Reverse Current Generating Means for Electronic Transformer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic transformers designed for halogen lamps are incompatible with LED lamps, leading to unstable dimmer operation and noticeable flicker due to lower current requirements, making it difficult to retrofit halogen lighting arrangements with LED light sources without modifying the transformer and dimmer.
Innovation Solution
A low-power load arrangement that includes a low-power light source, a driver, and a reverse current generating means to sustain self-oscillation of the electronic transformer, allowing it to operate stably with low-power loads by providing a reverse current opposite to the output current, enabling the use of older electronic transformers with LED lights without flicker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a self-oscillating electronic transformer is used to drive LED light sources, then power consumption is reduced, but the self-oscillation becomes unstable and flicker occurs due to minimum load current requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A dummy load is introduced as an intermediary component to bridge the gap between the low-power LED consumption and the transformer's minimum load current requirement. The dummy load absorbs the difference in current, ensuring the transformer receives sufficient total current to maintain stable self-oscillation while the LED operates at its low power consumption level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the effective load parameters by adding a dummy load that adjusts the total current draw to match the transformer's operational requirements. This parameter modification allows the transformer to operate in its stable oscillation range while still driving the low-power LED load efficiently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If LED light sources replace halogen lamps, then environmental impact is reduced and lifetime is extended, but compatibility with existing electronic transformers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy load enables existing electronic transformers to universally support both traditional high-power halogen lamps and modern low-power LED light sources. By adding this intermediary component, the transformer system gains multi-functionality, allowing retrofitting of LED lamps into existing halogen lighting installations without replacing the transformer itself.
3Ease of operation
If a dimmer is used with LED lamps driven by electronic transformers, then lighting control is improved, but flicker increases due to oscillation interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy load acts as a buffer between the dimmer and the LED driver, ensuring that the electronic transformer maintains stable self-oscillation even when the dimmer reduces the power to the LED. This stability prevents flicker and ensures smooth, flicker-free dimming 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 allows the use of older electronic transformers with low-power LED lights, extending their lifespan, reducing waste, and enabling retrofitting of existing lighting arrangements without the need for new transformers, while maintaining stable operation and eliminating flicker.
Implementation Method 1
A low-power load arrangement that includes a low-power light source, a driver, and a reverse current generating means to sustain self-oscillation of the electronic transformer
Implementation Method 2
an electronic transformer operates according to a self-oscillating principle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes a low-power load arrangement (1) comprising a low-power load (3); a driver (2) for the low-power load (3); connectors (300) for connecting to an electronic transformer (2) realized for converting a mains power supply (4) to a power supply for a normal-power load (5); and a reverse current generating means (LP, SB) realized to provide a reverse current (Irev_LP, Irev_SB) to sustain self-oscillation during operation of the electronic transformer (2), wherein the direction of current flow of the reverse current (Irev_LP, Irev_SB) is opposite in direction to the output current of the electronic transformer (2). The invention further describes a lighting arrangement (1) comprising an electronic transformer (2) realized for converting a mains power supply (4) to a power supply for a normal-power load; a low-power load (3) connected to the electronic transformer (2), which low-power load (3) comprises a low-power light source (30); and wherein the lighting arrangement (1) comprises a reverse current generating means (LP, SB) realized to provide a reverse current (Irev_LP, Irev_SB) to sustain transformer self-oscillation when the transformer (2) drives the low-power load (3), wherein the direction of current flow of the reverse current (Irev_LP, Irev_SB) is opposite in direction to the output current of the electronic transformer (2). The invention also describes a method of driving a low-power load (3) with an electronic transformer (2) realized for driving a normal-power load (5).