Solid State Lighting Connector With Integrated Protective Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems are inefficient and have shorter lifespans compared to solid state lighting devices, and existing solutions do not effectively integrate protective circuit stages with standardized electrical fixtures for easy maintenance and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A solid state lighting apparatus with an electrical connector that includes a recess for a protective circuit stage, allowing other stages of the driver circuit to be located separately, enabling a field-replaceable unit and reducing the size of the housing by integrating the LED array and driver circuit onto a single board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the entire driver circuit is integrated into a single housing with the LED array, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of repair deteriorates because failed components cannot be replaced in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The driver circuit is divided into multiple independent stages (protective circuit stage, rectifier stage, boost converter stage) that can be separately replaced. The protective circuit stage is located in the electrical connector, while other stages are in the housing, allowing selective replacement of failed components without replacing the entire apparatus.
2Ease of repair
If the protective circuit stage is located separately in the electrical connector, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases due to distributed circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The protective circuit stage is extracted from the main housing and placed in the electrical connector. This allows the protective circuit to be easily replaced by simply changing the electrical connector, while the main housing and other circuit stages remain intact.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from high-voltage AC operation (120V) to low-voltage DC operation, fundamentally changing the electrical parameters. Solid state light emitting devices operate more efficiently at low voltage DC, requiring a driver circuit to convert the AC mains power to suitable DC levels for the LEDs.
4Use of energy by moving object
If solid state light emitting devices are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because they require DC power unlike conventional AC-powered bulbs
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection to AC mains power, houses the protective circuit stage, and interfaces with the driver circuit. This multi-functional design allows solid state lighting to be adapted to standard AC-powered fixtures while maintaining energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A solid state lighting apparatus can include an electrical connector that is configured to releasably couple to a standardized electrical fixture having ac voltage provided thereat, where the electrical connector includes an opening that is configured to provide a recess in the electrical connector including an interior contact to provide the ac voltage in the recess when connected to the standardized electrical fixture. A protective circuit stage of a solid state lighting driver circuit can be in the recess to electrically coupled to the interior contact. An electrical wire can include a first portion that can be electrically coupled to the protective circuit stage in the recess and a second portion that is outside the recess. A solid state lighting housing can be configured to releasably couple to the second portion of the electrical wire.