Light-Emitting Device Control Module for Series String Fault Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-emitting modules with series-connected units face significant brightness reduction and potential damage due to voltage drop when malfunctioning units are present, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with a control module that monitors voltage drops across current control units to identify malfunctioning strings, shorts malfunctioned units, and adjusts DC voltage to prevent damage, allowing flexible operation and maintaining brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire string of light-emitting units is turned off when malfunctioned units reach a predetermined value, then the damage to other units is prevented, but the brightness of the light source is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light-emitting string into independently controllable segments. When malfunctioned units are detected, only the affected segment is turned off while other segments continue to operate, preventing total string shutdown and maintaining partial brightness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of turning off the entire string when a threshold of malfunctioned units is reached, the patent applies partial action by selectively shutting down only the affected portion of the string, allowing the majority of functional units to continue operating.
2Illumination intensity
If light-emitting units are connected in series to provide uniform light source, then the light distribution is uniform, but voltage drop accumulates and may damage other units when malfunction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the series-connected light-emitting string into multiple independently controllable groups. This allows voltage drop from malfunctioned units to be isolated to specific segments, preventing voltage accumulation across the entire string and protecting other units from damage.
3Device complexity
If conventional monitoring methods are used to detect malfunctioned units, then the malfunction detection is simple, but the response time and precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control module continuously monitors voltage drops across current control units and automatically adjusts by shorting malfunctioned units based on the detected voltage changes, enabling precise and timely malfunction detection and response.
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 solution effectively reduces power consumption and minimizes brightness loss by selectively shorting malfunctioned units and adjusting voltage, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and longevity of light-emitting modules.
Implementation Method 1
the control module shorts the malfunctioned light-emitting units in the specific string and shorts (x - p + 1) light-emitting units in each of the light-emitting unit strings other than the specific string
Implementation Method 2
Solid state light-emitting units, such as a light-emitting diode (LED)
Implementation Method 3
light-emitting units connected in series
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A light-emitting device control method is provided. The light-emitting device control method comprises the steps outlined below. A light-emitting module of a light-emitting device having light-emitting unit string each having light-emitting units connected in series is operated. One end of each light-emitting unit strings receives a same DC voltage. A voltage drop value across each current control units connected in series to at least one of the light-emitting unit strings is retrieved to further determine whether the light-emitting unit of each of the light-emitting unit strings malfunctions. When x light-emitting units of a specific string malfunction and x is larger than or equal to a malfunction threshold value p, the x malfunctioned light-emitting units are shorted and (x - p + 1) light-emitting units in each of the light-emitting unit strings other than the specific string are shorted. The DC voltage received by each of the light-emitting units is decreased.