LED Lighting with Battery Backup and DC-AC Converter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lighting systems face challenges in providing a compact and efficient battery backup solution that can support variable numbers of LEDs based on battery voltage, particularly during power outages, and often require large driver circuits.

Innovation Solution

A lighting arrangement incorporating a compact battery backup system with a DC-AC converter and microcontroller unit that allows for the conversion of low DC voltage to AC, enabling the supply of power to LEDs during outages, and includes a smaller driver chip for tight voltage control, allowing for a smaller battery size and variable LED configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery backup system is added to LED lighting, then continuous functionality during power outages is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the battery backup system, DC-AC converter, and LED driver into a single integrated housing. The converter portion and battery portion are merged into one unit that attaches to the LED light string, eliminating the need for separate backup power components and reducing overall system complexity despite adding battery functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The driver circuit performs multiple functions: it drives the LEDs during normal operation, charges the battery when AC power is available, and operates the LEDs from battery power during outages. The DC-AC converter also provides both conversion functionality and housing structure, serving multiple purposes within a single component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a DC-AC converter is used to enable variable LED configuration, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable LED configurationVSAvoiddriver circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microcontroller monitors battery voltage and dynamically adjusts the number of LEDs operated based on available power capacity. As battery voltage changes, the system adapts by enabling or disabling specific LED strings, allowing variable configuration without hardware changes and maintaining adaptability while using a standardized driver circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If tight voltage control is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidvoltage control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The microcontroller continuously monitors the battery voltage and uses this feedback to adjust LED operation. When voltage drops below thresholds, the system automatically reduces LED load by disabling strings, maintaining energy efficiency through dynamic adjustment rather than requiring precision voltage regulation hardware that would increase manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 a smaller backup battery and allows for the variable number of LEDs based on battery voltage, ensuring continuous functionality, including dimming, with a compact design that can be aesthetically integrated into existing installations.

Implementation Method 1

a DC-AC converter and microcontroller unit that allows for the conversion of low DC voltage to AC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDC-AC conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3142466B1Lighting arrangement with battery back-up
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 CP IP HLDG
  • EP3142466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3142466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3142466B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lighting arrangement can include a light emitter portion and a battery backup portion. The light emitter portion can have a plurality of light emitting diodes and circuitry for driving the plurality of light emitting diodes including a rectifier and an IC chip configured to drive the plurality of light emitting diodes with the rectified voltage provided by the rectifier. The battery backup portion can be in electronic communication with the light emitter portion and can have a battery portion with one or more batteries and a converter portion with a DC-AC inverter downstream of the one or more batteries that directs the electrical power to the rectifier and is driven by the one or batteries.