LED Spotlight Multi-Mode Current Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spotlight technologies are limited in their ability to adjust maximum current for LED operation, which restricts flexibility in achieving desired brightness and service life, leading to inefficient energy use and reduced service life due to fixed maximum current settings.

Innovation Solution

The spotlight is designed to operate in multiple modes, allowing adjustment of maximum intensity and current, enabling operation with higher intensity for short-term special effects or lower intensity for extended use, optimizing service life and energy efficiency through a programmable control unit and pulse width modulation circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the maximum current through the LED is increased to achieve higher brightness, then the light output increases, but the service life of the LED decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multiple operating modes (first mode with lower current for extended service life, second mode with higher current for maximum brightness) that allow the system to dynamically adjust the maximum current through the LED based on operational requirements. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by enabling the user to select appropriate current levels for different应用场景, rather than being locked into a fixed current setting that compromises either brightness or service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electrical parameter (maximum current) of the LED by providing different controllable current levels through multiple operating modes. The control unit can set the maximum current to different values depending on the selected mode, thereby adjusting the balance between brightness and service life. This parameter change approach allows optimization for either high brightness or extended service life based on specific application needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the maximum current through the LED is set high for maximum brightness, then light output is maximized, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements parameter changes by providing multiple controllable current levels through different operating modes. The first operating mode uses lower current for energy-efficient operation, while the second mode uses higher current for maximum light output when needed. This allows the system to adapt energy consumption to actual lighting requirements, improving overall energy efficiency by avoiding continuous high-current operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the current parameter based on the selected operating mode and actual lighting needs. Rather than operating continuously at maximum current, the control unit can switch between different current levels, optimizing the balance between light output and energy consumption based on real-time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the maximum current is fixed during development, then the design is simple, but the adaptability to different application requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidflexibility in current adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the previously fixed maximum current parameter dynamic by implementing multiple controllable operating modes. The control unit can now adjust the maximum current to different values (first mode with lower current, second mode with higher current) based on application requirements. This dynamic capability provides adaptability to different scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple implementation through mode-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes the spotlight universal by enabling it to function in multiple operating modes suitable for different applications. The first mode is optimized for applications requiring extended service life and energy efficiency, while the second mode is optimized for applications requiring maximum brightness. This multi-functionality allows a single device to adapt to various lighting requirements without requiring multiple different devices.

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

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 approach allows for flexible brightness control without significant service life reduction, enabling special lighting effects while minimizing energy consumption and noise, and preventing excessive wear by monitoring operating time and temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling device for dissipating heat losses occurring in the individual light-emitting diode arrangements... in which a plurality of flow channels running parallel in terms of flow are provided. The individual flow ducts each contain a heat sink, around which the partial air flow flows through the flow duct for the purpose of transferring heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or groups of LEDs are increasingly being used as light sources... they have the advantages of a long service life with little degradation in brightness and high stability of the color point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

The control of the light intensity, which is usually required by the user, is carried out via a modulation circuit, in which the specified maximum current of the LED is modulated by means of pulse width modulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse width modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP3503688B1Flood light
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 HOFFMANN HELGE
  • EP3503688B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3503688B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A spotlight, in particular for illuminating a stage or a building facade, is described, which contains a plurality of light-emitting diodes (5) as light sources, and in which the emitted light intensity can be varied up to a maximum intensity by the plurality of light-emitting diodes (5) via one or more control units (10; 12; 14), wherein at least a part of the light-emitting diodes (5) can be switched between operation in a first mode with a first maximum intensity and operation in a second mode with a second maximum intensity that differs from the first maximum intensity.