Self-Oscillating Half-Bridge LED Driver Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED drive circuits are costly and complex due to the use of components like controller ICs and MOSFETs, which increase the expense and complexity of LED lamp systems.

Innovation Solution

A driver circuit comprising a self-oscillating half-bridge circuit, a resonant driver, and a DC voltage supply that generates a high-frequency AC signal, limits current, and rectifies the output voltage into a substantially constant DC current for powering LEDs, eliminating the need for expensive controller ICs and MOSFETs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If controller ICs and MOSFETs are used in LED drive circuits, then the lighting system achieves reliable operation, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLED drive circuit reliabilityVSAvoiddrive circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the controller IC from the LED drive circuit, replacing it with a self-oscillating half-bridge circuit that generates the necessary control signals autonomously. This removal of the expensive controller IC directly reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining reliable operation through the inherent oscillation and feedback mechanisms of the simplified circuit architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-oscillating half-bridge circuit serves itself by generating control signals without external intervention from a controller IC. The circuit uses its own output signals and feedback to regulate the LED current, eliminating the need for separate control components and reducing overall system complexity while ensuring stable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If controller ICs and MOSFETs are used in LED drive circuits, then the lighting system achieves reliable operation, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLED drive circuit reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the expensive controller IC and MOSFET components from the circuit, replacing them with simpler, lower-cost elements such as resistors, capacitors, and diodes arranged in a self-oscillating configuration. This extraction of high-cost components directly reduces manufacturing cost while the self-regulating nature of the circuit maintains operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, complex components with inexpensive passive components that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The self-oscillating circuit uses basic electronic components with long operational lifetimes, reducing both initial manufacturing cost and long-term replacement costs while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient method for powering LEDs by reducing the number of components and eliminating the need for expensive ICs and MOSFETs, enhancing reliability and lowering the overall cost of LED lamp systems.

Implementation Method 1

The self-oscillating half-bridge circuit is configured to generate a high-frequency AC signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic oscillation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The resonant driver is configured to limit a current of the high-frequency AC signal and produce a limited output voltage based on the high-frequency AC signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

The DC voltage supply is configured to rectify the limited output voltage into a DC output voltage including a substantially constant current for powering the load

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentUS9270196B2Low-cost self-oscillating driver circuit
Publication Date: 2016.02.23 TECHNICAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS INC
  • US9270196B2 patent drawing
  • US9270196B2 patent drawing
  • US9270196B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A driver circuit for powering a load is disclosed. The driver circuit includes a self-oscillating half-bridge circuit, a resonant driver in electrical communication with the self-oscillating half-bridge circuit, and a DC voltage supply in electrical communication with the resonant driver. The self-oscillating half-bridge circuit is configured to generate a high-frequency AC signal. The resonant driver is configured to limit a current of the high-frequency AC signal and produce a limited output voltage based on the high-frequency AC signal. The DC voltage supply is configured to rectify the limited output voltage into a DC output voltage including a substantially constant current for powering the load.