LED Driving Apparatus Ripple Reduction via Signal Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
General AC-DC converters used in LED driving apparatuses are bulky, power-consuming, and shorten the lifespan of LEDs due to the use of large capacitors for ripple removal.
Innovation Solution
An LED driving apparatus and method that includes a rectifying unit, a signal conversion unit, and an operation unit to generate a driving signal by inverting and adding rectified AC signals, eliminating the need for a bulky AC-DC converter and using a multi-layer ceramic capacitor for minimal ripple removal, thereby preventing excessive voltage and current from affecting the LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a general AC-DC converter is used to drive LED with commercial AC power, then the LED can be driven, but the apparatus becomes voluminous and consumes great amount of power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the bulky AC-DC converter and large capacitor components from the LED driving apparatus. By using a simplified circuit configuration with only a rectifying diode and small MLCC, the invention removes unnecessary power-consuming elements while maintaining the ability to drive LEDs from AC power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the capacitance parameter from large electrolytic capacitors to small MLCCs (multi-layer ceramic capacitors) with capacitance values of 100pF to 10nF. This parameter change dramatically reduces power consumption and apparatus volume while still providing sufficient ripple filtering for LED operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a capacitor is connected to output terminal to remove ripple component, then ripple is reduced, but the lifespan of LED is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the capacitor type and capacitance value parameters, using small MLCCs (100pF to 10nF) instead of large electrolytic capacitors. This parameter change provides sufficient ripple filtering for LED stability while avoiding the lifespan-shortening effects associated with large capacitors connected directly to LED terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses small, inexpensive MLCCs that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than large, expensive electrolytic capacitors that degrade over time and directly impact LED lifespan. The small capacitors have negligible impact on LED longevity.
3Power
If a general AC-DC converter is used, then power conversion is achieved, but the apparatus becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bulky AC-DC converter unit from the circuit, replacing it with a simple rectifying diode and small MLCC configuration. This extraction eliminates the volume problem while preserving the essential power conversion function needed to drive LEDs from AC power.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the power conversion function into separate, minimal components: a rectifying diode for AC-to-pulsed-DC conversion and small MLCCs for minimal ripple filtering. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single bulky AC-DC converter unit.
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
The solution stabilizes LED operation, reduces power consumption, and extends the lifespan of LEDs by minimizing the use of large capacitors and optimizing signal processing to reduce ripple components.
Implementation Method 1
a rectifying unit rectifying an input signal to generate a first signal
Implementation Method 2
a signal conversion unit inverting the first signal to generate a second signal
Implementation Method 3
an operation unit arithmetically operating the first and second signals to generate a driving signal
Implementation Method 4
a smoothing circuit unit removing a ripple component included in the driving signal. The smoothing circuit unit may include a multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC)
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided an LED driving apparatus and an LED driving method thereof. The LED driving apparatus includes: a light emitting unit including one or more LEDs, a rectifying unit rectifying an input signal to generate a first signal; a signal conversion unit inverting a waveform of a first signal to generate a second signal; and an operation unit arithmetically operating the first and second signals. A plurality of AC signals each having a different waveform are arithmetically operated to generate a signal having a small amount of a ripple component, and an LED is driven by the signal, thus preventing a lifespan of the LED from being shortened by omitting a smoothing electrolytic capacitor, one of main causes shortening the lifespan of an LED driving circuit.