Opto-Electronic LED Assembly for Isolated Ripple-Free Power Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power transfer technologies, such as magnetic induction transformers and switching power supplies, face inefficiencies due to electromagnetic interference, ripple voltage, and the need for bulky components, limiting their use in sensitive equipment and requiring complex circuit designs.

Innovation Solution

An opto-electronic power transfer assembly using optically coupled LEDs to achieve a bidirectional current transfer ratio of at least 32%, leveraging photon recycling for efficient power transfer without magnetic fields, allowing for voltage and current regulation analogous to magnetic induction transformers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnetic induction transformers are used for power transfer, then voltage transformation and isolation are achieved, but electromagnetic interference and ripple voltage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer stabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces magnetic field-based power transfer with light-based power transfer using optically coupled LEDs. The primary LED converts electrical energy to optical energy, which is then detected by the secondary photodiode/phototransistor to generate electrical output, eliminating electromagnetic radiation while achieving bidirectional power transfer with CTR ≥ 32%.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating mode from AC-based magnetic induction to DC-based optical coupling. By operating LEDs in steady-state DC mode rather than fluctuating AC mode, the system eliminates ripple voltage and electromagnetic interference while maintaining efficient power transfer through optimized optical coupling parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If switching power supplies are used for voltage transformation, then high efficiency is achieved, but electromagnetic radiation and ripple voltage are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversion efficiencyVSAvoidelectromagnetic radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes high-frequency AC switching with DC optical coupling, eliminating the need for high-frequency magnetic field generation. The optically coupled LED system achieves >90% efficiency through direct optical energy transfer without electromagnetic radiation, solving both efficiency and EMI requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If traditional opto-isolators are used for isolation, then electrical isolation is achieved, but power transfer efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent improves upon traditional opto-isolators by selecting LED pairs with optimized optical characteristics and achieving precise optical coupling. This increases the current transfer ratio from typical opto-isolator levels (<10%) to ≥32%, enabling efficient bidirectional power transfer while maintaining complete electrical isolation between primary and secondary circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If linear power supplies are used to eliminate ripple, then stable DC output is achieved, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDC output stabilityVSAvoidcircuit component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for ripple-filtering components (large capacitors, inductors, diodes) by substituting AC-based power conversion with DC optical coupling. The optically coupled LED system inherently produces clean DC output without ripple, dramatically reducing circuit complexity and component count while maintaining stable power transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables efficient, bidirectional power transfer with reduced electromagnetic interference, eliminating ripple voltage, and enabling compact, low-component designs suitable for sensitive circuits and miniaturization, including applications in microchip-scale devices.

Implementation Method 1

a first circuit comprising a primary LED; and a second circuit comprising a secondary LED, wherein the primary and secondary LEDs are optically coupled to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from LED: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) both emit light when electrically stimulated and absorb light to produce electrical stimulation (the photovoltaic effect)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12451975B2Opto-electronic assemblies

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 SPENCER PETER

AI summary

An opto-electronic power transfer assembly comprises a first circuit comprising a primary LED (3), and a second circuit comprising a secondary LED (5), wherein the primary and secondary LEDs are optically coupled to each other so as to provide a bidirectional current transfer ratio therebetween of at least 32%. With such an assembly, light can be used in place of a magnetic field to make a photonic equivalent of an induction transformer.