Universal Retrofit LED Tube with Automatic Luminaire Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retrofit LED lighting tubes face challenges in providing pin-safety and hot plug-in capability when used with various luminaire types, including those connected directly to the mains powerline, as existing solutions often require manual switching or high-frequency relays, which can be hazardous and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
The LED lighting tube incorporates a dual circuit configuration with a high-frequency short-circuit and low-frequency short-circuit, along with a control circuit using a relay and capacitance, which provides pin-safety and hot plug-in capability by being galvanically decoupled from the second circuit, and includes a PFC circuit for harmonic suppression and constant LED current regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical switcher is used for pin-safety, then pin-safety is provided, but the operation becomes inconvenient and requires manual switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the luminaire type (CCG, ECG, or mains powerline) and configures the relay circuit accordingly without requiring manual intervention. The control circuit autonomously determines the operating mode based on electrical characteristics, enabling hot-plug capability while maintaining pin-safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical switcher with an electronic relay circuit controlled by a control circuit that uses electrical signals to detect luminaire type and automatically configure the circuit. This substitution eliminates moving parts and manual switching while maintaining safety functionality.
2Reliability
If a relay circuit triggered by high frequency is used for pin-safety, then pin-safety is provided, but fire and shock hazards remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control circuit as an intermediary that detects the luminaire type through electrical characteristics and safely controls the relay circuit. This intermediary layer prevents direct exposure to high voltages and high-frequency signals, eliminating fire and shock hazards while maintaining pin-safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the high-frequency triggered relay circuit with a low-frequency or DC-controlled relay circuit. The control circuit uses safe voltage levels to trigger the relay, eliminating the harmful high-frequency electromagnetic radiation while maintaining the pin-safety function through automatic luminaire type detection.
3Ease of operation
If hot plug-in capability is implemented, then convenience is improved, but safety risks increase due to potential voltage exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary detection of the luminaire type before the relay circuit is activated. By detecting electrical characteristics upon insertion and pre-configuring the circuit state, the system ensures safe hot-plug operation without exposing users to voltage risks during the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit continuously monitors electrical parameters and provides feedback to the relay control. This feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts the circuit configuration based on the detected luminaire type, ensuring that hot-plug capability is maintained while voltage exposure risks are prevented through real-time circuit state management.
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 safe and convenient operation of the LED lighting tube in CCG, ECG, and mains powerline-connected luminaires, ensuring pin-safety and hot plug-in functionality while improving efficiency through EMI filtering and harmonic current suppression.
Implementation Method 1
The first circuit is advantageously configured as a short-circuit for high frequencies
Implementation Method 2
The second circuit may be configured as a short-circuit for low frequencies
Implementation Method 3
The LED lighting tube further comprises a control circuit connected between the first circuit and the second circuit, which is electrically connected to the second circuit by a capacitance
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an LED lighting tube (100), a lighting system (200; 300; 400; 500), and a use of the LED lighting tube (100). The LED lighting tube (100) comprises a first circuit (10) configured as a short-circuit for high frequencies; a second circuit (20) configured as a short-circuit for low frequencies; a control circuit (30) connected between the first circuit (10) and the second circuit (20); wherein the control circuit (30) is connected to the second circuit (20) by a relay (40) controllable by the control circuit (30) and by a capacitance (42); and a light engine (50) connected between the first circuit (10) and the control circuit (30) .