Fail-safe LED System with Current Correction String
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Solution Overview
Problem
In parallel string LED systems driven by a constant current power source, when one LED string fails, the remaining operational strings experience increased current levels, leading to excessive heat generation and potential safety hazards, as the total current is redirected through them, exceeding temperature thresholds in hazardous applications.
Innovation Solution
A current correction string is activated in parallel with the LED strings, which accommodates the excess current, ensuring that operational LED strings maintain normal current levels by providing an effective resistance comparable to the failed string, thereby preventing overheating and ensuring compliance with temperature regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a constant current power source drives parallel LED strings, then the system provides stable current distribution under normal operation, but when one LED string fails, the remaining operational strings experience excessive current levels leading to overheating and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
A current correction string is introduced as an intermediary element in parallel with the LED strings. This correction string acts as a mediator to absorb excess current when an LED string fails, preventing the remaining operational strings from experiencing dangerous current levels and temperature increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The current correction string is pre-configured in the circuit but remains inactive during normal operation. Upon detection of an LED string failure, it is activated to provide immediate current compensation, cushioning the system against the harmful effects of current redistribution before excessive heating can occur.
2Device complexity
If no current correction mechanism is implemented, then the system structure remains simple, but operational safety is compromised when LED strings fail
Solution Approach 1:
The current correction string serves as a safety intermediary that can be added to the existing circuit without fundamentally redesigning the entire system. It provides a straightforward parallel path for excess current, maintaining relative structural simplicity while eliminating the overheating hazard.
3Temperature
If the current correction string is always active, then excess current is continuously diverted, but normal operational current distribution is disrupted and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The current correction string's activation state is dynamically controlled based on system conditions. It remains inactive during normal operation to maintain optimal energy efficiency and current distribution, and is activated only when needed following an LED string failure, thus adapting to changing system states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates monitoring that detects LED string failures and provides feedback to control the activation of the current correction string. This feedback mechanism ensures the correction string is activated only when necessary, maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation while providing protection when failures occur.
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
The solution effectively reduces current through operational LED strings to prevent overheating, maintaining safe operating temperatures and compliance with industry standards, even in the event of a failure, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of LED systems, especially in hazardous environments.
Implementation Method 1
the current correction string has an effective resistance that is comparable to the resistance of the failed LED string
Implementation Method 2
a constant current power source (e.g., a constant current LED driver)
Implementation Method 3
A light-emitting diode (LED) uses the phenomenon of electroluminescence to convert electricity into light
Implementation Method 4
Additional current passing through the operational LED strings generates additional heat at the lenses of the operational LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a fail-safe LED system including an LED circuit arrangement. The LED circuit arrangement includes a plurality of LED strings arranged in parallel with respect to each other. The LED circuit arrangement is supplied with electrical current from a constant current power supply. The fail-safe LED system includes structure for detecting a in at least one of the LED strings a failure that causes increased current to pass through remaining operational LED strings of the plurality of LED strings. The fail-safe LED system also includes a current correction string arranged in parallel with respect to the plurality of LED strings. When activated in response to the detection of a failure, the current correction string accommodates current from the constant current power supply such that the current passing through each operational LED string is reduced to a corrected current level.