Configurable LED Driver with Passive Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lighting companies face challenges in adopting Solid State Lighting (SSL) technology due to unfamiliarity with driving and dimming requirements for LEDs, necessitating a novel LED Driver/dimmer that addresses configurability, energy efficiency, and flexibility in architectural and entertainment applications.
Innovation Solution
A configurable LED Driver/dimmer with multiple communication interface options, adjustable drive currents, and digital controllers for efficient power management, heat dissipation, and reduced standby power consumption, enabling flexible control of LED loads through programmable output channels and analog signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling fan is used for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but audible noise and installation flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cooling fan from the system entirely, extracting the harmful noise-generating component while maintaining heat dissipation functionality through alternative means (passive heat sinks and thermal management design), thus eliminating audible noise while preserving temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cooling fan system with a passive thermal management system using heat sinks and thermal conduction paths, substituting active mechanical cooling with passive thermal dissipation to eliminate noise while maintaining heat dissipation effectiveness
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication interface options and configurable features are added, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal controller that can handle multiple communication protocols and control modes through software configuration rather than hardware variations, allowing a single device design to serve multiple applications and interfaces, thus improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses programmable parameters and configurable settings that allow the device to adapt to different applications through software parameters rather than hardware changes, enabling high adaptability while maintaining a standardized hardware platform that limits complexity growth
3Use of energy by stationary object
If standby power consumption is reduced, then energy efficiency is improved, but control functionality during low-power states may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or event-triggered control where the system transitions to low-power states between control updates, maintaining essential functionality while minimizing power consumption during idle periods, thus achieving low standby power without complete loss of control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs wake-up triggers and event-driven architecture where the system can be automatically activated by specific events (such as communication signals or threshold conditions) without requiring continuous power, allowing the system to service itself by transitioning between power states based on operational needs
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable light emitting diode (LED) driver for powering a set of light fixture loads including a power circuit and a primary controller for controlling the power circuit. The driver further includes a set of output current drivers, each of the set of output current drivers connected to one of the set of light fixture loads for controlling the associated light fixture load and a secondary controller for controlling the set of output current drivers. The driver also includes an apparatus for mapping the set of output current drivers to various dimming zones and for mapping output channels into groups.