Halogen Transformer Power Converter for LED Retrofits
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Solution Overview
Problem
When replacing halogen lamps with light emitting diode (LED) circuits, halogen transformers face issues due to the mismatch in power requirements, as they are designed to provide more power than needed by LED circuits, leading to oscillation fading or termination.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit that detects the amplitude of voltage and current signals from the halogen transformer and adjusts the power converter to operate in different modes with varying current signal amplitudes, preventing oscillation issues by reducing the power supplied to the transformer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the halogen transformer provides the first amount of power designed for halogen lamps, then the transformer operates reliably, but the power consumption is excessively high for LED circuits which require only the second amount of power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning the power converter between two distinct operating modes (first mode and second mode) based on the detected amplitude of the first current signal. In the first mode, the converter operates with parameters optimized for halogen lamp loads, while in the second mode, it adjusts parameters to provide reduced power suitable for LED circuits. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by allowing the transformer to maintain reliable operation at high power when needed while reducing power consumption when operating with LED loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying operating parameters of the power converter when switching between modes. The controller detects the amplitude of the first current signal and accordingly adjusts parameters such as switching frequency, duty cycle, or component activation states to transition between the first and second modes. This enables the system to adapt the power output from the designed first amount for halogen lamps to the reduced second amount for LED circuits, resolving the energy consumption contradiction while maintaining transformer reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the constant value of the first current signal is reduced to lower power supply from the halogen transformer, then power consumption decreases, but oscillation fading or termination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing controlled oscillations in the first current signal when operating in the second mode. Instead of using a constant low current value that would cause oscillation fading, the system introduces periodic variations through switching actions or pulse patterns. This periodic modulation maintains the oscillatory behavior necessary for transformer operation while keeping the average power supply at the reduced second amount suitable for LED circuits, thus resolving the contradiction between power reduction and oscillation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the electromagnetic field dynamics within the transformer analogous to fluid dynamics principles. By introducing controlled periodic disturbances (similar to introducing flow patterns in a pipe system), the system prevents stagnation or fading of oscillations that would occur with constant low current. The switching actions create electromagnetic flux variations that maintain transformer core excitation and prevent oscillation termination, enabling stable operation at reduced power levels.
Data Source
AI summary
Control circuits (1) bring power converters (4) in different modes in response to detection results. The power converters (4) exchange possibly rectified first voltage/current signals with electronic halogen transformers (2) and supply second voltage/current signals to light emitting diode circuits (5). The first current signals have, in different modes, different amplitudes. The different amplitudes have different constant values and/or different derivative values. As a result, the first current signal has become a relatively varying first current signal. Then, the halogen transformers (2) no longer experience problems that occur when smaller amounts of power need to be provided than designed to. The detections may comprise polarity detections of and/or zero-crossing detections in the first voltage signals. The halogen transformers (2) comprise self-oscillating switched mode power supplies designed to provide first amounts of power at their outputs. The light emitting diode circuits 5) are designed to consume second amounts of power smaller than the first amounts.