LED Strip Lighting Segments with Distributed Driver Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting units have inflexible electrical designs, requiring adaptations in circuitry for different numbers of LEDs, limiting their scalability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A lighting unit with a strip configuration where LED elements and driver electronics are distributed along the length, allowing for easy scalability and efficient power distribution, with each segment having direct or indirect electrical connections to supply terminals and containing controllable current limiting elements for optimal current control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If discrete LEDs are mounted on a flat rectangular flexible circuit board with centralized driver electronics, then the electrical design is compact and fixed, but the electrical design is not flexible and requires adaptation for different numbers of LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The strip is divided into multiple lighting segments arranged in spaced relation along the elongate structure. Each segment contains its own driver electronics, creating modular units that can be independently controlled and configured. This segmentation allows the lighting unit to adapt to different numbers of LEDs by simply adjusting which segments are activated or how they are connected, without requiring changes to the overall electrical circuitry design.
Solution Approach 2:
Driver electronics are distributed locally within each lighting segment rather than being centralized in one location. This local distribution of functional elements allows each segment to operate semi-independently and enables flexible configuration where different segments can have different characteristics or be activated based on local requirements, providing adaptability without increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple LEDs are arranged on a strip with distributed driver electronics, then scalability is improved and electrical losses are distributed, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit is segmented into modular sections along the elongate strip, with each segment containing integrated driver electronics. This segmentation enables scalability because additional segments can be added to the strip configuration without redesigning the entire system. The modular nature allows straightforward extension from a few segments to many segments while maintaining consistent electrical architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The strip structure is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different numbers and configurations of lighting segments. The standardized interface and distributed architecture allow the same basic strip design to serve multiple applications by simply varying the number of active segments or their arrangement, providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple specialized designs.
3Loss of energy
If driver electronics are centralized in one location, then the electrical design is simpler, but electrical losses are concentrated and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Driver electronics are segmented and distributed within each lighting segment rather than centralized. This distribution causes electrical losses to be localized to each segment rather than concentrated in one location, improving overall efficiency. Each segment processes only the power required for its LEDs, reducing unnecessary power transmission over long distances and minimizing resistive losses in the electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
Power conversion and control functions are performed locally within each lighting segment at the point where power is needed. This local processing eliminates the need for long electrical conductors to distribute power from a centralized source, thereby reducing I²R losses. The electrical design complexity increases only marginally due to the repetitive modular nature of the segments.
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 flexible electrical design, efficient power distribution, and scalable lighting solutions with minimal changes in circuitry, reducing electrical losses and allowing for varied luminous flux requirements across different applications.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting unit comprises at least a strip, i.e. an elongate element on which a plurality of lighting segments are arranged... Each lighting segment comprises at least one LED element
Data Source
AI summary
What is described is a lighting unit 10 with a plurality of lighting segments 30a, 30b. The lighting segments 30a, 30b are arranged on a strip 40 in spaced relation from each other. Each lighting segment 30a, 30b is connected to an electrical supply terminal 20. In order to obtain a lighting unit with a flexible electrical configuration, each lighting segment 30a, 30b comprises at least one LED element and at least one driver circuit 36 including a controllable, current limiting element for controlling a current through the LED element.