MOSFET Bridge Circuit for Low-Loss Power and Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outdoor lighting systems require significant rewiring to implement digitally controlled environments and suffer from inefficiencies in power transformation, leading to heat generation and the need for large enclosures, especially when using switching power supplies.

Innovation Solution

A full-wave rectifier coupled with a bridge circuit using MOSFETs provides a low-loss switch, reducing power loss to heat by creating a polarity-controlled sinusoidal power signal, allowing for efficient power and data transmission over a two-wire path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a switching power supply is used to transform power, then power can be supplied to lighting modules, but significant power is lost as heat and large enclosures are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidpower loss to heat
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic switching power supply system with a magnetic transformer-based system. The controller uses a transformer to step down AC voltage and rectifies it to DC, eliminating the need for high-frequency switching components. This substitution of the power transformation mechanism fundamentally reduces heat generation and removes the requirement for large cooling enclosures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If addressable lighting modules are implemented with separate power and data wires, then independent control of each module is achieved, but wiring complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power signal and data communication into a single two-wire interface. The controller sends power through the same wires used for communication, and the lighting modules extract power from the power signal while receiving control data through the same physical medium. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate power and data wiring, reducing installation complexity while maintaining full addressable control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If traditional lighting systems use timer boxes with multiple legs, then simple wiring is maintained, but all lights must energize in unison without individual control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring simplicityVSAvoidindividual light control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal two-wire interface that simultaneously provides power delivery, data communication, and individual addressable control. The same two wires that replaced traditional multi-leg timer box wiring also carry power, communication protocols, and control signals. This multi-functional approach maintains wiring simplicity while enabling sophisticated individual light control, dimming, and scheduling capabilities that traditional systems cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 significantly reduces power loss and heat generation, enabling a more compact and efficient lighting control system with independent control of each lighting module, improving the overall efficiency and flexibility of outdoor lighting networks.

Implementation Method 1

a full-wave rectifier circuit (400)... The rectifying operation includes allowing current to flow in only one direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Implementation Method 2

A MOSFET bridge circuit (900) receives the rectified power waveform and selectively switches the waveform to create polarity changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectField Effect Transistor switching:

Data Source

PatentEP2737776B1Systems and methods for providing power and data to lighting devices
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 HUNTER INDUSTRIES INC
  • EP2737776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2737776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2737776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for lighting systems, including high output lighting systems for various environments. The lighting systems include a lighting controller for driving lighting modules and transmitting a data signal to the lighting modules. The data signal varies between logical states. The lighting controller provides a low loss rectified power signal. The lighting controller further provides data within the power signal by forming a positive polarity rectified power waveform corresponding to data in a first state and a negative polarity rectified waveform signal corresponding to data in a second state using substantially loss-less circuitry.