LED Circuit Parallel Control Eliminates Local Supply Voltages

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emitting diode (LED) circuits require locally generated supply voltages for each segment and driver, leading to increased costs and complexity in assembly and adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting diode circuit design where a third circuit is coupled in parallel with a second circuit and in series with a first circuit, allowing for centralized control of multiple LED units, eliminating the need for locally generated supply voltages and enabling more flexibility and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each segment and driver uses locally generated supply voltage, then each component can be powered independently, but the circuit complexity and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent power supply for each componentVSAvoidcircuit complexity and assembly cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power supply function by having the third circuit draw feeding voltage from the second circuit, eliminating the need for separate locally generated supply voltages for each segment and driver. This consolidation reduces the number of power supply components and simplifies the overall circuit architecture while maintaining independent control capability through the third circuit's parallel coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The third circuit serves multiple functions: it controls LED units outside the second circuit, draws feeding voltage from the second circuit, and provides centralized control for multiple LED units. This multi-functional design reduces the need for dedicated power supply circuits for each component, thereby reducing overall circuit complexity.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a third circuit is coupled in parallel with the second circuit for centralized control, then flexibility and efficiency improve, but the circuit configuration becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in control and optimizationVSAvoidcircuit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the LED circuit into distinct first, second, and third circuits with specific functions. The first circuit contains LED units, the second circuit provides voltage, and the third circuit provides centralized control. This segmentation allows for modular design and independent optimization of each circuit while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The third circuit acts as an intermediary between the power source and the LED units, drawing feeding voltage from the second circuit and providing centralized control. This intermediary role enables flexible control of multiple LED units without requiring direct complex interconnections between all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If locally generated supply voltages are used for each driver, then power distribution is simplified, but control flexibility and optimization options are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution simplicityVSAvoidcontrol flexibility and optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The third circuit receives feeding voltage from the second circuit and uses this feedback to control LED units outside the second circuit. This feedback mechanism enables centralized control that can optimize LED operation based on the available voltage, providing flexibility and optimization options while maintaining relatively simple power distribution through the second circuit.

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

This design reduces costs and complexity by allowing a single third circuit to control multiple LED units, providing more options for optimization, flexibility, and efficiency in LED circuit operations, such as dimming, flicker suppression, and color control.

Implementation Method 1

a first circuit (11) with a first light emitting diode unit (1.1 LED), a second circuit (12) with a second light emitting diode unit (1.2 LED)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2474201B1Light emitting diode circuit having control circuit connected in parallel with diode circuit
Publication Date: 2017.06.28 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2474201B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2474201B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2474201B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In light emitting diode circuits (1) comprising serially coupled first and second circuits (11, 12) with first and second light emitting diodes, third circuits (13) are coupled in parallel with the second circuits (12) for controlling the first light emitting diodes in the first circuits (11) and/or third light emitting diodes in fourth circuits (14). This allowes more options, more optimizations, more flexibility and/or more efficiency. The light emitting diode circuit (1) receives a supply voltage from a source (2, 3) for feeding the light emitting diode circuit (1). The third circuit (13) receives a feeding voltage from the second circuit (12) for feeding the third circuit (13). The feeding voltage may be a voltage present across the second circuit (12). The third circuit (13) may further control the second light emitting diodes in the second circuit (12). Said controlling may comprise controlling a current flowing through said light emitting diodes for the purpose of dimming, flicker suppression, color control and/or temperature protection.