LED Driver Current Division for Color Temperature Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional color temperature-variable LED lighting systems require multiple LED drivers and separate current channels for each LED light source, leading to increased complexity and cost due to the need for individual current control for each light source with different color temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A lighting apparatus that uses a single LED driver to divide a driving current into multiple division currents, which are then adjusted using switch and resistor circuits to control the color temperature of combined light emitted by LED light sources with different color temperatures, allowing for continuous adjustment within a variable color temperature range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LED drivers are used to control LED devices with different color temperatures, then color temperature adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor temperature adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple LED devices with different color temperatures into a single module, integrating multiple LED chips (first LED chip with first color temperature, second LED chip with second color temperature) into one unified structure. This merging approach allows a single LED driver to control multiple color temperatures by adjusting the driving current distribution, thereby reducing the number of drivers needed while maintaining color temperature adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The LED driver is designed with multi-functionality to control multiple LED chips with different color temperatures using a single driver circuit. The driver can dynamically adjust the driving current to each LED chip based on desired color temperature output, making one driver capable of performing the function previously requiring multiple dedicated drivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LED drivers are used to control LED devices with different color temperatures, then color temperature adjustment capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor temperature adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple LED devices with different color temperatures into a single module, integrating multiple LED chips (first LED chip with first color temperature, second LED chip with second color temperature) into one unified structure. This merging approach allows a single LED driver to control multiple color temperatures by adjusting the driving current distribution, thereby reducing the number of drivers needed while maintaining color temperature adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If separate current control components are used for each LED device, then individual LED control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The LED driver is designed with multi-functionality to control multiple LED chips with different color temperatures using a single driver circuit. The driver can dynamically adjust the driving current to each LED chip based on desired color temperature output, making one driver capable of performing the function previously requiring multiple dedicated drivers.

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 approach simplifies the system configuration, reduces the number of LEDs required while maintaining illuminance levels, and lowers manufacturing costs by enabling adjustable color temperature control within a wide range using fewer components.

Implementation Method 1

a first LED light source that is electrically connected with the first resistor circuit and emits a first light having a first color temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a second LED light source that is electrically connected with the second resistor circuit and emits a second light having a second color temperature higher than the first color temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS10660167B2Light emitting diode module, light emitting diode driver, and light emitting diode lighting apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A light emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus includes an LED driver that outputs a driving current, a switch circuit that selects at least one division terminal among a first division terminal to a fourth division terminal and electrically connects the selected at least one division terminal with a driving current terminal receiving the driving current, a first resistor circuit that is connected with the first and second division terminals, a second resistor circuit that is connected with the third and fourth division terminals, a first LED light source that is electrically connected with the first resistor circuit and emits a first light having a first color temperature, and a second LED light source that is electrically connected with the second resistor circuit and emits a second light having a second color temperature higher than the first color temperature.