outputs periodic pulse signals to the light driving circuit. Instead of a single continuous high current, the system delivers current in periodic pulses, allowing the circuit components to recover between pulses and preventing thermal runaway or damage while maintaining the perception of fast startup through the high-frequency pulsing.
3Power
If a driver circuit uses a storage capacitor charged by charging current, then the capacitor can be discharged to supply current to the light-emitting assembly, but the charging current must be smaller than high inrush current to prevent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the light driving circuit as an intermediary between the input power source and the storage capacitor. This intermediary component actively controls the charging process by receiving pulse signals from the pulse generating circuit and regulating the charging current to be smaller than the high inrush current threshold. The intermediary ensures that the capacitor charges safely while still accumulating sufficient energy for light emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the current parameters during the charging process. The pulse generating circuit changes the current waveform from a continuous high current to a series of pulsed currents with controlled amplitude and duration. The light driving circuit further adjusts the charging current parameters based on the pulse signals, transforming the current characteristics to meet both the energy storage requirement and the inrush current limitation.
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 approach reduces the risk of damage to circuit components by distributing the current load, extending the lifespan of the components and preventing noise issues associated with high inrush currents.
Implementation Method 1
The storage capacitor is configured to receive the charging current and be discharged to supply a discharging current based on the charging current
Implementation Method 2
The output inductor has one terminal connected to the light driving circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A driver circuit and a driving method with low inrush current are provided. The driving method includes steps of: supplying a charging current smaller than a high inrush current; outputting a pulse signal from a pulse generating circuit; enabling a light driving circuit to receive the charging current by the pulse signal and allowing the charging current to flow to an storage capacitor; turning on a switch component and a light-emitting assembly by the pulse signal; supplying an auxiliary current smaller than the high inrush current; enabling the light driving circuit to receive the auxiliary current and allowing auxiliary current to flow sequentially to the switch component and the light-emitting assembly; and emitting light by the light-emitting assembly with the discharging current of the storage capacitor and the auxiliary current of input power source.