LED Light Unit HID Power Supply Compatibility Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high intensity discharge lamps in passenger transport vehicles are not energy efficient and require significant changes to power supply systems when replaced, leading to technological stagnation due to compatibility issues with existing infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

An LED light unit designed to operate with conventional high intensity discharge lamp power supplies, utilizing a capacitor and power dissipating element to mimic the electrical behavior of HID lamps, ensuring continued power provision and efficient energy use without altering the power supply system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If LED light units are used to replace high intensity discharge lamps, then energy efficiency is improved, but compatibility with existing power supply systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcompatibility with existing power supply systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary circuit between the LED light unit and the existing HID power supply system. This intermediary includes components such as a capacitor, inductor, and control circuitry that translate the electrical characteristics expected by the HID power supply into forms suitable for driving LEDs. The intermediary acts as a mediator that allows the LED to communicate with the legacy power supply in a compatible language, enabling energy-efficient LED operation without requiring system-wide infrastructure changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting electrical parameters (voltage, current, frequency, phase angle) to match the expectations of the HID power supply monitoring system. The control circuit modifies these parameters in real-time based on the operational state, allowing the LED unit to present the correct electrical signature that mimics a functioning HID lamp, thereby maintaining compatibility while achieving superior energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If high intensity discharge lamps are used in existing passenger transport vehicles, then compatibility with existing power supply systems is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with existing power supply systemsVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating an electrical behavior copy of a HID lamp through the intermediary circuit. The control system monitors and replicates the characteristic electrical signatures, startup sequences, and operational patterns of traditional HID lamps. This copying approach allows the LED unit to be indistinguishable from a real HID lamp to the power supply monitoring system, maintaining full compatibility while delivering LED energy efficiency benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of energy

If existing high intensity discharge lamps are replaced with LED light units, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional circuit components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating multiple functions into the intermediary circuit components. The capacitor and inductor serve dual purposes: they condition the electrical signal for LED operation while simultaneously presenting the correct load characteristics to the HID power supply. The control circuit combines monitoring, signal processing, and LED driving functions in a single integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity despite the addition of necessary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 LED light unit achieves higher energy efficiency than HID lamps, allowing seamless integration into existing systems while maintaining operational compatibility, thereby reducing energy consumption and simplifying replacement processes.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor switchably coupled to the power input for absorbing electrical energy from the high intensity discharge lamp power supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a power dissipating element switchably coupled to the power input for dissipating electrical energy from the high intensity discharge lamp power supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

The present invention uses one or more LED's as light sources for the light unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode effect: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2802192B1LED light unit and method of operating an LED light unit
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 GOODRICH LIGHTING SYST GMBH
  • EP2802192B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2802192B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2802192B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

An LED light unit (2), in particular for a passenger transport vehicle, such as an aircraft, a road vehicle, a ship or a rail car, is disclosed that has at least one LED (8) and is configured to be used with a high intensity discharge lamp power supply (20) that is adapted to monitor its output behavior. The LED light unit (2) comprises a power input coupleable to the high intensity discharge lamp power supply (20), a capacitor (4) switchably coupled to the power input for absorbing electrical energy from the high intensity discharge lamp power supply (20), and a power dissipating element (6) switchably coupled to the power input for dissipating electrical energy from the high intensity discharge lamp power supply (20).