Double-Ended Retrofit LED Driver Leakage Current Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retrofit Light Emitting Diode (LED) tubes pose a shock hazard during installation due to conductive paths and leakage currents, as they can conduct current when pins are touched, exceeding safety limits, and existing solutions either increase complexity and cost or require specific installation orientations.
Innovation Solution
A double-ended retrofit LED lighting device with an under-voltage protection circuit that measures DC voltage and provides a high ohmic return path when the voltage drops below a threshold, preventing unsafe electrical connections by switching a MOSFET to an OFF state or controlling its duty cycle to reduce leakage current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a double-ended TLED is used to allow installation in any physical orientation, then adaptability is improved, but leakage current hazard increases during installation
Solution Approach 1:
A body of dielectric material (insulating material) is introduced as an intermediary between the conductive path and the human installer. This dielectric body prevents direct electrical contact during installation, blocking the harmful leakage current while allowing the installer to safely handle and install the double-ended TLED in any orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric coating is applied preliminarily to the conductive elements before installation occurs. This pre-established protective layer proactively prevents the harmful effect of leakage current from occurring during the installation process, rather than attempting to stop it after the hazard is realized.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional electrical safety switch is installed to prevent leakage current, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive and complex active safety switches or circuitry, the invention employs a simple, inexpensive dielectric coating that provides passive protection. This low-cost protective layer effectively prevents leakage current without requiring additional electronic components, control circuits, or power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful conductive path is extracted or removed from the installation interface by applying a dielectric coating to the conductive elements. This eliminates the need for complex safety switching mechanisms by physically removing the hazard at its source through material selection rather than active control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If single ended TLED is used to reduce leakage current, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to direction-dependent installation
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric coating provides universal protection that works regardless of the TLED's installation orientation. This allows the TLED to function as a double-ended device (accepting power from either end) while maintaining safety, combining the advantages of both single-ended safety and double-ended installation flexibility into a single unified solution.
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
Ensures safety during LED tube installation by preventing excessive leakage current without increasing the device's cost or complexity, allowing the device to operate safely across a wide input voltage range while maintaining a constant output current.
Implementation Method 1
an under-voltage protection circuit, arranged for measuring said DC voltage and for providing a high ohmic return path between said at least two terminals when said measured voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold
Implementation Method 2
providing a high ohmic return path between said at least two terminals when said measured voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold
Implementation Method 3
preventing unsafe electrical connections by switching a MOSFET to an OFF state or controlling its duty cycle to reduce leakage current
Data Source
AI summary
A double ended retrofit Light Emitting Diode (LED) based lighting device for preventing an excess of leakage current during installation of said lighting device, said lighting device comprising: —an LED load arranged for emitting light; —an LED driver arranged for receiving an Alternating Current (AC) mains voltage between at least two terminals and for driving said LED load by providing an LED output current to said LED load, and a Direct Current (DC) Voltage to said LED load; —an under-voltage protection circuit, arranged for measuring said DC voltage and for providing a high ohmic return path between said at least two terminals when said measured voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold.