LED Reading Light Voltage Drop Diode Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED reading lights for aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles are costly and require changes to the power supply systems, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when replacing old or broken lights, as they do not easily integrate with existing power supply systems without altering the wiring.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates multiple illuminating LEDs and voltage drop diodes connected in series to provide a desired light intensity and voltage drop, allowing the LED reading light to function seamlessly with existing power supply systems, reducing costs and power consumption while ensuring compatibility with standard power supply requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional LED reading lights are used to provide desired light intensity, then illumination performance is improved, but cost increases and compatibility with existing power supply systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensityVSAvoidcompatibility with existing power supply systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces voltage drop diodes as intermediary components between the power supply and illuminating LEDs. These diodes act as mediators that adapt the electrical characteristics of modern low-voltage-drop LEDs to match the expectations of legacy power supply systems, enabling compatibility without sacrificing illumination performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the lighting circuit by introducing voltage drop diodes that increase the overall voltage drop of the circuit. This parameter change allows the use of fewer LEDs with lower individual voltage drops while maintaining compatibility with existing power supply systems that expect higher voltage drops

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If modern LEDs with lower voltage drop are used, then cost efficiency is improved, but compatibility with existing power supply systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost efficiencyVSAvoidcompatibility with existing power supply systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Voltage drop diodes serve as intermediary components that bridge the gap between modern cost-efficient LEDs and legacy power supply systems. These diodes allow the use of cheaper, modern LEDs while maintaining system compatibility by providing the expected voltage drop characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive voltage drop diodes as sacrificial components that enable the use of more cost-efficient modern LEDs. The diodes are simple, cheap components that can be easily replaced if needed, allowing significant savings on the more expensive LED elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If fewer LEDs are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is improved, but achieving desired light intensity becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidlight intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of individual LEDs by operating them at different current levels than traditional designs. By using voltage drop diodes to control current distribution, the system can use fewer LEDs while achieving the same overall light intensity through optimized current management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If existing power supply systems are altered to accommodate new LEDs, then compatibility is improved, but system complexity and modification effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidsystem modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying complex power supply systems, the patent introduces simple voltage drop diodes as intermediaries within the lighting assembly itself. This approach maintains the existing power supply systems unchanged while achieving compatibility through the intermediary diode components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than modifying the power supply to accommodate new LEDs, the patent inverts the approach by modifying the LED assembly to accommodate the existing power supply. This is done by adding voltage drop diodes to the LED circuit to match the power supply's expected electrical characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This solution enables the production of cost-efficient LED reading lights that maintain expected behavior and performance, allowing for easy replacement and integration with existing systems, reducing voltage drops, and improving light intensity while minimizing the number of LEDs used.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the at least one lighting strand comprises at least one voltage drop diode, which in operation does not contribute to the desired light intensity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage drop: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the illuminating LED's. The illuminating LED's are distributed among the at least one lighting strand and connected such that they jointly provide the desired light intensity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from LED: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2775796B1LED reading light and method of replacing an LED reading light
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 GOODRICH LIGHTING SYST GMBH
  • EP2775796B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2775796B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2775796B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An LED reading light (1), in particular for a passenger transport vehicle, such as an aircraft, a road vehicle, a ship or a rail car, is disclosed that has a plurality of illuminating LED's (51-56) and in operation provides a desired light intensity for a set supply current, wherein the LED reading light (1) comprises two power supply terminals (10) connectable to a power supply for receiving the set supply current, and at least one lighting strand (30) coupled between the two power supply terminals (10). Each of the at least one lighting strand (30) comprises at least one voltage drop diode, with the at least one voltage drop diode in operation not contributing to the desired light intensity, and at least one of the illuminating LED's (51-56). The illuminating LED's (51-56) are distributed among the at least one lighting strand (30) and connected such that they jointly provide the desired light intensity for the set supply current.