LED Backlight Temperature Control via Segmented Driving Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large video display devices face heat generation issues with LED backlights, which affect performance and require effective heat management while maintaining manufacturing cost efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A display device and method that individually control the driving current of LED elements based on temperature detection for each LED string using a driving circuit with a temperature sensor and gain controller, adjusting the current in stages and turning off the switching element if the temperature exceeds a threshold, integrated into a single chip for efficient heat management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the size of the video display device is increased, then the display area is improved, but heat generation from the backlight unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The backlight unit is divided into multiple LED strings, and each LED string is further divided into multiple light emitting elements. Temperature sensors are individually placed for each LED string to detect temperature separately. This segmentation allows independent temperature-based control of each string, enabling precise heat management across large display areas without excessive heat accumulation in any single region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If the driving current of LED elements is increased, then brightness is improved, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The driving current of each LED element is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature detection. The control circuit continuously monitors temperature via sensors and modifies the driving current accordingly - reducing current when temperature rises and maintaining or increasing it when temperature is acceptable. This dynamic control allows the system to maximize brightness when conditions permit while preventing excessive heat generation, creating an adaptive balance between illumination intensity and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If temperature-based control is implemented for each LED string, then heat management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat managementVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit is designed with universal functionality to handle temperature-based control for all LED strings through a standardized approach. Rather than implementing separate control mechanisms for each string, a single multi-functional control circuit processes temperature data from multiple sensors and adjusts driving currents across all strings using统一的 control logic. This universal design achieves comprehensive heat management while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution effectively controls heat generation in large-area display devices, maximizing performance and reducing manufacturing costs by enabling precise temperature-based control of LED driving current.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the switching element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a light emitter comprising a plurality of light emitting elements connected in parallel to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS10170058B2Display device with temperature-based control and method for driving the same
Publication Date: 2019.01.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US10170058B2 patent drawing
  • US10170058B2 patent drawing
  • US10170058B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device and a method for driving the same are provided. The display device includes a light emitter comprising a plurality of light emitting elements connected in parallel to each other, and a driving circuit configured to change an operating state of a part of the plurality of light emitting elements based on temperature detection of switching elements respectively connected to the plurality of light emitting elements.