LED Lighting System Dynamic Series Parallel Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting systems face challenges in maintaining efficiency and light quality due to fluctuations in supply voltage, with series configurations being prone to decreased light quality and parallel configurations being inefficient, and both are susceptible to flicker and overvoltage issues.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically switches between series and parallel configurations based on supply voltage and ambient temperature, using dual bipolar junction transistor current regulators, current regulator short circuit logic, threshold detection circuits, and overvoltage protection circuits to maintain near-constant current levels and prevent flicker, while bypassing current regulators to reduce voltage drop and protect against overvoltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED strings are configured in series to improve energy efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but light quality deteriorates and overvoltage susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of LED strings between series and parallel connections based on detected supply voltage levels. When voltage is high, strings are switched to parallel configuration to prevent overvoltage damage; when voltage is low, series configuration is used to maximize energy efficiency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for efficiency when safe and protect reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical configuration parameter (series vs. parallel connection) of the LED strings based on supply voltage conditions. This parameter change allows the same LED strings to operate in different modes: series for efficiency at low voltage, parallel for protection at high voltage, thereby resolving the trade-off between efficiency and reliability.
2Reliability
If LED strings are configured in parallel to improve light quality, then light quality is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between parallel and series configurations based on supply voltage detection. Parallel configuration is activated when voltage exceeds a threshold to ensure light quality and prevent overvoltage damage, while series configuration is used when voltage is within acceptable ranges to maintain energy efficiency. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by contextually selecting the optimal configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection parameter of LED strings is changed from fixed to variable, allowing switching between parallel (for light quality) and series (for efficiency) configurations. This parameter flexibility enables the system to achieve both light quality and energy efficiency under different operating conditions, resolving the inherent trade-off.
3Reliability
If current regulators are used to maintain constant current levels, then light quality stability is improved, but voltage drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current regulator is dynamically bypassed based on supply voltage conditions. When supply voltage is high, the regulator is bypassed to minimize voltage drop and energy loss. When supply voltage is low or within optimal range, the regulator is activated to maintain constant current levels and ensure light quality stability. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between current stability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The state of the current regulator (active vs. bypassed) is changed as a controllable parameter based on voltage conditions. This allows the system to optimize between two extremes: full regulation for current stability and full bypass for minimal voltage drop, thereby resolving the trade-off between reliability and energy loss.
4Loss of energy
If current regulators are bypassed to reduce voltage drop, then energy efficiency is improved, but current stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the bypass state of current regulators based on detected supply voltage levels. When voltage is high, bypassing is activated to reduce energy loss; when voltage drops to critical levels, bypassing is deactivated to restore current stability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing temporary sacrifice of efficiency for stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass parameter of the current regulator is dynamically changed based on voltage conditions, enabling the system to switch between energy-efficient mode (bypassed) and stable operation mode (active regulation). This parameter control resolves the trade-off between reducing voltage drop and maintaining current stability.
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 system achieves efficient and high-quality LED lighting with minimal visual disturbances, maintaining near-constant current levels and protecting against voltage fluctuations, thereby enhancing the reliability and performance of LED lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
base-emitter drop voltages of said multiple BJTs dictate said threshold voltage
Implementation Method 2
said multiple LED strings are coupled with a Schottky diode
Implementation Method 3
an overvoltage protection circuit configured to block current flow through said multiple LED strings when said supply voltage exceeds an overvoltage threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A system, in some embodiments, comprises: multiple light emitting diode (LED) strings configurable in series or in parallel depending on a supply voltage provided in the system; and multiple current regulators, a different one of the multiple current regulators coupled to each of the multiple LED strings and configured to regulate current passing through a respective LED string, wherein at least one of the multiple current regulators is bypassed when the multiple LED strings are configured in series.