Transformer Ignition Circuit Eliminates Diode Losses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lamp ignition systems suffer from inefficiency due to the high forward voltage drop of high-voltage diodes, leading to significant steady-state losses after lamp ignition, which reduces the overall system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A lamp ignition system that connects the secondary winding of a transformer directly to the gas discharge lamp in series, eliminating the need for a high-voltage diode and using a driving circuit to output a high-frequency voltage for ignition, allowing the transformer to operate in an unsaturated state during ignition and saturated state after ignition to minimize losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-voltage diode is used to prevent DC voltage from damaging converter components, then component protection is improved, but steady-state loss increases significantly due to the diode's forward voltage drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the high-voltage diode from the circuit by reconfiguring the transformer connection. The secondary winding is connected in series with the lamp instead of using a diode bridge configuration, which eliminates the forward voltage drop loss while maintaining component protection through the transformer's inherent isolation properties
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a diode to protect components from DC voltage, the patent inverts the approach by using the transformer's secondary winding in series with the lamp to naturally block DC current flow, thereby protecting converter components without the diode's voltage drop penalty
2Reliability
If the transformer operates in unsaturated state during ignition, then high-frequency voltage output is improved for reliable ignition, but core losses increase compared to saturated operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the transformer operating state based on the ignition phase. During ignition, the transformer operates in unsaturated state to generate high-frequency voltage for reliable lamp strike. After successful ignition, the system transitions to saturated state operation to minimize core losses during steady-state running, achieving optimal performance across different operational phases
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 configuration significantly reduces losses and improves system efficiency by eliminating the high-voltage diode's losses and optimizing transformer operation, resulting in at least a 1.4% efficiency improvement for HID lamps compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding, where the secondary winding is connected to the gas discharge lamp in series. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the primary winding for driving the transformer in a lamp ignition stage, so that the secondary winding of the transformer can output a high-frequency voltage to ignite the gas discharge lamp.
Implementation Method 2
a lamp ignition system and a lamp ignition method... converts an input voltage into an operating voltage suitable for a gas discharge lamp... output a high-frequency voltage to ignite the gas discharge lamp
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp ignition system and a lamp ignition method are disclosed, where the lamp ignition system includes a converter, a transformer and a driving circuit. The converter converts an input voltage into an operating voltage for a gas discharge lamp. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding, and the secondary winding is connected to the gas discharge lamp in series. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the primary winding for driving the transformer, so that the secondary winding of the transformer can output a high-frequency voltage to ignite the gas discharge lamp.