LED Replacement Lamp Filament Emulation Circuit Fault Tolerance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED replacement lamps lack robustness and safety in fault conditions, particularly when individual components fail, leading to potential electrical hazards and operational disruptions in lighting fixtures designed for fluorescent lamps.
Innovation Solution
The LED replacement lamp incorporates filament emulation circuits with series-connected resistors and additional safety features like current limiting and voltage limiting circuits, ensuring continued safe operation even if individual components fail, by maintaining adequate resistance and preventing overcurrent and overvoltage damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual resistors are used in filament emulation circuits, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to potential component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The filament emulation circuit divides a single resistance function into multiple series-connected resistors (e.g., four resistors per filament circuit). This segmentation ensures that if one resistor fails, the remaining resistors maintain sufficient resistance to prevent hazardous conditions, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex backup systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates potential resistor failure by pre-configuring multiple resistors in series. This creates a safety margin where the cumulative resistance of remaining functional resistors stays above the minimum required threshold (e.g., 8 ohms), cushioning against the impact of component failure before it occurs.
2Reliability
If simple electromagnetic ballast with glow starter is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the safety under fault condition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the safety function from the ballast and starter system by implementing it directly within the LED replacement lamp itself. The filament emulation circuits with series resistors are built into the lamp, removing the need for complex external safety mechanisms in the lighting fixture while ensuring safe operation under fault conditions.
3Reliability
If fewer resistors are used in series connection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fault tolerance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The design changes the resistance parameter distribution by using multiple resistors in series, each with a lower individual resistance value. This allows the total resistance to be maintained even if one resistor fails, as the cumulative resistance of remaining resistors stays above the required threshold. Standard resistor values (e.g., 2 ohms each) are selected to achieve the target total resistance (e.g., 8 ohms).
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 provides increased fault tolerance and safety by maintaining operational integrity and preventing damage from component failures, ensuring reliable and safe operation in various lighting configurations, including misuse scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first and second resistor circuits comprises a series connection of at least two resistors... If one of the resistors fails, i. e. is short-circuited, the remaining resistance of the series connection is still sufficient to provide an adequate resistance value between the contacts
Implementation Method 2
there may be provided in at least one of the filament emulation circuits a current limiting circuit connected in series with at least one of the resistor circuits. The current limiting circuit is disposed to prevent an overcurrent from flowing
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the emulation circuits further comprises a voltage limiting circuit connected to the resistor circuits
Data Source
Figure 1~3a
Figure 3b~3f
AI summary
An LED replacement lamp (20) is described. An LED lighting assembly (40) comprising LED lighting elements is electrically connected to filament emulation circuits, connected to electrical contacts at each of two opposite ends (22a, 22b) of an elongated member. The filament emulation circuits (42) each comprise a first resistor circuit (46) and a second resistor circuit (48) connected to first and second electrical contacts (26a, 24a). The first and second resistor circuits (46, 48) are connected to the LED lighting assembly (40) at a common terminal (50). In order to provide an LED replacement lamp for safe operation even in cases of component failure, and if the replacement lamp (20) is used in incorrect wiring configurations, the first and second resistor circuits (46, 48) each comprise a series connection of at least two resistors, in such a way that in case of failure of one of the resistors, the total resistance of the filament emulation circuits (42) remains above a determined resistance value.