Resistive Bypass Circuit for Series Lights With Burnout Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Series-connected lighting circuits fail to maintain uninterrupted current flow when a light source is removed, becomes loose, or burns out, rendering the entire circuit inoperable, and existing solutions are not cost-effective, reliable, or energy-efficient.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a resistive bypass element in parallel with each lighting source in series-connected circuits, allowing current to flow through the bypass resistor when a light source fails, while using low-energy incandescent bulbs or LEDs with higher purity tungsten filaments and tighter coils to maintain brightness and reduce heat, enabling 100% duty cycle operation without overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bypass resistor is continuously conducting to maintain circuit operation when a bulb fails, then the reliability of the lighting circuit is improved, but the temperature generated by the bypass resistor exceeds ignition temperatures of nearby materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit operation continuityVSAvoidbypass resistor temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass resistor operates periodically rather than continuously. The flasher bulb intermittently opens the circuit, allowing the bypass resistor to conduct only during the off-periods of the flasher bulb, thereby limiting heat accumulation while maintaining circuit reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static continuous conduction mode to a dynamic intermittent conduction mode through the flasher bulb mechanism, adapting the bypass resistor's operation to prevent overheating while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If high energy bulbs are used to ensure sufficient brightness, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebulb brightnessVSAvoidbulb power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the duty cycle parameter of the bulbs from continuous operation to intermittent operation controlled by the flasher bulb, reducing average power consumption while maintaining peak illumination intensity when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flasher bulb creates periodic on-off cycles that reduce average energy consumption while maintaining sufficient illumination during the on-periods, achieving a balance between brightness and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the duty cycle is increased to 100% for continuous operation, then the productivity of the lighting system is improved, but the heat generated by the bypass resistor causes safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting duty cycleVSAvoidheat safety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flasher bulb introduces periodic interruption to the circuit, preventing continuous heat generation in the bypass resistor while maintaining 100% duty cycle operation through intermittent conduction cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The flasher bulb mechanism provides preventive cooling cycles before heat accumulation reaches dangerous levels, cushioning against thermal buildup and safety hazards while maintaining continuous operational availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 resistive bypass circuit ensures continuous operation of remaining lights in the series circuit, reduces energy consumption, and extends the lifespan of other light sources by distributing the failure load, while maintaining brightness and safety, and can be used in various lighting effects and configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a resistive bypass element in parallel with each lighting source in series-connected circuits, allowing current to flow through the bypass resistor when a light source fails

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

low-energy incandescent bulbs or LEDs with higher purity tungsten filaments and tighter coils to maintain brightness and reduce heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIncandescence: Incandescence

Implementation Method 3

a resistive bypass element in parallel with each lighting source in series-connected circuits, allowing current to flow through the bypass resistor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11950332B2Resistive bypass for series lighting circuit

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 SEASONAL SPECIALTIES LLC

AI summary

A resistor bypass circuit for a series lighting circuit includes a plurality of serially connected light sources and a bypass resistor being connected in parallel with at least one of the respective light sources, each respective light source being low wattage and being capable operating on a one hundred percent duty cycle as desired.