Radio Communication Across Galvanic Isolation Barrier in LED Converters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for lighting, particularly LED converters, face high production costs due to the demands placed on components that bridge the SELV barrier for communication between primary and secondary circuits, often requiring costly optocouplers or transformers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a radio interface on both the primary and secondary circuits to establish a unidirectional or bidirectional radio channel for communication, eliminating the need for optocouplers or transformers and allowing for internal communication within a metallic housing, thereby reducing component size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optocouplers or transformers are used to bridge the SELV barrier for communication, then reliable communication between primary and secondary circuits is achieved, but production costs increase and component size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical coupling system (optocouplers or transformers) with a wireless radio communication system. The radio interface establishes electromagnetic communication between primary and secondary circuits without physical coupling, eliminating the need for costly isolation components while maintaining communication reliability across the SELV barrier
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radio waves as an intermediary medium for communication between the primary and secondary circuits. Instead of direct electrical or optical coupling through isolation barriers, radio frequency signals serve as the mediator to transmit data across the SELV barrier, reducing dependency on expensive isolation components
2Ease of operation
If optocouplers or transformers are used to bridge the SELV barrier for communication, then communication between primary and secondary circuits is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical isolation components (optocouplers or transformers) with a simplified radio communication system. The radio interface eliminates the need for bulky isolation hardware, reducing device complexity and internal space requirements while maintaining full communication capability between isolated circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the communication function from the physical isolation barrier. Instead of routing signals through isolation components, the system uses wireless radio communication to bridge the SELV barrier, removing the need for isolation-specific hardware and simplifying the overall device architecture
3Reliability
If traditional communication components are used across the SELV barrier, then galvanic isolation is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive electrical communication through isolation barriers with low-power radio frequency communication. The radio interface transmits data wirelessly across the SELV barrier, significantly reducing the energy required compared to driving optocouplers or transformers, while maintaining galvanic isolation through spatial separation
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 enables cost-effective and space-saving communication between primary and secondary circuits while maintaining galvanic isolation, reducing energy consumption and preventing external interference, and allows for both internal and external wireless communication, simplifying maintenance and configuration.
Implementation Method 1
the primary-side circuit and the secondary-side circuit each have a radio interface for establishing a unidirectional or bidirectional radio channel which connects the primary-side and the secondary-side circuits
Implementation Method 2
the radio channel is preferably located within a preferably metallic housing of the control device... no external interference can occur
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating unit (1) for lamps, in which a galvanic isolator (4) between a primary side, which comprises at least one circuit (2), and a secondary side, which comprises at least one circuit (3), is bridged by a radio channel (5). The lamps are supplied on the secondary side with respect to the galvanic isolator and the primary side is designed for connection to a voltage supply, in particular a mains voltage. The primary-side circuit (2) and the secondary side circuit (3) have a respective radio interface (2A, 3A) for establishing the unidirectional or bidirectional radio channel (5). The radio channel (5) lies preferably within a preferably metal housing (6) of the operating unit (1). Communication from the primary side to the secondary side and vice versa can be effected via radio through the radio channel (5).