Modular LED Driver Socket for Lighter, Serviceable Luminaires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Historically, LED drivers have been designed to be mounted inside luminaires, increasing their size, weight, and cost due to structural and thermal needs, and the separate components like surge protection, dimming controls, and daylight sensors complicate wiring and make component replacement time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A modular socket system that allows for the secure and removable attachment of LED drivers, sensors, and other components, providing a mechanical interface for electrical coupling and supporting multiple functions, such as voltage supply and sensor integration, which can be mounted at various locations for easier access and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LED drivers are mounted inside luminaires, then the luminaires can provide integrated lighting functionality, but the size and weight of the luminaires increase due to structural and thermal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the luminaire into separate modular components: the luminaire body containing LEDs and the external LED driver module. This segmentation allows the driver to be mounted separately, reducing the weight and structural requirements of the luminaire while maintaining integrated functionality through wireless or wired communication between modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED driver is extracted from the luminaire interior and mounted externally on the luminaire housing or adjacent structure. This extraction eliminates the need for internal mounting structures, thermal management infrastructure, and associated wiring within the luminaire, directly reducing its weight and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (surge protection, dimming controls, LED drivers) are used, then each component can perform its specific function independently, but wiring becomes complicated and installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (surge protection, dimming controls, LED driver) into a single integrated LED driver module. This consolidation maintains the independent functionality of each component while eliminating the need for separate wiring connections, reducing installation complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED driver module is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple functions (power conversion, surge protection, dimming control, communication) through integrated circuits and processors. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate devices and their associated wiring.
3Volume of moving object
If LED drivers are mounted inside luminaires, then the lighting system can be compact, but replacement of failed electronic components becomes time-consuming and costly requiring skilled technicians to manually rewire
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the LED driver into a separate removable module, the patent enables easy replacement of failed components. The modular design allows technicians to simply disconnect and replace the driver module without manual rewiring, significantly reducing repair time and skill requirements while maintaining compact luminaire design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability through the removable module interface, allowing the system to transition between operational states easily. The standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces enable quick connection and disconnection of modules, making the system adaptable to maintenance needs without compromising its compact form factor during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular socket (106, 306) for removably receiving a light-emitting diode (“LED”) driver (124, 324) and coupling the LED driver to LED(s) (104) is described herein and may include: a housing (108, 308); a power input interface (110, 310) to receive a supply voltage; a power output interface (120, 320) electrically coupled with the power input interface within the housing; an LED control input interface (128, 328) that is electrically coupled with one or more LEDs; and one or more mechanical engagement and locking structures (134, 334). Mechanical engagement of the mechanical engagement and locking structures with corresponding mechanical engagement and locking structures of the LED driver may simultaneously effect electrical coupling between: the power output interface and a power input interface (122, 322) of the LED driver, and the LED control input interface and an LED output interface (126, 326) of the LED driver.