Transformer Integrated Driver Unit for Lighting Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices with transformers are complex, unsafe, and costly in design, lacking a cost-effective and convenient manufacturing method.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a driver unit comprising a primary driver circuit, a secondary driver circuit, and a transformer, where the transformer and secondary driver circuit are integrated within a light-transmissive envelope, providing electrical isolation and a compact, cost-effective structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transformer is added to provide electrical isolation and voltage transformation, then electrical safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer and secondary driver circuit are integrated into a single module housed within the light-transmissive envelope, combining multiple functions (voltage transformation, electrical isolation, and LED driving) into one compact unit, thereby improving electrical safety without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary driver circuit is nested within the transformer housing, and the entire transformer assembly is nested within the light-transmissive envelope, creating a compact hierarchical structure that achieves electrical isolation while maintaining design simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the transformer and secondary driver circuit are integrated within the light-transmissive envelope, then device compactness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer and secondary driver circuit are assembled and tested as a pre-integrated module before being installed in the final lighting device, allowing for standardized manufacturing of the transformer assembly that simplifies the overall manufacturing process while achieving compact integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting device is divided into distinct functional modules (primary driver circuit, transformer with secondary driver circuit, light sources, and envelope), allowing each module to be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity despite achieving compact integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the transformer and secondary driver circuit are arranged within the light-transmissive envelope, then electrical isolation is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer and secondary driver circuit are merged into a single integrated assembly that is pre-wired and pre-tested, reducing the number of separate assembly steps required and simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining electrical isolation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transformer serves as an intermediary component that provides electrical isolation between the primary and secondary circuits, allowing the secondary driver circuit to be safely integrated within the envelope without requiring complex isolation mechanisms elsewhere in the design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 electrical safety, reduces assembly complexity, and allows for tunable voltage supply without replacing the primary driver circuit, leading to a safer, more convenient, and cost-effective lighting device with simplified manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

a transformer arranged to transfer electrical energy between the primary driver circuit and the at least one secondary driver circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3256772B1Lighting device comprising a driver unit and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3256772B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3256772B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3256772B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lighting device (100) and a method of manufacturing a lighting device, wherein the lighting device comprises at least one light source (110) arranged to generate light. The lighting device further comprises a light-transmissive envelope (120) enclosing the at least one light source and being arranged to transmit the light generated from the light source. The lighting device further comprises a driver unit (130) arranged for electrical supply to the at least one light source, the driver unit comprising a primary driver circuit (140) connectable to an electric energy source, at least one secondary driver circuit (150) connected to the at least one light source, and a transformer (160) arranged to transfer electrical energy between the primary driver circuit and the at least one secondary driver circuit, wherein at least the transformer and the at least one secondary driver circuit driver unit are arranged within the envelope.