Redundant Power Module for LED Lighting Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
LED lighting systems face reliability issues due to unreliable power supplies, where a single power supply failure can cause all connected LEDs to go dark, necessitating a more robust and fault-tolerant power management solution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digital power module with multiple power supplies, where outputs are coupled via diodes to a voltage regulator, ensuring continuous control power and partial or full redundancy in case of power supply failure, with configurations such as dual, bulk, and N+1 setups to maintain operational LED lighting even if one power supply fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single power supply is used to power LED light fixtures, then the system is simpler and less expensive, but the reliability decreases because a single power supply failure causes all connected LEDs to go dark
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the LED lighting system into multiple independent zones, each powered by its own dedicated power supply. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one power supply only affects its associated LED fixtures, not the entire system. The controller is also segmented to communicate with each zone independently, allowing partial system operation during failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary redundancy by providing a backup power supply that can immediately take over if the primary power supply fails. The system is pre-configured with diodes and wiring that enable automatic failover without requiring intervention, ensuring continuous operation of critical lighting functions.
2Reliability
If multiple power supplies are implemented with outputs coupled via diodes to a voltage regulator, then the reliability and redundancy increase, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage regulator as an intermediary component that manages power from multiple supplies. The regulator receives power from both primary and backup power supplies through diodes, automatically selecting the available power source and providing stable voltage to the system. This intermediary simplifies the complexity by centralizing power management logic in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power management logic from the individual power supply circuits and consolidates it into a dedicated voltage regulator module. This separation allows the power supply selection and voltage stabilization functions to be handled independently, reducing the complexity burden on each power supply circuit while maintaining overall system reliability.
3Reliability
If power supplies are sized to independently handle full load, then the redundancy is maximized, but the power consumption and heat generation increase during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the system automatically switches between single-power-supply mode during normal operation and dual-power-supply mode during failover conditions. The controller monitors power supply status and dynamically reconfigures the circuit to use only one power supply when both are functional, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption and heat generation from the backup supply during normal operation.
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 enhances the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of LED lighting systems, ensuring that only affected LEDs go dark in case of a power supply failure, with the system remaining operational unless both power supplies fail simultaneously, thereby increasing reliability and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
the outputs of the multiple power supplies can be coupled together... the outputs of the two DC power supplies are coupled to each other via diodes
Implementation Method 2
which in turn are connected to the input of a voltage regulator, which powers the controller
Data Source
AI summary
A digital control module that is used to power LED light fixtures connected thereto, the digital control module allowing for the continued control and powering of some or all of the connected LED light fixtures even in the event that one of the DC power supplies in the digital control module fails.