LED Chain Short Detection Circuit Using Selector Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit technologies face challenges in detecting a single short circuit in chains of electrical loads, such as LED chains, especially when additional dedicated pins and complex digital communication buses are required.
Innovation Solution
A circuit that uses a selector circuit to compare the series load voltage of LED chains to a threshold voltage, determining whether the voltage satisfies a predetermined value to output a short detection signal, without needing additional output pins beyond those used for current delivery, allowing for flexible use in both single and multichannel applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional detection circuits are used for each LED chain, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and pin requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single shared detection circuit. The selector circuit multiplexes voltage signals from multiple LED chains, allowing one comparator and one output pin to detect shorts across all chains. This merging approach maintains detection reliability while significantly reducing device complexity and pin requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple LED chains through a single interface. The selector circuit enables the same detection circuitry to serve multiple chains by sequentially selecting voltage signals from different chains, making the detection system multi-functional without requiring dedicated circuits for each chain.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated detection pins are added for each LED chain, then detection capability is improved, but pin quantity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detection functions are merged into a single output pin through the selector circuit. The selector multiplexes detection signals from multiple LED chains onto one shared output pin, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated pins while maintaining full detection capability across all chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The selector circuit acts as an intermediary between multiple LED chains and the single detection output pin. It receives voltage signals from multiple chains, selects the appropriate signal based on chain identifier bits, and presents it to the single output pin, enabling many-to-one signal routing without loss of detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple output pins are used for detection, then detection precision is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection channels into a single physical output structure. By using a selector circuit to multiplex signals, the design achieves precise detection of individual chains while manufacturing only one detection output structure, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process compared to producing multiple separate output structures.
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
Enables efficient detection of a single short in LED chains with reduced complexity and pin requirements, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness by using the same circuit model for various applications, including multichannel and single-channel drivers.
Implementation Method 1
compare the selected series load voltage to a predetermined a threshold voltage value
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to a circuit that may detect a single short in a chain of loads, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The circuit may drive either multiple LED chains or a single LED chain to determine whether one, or more, of the LEDs in the LED chain is no longer working because of a short. The circuit determines whether the LED chain voltage satisfies a threshold based on a single LED voltage drop. Therefore, the same circuit may be used for applications regardless of the number of LEDs in an LED chain. Additionally, the circuit, according to the techniques of this disclosure may use may use no output pins, other than those used to deliver current to LED chains, regardless of the number of LED chains that the circuit drives.