Low-Voltage RGBW Mini Lights With Distributed Voltage Boosters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-voltage outdoor lighting systems require labor-intensive and costly installations, pose safety risks, and are prone to GFCI tripping in wet conditions, making them challenging for landscapers and homeowners to implement.
Innovation Solution
A low-voltage RGBW lighting system using 11-15V AC transformers and boosters to step up power to 30-50V DC, allowing for safer, easier installation and reduced risk of GFCI tripping, with integrated boosters and controllers for color control and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional high-voltage outdoor lighting systems are used, then lighting coverage and brightness are achieved, but installation complexity and safety risks increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the lighting installation into modular segments: low-voltage LED mini lights for illumination, separate boosters for voltage conversion, and distributed transformers for power supply. This segmentation allows each component to be installed and configured independently, reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining lighting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces low-voltage DC power as an intermediary between the standard AC power source and the LED lighting loads. This intermediary approach allows standard AC outlets to power the system without requiring specialized high-voltage outdoor wiring, significantly simplifying installation while maintaining brightness.
2Power
If conventional high-voltage outdoor lighting systems are used, then adequate power delivery is achieved, but safety risks and GFCI tripping increase in wet conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the electrical parameters from high-voltage AC to low-voltage DC for the lighting portion of the system. This parameter change maintains adequate power delivery to the LED lights (which are efficient at low power levels) while dramatically reducing safety risks and eliminating GFCI tripping issues associated with high-voltage outdoor wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
Low-voltage DC power serves as a safe intermediary that decouples the dangerous high-voltage AC from the outdoor lighting environment. The boosters convert standard AC to low-voltage DC locally, ensuring that only safe low-voltage wiring is present in wet outdoor conditions while still delivering sufficient power to the lights.
3Ease of operation
If low-voltage lighting system is used, then safety and ease of installation are improved, but power delivery capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power delivery function from the lighting function by introducing separate boosters at each lighting location. Each booster independently converts AC to DC and delivers power to its connected lights, eliminating the need for high-voltage power distribution wiring while maintaining adequate power delivery to each lighting zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The boosters perform preliminary voltage conversion action at each lighting location before power is delivered to the lights. This preliminary conversion of AC to DC at the point of use ensures adequate power delivery capability is achieved without requiring complex high-voltage wiring infrastructure, maintaining ease of installation.
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 provides aesthetic versatility, reliability, and ease of installation, leveraging landscapers' expertise and existing networks, ensuring safe operation in adverse weather conditions and reducing installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a 11-15 volt AC (V AC) transformer for providing an initial power level
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of boosters electrically connected to the transformer and for stepping up the initial power level of the 11-15V AC transformer to a higher power level of 30-50 volts DC (V DC)
Implementation Method 3
plurality of low-voltage red-green-blue-warm white (RGBW) lights
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to low-voltage RGBW holiday lighting systems for use in landscape and outdoor lighting installations. In various aspects, a landscape lighting system includes a plurality of low-voltage red-green-blue-warm white (RGBW) lights, a transformer for providing an initial power level, and a plurality of boosters electrically connected to the transformer. The plurality of boosters are for stepping up the initial power level of the transformer to a power level for the plurality of low-voltage RGBW lights, where each of the plurality of boosters are to be installed at a landscape element (e.g., trees, bushes, gazebos, hardscapes, landscape structures, houses, etc.). The system further includes a plurality of connectors for connecting the plurality of boosters to the transformer and for connecting the plurality of boosters to the plurality of low-voltage RGBW lights.