Linear LED Lamp Bidirectional Battery Circuit for Emergency Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lamp solutions, such as ballast-compatible and AC mains-operable LED lamps, face challenges including high maintenance costs, energy inefficiency, and the need for complex retrofitting, as well as regulatory compliance issues in emergency lighting systems, particularly in ensuring reliable battery backup and self-diagnostic mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A linear LED lamp design incorporating an emergency-operated portion with a rechargeable battery, a boost converter circuit, and a self-diagnostic circuit that auto-tests charging and discharging currents, along with a bidirectional circuit to control electric currents, enabling efficient operation and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a ballast-compatible LED lamp is used to replace a fluorescent lamp, then the initial replacement cost is low and installation is straightforward, but the total cost of ownership becomes high due to ballast maintenance and replacement costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ballast component entirely from the lighting system by designing LED lamps that can be directly connected to AC mains power. This extraction eliminates the ballast-related maintenance and compatibility issues while maintaining straightforward installation by wiring the LED lamp directly between line and neutral conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED lamp is designed with dual functionality to operate in both normal AC mains mode and emergency battery backup mode. The integrated battery and circuitry allow the same lamp to serve as both primary lighting and emergency lighting, eliminating the need for separate emergency lighting fixtures.
2Ease of manufacture
If a ballast-compatible LED lamp is used, then the initial cost is low, but the energy efficiency deteriorates because the ballast constantly draws power even when the LED lamp is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast component is completely removed from the system. The LED lamp is designed with integrated rectification and power management circuits that only draw power when needed, eliminating the constant power draw associated with ballasts that remain connected to the AC mains even when not actively driving LEDs.
3Loss of energy
If AC mains-operable LED lamp is used by removing the ballast, then energy efficiency improves and the lamp becomes self-sustaining, but complex retrofitting is required
Solution Approach 1:
The LED lamp incorporates universal power acceptance capability with circuits that can handle both ballast-driven operation and direct AC mains operation. The integrated emergency lighting functionality with automatic battery management creates a universal solution that works in various installation scenarios without requiring complex modifications to existing fixtures.
4Reliability
If emergency lighting with battery backup is implemented, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but device complexity increases due to bidirectional circuit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The normal lighting circuit and emergency lighting circuit are merged into a single integrated system. The same LED arrays serve both normal and emergency functions, and the battery serves dual purposes of charging during normal operation and providing backup power during emergencies. The bidirectional circuit automatically manages power flow in both directions without requiring separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic self-diagnosis and self-management functions. The microcontroller continuously monitors battery charge state, manages charging/discharging cycles, and controls the bidirectional power flow without user intervention. The system automatically transitions between normal and emergency modes based on power availability.
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 provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and reliable LED lamp solution that reduces maintenance costs, ensures long-term operation, and meets regulatory standards for emergency lighting by integrating a self-diagnostic mechanism for battery health monitoring and auto-testing.
Implementation Method 1
The emergency-operated portion comprises a rechargeable battery, a boost converter circuit configured to use a power from the rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
a boost converter circuit configured to use a power from the rechargeable battery and to provide an emergency power (i.e., a voltage and a current) to drive the one or more LED arrays
Implementation Method 3
The at least one full-wave rectifier is configured to convert the line voltage from the AC mains into a primary direct-current (DC) voltage
Implementation Method 4
a fly-back converter circuit configured to generate a second LED driving current to power up the one or more LED arrays at a full power
Implementation Method 5
one or more LED arrays with a forward voltage across thereof
Implementation Method 6
one or more LED arrays configured to receive an LED driving current from the first terminal LED+ and to return from the second terminal LED−
Data Source
AI summary
A linear light-emitting diode (LED) lamp comprising a normally-operated portion and an emergency-operated portion is used to replace a luminaire operated only in a normal mode with alternate-current (AC) mains. The normally-operated portion comprises a fly-back converter whereas the emergency-operated portion comprises a rechargeable battery, a bidirectional circuit, a boost converter, a self-diagnostic circuit, and a control circuit. The linear LED lamp can auto-switch from the normal mode to an emergency mode according to availability of the AC mains and whether a rechargeable battery test is initiated. The bidirectional circuit is configured to convey a forward electric current and a reverse electric current to and from the rechargeable battery, respectively. The self-diagnostic circuit is configured to provide multiple sequences and to auto-evaluate battery performance according to the multiple sequences. During an auto-evaluation period, a terminal voltage on the rechargeable battery is examined with test results displayed in a status indicator.