LED Driver Wattage Control via Programmable Configuration Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical installations, particularly lighting applications, face challenges in managing power consumption to meet building code regulations, leading to cumbersome design and maintenance requirements due to the need for a range of LED drivers with different wattages, and potential tampering with power consumption levels.
Innovation Solution
An LED driver with a power converter and control unit that receives a configuration signal for maximum wattage, controlling output power to ensure compliance with building codes, preventing tampering by locking the configuration once set, and allowing for network-based adjustments to meet specific power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manufacturers design and stock multiple LED drivers with different wattages to comply with building codes, then compliance with power consumption limits is improved, but device complexity and inventory management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The LED driver is designed with a configuration terminal that allows it to be programmed with different maximum wattage values, enabling a single driver model to serve multiple power consumption requirements. This universal design eliminates the need for manufacturers to stock multiple driver variants with different fixed wattages, while still ensuring compliance with various building code specifications.
2Reliability
If building inspectors verify wattage of each device to ensure compliance, then power consumption control is improved, but inspection time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual inspection process of physically checking labels and calculating total wattage is replaced by an automated system where the LED driver itself provides compliance information through its configuration terminal. The driver's internal programming of maximum wattage allows for rapid electronic verification during inspection, substituting time-consuming manual procedures with automated data retrieval.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration terminal allows flexible wattage setting, then adaptability to different building codes is improved, but risk of unauthorized tampering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The maximum wattage value is pre-configured in the LED driver's memory during manufacturing or initial setup, establishing a predetermined compliance parameter before the driver is installed. This preliminary configuration ensures that the driver operates within approved power limits from the start, and the configuration terminal maintains this pre-set value to prevent subsequent unauthorized changes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers sustain large range of LED drivers with different wattages, then coverage of building code requirements is improved, but design effort and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing multiple hardware variants with different fixed wattage capabilities, the invention changes the approach by making the maximum wattage a programmable parameter stored in memory. This allows a single driver design to adapt to different power requirements through software configuration rather than hardware variation, significantly reducing design complexity and maintenance burden while maintaining full coverage of building code requirements.
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
This solution simplifies compliance with building codes by allowing LED drivers to be configured for specific wattages, reducing inventory needs and preventing unauthorized power increases, while enabling real-time adjustments to meet energy efficiency standards.
Implementation Method 1
a power converter arranged to receive at least part of the input power from the input terminal of LED driver and convert at least part of the power received to an output power for powering the LED fixture
Data Source
AI summary
An LED driver for powering an LED fixture is described, the LED driver comprising:an input terminal for receiving an input power;a power converter arranged toreceive an input power at an input terminal of LED driver;convert the input power to an output power for powering the LED fixturea sensing device for sensing the input power received by the power converter;a control unit arranged to control an output characteristic of the power converter;a configuration terminal connected to the control unit;the control unit further being arranged to:receive, from the sensing device, a signal representing the sensed input power;receive, via the configuration terminal, a configuration signal representing a maximum wattage for the LED driver; andcontrol the output characteristic of the power converter such that the input power as sensed does not exceed the maximum wattage.