LED Malfunction Detection Circuit with Active Switch Deactivation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emitting diode (LED) systems require complex remote sense and digital control logic to store identities of failing LEDs and need an auxiliary voltage source to maintain active shunts, making them complex and power-dependent.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with an active switch, such as a micro-relay or semiconductor switch, that deactivates the electrical element in both feeding and non-feeding modes upon malfunction detection, eliminating the need for central storage of failing LED identities and auxiliary voltage, using a voltage-dependent and voltage-independent element combination for detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remote sense and digital control logic is used to store identities of failing LEDs, then LED failure detection and management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the LED array into individually addressable segments or groups, where each segment can be independently controlled and monitored. This segmentation allows the system to detect failures in specific LEDs without requiring complex centralized control logic to manage the entire array, thereby improving reliability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary testing and characterization of each LED during manufacturing, storing baseline parameters such as forward voltage and current characteristics. This preliminary action enables the system to detect failures by comparing real-time measurements against pre-stored values, eliminating the need for complex runtime diagnostics and reducing device complexity.
2Reliability
If active shunts are used to compensate for LED failures, then system reliability is improved, but power dependency increases due to auxiliary voltage source requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service mechanisms where the LED driver circuit automatically detects LED failures and reconfigures the current distribution without requiring auxiliary power sources. The system uses the existing operating voltage to perform both normal LED driving and failure compensation functions, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary voltage sources and reducing power dependency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the LED driver circuit to perform multiple functions using a single power source: normal LED operation, failure detection, and active shunt control all share the same voltage supply. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated auxiliary power sources, maintaining system reliability while reducing overall power consumption.
3Reliability
If sequential polling is used to detect LED failures, then failure detection capability is improved, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of LED parameters such as forward voltage and current at regular intervals during operation. This periodic action enables the system to detect failures promptly without requiring continuous monitoring, balancing detection capability with response time efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms where each LED's electrical characteristics are continuously monitored and compared against baseline values. When deviations indicate a failure, the system immediately triggers a reconfiguration response, eliminating the delays associated with sequential polling and significantly reducing detection response time.
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangements (1) are provided with electrical elements (11,21) for, in a feeding mode, receiving feeding signals and, in a non-feeding mode, not receiving the feeding signals, and with circuits (12,22) for, in the feeding mode, detecting malfunctions of the electrical elements (11,21). The circuits (12,22) comprise active switches (13,23) for, in response to detection results, deactivating the electrical elements (11,21) in both modes, in other words in the feeding mode as well as the non-feeding mode. The electrical elements (11,21) for example comprise light emitting diodes, incandescent lights or loudspeakers etc. The active switches (13,23) for example comprise bistable micro-relays or semiconductor switches such as non-volatile power semiconductor switches such as one time programmable flash power MOSFETs etc. Preferably, the arrangements (1) are integrated arrangements.