Single Regulator Circuit for Variable LED Color Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching regulator circuits for LEDs are limited in providing variable color and color temperature control, often requiring separate hardware and control wiring to adjust light output, and cannot achieve these effects using a single regulator circuit.
Innovation Solution
A modified buck regulator circuit with LEDs placed in different current branches allows for variable control of drive currents by adjusting the DC source voltage, eliminating the need for separate hardware or control wiring to interface with the feedback control circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate hardware and control wiring are used to adjust light output for variable color control, then color control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED types (warm white LEDs and cool white LEDs) into a single lighting module and controls both through one switching regulator circuit. By placing LEDs in different current branches within the regulator circuit and adjusting the DC source voltage, the system achieves variable color temperature control without requiring separate control hardware for each LED type, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining color control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching regulator circuit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it regulates current for different LED types, enables variable color temperature control, and eliminates the need for separate control wiring. The single regulator circuit with strategically placed LEDs in different branches serves as both the power regulation system and the color control system, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate regulator circuits are used for different LED types, then color control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the regulation of warm white LEDs and cool white LEDs into a single switching regulator circuit. By creating different current branches within this single regulator and placing different LED types in these branches, the system achieves independent control of each LED type's current while using only one regulator circuit, thereby maintaining color control precision without increasing the number of regulator circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
Within the single switching regulator circuit, the patent segments the current path into different branches, with warm white LEDs placed in one branch and cool white LEDs placed in another branch. This segmentation allows independent control of current for each LED type through the single regulator, enabling precise color temperature control without requiring multiple separate regulator circuits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional control hardware is added to achieve variable color effects, then lighting effect versatility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple LED types and a single regulator circuit to achieve variable color temperature effects. By placing warm white LEDs and cool white LEDs in different current branches of one regulator circuit and controlling them through DC source voltage adjustment, the system achieves lighting effect versatility without adding expensive control hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate control systems are used for each LED, then lighting control precision is improved, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the current paths within a single regulator circuit to provide independent control for different LED types. By placing warm white LEDs in one current branch and cool white LEDs in another branch of the same regulator circuit, the system achieves independent control capability for each LED type without requiring separate control systems, thus reducing the overall control system size.
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 approach reduces complexity, size, and cost by enabling variable color and color temperature control using a single switching regulator circuit, allowing for strategic placement of LEDs in different branches to alter drive currents and achieve desired lighting effects.
Implementation Method 1
a modified switching regulator circuit for providing power to one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce a desired lighting effect
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for adjusting the color or color temperature of combined light emitted by one or more LEDs (210, 220, 230) driven by a single switching regulator circuit (200). Properties of the light output are changed by intentionally varying a source voltage (212) provided as an input to the regulator circuit (205). The connection of different colored LEDs in various branches (160, 170, 180) of the switching regulator circuit (205) facilitates adjustment of the respective drive currents provided to the LEDs, and hence the color or color temperature of the resulting combined light, merely by adjusting the level of the source voltage of the regulator circuit.