LED Lamp Controller Fault Delay Strategy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED lamp controllers are simplistic and treat all fault conditions equally, leading to excessive thermal stress due to repeated power cycles and high power consumption during configuration states, as they fail to differentiate between fault severity and have limited fault detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An LED lamp controller that delays startup based on the type of fault detected, storing fault information across power cycles to vary the number of power cycles where the configuration state is prevented from completing, thereby reducing thermal stress and power consumption by implementing different startup delays for different fault conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional LED lamp controllers use a one-size fits all approach to treat all fault conditions equally, then the controller is simple to implement, but excessive thermal stress and power consumption occur due to repeated power cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments fault conditions into different categories (severe faults vs. non-severe faults) and applies different startup delay strategies to each category. Severe faults trigger a fixed number of prevented power cycles, while non-severe faults allow the controller to attempt startup and only delay if faults recur. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by making the controller sophisticated enough to reduce thermal stress through differentiated handling, while maintaining reasonable complexity through clear categorization rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic fault response where the startup delay behavior changes based on the detected fault type and the recurrence pattern of faults. The controller dynamically adjusts between immediate shutdown with fixed delay, attempted startup with monitoring, and progressive delay strategies. This dynamic approach reduces thermal stress by adapting the response to actual fault conditions rather than applying a static one-size-fits-all delay, while keeping the system manageable through predefined dynamic rules.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional LED lamp controllers prevent completion of configuration state for a fixed number of power cycles, then thermal stress is reduced, but all fault conditions are treated the same regardless of severity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different fault conditions with different quality levels of response. Severe faults (such as output short circuits) receive aggressive local treatment with immediate and extended startup prevention, while non-severe faults (such as transient glitches) receive gentler local treatment with attempted startups and conditional delays. This local differentiation reduces thermal stress appropriately for each fault type while providing the adaptability to distinguish between fault severities through localized response strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of startup delay duration based on the fault condition type. Instead of using a fixed delay parameter for all faults, the system adjusts the delay parameter dynamically: severe faults result in longer delay periods (preventing multiple power cycles), while non-severe faults result in shorter or conditional delay periods. This parameter change approach reduces thermal stress by matching delay duration to fault severity, while providing versatility through multiple configurable delay parameters for different fault scenarios.
3Reliability
If the controller completes configuration state during each power cycle, then proper initialization occurs, but high power consumption and thermal stress occur during repeated cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting faults during the configuration state and preemptively preventing completion of that state, thereby avoiding the high power consumption that would occur if the full configuration and regulation sequence were executed. The controller anticipates potential issues during configuration, shuts down early when faults are detected, and prevents subsequent power cycles for a predetermined period. This preliminary intervention maintains initialization reliability by ensuring proper startup when no faults exist, while reducing power consumption by preventing unnecessary complete configuration cycles when faults are present.
4Reliability
If the controller enters shutdown state immediately upon fault detection, then further damage is prevented, but repeated power cycles cause thermal stress on circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing a predetermined delay period after fault detection before allowing the controller to attempt startup again. This cushioning period acts as a buffer that prevents immediate repeated power cycles, thereby reducing thermal stress on the circuitry. The delay is calibrated to be sufficient to allow thermal dissipation but not so long as to prevent necessary restarts. This cushioning approach maintains damage prevention capability by keeping the shutdown state active during the delay, while simultaneously reducing thermal stress through the intentional time buffer between power cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A LED lamp that includes a LED lamp controller with delayed startup after a fault condition is detected. The type of the fault condition is used in determining a length of the startup delay, such as a number of power cycles during which the LED lamp controller is prevented from completing its configuration. Examples of different types of fault conditions include faults in a supply voltage or faults in a feedback voltage to the LED lamp controller. Fault type information can also be stored in circuitry that retains data and is not reset across the power cycles.