UV LED Lifespan Extension via Circuit Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
UV LED devices have a short lifespan and high manufacturing costs, making them less competitive with UV fluorescent lamps, despite offering better energy efficiency. To be more competitive, either the manufacturing cost needs to decrease or the lifespan of UV LED devices must increase to offset the purchasing cost through accumulated energy savings.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves creating an n-way circuit system for UV LED devices by paralleling multiple emitter circuits and using an automatic alternating switching relay to extend the lifespan without increasing the current through individual emitters. This allows for flexibility in choosing between low-lifetime and high-lifetime emitters based on cost and application requirements, effectively doubling, tripling, or quadrupling the lifespan of UV LED devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If UV LED devices use conventional single-circuit operation with emitters rated for 10,000 hours, then the device provides continuous UV output, but the lifespan is limited to 10,000 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the UV LED device into multiple independent emitter circuits (at least two circuits with different emitter sets). Each circuit can operate independently, allowing the system to segment the operational lifespan into multiple phases. When one circuit's emitters degrade, the system switches to another circuit, effectively extending the total device lifespan beyond the rating of individual emitter sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between multiple emitter circuits based on operational status. The controller monitors emitter performance and dynamically transitions between circuits to maintain continuous UV output while extending overall device lifespan. This dynamic allocation optimizes the utilization of each emitter set throughout the device's extended operational life.
2Power
If UV LED devices operate with high current to maintain power output, then the UV power output is sufficient, but the emitter lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between multiple emitter circuits. Instead of continuously operating one circuit at high current (which reduces lifespan), the system periodically transitions between circuits. This periodic action allows each emitter set to operate at optimal current levels for shorter durations, reducing cumulative stress and extending overall emitter lifespan while maintaining consistent UV power output through the combined capacity of multiple circuits.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If UV LED devices use multiple emitter circuits to extend lifespan, then the device can operate beyond 10,000 hours, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs multiple emitter circuits to be functionally equivalent and interchangeable. Each circuit is capable of providing the full required UV output independently, making them universal replacements for one another. This multi-functionality allows the system to extend operational duration by simply switching between identical functional units, rather than requiring complex hierarchical or specialized circuit configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of circuit activation from static (one circuit always on) to dynamic (switching between circuits). By changing the activation state parameter of different emitter circuits over time, the system extends total operational duration without requiring permanent structural complexity. The switching mechanism manages the complexity of having multiple circuits through parameter-based control rather than permanent configurational complexity.
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 extends the lifespan of UV LED devices, allowing them to operate for 20,000 hours with emitters rated for 10,000 hours, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and flexibility in manufacturing, thus making UV LED technology more competitive with fluorescent lamps.
Implementation Method 1
an automatic alternating switching relay to extend the lifespan without increasing the current through individual emitters
Implementation Method 2
UV light emitting diode (LED) technology
Implementation Method 3
generate UV light using LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for extending the lifetime of an LED device is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an LED printed circuit board (PCB) having two or more LED circuits thereon, where each of the two or more LED circuits includes a plurality of LED emitters. The apparatus further includes a module electrically coupled to the LED PCB that has a selector configured to move between two or more positions, each position activating one of the one or more LED circuits and a relay configured to control a movement of the selector between the two or more positions based on a received input. Additionally, the apparatus includes a power supply that is electrically coupled to the relay.