LED Power Supply Dynamic Overcurrent Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overcurrent protection systems for LED lighting are inadequate as they typically provide individual protection for each branch, limiting a single branch to an average maximum current, which is not desirable, and there is a need for common overcurrent protection across all branches.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with a single controller managing multiple branches, incorporating an overcurrent protection circuit that regulates current across all branches, ensuring safety and preventing exposure to power exceeding a predetermined limit, regardless of the number of connected LED modules, using a voltage conditioning circuit and step-down circuitry to provide a constant and regulated current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual overcurrent protection is provided for each branch, then each branch can be protected independently, but the maximum allowable current for each branch is limited to an average maximum current which is not desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is divided into multiple independent branches, each with its own controllable LED modules. The segmentation allows individual branch control while maintaining a common overcurrent protection mechanism through the controller circuit that can selectively connect or disconnect branches based on current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the maximum allowable current parameter based on the number of connected LED modules. When modules are added or removed, the controller recalculates and adjusts the current distribution, allowing each branch to exceed the simple average limit when other branches have fewer modules connected.
2Reliability
If a single common overcurrent protection circuit is used for all branches, then the overall system can be protected, but individual branches cannot exceed the average maximum current limit
Solution Approach 1:
The controller circuit continuously monitors the current draw from each branch and the total system current. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts the maximum allowable current for individual branches, allowing branches with fewer connected modules to draw more current while maintaining overall system protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static current allocation scheme to a dynamic one where the maximum allowable current for each branch changes in real-time based on the configuration of connected LED modules. This dynamic adjustment is managed by the controller circuit that responds to changes in the system state.
3Reliability
If multiple individual overcurrent protection circuits are provided for each branch, then each branch has independent protection, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual protection functions are merged into a single controller circuit that manages all branches. This unified approach maintains independent protection for each branch while reducing the overall number of separate protection circuits needed, as the single controller coordinates current distribution and protection across all branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller circuit serves multiple functions: it controls the connection and disconnection of individual branches, monitors current draw from each branch, calculates dynamic current limits, and provides overcurrent protection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated protection circuits for each branch.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods and systems for providing power to light-emitting diode (“LED”) light sources are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of power output channels. Each of the power output channels may provide a current to a plurality of LED modules. Each of the LED modules may correspond to one of the power output channels. The apparatus may include a protection circuit. The protection circuit may receive a conditioned voltage. The protection circuit may use the conditioned voltage to feed to the power output channels an output current that, in total, has a power no greater than a predetermined power limit. The apparatus may include a voltage conditioning circuit. The voltage condition circuit may receive line voltage. the voltage condition circuit may condition the line voltage. The voltage conditioning circuit may provide the conditioned voltage to the protection circuit.