Multichannel LED Module with Segmented Color Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED modules face challenges in precisely tuning white light chromaticity, leading to potential rainbow-like effects due to slight variations in wavelength, especially when using LEDs from different categories, which can result in unwanted color differences and increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

An LED module design featuring at least two channels of serially connected dye-converted white LEDs from different categories, arranged in a periodically repeating pattern on a carrier, allowing independent control of each channel to achieve a desired color temperature and locus, with LEDs from subcategories diagonally opposite in the CIE 1931 diagram to minimize color differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If LEDs from different categories are used to reduce costs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but color uniformity deteriorates due to rainbow-like effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcolor uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The LED module divides LEDs into multiple channels, with each channel containing LEDs of a specific category. This segmentation allows independent control of each channel, enabling precise color mixing while using cost-effective LEDs from different categories. The channel structure prevents color uniformity issues by systematically managing the contribution of each LED category to the overall white light output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of different LED channels to achieve precise color control. By independently adjusting the drive current or duty cycle of each channel, the system can mix lights from LEDs of different categories to produce consistent white light with desired color temperature, thereby maintaining color uniformity while using cheaper diverse LED components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If LEDs of different color temperatures are combined to achieve precise color tuning, then color temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor temperature controlVSAvoidchannel control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The LED module is segmented into multiple channels, each responsible for a specific color temperature range. This segmentation simplifies the control complexity by organizing LEDs of different color temperatures into distinct, independently controllable groups. Each channel can be managed separately with its own drive circuit, making the overall system easier to control despite using diverse LED types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements dynamic control of each channel through independent drive circuits that can adjust current or pulse-width modulation (PWM) duty cycles. This dynamic control capability allows real-time adjustment of color temperature by varying the contribution of each channel, achieving precise color tuning while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular channel architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LED channels with independent control are used to achieve color dimming, then color temperature adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor dimming capabilityVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The LED module divides the LED array into multiple independently controllable channels, each with its own drive circuit. This segmentation enables color dimming by selectively adjusting the intensity of each channel. The modular channel structure manages control circuit complexity by organizing control functions into separate, standardized channel controllers rather than requiring complex centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each LED channel is designed with universal control capabilities that can perform multiple functions: individual channel dimming, color temperature adjustment, and fault isolation. The drive circuits are designed to be multi-functional, handling current regulation, PWM control, and monitoring for each channel, thereby achieving versatile color dimming capability while reusing standardized control circuit designs to limit overall system complexity.

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 design enables cost-effective production by using cheaper LEDs further away from the black body curve while maintaining precise control over color temperature and locus, reducing visible color variations and ensuring accurate color reproduction.

Implementation Method 1

at least two channels for operating LEDs or LED lines, each with at least two white LEDs... operate colorant-converted white-light LEDs on the at least two LED channels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3094917B1Multichannel LED module with white leds of different color coordinates
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3094917B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3094917B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3094917B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an LED module having at least one first group of serially connected dye-converted white LEDs and a second group of serially connected dye-converted white LEDs. The first group and the second group of LEDs are connected together in parallel such that the groups can be controlled independently of each other by one or more drive circuits, and the nominal color temperature of the LEDs of the first group differs from the nominal color temperature of the LEDs of the second group. Each group of LEDs has at least two sub-groups comprising LEDs, said sub-groups differing with respect to the color location, and the groups and the sub-groups of LEDs are arranged on a substrate in a periodically repeating pattern at least in one direction of extension.