Direct Mains LED Driver Control for Low Standby Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connected direct mains LED drivers suffer from inefficient standby power consumption due to separate low voltage power supplies needed for controllers and communication circuitry, resulting in significant standby losses and poor efficiency ranging from 20 to 30%.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that includes a rectifier, switched mode power supply, and a controller to enable and disable the switched mode power supply based on a threshold level of the rectified voltage, allowing efficient operation by varying the duration of power supply activation based on load requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate low voltage power supply is used to power the controller and communication circuitry continuously, then the controller and communication circuitry can operate reliably, but the standby power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the low voltage power supply function into the existing switched mode power supply by using its output voltage to power the controller and communication circuitry. This eliminates the need for a separate low voltage power supply, reducing component count and standby power consumption while maintaining reliable controller operation during active mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller and communication circuitry are powered periodically rather than continuously. The low voltage power supply is enabled only when needed for controller operation and disabled during standby periods when the LEDs are off, reducing energy loss while ensuring reliable operation when required.
2Speed
If the switched mode power supply operates continuously to maintain readiness for activation signals, then communication circuitry can detect activation signals immediately, but efficiency decreases due to constant power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The switched mode power supply operates periodically rather than continuously. It is enabled briefly at the start of each AC cycle to power the controller and communication circuitry for detecting activation signals, then disabled to reduce standby losses. This periodic operation maintains fast activation response while significantly reducing energy consumption during standby periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply is enabled at the beginning of each AC cycle before any load operation is needed, allowing the controller and communication circuitry to be ready to detect activation signals immediately. This preliminary action ensures fast response speed while limiting power consumption to only the brief period needed for signal detection.
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
Improves efficiency by enabling the switched mode power supply to operate at lower input voltage levels, reducing standby power consumption and maintaining efficient power delivery to loads, thereby enhancing overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a rectifier for receiving an alternating current, AC, input voltage and for providing a rectified voltage
Implementation Method 2
a switched mode power supply adapted to receive the rectified voltage and to provide a regulated output voltage to a load
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a power supply comprising a rectifier for receiving an alternating current, AC, input voltage and for providing a rectified voltage, a switched mode power supply adapted to receive the rectified voltage and to provide a regulated output voltage to a load, a first sensor for sensing the rectified voltage and to provide a first control signal and a controller for controlling the switched mode power supply. The controller is arranged to enable and disable the switched mode power supply. The controller is arranged to enable the switched mode power supply when the first control signal is below a threshold level and disable the switched mode power supply when the first control signal is above the threshold level.