Resonant Hybrid Flyback Control for Wide-Range LED Dimming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current resonant hybrid flyback converters for LED-based loads lack efficiency and reliability, particularly in ensuring a safe operation, minimum resonant current, and a wide output operation window.

Innovation Solution

A resonant hybrid flyback converter system comprising a half-bridge circuit with high-side and low-side switches, a flyback resonant tank, and a processing unit that senses LED current to control the on-time of the switches, allowing for efficient and reliable operation by maintaining a minimum resonant current and wide output operation window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional resonant hybrid flyback converters are used for LED-based loads, then the basic power conversion function is achieved, but efficiency and reliability are insufficient, particularly in safe operation, minimum resonant current maintenance, and output operation window

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoidconversion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the processing unit senses the LED current and adjusts the on-time of the low-side and high-side switches accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the resonant tank maintains minimum resonant current while operating efficiently across a wide output window, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss by dynamically optimizing operation parameters based on actual load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of switch on-times based on sensed LED current. The processing unit continuously modifies the operating parameters of the half-bridge circuit to maintain optimal resonant conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying load requirements while preserving both efficiency and reliability across different operating points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the output operation window is widened to support dimming to 1% and wide LED voltage range, then adaptability is improved, but control precision and efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput operation windowVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control mechanism senses LED current and adjusts switch on-times in real-time, maintaining precise control even at extreme dimming levels down to 1% and across wide LED voltage ranges. This enables the system to widen the output operation window while preserving control accuracy through continuous parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operating parameters (switch on-times) dynamically based on the desired output level and actual load conditions. By adjusting the on-time of low-side and high-side switches according to sensed LED current, the system achieves precise control across the entire output window from 1% dimming to full power while maintaining efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system ensures high efficiency and reliability, enabling safe operation with a minimum resonant current and a wide output operation window, supporting dimming to 1% and a wide LED voltage range while reducing inefficiencies and maintaining accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

resonant hybrid flyback converter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

transformer with a primary side and a secondary side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4387069A1Resonant hybrid flyback converter for a led-based load
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4387069A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4387069A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4387069A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A resonant hybrid flyback converter (10) for a LED-based load (13c) is provided. Said resonant hybrid flyback converter (10) comprises a half-bridge (11) comprising a high-side switch (11a) and a low-side switch (11b), a flyback resonant tank (12) comprising a transformer with a primary side (15a) and a secondary side (15b), and a processing unit (14). In this context, the half-bridge (11) is configured to supply said primary side (15a), wherein the secondary side (15b) is configured to supply the LED-based load (13c). Additionally, the processing unit (14) is configured to sense a LED current with respect to the LED-based load (13c). In further addition to this, the processing unit (14) is configured to control an on-time of the low-side switch (11b) and/or an on-time of the high-side switch (11a) on the basis of the LED current.