Super Capacitor Charging Circuit for Flash Diode Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic circuits for charging super capacitors to optimize flash diode current in devices like cameras and cell phones dissipate excessive power due to inefficient voltage control, leading to suboptimal light output and increased heat generation.
Innovation Solution
A circuit that periodically samples the flash current during charging to determine the optimal super capacitor voltage, ensuring the flash diode receives the desired current while minimizing power dissipation in other circuit elements, and maintains constant current during flash firing by using a current regulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the super capacitor is charged to a fixed high voltage to ensure adequate flash current, then the flash diode receives sufficient current, but excessive power is dissipated in circuit elements other than the flash diode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the microcontroller continuously monitors the super capacitor voltage and adjusts the charging cycle to terminate charging when the optimal voltage is reached. This feedback mechanism prevents overcharging, ensuring the flash diode receives adequate current while minimizing excessive power dissipation in circuit elements like the switching transistor and current limit resistor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the charging termination voltage parameter based on real-time measurements. By changing the charging parameter from a fixed high voltage to a dynamically determined optimal voltage, the system ensures reliable flash current delivery while reducing energy loss in non-ideal circuit components.
2Illumination intensity
If the super capacitor voltage is not optimally controlled, then the circuit is simpler, but the flash current is suboptimal and light output is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller serves multiple functions: it controls the charging cycle, monitors super capacitor voltage, determines optimal charging termination, and manages the flash trigger sequence. By consolidating these control functions into a single multi-functional component, the patent achieves optimal light output without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces simple passive voltage regulation with an active electronic control system using a microcontroller. This substitution enables precise voltage monitoring and dynamic charging termination, significantly improving light output efficiency while keeping the added complexity manageable through software-based control logic.
3Reliability
If the super capacitor is overcharged to ensure adequate voltage, then the flash current is guaranteed, but heat generation increases due to power dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary monitoring and adjustment of the super capacitor charging process to reach the optimal voltage before the flash is triggered. By preliminarily determining the correct charging termination point, the system guarantees adequate flash current while preventing the excessive heat generation that would result from overcharging.
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time voltage monitoring and feedback control during charging prevents overcharge conditions. The microcontroller adjusts the charging cycle based on measured voltage, ensuring the super capacitor reaches but does not exceed the optimal voltage, thereby guaranteeing reliable flash current while minimizing heat dissipation in power loss elements.
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 guarantees the flash diode receives the required current with minimal power loss, maintaining consistent light output and reducing heat dissipation, thus optimizing energy usage and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a flash diode that is supplied current from the voltage stored by a super capacitor
Implementation Method 2
one or more flash diodes, actually LEDs (light emitting diodes), that emit white light when fired
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit and method for charging a super capacitor to an optimal voltage that provides a desired flash diode current value while minimizing power dissipation in circuit elements other than the flash diode. One embodiment uses periodic sampling of the current through the flash diode and termination of the charging upon the super capacitor having been charged to a voltage value that produces the desired flash diode current. Another embodiment includes a current regulator in the flash diode firing circuit that keeps the current at a substantially constant level during the time that the flash diode is being fired.