LED Luminaire With Built-In Test Switch And Voltage Pull-Down Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting solutions face challenges with ballast compatibility, maintenance costs, and energy efficiency, particularly in retrofit applications, where ballast-compatible LED lamps require frequent replacements and constant power draw, while AC mains-operable LED lamps lack a cost-effective solution for universal compatibility and emergency lighting reliability.
Innovation Solution
An LED luminaire with a rechargeable battery, full-wave rectifiers, input filters, charging circuits, drivers, and a test and voltage pull-down circuit that auto-selects between AC mains and DC battery power, enabling self-sustaining operation, reducing maintenance needs, and integrating a built-in test switch for emergency lighting compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ballast-compatible LED lamps are used to replace fluorescent lamps, then installation is straightforward without rewiring, but total cost of ownership is high due to frequent replacements and constant ballast power draw
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ballast component entirely from the lighting system, replacing it with an AC mains-operable LED lamp that integrates its own power conversion circuitry. This extraction eliminates the constant power draw issue while maintaining ease of installation by directly connecting to AC mains without requiring ballast removal or rewiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED lamp is designed to be self-sustaining with integrated rectifier and driver circuits that convert AC mains power directly to drive the LED array. This self-service capability eliminates dependency on external ballasts, removing both the constant power draw problem and the compatibility issues with different ballast types.
2Loss of energy
If AC mains-operable LED lamps are used, then energy efficiency is improved and maintenance is reduced, but compatibility with existing fixtures requires ballast removal or bypassing
Solution Approach 1:
The LED lamp is designed with universal AC mains operation capability that works with both ballast-compatible and non-ballast fixtures. The integrated power conversion circuitry can handle various AC mains configurations, making the lamp universally compatible across different fixture types without requiring ballast removal or modification.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If LED lamps operate with line voltage from AC mains, then continuous operation is achieved, but electric shock hazard exists during testing and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a test and voltage pull-down circuit as an intermediary mechanism that safely disconnects or isolates the high-voltage AC mains input during testing and maintenance operations. This intermediary circuit allows technicians to perform tests without direct exposure to dangerous line voltage, eliminating the electric shock hazard while maintaining continuous operation capability during normal use.
4Reliability
If built-in test capability is added to LED luminaire, then emergency lighting compliance is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test functionality is merged with the existing power conversion and control circuits. The test and voltage pull-down circuit shares components with the rectifier and driver circuits, combining multiple functions into a unified system. This merging approach enables emergency lighting compliance testing without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 cost-effective, energy-efficient, and reliable LED luminaire that reduces maintenance costs, ensures long-term operation without constant power draw, and meets emergency lighting standards with a built-in test capability for AC mains or DC battery operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first full-wave rectifier and at least one second full-wave rectifier coupled to the at least four electrical conductors, the first full-wave rectifier and the at least one second full-wave rectifier configured to respectively convert a line voltage from the AC mains into a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage
Implementation Method 2
a first input filter and a second input filter, the first input filter and the second input filter configured to suppress electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise
Implementation Method 3
one or more LED arrays; the first driver configured to convert the fourth DC voltage into a fifth DC voltage to operate the one or more LED arrays when the line voltage from the AC mains is unavailable
Data Source
AI summary
An LED luminaire comprises a rechargeable battery, LED array(s), multiple driving circuits, a built-in test switch, and a voltage pull-down circuit. The multiple driving circuits comprise a charging circuit configured to charge the rechargeable battery, a first driving circuit configured to convert a DC voltage from the rechargeable battery to light up the LED array(s) when a line voltage from the AC mains is unavailable, and a second driving circuit configured to operate the LED array(s) when the line voltage from the AC mains is available. The built-in test switch and the voltage pull-down circuit are configured to enable or disable the first and the second driving circuits in proper situations and to meet regulatory test requirements without operational ambiguity and safety issues. Furthermore, the charging circuit and the second driving circuit are electrically isolated, no electric shock hazard possibly occurred.