LED Driver Current Balancing via Series-Parallel Topology
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems with multiple LED boards driven by a single LED driver face challenges in balancing current due to impedance variations, leading to non-uniform brightness and increased complexity and cost due to the need for additional components and splitters.
Innovation Solution
Configuring LED boards in series or parallel arrangements with a single LED driver connected to the first and last boards' positive and negative outputs, respectively, to distribute power evenly across the boards, balancing current and reducing the need for splitters and additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single LED driver is used to power multiple LED boards, then system cost and complexity are reduced, but current balance and brightness uniformity deteriorate due to impedance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LED board system into multiple independently connectable units, each with defined positive and negative terminals. This segmentation allows each board to be treated as a separate controllable unit while maintaining overall system simplicity, resolving the contradiction between using a single driver and achieving current balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different current configurations for different LED boards through selective series/parallel arrangements. Each board can have optimized connectivity based on its specific impedance characteristics, enabling current balance while maintaining system-wide simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If impedance variations among LED board components are present, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but current distribution and brightness uniformity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current distribution by allowing the system to adaptively configure series and parallel connections based on measured or specified impedance variations. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and maintain uniform brightness across boards with different impedance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical configuration parameters (series/parallel arrangements) of LED boards to optimize current distribution. By adjusting these parameters based on impedance variations, the system maintains brightness uniformity while preserving manufacturing flexibility and tolerance for component variations.
3Illumination intensity
If additional components and splitters are used to balance current, then brightness uniformity is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional current-balancing components and splitters by implementing a direct series/parallel connection methodology. The solution takes out the intermediary balancing components and achieves current balance through fundamental circuit configuration, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining brightness uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED boards themselves serve the function of current balancing through their inherent impedance characteristics when properly configured in series and parallel arrangements. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external balancing components, reducing system complexity while achieving uniform brightness distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system includes various LED boards. The LED boards are connected to a power source via an LED driver that regulates power from the power source to the LED boards. The LED driver includes a positive output and a negative output. The positive output of the LED driver is connected to a positive connection point of a first LED board and the negative output of the LED driver is connected to a negative connection point of a last LED board to distribute power or current approximately evenly across the LED boards. Distributing power or current approximately evenly across the LED boards or balancing current through the LED boards can cause the brightness or intensity of various LEDs in the lighting system to be approximately the same.