Multi-chip LED Strip with Series Resistor for Escape Route Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED strip systems for escape route marking face challenges in achieving high luminous intensity, low power consumption, long service life, and reduced heat generation while minimizing complex wiring and contact resistance, particularly in applications like ships and public buildings.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using multichip LEDs with multiple LEDs connected in series and a single electrical resistor on each LED island, connected via a two-wire system, allowing for lower current operation and reduced heat generation, with LED islands connected in parallel for redundancy and efficient power distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If single LED elements are used in LED islands with three-conductor connection, then the wiring structure is established, but the wiring becomes relatively complex and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring complexityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the LED island into multiple independent LED elements (first LED, second LED, third LED) that can be connected in parallel. This segmentation allows each LED to have its own current path through the resistor, simplifying the wiring structure from three-conductor to two-conductor connection while maintaining operational independence of each LED element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple LED elements into a single LED island structure that shares common power supply connections. By merging the anode connections and cathode connections of multiple LEDs through a two-wire system with a shared resistor, the system reduces wiring complexity while maintaining the functional benefits of multiple light sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Illumination intensity

If multiple LEDs are connected in series with a resistor on each LED island, then luminous intensity increases, but the number of voltage sources and wiring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple LED islands into parallel configurations where each island shares the same voltage source connections. By combining the power supply paths and using a two-wire system for inter-island connections, the system achieves high total luminous intensity from multiple LEDs while minimizing wiring complexity and voltage source requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates equipotential connections by linking corresponding nodes of multiple LED islands together. All anodes are connected to the same potential through the first conductor, and all cathodes are connected to the same potential through the second conductor, allowing multiple LEDs to operate in parallel with simplified wiring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Illumination intensity

If LEDs are operated at high current for maximum luminous intensity, then light output increases, but heat generation increases and service life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses multiple LED elements in parallel rather than over-driving a single LED. By distributing the total current requirement across multiple LEDs operating at moderate current levels, the system achieves the required luminous intensity while keeping individual LED operating temperatures lower, thereby extending service life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using multiple LEDs at lower individual currents instead of fewer LEDs at high currents. This parameter change reduces the heat generation per LED while maintaining or increasing total luminous output, thus improving reliability and service life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 results in higher light intensity, reduced power consumption, extended service life, and simplified installation with fewer voltage sources and wiring efforts, while minimizing heat generation and the need for additional power feeds, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the LED strip system.

Implementation Method 1

Each LED island consists of a circuit board and an LED element as the light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

at least one multi-chip LED...any LED element that has two or more LEDs as light sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 3

Each LED element is assigned a resistor...the electrical loads of one LED island are connected in parallel with the electrical loads of the other LED islands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3866568B1LED strip
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 LS LIGHTING SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP3866568B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3866568B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3866568B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an LED strip (10) with at least one LED array (11) and cables (12) for connection to a power supply (13) or to further LED arrays (11). At least one multi-chip LED and at least one electrical resistor (19) are connected in series on the LED array (11).