LED Driver Circuit Decoupling Input Waveforms from Output Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver technologies for LED assemblies struggle to decouple electrical input waveforms from optical output waveforms effectively, particularly in meeting various mains voltage regulations and reducing harmonics, which affects flicker and power factor efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A driver device with separate output power ports and a control unit that independently manages electrical energy delivery from a supply voltage and a storage unit to an LED assembly, allowing for flexible and independent control of current supply to different segments of the load, thereby tuning the input current waveform to meet regulatory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If direct coupling between electrical input and optical output waveform is used, then circuit complexity is reduced, but harmonics and flicker increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage unit (capacitor) as an intermediary element between the electrical input and optical output. This capacitor stores electrical energy during voltage peaks and releases it during voltage troughs, acting as a buffer that decouples the direct relationship between input waveform and output light waveform, thereby reducing harmonics and flicker while maintaining relatively simple circuitry
2Device complexity
If direct coupling between electrical input and optical output waveform is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but power factor efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic switching units that can change their state (on/off) based on the instantaneous voltage conditions. The switching units are controlled to operate during specific portions of the AC cycle, dynamically adjusting the circuit configuration to optimize power factor while maintaining simplicity. The switching units enable the circuit to adapt its behavior throughout the voltage cycle rather than maintaining a fixed configuration
3Device complexity
If AC supply voltage is used directly without storage unit, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but light output homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit performs preliminary action by storing electrical energy in advance during the peaks of the AC voltage cycle. This pre-stored energy is then released during the troughs to maintain continuous and homogeneous light output. The capacitor prepares energy beforehand, ensuring that the LED receives sufficient power throughout the entire AC cycle, thereby achieving light output homogeneity without significantly increasing circuit complexity
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 provides better decoupling between electrical and optical waveforms, improving power factor and efficiency while reducing harmonics and flicker, enabling compliance with country-specific regulatory requirements and ensuring homogeneous light output.
Implementation Method 1
a storage unit (e.g. a capacitive storage unit including one or more capacitors) providing electrical energy to the load stored in the storage unit
Data Source
AI summary
Driver device (1) and a corresponding driving method for driving a load (100), in particular an LED assembly comprising two or more LEDs. The proposed driver device comprises supply terminals (10) for receiving a supply voltage (Vs), load terminals (20) for coupling a load to said driver device and for providing electrical energy to said load for driving said load, a storage unit (40) for storing electrical energy received at said supply terminals, a coupling unit (50) coupled between said supply terminals and said storage unit for controllably providing electrical energy from said supply terminals to said storage unit, a first switching unit (60) coupled between said supply terminals and said load for switchably providing electrical energy from said supply terminals to one or more of said load terminals, a second switching unit (70) coupled between said storage unit and said load for switchably providing electrical energy stored in said storage unit to one or more of said load terminals, and a control unit (80) for controlling said coupling unit and said first and second switching units.