Dual LED Driver Fixture for Emergency and Night Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency and night lighting systems using LEDs are heavy, unattractive, require dedicated power circuits, and lack the ability to simultaneously operate at increased intensity or independently provide night lighting, with individual power supply failures leading to light failures and complex maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An LED fixture with two drivers connected in parallel, a higher intensity primary driver and a lower intensity secondary driver, allowing simultaneous power supply to the LED array for different lighting modes without the need for dimmers or complex controls, and utilizing a UPS or auxiliary power for emergency lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single high-power LED driver is used for emergency lighting, then the light can operate at full intensity for 90 minutes during power failure, but the system cannot simultaneously provide night lighting at lower intensity and lacks flexibility for different lighting modes
Solution Approach 1:
The single high-power LED driver is segmented into two separate drivers: a primary driver for emergency lighting and a secondary driver for night lighting. This segmentation allows each driver to be optimized for its specific function and enables independent operation in different lighting modes without requiring complex switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED fixture is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both emergency and night lighting capabilities through dual drivers. The fixture can operate in multiple modes: emergency mode (primary driver only), night lighting mode (secondary driver only), and combined mode (both drivers simultaneously), providing universal applicability for different lighting needs.
2Illumination intensity
If dimmers are used to reduce LED intensity for night lighting, then lower intensity lighting is achieved, but power factor decreases and efficiency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using dimmers that alter electrical parameters and cause power factor loss, the system changes the operating parameter by switching between two distinct drivers with different power ratings. The secondary driver is specifically selected to provide the appropriate current for night lighting at optimal efficiency, avoiding the energy losses associated with dimming operations.
3Reliability
If multiple individual emergency power supplies are installed in ceiling structures, then code-compliant emergency lighting is provided, but maintenance becomes complex and batteries are difficult to access for testing or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary driver for night lighting is extracted as a separately accessible component that can be easily removed and replaced without requiring access to ceiling structures. This external accessibility principle is applied to simplify maintenance operations while the primary emergency driver remains installed in the fixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to allow users to perform basic maintenance tasks such as replacing the secondary driver or accessing batteries without requiring professional technicians or extensive disassembly. The modular design enables end-users to service the fixture themselves, reducing maintenance complexity and costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single high-power power supply is used to provide both emergency and night lighting, then the system can operate in emergency mode, but it results in decreased power factor and efficiency losses when providing small currents for night lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply function is segmented into two separate drivers with different power capabilities. The primary driver handles high-power emergency lighting while the secondary driver handles low-power night lighting, allowing each component to operate at its optimal efficiency point and avoiding the inefficiencies of using a high-power supply for low-power applications.
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
Enables efficient, code-compliant emergency and night lighting without dimmers, reducing power losses and maintenance complexity, with a single conveniently locatable UPS replacing multiple individual power supplies, and providing flexible intensity levels.
Implementation Method 1
LED fixture is disclosed. The fixture includes an LED array having at least one LED, a first LED driver which is a lower intensity driver and a second LED driver which is a higher intensity driver
Data Source
AI summary
An LED fixture is disclosed. The fixture includes an LED array having at least one LED, a first LED driver which is a lower intensity driver and a second LED driver which is a higher intensity driver. The LED drivers and the LED array are electrically connected in parallel to each other and the LED drivers are capable of simultaneously and continuously supplying power to each LED in the LED array.