Light Driver Bus Voltage Reduction for Standby Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver devices for light-emitting means face challenges in saving power, simplifying operation, and enhancing reliability, particularly in standby mode, due to complex circuitry and the reliance on optocouplers which are prone to aging and add failure points.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize feedback coupling from the secondary side to the primary side to decrease the bus voltage during standby mode, allowing the primary side controller to implement further power-saving functions, thereby reducing energy consumption and avoiding the need for optocouplers by using an auxiliary winding in the isolation transformer to detect voltage changes solely on the primary side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optocouplers are used for feedback coupling between primary and secondary sides, then galvanic isolation is maintained, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to additional failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the optocoupler component from the feedback coupling path. Instead of using optical isolation, the invention uses a direct electrical connection through the auxiliary winding of the isolation transformer to transfer feedback signals from the secondary side to the primary side, thereby removing the optocoupler and its associated reliability issues while maintaining galvanic isolation through the transformer's magnetic coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation transformer's auxiliary winding is given multiple functions: it continues to provide feedback for normal operation and additionally serves as the feedback path for standby mode detection. The auxiliary winding becomes a universal element that handles both regular voltage feedback and standby state signaling, eliminating the need for separate optocoupler-based feedback paths
2Use of energy by moving object
If the driver device enters standby mode with full bus voltage maintained, then readiness for quick activation is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bus voltage adjustment based on the operational state. During standby mode, the bus voltage is reduced to a lower level to minimize power consumption, while the system remains capable of quick activation. The controller dynamically switches between full voltage operation and reduced voltage standby, optimizing the balance between power savings and readiness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the bus voltage parameter from a fixed value to a variable that adapts to the operational mode. In standby mode, the bus voltage is reduced to a predetermined lower level, and the controller is designed to tolerate this reduced voltage. This parameter change enables significant power savings while maintaining the ability to quickly restore full operation when needed
3Measurement precision
If multiple feedback paths are implemented for standby control, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary winding of the isolation transformer is designed to serve multiple feedback functions simultaneously. It provides continuous voltage feedback during normal operation and serves as the standby mode detection path when activation is requested. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate feedback paths, maintaining detection precision while reducing overall circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a unified feedback mechanism where the auxiliary winding continuously monitors the bus voltage and provides feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to detect when the bus voltage drops to the standby level and to monitor the standby state. This single feedback path provides sufficient precision for both normal operation and standby detection without requiring multiple separate paths
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 effectively reduces power consumption, simplifies the circuitry, and increases reliability by allowing the driver device to enter standby mode with minimal energy loss and without relying on optocouplers, ensuring continued functionality while minimizing potential failure points.
Implementation Method 1
an isolation transformer of the power supply bridging the borderline between the primary and secondary sides
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided a driver device for light-emitting means, as well as a method for operating a driver device for light-emitting means. The method comprises: - producing a bus voltage on a galvanically isolated secondary side of the driver device, - utilizing feedback from the secondary side to a primary side of the driver device to make a primary side controller decrease said bus voltage during standby mode, and - implementing, through actions of said primary side controller, at least one further standby mode function on the primary side as a response to a decreasing value of said bus voltage.