LED Driver Supplementary Current Circuit for Dimmer Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Silicon-controlled dimmers in LED drivers face inefficiencies due to high losses and low efficiency caused by the need for large latching and holding currents, which result in significant energy losses and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a supplementary current generating circuit that determines and provides a supplementary current based on the drive current and holding current of the silicon-controlled dimmer, ensuring the input current meets conduction requirements while reducing losses by adjusting the current flow through transistors and using a supplementary current that is greater than or equal to the holding current of the dimmer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a silicon-controlled dimmer is used in an LED driver, then dimming control is achieved, but large latching and holding currents are required causing high losses and low efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a supplementary current generating circuit as an intermediary component that provides additional current to the silicon-controlled dimmer. This mediator circuit generates a supplementary current signal that adds to the dimmer's holding current, enabling the dimmer to maintain conduction with smaller main drive currents, thereby reducing overall energy losses while preserving dimming control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the current parameter characteristics by generating a supplementary current with specific timing and magnitude characteristics. The supplementary current is generated to coincide with the dimmer's holding current requirement periods, effectively modifying the total current profile to reduce the burden on the main power circuit and minimize energy losses
2Reliability
If large latching and holding currents are provided to the silicon-controlled dimmer, then conduction is maintained, but significant energy losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the current provision function into two parts: the main drive current from the power supply and a supplementary current from the dedicated current generating circuit. This segmentation allows the supplementary circuit to handle only the holding current portion, enabling reliable conduction maintenance while minimizing the energy burden on the main power path
3Stability of the object's composition
If the holding current of the silicon-controlled dimmer is increased, then conduction stability is improved, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supplementary current generating circuit acts as an intermediary that provides the additional holding current needed for conduction stability without requiring the main power circuit to increase its current output. This mediator approach maintains conduction stability while preserving efficiency in the main power path
Data Source
AI summary
An LED driver with a silicon-controlled dimmer, can include: a supplementary current generating circuit configured to generate a supplementary current to ensure that an input current of the LED driver meets conduction requirements of the silicon-controlled dimmer; and where the supplementary current is determined in accordance with a drive current flowing through an LED load and a holding current of the silicon-controlled dimmer.