LED Lamp Secondary Load for Cold Transformer Startup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low power LED lamps face compatibility issues with traditional electronic transformers, especially at low ambient temperatures, where the transformer may struggle to start or flicker due to inadequate power load, leading to unstable output voltage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a secondary load within the lighting device that is activated by a controller when the ambient temperature drops below a threshold, allowing the external power supply to increase its load and ensure stable operation, while maintaining the brightness requirements of the LED lamp.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a low power LED lamp is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but compatibility with traditional electronic transformers deteriorates at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcompatibility with electronic transformer

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device dynamically adjusts its load characteristics by switching between different operating modes (lighting mode and heating mode) based on temperature conditions. The controller monitors temperature and activates the heating element only when ambient temperature is below the threshold, creating a dynamic adaptation to environmental conditions that resolves the compatibility issue at low temperatures while maintaining low power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the power load is increased to ensure stable operation of electronic transformer at low temperature, then operational stability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is activated periodically or temporarily only during cold start conditions when ambient temperature is below the threshold. Once the temperature rises above the threshold or the transformer stabilizes, the heating element is deactivated. This periodic/temporary activation ensures operational stability during critical cold periods while minimizing overall power consumption during normal operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If a secondary load is activated at low temperature, then the external power supply operates stably, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable operationVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element serves dual purposes: it acts as a secondary load to improve electronic transformer compatibility at low temperatures, and simultaneously functions as a heating device for the lighting device itself. This multi-functionality approach adds minimal complexity while achieving multiple objectives - ensuring stable transformer operation and providing thermal management for the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12144075B2Lighting device which receives power from an external power supply

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

A lighting device connects to an external power supply and includes a light emitting load and a secondary load. A temperature measurement is obtained related to a temperature of the external power supply. The secondary load is activated, thereby allowing the secondary load to be powered by the external power supply, when the temperature measurement is below a threshold. Thus, in cold conditions, an increased load is presented to the external power supply to assist start up of the external power supply in cold conditions.