Stabilizing Current Circuit for LED Lighting Strings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LED lighting strings experience fluctuations in brightness and risk of burnout due to voltage variations from power outlets, and existing solutions like bypass resistors dim the entire string when an LED fails, failing to maintain constant brightness and preventing cascade failures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a stabilizing current or voltage circuit with optional bypass elements in series with LED illumination assemblies, which maintains stable current or voltage parameters regardless of input voltage fluctuations, and includes a controller for special effects like twinkling or color changing, using components like resistors, Zener diodes, or capacitors to prevent overcurrent and maintain brightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bypass resistors are used to compensate for failed LEDs, then the string is protected against open circuiting, but the entire light string is dimmed by the increase in string resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against open circuitingVSAvoidbrightness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters by using a stabilizing circuit that actively regulates voltage or current to compensate for the resistance increase caused by bypass elements, thereby maintaining brightness while providing protection against open circuiting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If resistors are placed in series with LEDs to limit current, then the LEDs are protected from overcurrent, but the brightness varies with voltage fluctuations from the power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from overcurrentVSAvoidbrightness consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing circuit implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the electrical parameters and adjusting the output to maintain constant brightness, compensating for both overcurrent risks and voltage fluctuations through active regulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional current limiting resistors are used with LEDs, then LED burnout is prevented, but brightness levels vary with input voltage fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLED lifespanVSAvoidbrightness stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent actively changes and stabilizes the electrical parameters through feedback control, maintaining constant current or voltage to the LEDs regardless of input variations, thereby ensuring both long lifespan and stable brightness

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 ensures consistent brightness and extends LED lifespan by stabilizing current or voltage, preventing dimming and burnout, and allowing the light string to function even with failed LEDs by providing a stable power supply and bypassing faulty components.

Implementation Method 1

As described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,433,057 and 9,510,423 ornamental or decorative light strings can provide a resistor in series with LEDs to limit the current to each of the LEDs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

Light strings have employed bypass resistors to compensate for failed light elements/filaments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

using components like resistors, Zener diodes, or capacitors to prevent overcurrent and maintain brightness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectZener breakdown: Avalanche Breakdown

Implementation Method 4

using components like resistors, Zener diodes, or capacitors to prevent overcurrent and maintain brightness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11678421B2Stabilizing current or voltage lighting circuit with resistive bypass and LED illumination assemblies

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 SEASONAL SPECIALTIES LLC

AI summary

A decorative light string is provided that includes a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) illumination assemblies electrically connected in series and a stabilizing current or voltage circuit. Each of the plurality of LED illumination assemblies includes an LED. The stabilizing current or voltage circuit is electrically connected in series with the plurality of LED illumination assemblies. The stabilizing current or voltage circuit is configured to receive input power from an input power source and configured to supply a stabilized current or voltage to the plurality of LED illumination assemblies that provides a stable supply even with input power source fluctuations. Power fluctuations from an input power source can prevent the decorative light string from maintaining a desired brightness and desired LED life unless the voltage or current to the LED illumination assemblies is stabilized.