High Voltage DC LED Lighting System Power Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LED lighting systems face inefficiencies and increased equipment redundancy when using AC power, particularly in commercial and industrial settings, due to the conversion of AC to DC power, which can lead to higher operational and equipment costs.

Innovation Solution

A DC-powered LED lighting system is developed, incorporating a DC/DC converter that converts a higher DC voltage V1 into a lower DC voltage V2 for powering LED assemblies, and an AC/DC power supply that converts AC input power into a higher DC voltage V1, allowing for selective energization of LED lighting devices with reduced ohmic losses and increased power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If AC to DC conversion is used in conventional LED lighting systems, then LED elements can be powered, but power efficiency decreases and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of converting AC power to DC power (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using DC power directly at high voltage and converting down to lower DC voltage using DC/DC converters. This eliminates the AC-to-DC conversion step, reducing energy loss and improving overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from conventional low-voltage DC to high-voltage DC for power distribution. By operating LED lighting systems at high voltage DC (e.g., 380V or higher) and then converting to appropriate lower voltages for LED operation, the system reduces current and associated ohmic losses in power distribution, thereby improving power efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If AC power is used in LED lighting systems, then power distribution is simplified, but equipment redundancy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment redundancyVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional power approach by using DC power distribution instead of AC power. This eliminates the need for AC-to-DC power supplies in each LED fixture, reducing equipment redundancy while maintaining simplified power distribution through high-voltage DC wiring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of energy

If high voltage DC is used for powering LED lighting devices, then power efficiency increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power conversion function into centralized high-voltage DC-to-low-voltage DC conversion units and distributed LED driving circuits. This allows high-voltage DC power distribution to be implemented while managing device complexity through modular architecture, where the complex conversion function is separated from the simple LED control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of energy

If AC to DC conversion is performed at low voltage, then LED elements can be powered, but ohmic losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveohmic lossesVSAvoidpower delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from low-voltage DC to high-voltage DC for power distribution. By delivering power at high voltage and converting down locally using DC/DC converters, the system reduces current and associated ohmic losses (I²R losses) in power distribution wiring, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining adequate power delivery to LED elements.

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 DC-powered LED lighting system enhances power efficiency and reduces operational and equipment costs by utilizing a higher DC voltage that is independent of AC line voltages, minimizing power inefficiencies and equipment redundancy in LED lighting systems.

Implementation Method 1

The DC/DC converter converts the DC voltage V1 into a second, lower DC voltage V2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDC/DC conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the AC/DC power supply converts AC input power into DC output power at the DC voltage V1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAC/DC conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9795011B2LED lighting system driven at high voltage DC

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 DELTA INTELLIGENT BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES (USA) LLC

AI summary

A DC-powered LED lighting device and a lighting system using such devices are disclosed. A common AC/DC power supply is coupled to at least one electric main and provides power to the LED lighting devices at DC voltages that are higher than the peak voltage of the sine wave of the at least one electric main.