LED Driver Self-Test Control Circuit for Emergency Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver devices in building infrastructure systems, particularly emergency lighting drivers, lack comprehensive testing capabilities that can detect failures in electronic circuitry and specific electric parameters, limiting their reliability and availability.

Innovation Solution

A driver device with a control circuit that automatically performs self-tests on its electronic circuitry, including a converter circuit, allowing for flexible testing of electrical parameters and adaptive test routines calibrated to specific environments and usage profiles, with the ability to store and process sensor data locally to reduce network load and minimize disturbances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional functional self-tests are performed on emergency lighting drivers, then basic operational functionality is verified, but detailed electronic circuitry and specific electric parameters cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capability of electronic circuitry and electric parametersVSAvoidtest system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver device performs self-tests of its own electronic circuitry and electric parameters using integrated control circuitry that automatically monitors and evaluates its internal components without requiring external test equipment, thereby achieving high measurement precision while avoiding increased system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: normal operation control, functional self-testing, and detailed electronic circuitry testing, allowing a single device to handle diverse testing requirements without requiring separate specialized test systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If comprehensive self-tests are performed frequently to detect failures early, then reliability is improved, but system disturbances and network load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of driver deviceVSAvoidsystem disturbances and network load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit performs self-tests at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously, allowing the system to balance reliability monitoring with minimal disturbances to normal operation and reduced network communication load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The driver device conducts autonomous self-tests without requiring external triggering or communication, eliminating network load associated with test initiation and result reporting while maintaining high reliability through regular self-monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If manual testing procedures are used for driver devices, then maintenance costs are reduced, but productivity and early failure detection are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiency and early failure detectionVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The driver device automatically performs comprehensive self-tests and generates test results without human intervention, significantly improving testing productivity and early failure detection capability while the automated nature keeps operational costs low

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit continuously monitors test results and provides feedback on the operational status of the driver device, enabling early detection of failures and allowing proactive maintenance scheduling that optimizes both productivity and cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4271136A1LED driver with self-test capabilities
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4271136A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4271136A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4271136A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A driver device comprises a converter circuit configured to generate and output a load current for driving an electric load and a control circuit configured to control operation of the converter circuit. The control circuit is configured to perform a functional test for testing electronic circuitry of the driver device that includes the converter circuit. The driver device may be a light driver device, preferably for proving the load current to a LED lighting device. The control circuit is configured to perform the functional test by executing a test routine for testing at least one electrical parameters of the driver device.