LED Illumination System with Series Arrays and Switching Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light-emitting diodes (LEDs) connected directly to an AC power source experience flicker effects and reduced light emission due to simultaneous on/off operation, leading to inefficient light output and increased power consumption, which results in eye fatigue and decreased light emitting efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A light-emitting device with an array of LEDs connected in series, utilizing switching blocks to sequentially turn on and off the LEDs in response to AC voltage changes, maintaining a constant current flow and improving light emitting efficiency, and incorporating a delay phosphor to extend light emission time and reduce flicker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If LEDs are connected directly to AC power source, then the device can operate with simple connection structure, but the LEDs simultaneously turn on and off causing flicker effects and reduced light emission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection structureVSAvoidlight emission
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the LED array into multiple groups that can be independently controlled. Each group contains a different number of LEDs connected in series, allowing them to have different threshold voltages. This segmentation enables staggered activation of LED groups as AC voltage increases, preventing simultaneous on/off operation and reducing flicker effects while maintaining continuous illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If LEDs are connected in series array, then light emission time can be extended, but the structure becomes more complex requiring switching blocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission timeVSAvoidswitching control structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic switching blocks that automatically adjust their state based on the instantaneous AC voltage level. Each switching block monitors the voltage across its associated LED group and transitions between on/off states dynamically as voltage varies during the AC cycle. This dynamic control extends light emission time by keeping LEDs in optimal operating states while avoiding the need for complex external control circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If switching blocks are used to control LED arrays, then light emitting efficiency is improved by maintaining constant current, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emitting efficiencyVSAvoidswitching blocks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching blocks are designed to automatically regulate current flow through their associated LED groups based on local voltage conditions without requiring external control signals. Each switching block independently monitors its own operating conditions and adjusts its state to maintain constant current flow through the LEDs, ensuring optimal light emitting efficiency while eliminating the need for complex centralized control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Illumination intensity

If delay phosphor is incorporated, then flicker effects are reduced by extending light emission time, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflicker reductionVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates delay phosphor materials directly into the LED chip structure or positions them in immediate proximity to the LED emitters. This merging of the phosphor conversion layer with the LED array structure allows the phosphor to convert LED light output and extend emission duration, reducing flicker effects. The integrated approach simplifies manufacturing compared to separate phosphor coating processes and ensures precise spatial alignment between LEDs and phosphor materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enhances light emission time, reduces flicker effects, and improves light emitting efficiency by maintaining constant current flow and using a delay phosphor to extend emission time, thereby providing continuous and efficient illumination.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a delay phosphor to extend light emission time and reduce flicker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 2

A light emitting device with an array of LEDs connected in series, utilizing switching blocks to sequentially turn on and off the LEDs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS8896216B2Illumination system
Publication Date: 2014.11.25 SEOUL VIOSYS CO LTD
  • US8896216B2 patent drawing
  • US8896216B2 patent drawing
  • US8896216B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An illumination system includes multiple light emitting devices arranged in an area so as to be spaced apart from each other. Each light emitting device includes multiple light emitting diode arrays each of which has one light emitting diode or a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series. The numbers of the light emitting diodes included in each light emitting diode arrays differs from each other. A controller is configured to establish one or more groups each including one or more light emitting devices and adjust an illumination state of each light emitting device by controlling the driving state of the one or more light emitting diode arrays included in each light emitting device. The controller may select the number of light emitting devices included in each group based on an external condition.