LED Driver Dynamic Input Voltage Compensator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED dimming systems are unable to accommodate a wide range of AC input voltages, requiring different LED driver circuits for various applications and locations, which complicates the supply chain and destabilizes control circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A Dynamic Input Voltage Compensator (DIVC) is used to adjust the ratio of resistance in a voltage divider circuit, stabilizing the voltage supplied to the dimming interface circuit over a large range of AC input voltages by controlling the fraction by which the rectified signal is divided, allowing the LED driver to operate efficiently and stably across different voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed voltage divider circuit is used in LED drivers, then the circuit design is simple, but the LED driver cannot accommodate a wide range of AC input voltages and requires different circuits for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the voltage divider circuit adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically changes the resistance ratio of the voltage divider based on the detected AC input voltage level, allowing the circuit to adapt to different voltage ranges (e.g., 120VAC vs 277VAC) without requiring different hardware designs. This transforms a static circuit into a dynamic one that can reconfigure itself according to operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the resistance values in the voltage divider circuit based on the input voltage detection. When the controller detects a higher AC input voltage (e.g., 277VAC), it changes the resistance ratio to divide the voltage more, ensuring the control circuitry receives an appropriate voltage level. This parameter adjustment allows a single circuit design to handle multiple voltage standards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the AC input voltage range is extended without compensation, then more applications are supported, but the control circuitry becomes destabilized and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by having the controller continuously monitor the AC input voltage level and use this information to adjust the voltage divider configuration. The controller detects whether the input is 120VAC or 277VAC and accordingly modifies the resistance ratio to maintain stable operation of the control circuitry. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliability across different voltage inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the voltage divider circuit as an intermediary between the high-voltage AC input and the sensitive control circuitry. By adjusting the division ratio, the voltage divider acts as a buffer that protects the control circuitry from voltage variations, maintaining stable operation regardless of whether the input is 120VAC or 277VAC. This intermediary function isolates the control circuitry from direct exposure to input voltage fluctuations.
3Reliability
If different LED driver circuits are used for different AC voltage standards, then each circuit is optimized for its specific application, but the supply chain is complicated and manufacturing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a single LED driver circuit that can function with multiple AC input voltage standards (120VAC, 277VAC, and potentially others). The controllable voltage divider allows the same hardware design to be used across different applications and locations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized circuit versions. This multi-functional design simplifies the supply chain and manufacturing while maintaining optimized performance for each voltage standard.
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 DIVC increases the range of AC input voltage compatibility for LED drivers, maintaining efficiency and stability of the LED illumination system by reducing voltage variation, thereby enabling stable operation across a broader range of AC input voltages.
Implementation Method 1
An AC input voltage provided to an LED driver is rectified
Implementation Method 2
the rectified signal is divided down by a voltage divider circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for improved dimming of LED based illumination devices are described herein. An AC input voltage provided to an LED driver is rectified and the rectified signal is divided down by a voltage divider circuit to supply electrical power to a dimming interface circuit. The fraction by which the voltage divider circuit divides down the rectified signal is controlled by a Dynamic Input Voltage Compensator (DIVC) based on the peak value of the rectified signal. In this manner, the DIVC increases the range of AC input voltage to the LED driver while maintaining efficiency and stability of the LED based illumination system by reducing the variation of the voltage supplied to the dimming interface circuit over a larger range of AC input voltage.