Multi-LED Chip Voltage Control for Lower Heat Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices with multi-LED chips inefficiently consume surplus voltage, leading to energy loss and heat generation due to fixed operating voltage settings that do not account for varying light images and string activation requirements.
Innovation Solution
The multi-LED chip dynamically adjusts its operating voltage by deriving control states for each light image, calculating the minimum required voltage for activated strings, and setting the highest minimum voltage as the setpoint operating voltage, communicated to the microcontroller to manipulate the feedback loop and output only the necessary voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed operating voltage is provided for all operating modes, then all components can be adequately supplied, but surplus voltage is consumed leading to energy loss and heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment by enabling the multi-LED chip to dynamically set the operating voltage based on the specific light image to be emitted. The chip calculates the minimum operating voltage required for the currently activated strings and sets this as the operating voltage, rather than using a fixed voltage for all modes. This dynamic adaptation eliminates surplus voltage consumption while ensuring adequate supply for active components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically according to the operating mode. The multi-LED chip determines the light image to be emitted, calculates the corresponding minimum operating voltage based on activated strings, and adjusts the voltage parameter accordingly. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt the voltage level to match the actual requirements of each operating mode, reducing energy loss.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed operating voltage is used, then the system is simple to control, but efficiency is reduced due to voltage losses converted to heat
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-LED chip performs self-service by autonomously determining the light image to be emitted, calculating the minimum operating voltage required for the activated strings, and setting the appropriate operating voltage without external intervention. This self-service capability enables efficient voltage adaptation while maintaining simple control architecture, as the chip handles the voltage optimization internally based on its own operating state.
3Reliability
If the operating voltage is increased to ensure adequate supply, then all components can operate reliably, but energy efficiency decreases due to surplus voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic voltage adjustment where the operating voltage is continuously adapted to match the actual requirements of the activated LED strings. The multi-LED chip calculates the minimum voltage needed for the current light image and sets this as the operating voltage, ensuring reliable operation of active components without providing excess voltage that would be wasted as heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage parameter is changed dynamically based on the operating mode and activated strings. Instead of using a fixed high voltage to ensure reliable operation of all possible components, the system adjusts the voltage parameter to match the actual needs of the currently active components, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a lighting device (1) that includes (i) a multi-LED chip (2), wherein the multi-LED chip (2) has a plurality of LED light sources (2′) as well as a plurality of regulating elements (2″), wherein each LED light source (2′) is assigned a regulating element (2″) connected in series for regulating the current consumption of the respective LED light source (2′) and together with the regulating element (2″) forms a controllable string (2a, 2b, 2c), wherein each LED light source (2′) is designed to be individually switchable; and (ii) an electrical control unit (3), which has a step-down converter (3a) with a voltage input (3aVin), a feedback input (3aFB) and a voltage output (3aVout) and a microcontroller (3b) with a signal input (3bSin) and a signal output (3bSout).