Embedded Control Circuits in Substrate for LED Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light output devices, such as 'LED in glass' systems, face challenges in independently controlling individual LEDs due to high electrical losses from thin, transparent electrodes, which complicates displaying images or dynamic patterns.
Innovation Solution
The integration of control circuits within the substrate structure, utilizing a shared bus-type control system with microcontrollers and common electrodes to reduce the need for individual conductors, allowing for efficient control of multiple light sources with low resistance power and control lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If individual LEDs are controlled using thin transparent electrodes (such as ITO), then the device maintains transparency and simple structure, but high wire resistance leads to high electrical losses
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independently controllable groups of LEDs, with each group having its own control circuit. This segmentation allows power to be distributed to groups rather than individual LEDs, reducing the resistance and energy loss in conductor traces while maintaining the ability to control individual LEDs through the shared group connections.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple LEDs within a group share common power and control connections. By merging the control approach for multiple LEDs into a single control circuit per group, the patent reduces the total number of individual conductors needed, thereby reducing overall wire resistance and electrical losses compared to individually wired LEDs.
2Device complexity
If a two-dimensional pattern of transparent electrodes is used to control individual LEDs, then the structure remains simple, but crossovers must be avoided which complicates the design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional electrode pattern to a three-dimensional layered structure with through-substrate vias. This allows control signals to pass through the substrate vertically rather than requiring complex horizontal crossovers, enabling individual LED control while maintaining a simple planar electrode pattern without visible crossovers.
Solution Approach 2:
Through-substrate vias act as intermediaries that connect the top and bottom electrode layers vertically. These vias enable control signals to reach individual LEDs without requiring the transparent electrode patterns to cross over each other horizontally, thus maintaining structural simplicity while enabling individual control.
3Ease of operation
If individual wires are used for each LED to enable independent control, then individual control is achieved, but very high wire resistances result in high electrical losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LED array into multiple groups, where each group is controlled by a single control circuit. This segmentation reduces the number of individual control wires needed from one per LED to one per group, significantly reducing total wire resistance and electrical losses while maintaining individual LED control through the group's control circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple LEDs are merged into groups that share common power and control connections. By combining multiple individual LED controls into a single control circuit per group, the patent reduces the total conductor length and cross-section required, thereby reducing wire resistance and electrical losses while preserving individual LED controllability.
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 independent control of light sources with reduced electrical losses, maintaining transparency and stability in voltage supply, allowing for dynamic pattern display and efficient power management.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light source devices (such as LED devices) which are connected to the electrode arrangement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A light output device comprises a substrate arrangement and a plurality of light source devices (4) integrated into the structure of the substrate arrangement. A respective control circuit (7) is provided for one or more light source devices (4) and also integrated into the structure of the substrate arrangement. Control circuits are embedded with the light source devices into the structure of the substrate. This enables a shared control line or lines (18) to be used to control a group of light source devices.