LED Power Converter Supply Voltage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED drivers lack an efficient method to assess the characteristics of supply voltage, such as frequency and voltage spikes, which is necessary for optimal control of LED fixtures but requires additional costly measurement circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A power converter with a primary and secondary circuit, including a sensing circuit to generate signals representative of output voltage edges and a detecting circuit to estimate load and supply voltage from timing data, allowing for accurate determination of momentary power supply conditions without additional primary-side hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement circuitry is added to the primary side to detect supply voltage characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the secondary winding as an intermediary to indirectly measure primary side supply voltage characteristics. Instead of directly measuring the primary voltage, the system measures the secondary voltage which is magnetically coupled to the primary, thereby inferring primary side conditions without direct contact or additional primary side circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical measurement on the primary side with magnetic field-based indirect measurement through the transformer coupling. The magnetic coupling between primary and secondary windings serves as the measurement mechanism, eliminating the need for direct electrical connection and associated measurement circuitry on the primary side.
2Reliability
If additional measurement circuitry is added to assess supply voltage characteristics, then reliability of voltage detection is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary winding serves multiple functions: it provides power output to the load and simultaneously serves as a measurement sensor for detecting primary side supply voltage characteristics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement circuitry, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational components (secondary winding and voltage output) to perform the measurement function. The power converter's existing structures serve the dual purpose of power transformation and voltage characteristic detection, eliminating the need for external or additional dedicated measurement devices.
3Measurement precision
If primary side measurement circuitry is implemented, then accuracy of supply voltage assessment is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is performed using the existing power transformation process itself. The secondary voltage, which is already being generated for power output, is simultaneously used for measurement purposes. No additional energy-consuming measurement circuitry is required, as the system uses its own operational voltage for dual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary voltage serves dual functions: powering the load and providing measurement information about primary side supply characteristics. This eliminates the need for separate energy-consuming measurement systems, thereby reducing overall energy loss while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Enables easy assessment of supply voltage characteristics, facilitating control of LED fixtures and reducing costs by eliminating the need for additional measurement circuitry on the primary side, while providing reliable detection of overvoltage, undervoltage, and power failures.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary winding that is magnetically coupled with the primary winding for providing an alternating voltage in response to a switching of the switch
Implementation Method 2
a diode connected to the secondary winding to rectify the alternating voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter powers an LED fixture from a power supply, and comprisesa primary circuita primary winding; anda switch in series connection with the primary winding to in a conductive state of the switch connect the primary winding to the power supply;a secondary circuit comprisinga secondary winding that is magnetically coupled with the primary winding for providing power to the LED fixture in response to a switching of the switch;the power converter further comprising:the power converter further comprising:a sensing circuit configured to generate a signal representative of the output voltage of the secondary winding, an edge of the signal representing an edge of the output voltage of the secondary winding in response to the switching of the switch; anda detecting circuit configured to derive timing data from the edges of the signal, to estimate a load of the power converter from at least one output parameter of the power converter, and to determine a momentary value of a voltage of the power supply from the timing data and the estimated load of the power converter.