Modular LED Light String Active Level Shifter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated light strings face challenges in maintaining consistent power distribution and signal integrity when connected in series, leading to voltage sag and compromised control signal bias, which affects the uniformity and control of lighting effects across multiple connected elements.
Innovation Solution
The use of modular series-connectable LED light strings with an active level shifter that adjusts the input control signal to suitable levels for each lighting element, ensuring proper bias and minimizing voltage drop, allowing for efficient power distribution and signal transmission across series-connected elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple LED light strings are connected in series, then the system can support more lighting elements and reduce current draw, but voltage sag increases and power distribution becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light string into multiple modular segments, each containing a specific number of LED elements (e.g., 3 LEDs per segment). Each segment is independently controllable and can be connected in series to form longer strings. This segmentation allows the system to scale the number of lighting elements while maintaining consistent power distribution across each module, thereby resolving the contradiction between quantity and reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If series connection is used to reduce current draw, then energy efficiency improves, but control signal integrity deteriorates due to bias voltage changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary circuit between the control signal line and the LED segments that actively compensates for voltage drops and maintains proper bias levels. This intermediary ensures that control signals remain intact throughout the series-connected string, preventing information loss while preserving the energy-efficient series connection architecture.
3Area of stationary object
If the number of series-connected light strings is increased, then the covered area expands, but voltage sag becomes more severe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic voltage compensation mechanisms that actively adjust bias voltages along the series-connected string to counteract voltage sag. As more light strings are added to expand coverage, the dynamic compensation ensures that voltage levels remain stable across all segments, preventing the temperature/voltage degradation that would normally occur in extended series configurations.
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 solution enables the series connection of multiple LED light strings with consistent power distribution to each element, reducing voltage sag and maintaining signal integrity, allowing for coordinated and dynamic lighting effects across the entire string.
Implementation Method 1
an input control signal being actively level-shifted to a level suitable to a first lighting element of the LED light string
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of series connected lighting elements that generate a series of intermediate supply voltage levels
Implementation Method 3
Some light strings use Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to modular series-connectable LED light strings having an input connector and an output connector for electrically communicating power and a control signal, an input control signal being actively level-shifted to a level suitable to a first lighting element of the LED light string. In an illustrative embodiment, the LED light string may have a plurality of series connected lighting elements that generate a series of intermediate supply voltage levels. In some embodiments, the active level shifter may bias the input control signal between an DC voltage level applied to a positive supply pin of the first lighting element and the intermediate supply voltage level generated at the connection of a negative supply pin of the first lighting element and the positive supply pin of the second lighting element. In some embodiments, active level-shifting may advantageously restore the proper bias for a series connected light string.