Solid-State Light Drive Device Self-Diagnosis for Connection Defects

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solid-state light-emitting element drive devices face issues with excess voltage generation due to incomplete connections, leading to increased production costs and complex circuit configurations when attempting to monitor and prevent such defects.

Innovation Solution

A solid-state light-emitting element drive device with a switching regulator and control circuit that monitors and controls the switching element's ON and OFF periods, regenerative current, and switching cycle to suppress output power and prevent excess voltage, using a microcomputer and PWM signal generation for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If monitoring means (such as a resistor) is added to monitor the output voltage/current of the drive device to detect connection defects, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection defect detectionVSAvoidcircuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching regulator uses its own existing components (switching element, inductor, regenerative element) to generate detectable parameters (ON-period, OFF-period, switching cycle) that reflect connection status. The system monitors itself without external monitoring equipment, achieving self-diagnosis of connection defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention monitors changes in switching parameters (ON-period, OFF-period, switching cycle) that naturally vary based on load conditions. By detecting abnormal parameter values or ranges, the system identifies connection defects without adding monitoring hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If monitoring means is added to detect connection defects, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection defect detectionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The switching regulator uses its own existing components (switching element, inductor, regenerative element) to generate detectable parameters (ON-period, OFF-period, switching cycle) that reflect connection status. The system monitors itself without external monitoring equipment, achieving self-diagnosis of connection defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention monitors changes in switching parameters (ON-period, OFF-period, switching cycle) that naturally vary based on load conditions. By detecting abnormal parameter values or ranges, the system identifies connection defects without adding monitoring hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If monitoring means is added to monitor the output, then the reliability is improved, but energy loss increases due to dissipation by monitoring means

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput monitoringVSAvoidoutput dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The switching regulator uses its own existing components (switching element, inductor, regenerative element) to generate detectable parameters (ON-period, OFF-period, switching cycle) that reflect connection status. The system monitors itself without external monitoring equipment, achieving self-diagnosis of connection defects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention monitors changes in switching parameters (ON-period, OFF-period, switching cycle) that naturally vary based on load conditions. By detecting abnormal parameter values or ranges, the system identifies connection defects without adding monitoring hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces failures caused by connection defects in solid-state light-emitting elements while maintaining a simple circuit configuration, ensuring reliable operation and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

a series circuit of a switching element Q1 and an inductor L1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a regenerative element configured to allow a regenerative current to flow therethrough from the inductor when the switching element is turned off

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8890429B2Solid-state light-emitting element drive device, lighting system and lighting fixture

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A solid-state light-emitting element drive device includes a switching regulator and a control circuit. The switching regulator includes a series circuit of a switching element and an inductor, a regenerative element configured to allow a regenerative current to flow therethrough from the inductor when the switching element is turned off, and output terminals configured so that a solid-state light-emitting element is connected therebetween. The control circuit is configured to control a switching operation of the switching element of the switching regulator. The control circuit is configured to suppress an output power of the switching regulator if a parameter obtained from at least one of an ON-period and an OFF-period of the switching element is out of a prescribed range.