Pulsating DC Power Supply for Arc Discharge Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems that use direct current (DC) to light semiconductor light-emitting elements can experience prolonged arc discharges at connection points due to contact failures in electric wires, leading to inefficiencies and potential hazards.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that outputs a DC pulsating voltage with a full-wave rectified waveform to a pair of electric wires, reducing the likelihood of prolonged arc discharges by periodically decreasing the voltage to near zero, and includes a lighting circuit with a power-factor correction function to regulate current and increase the power factor of alternating current (AC) power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If direct current (DC) power is supplied from the power supply circuit to the light source, then the lighting efficiency is improved, but arc discharge continues for a significant amount of time leading to safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a pulsating DC voltage instead of constant DC voltage. The voltage periodically decreases to near zero, which extinguishes arc discharges at connection points. This is achieved through a power supply circuit that outputs pulsating DC voltage to the light source, maintaining lighting efficiency while eliminating the continuous arc discharge problem associated with constant DC power supply.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power supply circuit and light source are connected via electric wire, then the system flexibility is improved, but contact failure generates arc discharge at connection point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by implementing pulsating DC voltage output from the power supply circuit. The voltage periodically drops to near zero, which extinguishes arc discharges that occur at electric wire connection points during contact failures. This allows the system to maintain flexibility with separate power supply circuit and light source connected via electric wires, while eliminating the harmful arc discharge effect.
3Reliability
If power factor correction circuit is added to regulate current, then the power factor of AC power is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the power factor correction function into the existing lighting circuit. The lighting circuit is configured to perform both lighting control and power factor correction simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate power factor correction circuit. This reduces device complexity while maintaining improved power factor and system reliability.
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
The system effectively reduces the duration of arc discharges and enhances the power factor of AC power, improving the reliability and efficiency of lighting systems while maintaining safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
The power supply circuit generates the pulsating voltage such that the pulsating voltage has a full-wave rectified waveform obtained by full-wave rectifying an alternating voltage
Implementation Method 2
The lighting circuit is implemented as a power-factor correction circuit configured to regulate an amount of a current flowing through the pair of electric wires into the lighting circuit to increase a power factor of alternating current (AC) power
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system includes a power supply circuit and an output unit. The power supply circuit generates a pulsating voltage. The output unit is to be connected to a pair of electric wires to apply the pulsating voltage to the pair of electric wires. The power supply circuit generates the pulsating voltage such that the pulsating voltage has a full-wave rectified waveform obtained by full-wave rectifying an alternating voltage as a wave alternating between a positive voltage and a negative voltage.