LED Light String Control System with Short-Circuit Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-emitting diode (LED) light strings face complications in circuit design, high costs, and inability to automatically resume normal operation after fault resolution, particularly due to complex parallel connection methods and safety hazards from short-circuit faults.
Innovation Solution
A LED light string control system featuring a switching unit, control unit, and second power generating unit that uses a field-effect transistor and microprocessor for simplified control and short-circuit protection, allowing automatic recovery and remote operation with reduced component count and signal lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If parallel connection method is used to control multiple LEDs, then synchronized or asynchronous control effect is achieved, but circuit complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control lines and address lines into a single integrated control system. Instead of using separate control lines and address lines for each LED, the invention uses a unified control architecture where a single control line carries both control and addressing information through time-division multiplexing or encoded signals, significantly reducing the number of required wires and circuit complexity while maintaining the ability to control multiple LEDs in parallel.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with universal components that can handle both control and addressing functions. The control unit generates standardized control signals that can address multiple LEDs simultaneously, and the LEDs are designed with universal addressing schemes that allow them to be controlled through a shared control infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If series connection method is used to connect LEDs, then production is simplified, but failure of one LED causes entire light string to stop working
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light string into multiple independent parallel-connected segments or modules. Each segment contains one or more LEDs that are electrically independent from other segments. This segmentation allows individual LEDs or small groups to fail without affecting the entire light string, as current can continue to flow through other parallel paths, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If short-circuit protection circuit is added to prevent safety hazards, then safety is improved, but system cannot automatically resume operation after fault resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism in the short-circuit protection circuit that continuously monitors the electrical state of the LED string. When a short-circuit condition is detected, the protection circuit activates to prevent damage. Once the fault is resolved and normal operating conditions are restored, the feedback signal triggers the system to automatically resume operation without requiring manual intervention, thus achieving both safety and automatic recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit is designed to be self-resetting. It automatically detects fault conditions, activates protection measures, and when the fault is cleared, it autonomously restores normal operation. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external intervention or complex control systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving automatic recovery functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is for a light-emitting diode light string control system, which comprises: a switching unit having a power input end, a power output end connected to the light string, and a controlled end. A control unit is connected to the controlled end of the switching unit. A second power-generating unit is also connected to the light-emitting diode light string. The light-emitting control command sent by the control unit is in a carrier wave mode to realize brightness variation of the light string, which saves costs and simplifies the control circuit. A short-circuit protection unit is employed to provide fast and reliable response in real time.