LED Driver Circuit Using Inductive Switching for Uniform Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems with electronic converters for LEDs face issues of non-uniform light output due to manufacturing tolerances, requiring multiple current regulators and resulting in lower optical efficiency and increased thermal dissipation, as well as higher safety and cost concerns due to classification based on maximum supply voltage.
Innovation Solution
A circuit for driving light sources using inductive elements and switching means to alternately connect LED modules with different inductive elements, ensuring uniform light distribution by leveling current across LED strings with minimal resistive loads and electric losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple current regulators are used for each LED string to ensure uniform light output, then light uniformity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LED strings into parallel groups and uses a single current regulator per group instead of individual regulators for each LED string. This reduces the total number of regulators while maintaining uniform current distribution through the parallel configuration, directly resolving the contradiction between light uniformity and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each current regulator serve multiple LED strings simultaneously by connecting them in parallel groups. A single regulator controls current to multiple strings, giving it a multi-functional role that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining uniform illumination across all LED strings.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple current regulators are used for each LED string, then light uniformity is improved, but optical efficiency decreases due to electric losses
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple LED strings into parallel groups controlled by single regulators, the patent reduces the total number of regulators and their associated resistive loads. This consolidation directly reduces electric losses while maintaining uniform light output through the parallel group configuration.
3Device complexity
If maximum supply voltage is increased to reduce the number of parallel LED branches, then system complexity is reduced, but safety rating decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LED system into parallel groups of strings, where each group is controlled by a single current regulator. This segmentation allows the system to operate at lower voltage levels (maintaining safety ratings) while reducing overall complexity through centralized regulation, resolving the contradiction between system complexity and safety rating.
4Reliability
If LED modules are divided into parallel branches to reduce maximum supply voltage, then safety rating is improved, but light uniformity decreases due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LED strings into parallel groups that share a common current regulator. This merging approach ensures uniform current distribution across all strings within a group, compensating for manufacturing tolerances. Simultaneously, the parallel group structure maintains lower operating voltages that satisfy safety rating requirements, resolving the contradiction between light uniformity and safety rating.
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 achieves uniform light output, reduces electrical losses, eliminates the need for individual current regulators, and enhances system stability while maintaining safety and reducing costs by distributing current evenly across LED strings.
Implementation Method 1
A circuit for driving light sources uses inductive elements and switching means to alternately connect LED modules with different inductive elements
Implementation Method 2
switching means to alternately connect LED modules with different inductive elements, ensuring uniform light distribution by leveling current across LED strings
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit for driving a plurality of light sources via a current generator, wherein the light sources are grouped into a plurality of light source sets wherein the driver circuit comprises a plurality of inductive elements, a plurality of switches adapted to selectively connect each light source set in series with one of the inductive elements, and a control circuit configured for driving the switches, so that during a first operation time interval, each light source set is connected in series with a respective first inductive element, and during a second operation time interval, each light source set is connected in series with a respective second inductive element, wherein the respective second inductive element is separate from the respective first inductive element.