AU2012100251A4 - A power supply for a LED lamp and a LED lamp assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A POWER SUPPLY FOR A LED LAMP AND A LED LAMP ASSEMBLY There is provided a power supply (100) for a LED lamp (205), wherein the power supply (100) is adapted to power the LED lamp (205) from universal power supply in use. Also provided is a LED lamp assembly 200 comprising a connector 110 for connecting to universal power supply in use, a power supply (100) coupled to the connector (110); and a LED lamp (205) coupled to the power supply (100). 105c 105b U 105a Figure 1

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT A POWER SUPPLY FOR A LED LAMP AND A LED LAMP ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Field of the Invention [01] The present invention relates to power supplies and in particular to a power supply for a LED (Light-emitting diode) lamp and a LED lamp assembly. [02] The invention has been developed primarily for use with LED lamps and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background [03] As energy costs increase, energy efficient lighting is finding a foothold in the market. For example, lighting employing the common MR16 LED lamp is able to provide lighting at far greater efficiency as compared to traditional incandescent lighting, such as lighting employing Halogen bulbs. [04] As such, lighting employing energy efficient LEDs can dramatically reduce energy costs. [05] However, the deployment of such LED lighting faces obstacles to adoption. In one example, many lighting systems today are designed for older lamps, such as Halogen lamps. These lighting systems not only provide 'dirty' power unsuitable for LED lighting, but also power at the incorrect voltage and current. Furthermore LED lighting must be driven by a constant current power supply, as opposed to existing resistive load power supplies. [06] As such, the present invention seeks to provide a power supply for a LED lamp and a LED lamp assembly which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [07] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention [08] According to one aspect, there is provided a power supply for a LED lamp, wherein the power supply is adapted to power the LED lamp from universal power supply in use. [09] Advantageously, the power supply may be used for retrofitting LED lamps into sockets for different types of lighting, such as Halogen sockets, so as to obtain energy efficiencies and the like. As such, a LED lamp assembly comprising the power supply described herein may be inserted into Halogen lamp sockets in place of Halogen lamps. [10] Preferably, the power supply comprises a DC-to-DC converter.

[11] Advantageously, the DC-to-DC converter circuit is able to step-up or step down the voltage from the rectification and smoothing circuit to a suitable voltage level, such as 12v. [12] Preferably, the power supply further comprises a constant current circuit for connecting to the LED lamp in use, wherein the constant current circuit us coupled to the output of the DC-to-DC converter. [13] Advantageously, the constant current circuit addresses the problem of driving LEDs at constant current, as opposed to as a resistive load. [14] Preferably, the power supply further comprises a rectification and smoothing circuit for connecting to the universal power supply in use, wherein the rectification and smoothing circuit is coupled to the input of the DC-to-DC converter. [15] Advantageously, rectification and smoothing circuit allows the power supply to be coupled to alternating current power sources. Furthermore, many transformers for Halogen lamps comprise switch mode power supplies outputting 'dirty' power comprising unwanted voltage transients and the like. As such, the rectification and smoothing circuit smooths out these unwanted characteristics. [16] According to another aspect, there is provided a LED lamp assembly comprising a connector for connecting to universal power supply in use; a power supply as described herein coupled to the connector; and a LED lamp coupled to the power supply. [17] Advantageously, , the LED lamp assembly may be sold off-the-shelf, such that an installer need only insert the LED lamp assembly into a socket for a Halogen bulb. [18] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [19] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [20] Fig. 1 is shows shown a power supply for a LED lamp in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and [21] Fig. 2 shows a LED lamp assembly comprising the power supply of Fig. 1 in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Description of Embodiments [22] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[23] Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a power supply 100 for a LED lamp. In particular, the power supply 100 is adapted for connecting to a universal power supply typically adapted for other types of lighting, such as an electronic transformer for a Halogen lamp. In this manner, the power supply 100 may be used for retrofitting LED lamps into sockets for Halogen lamps, so as to obtain energy efficiencies and the like. As such, in one embodiment, a LED lamp assembly comprising the power supply 100 described herein may be inserted into Halogen lamp sockets in place of Halogen lamps. [24] While the power supply 100 is described herein is adapted for connecting to a Halogen transformer providing DC power, the power supply 100 may be varied for differing applications. For example, the power supply 100 may be provided with an AC to-DC converter so as to be able to draw mains power, for example. Furthermore, the power supply may be adapted for connecting to circuits for differing types of bulbs, such as HID, incandescent and the like. [25] Referring to Fig. 1, the power supply 100 comprises three main functional circuits 105, divided by the two dividing lines in the figure. [26] The first functional circuit 105 is a rectification and smoothing circuit 105a. The power supply 100 comprises connectors 110 for connecting to the universal power supply in use. As such, the rectification and smoothing circuit 105a is connected to the connector 110. The rectification and smoothing circuit 105a allows the power supply 100 to be coupled to alternating current power sources. Furthermore, many universal power supplies comprise switch mode power supplies outputting 'dirty' power comprising unwanted voltage transients and the like. As such, the rectification and smoothing circuit 105a smooths out these unwanted characteristics. [27] Coupled to the rectification and smoothing circuit 105a is a DC-to-DC converter circuit 105b. The DC-to-DC converter circuit 105b is able to step-up or step down the voltage from the rectification and smoothing circuit 105a to a suitable voltage level, such as 12v. In a preferred embodiment, the DC-to-DC converter circuit 105b comprises component U1, being a monolithic step-up/down/inverting switching regulator. Component U1 may be the MC34063 regulator, manufactured by ON SemiconductorTM [28] Referring again to Fig. 1, the power supply 100 further comprises a constant current circuit 105c connected to the output of the DC-to-DC converter circuit 105b. The power supply 100 comprises LED connectors 115 for connecting to one or more LEDs in use.

[29] The constant current circuit 105c addresses the problem of driving LEDs at constant current, as opposed to as a resistive load. The constant current circuit 105c comprises component U2, being a LED constant current driver IC. U2 may be implemented as component BP1361 from Bright Power SemiconductorTM being a 30V/800mA high dimming-ratio LED constant current driver IC. [30] It should be noted that the arrangement of functional circuits 105 shown in the figure may be varied, or rearranged according to the desired application. For example, in one application, the rectification and smoothing circuit 105a may be omitted for applications drawing stable DC power. [31] The power supply 100 as described herein may be deployed in various manners. For example, in one application, the power supply 100 may be provided as a stand-alone power supply having input connectors 110 for connecting to a Halogen transformer and output connectors 115 for connecting to a LED bulb in use. [32] However, in a preferred embodiment, there is provided a LED lamp assembly comprising the power supply. Turning now to Fig. 2, there is shown such a LED lamp assembly 200. In this manner, the LED lamp assembly may be sold off-the-shelf, such that an installer need only insert the LED lamp assembly 200 into a socket for a Halogen bulb. As is apparent from the image, the LED lamp assembly 200 comprises an outer profile suited for allowing the LED lamp assembly 200 to be inserted into Halogen lamp sockets. [33] The LED lamp assembly 200 comprises a connector 110 for connecting to universal power supply in use, the power supply 100 connected to the connector 110 and at least one LED lamp 205 coupled to the power supply 100. Interpretation Universal power supply [34] The term 'universal power supply' as referred to herein should be construed herein as being a power supply intended for use with lighting applications which is not powered in a constant current manner as is best suited for LED lamps. [35] Such supply is preferably an electronic transformer for a Halogen lamp. However, other types of supplies include AC/DC 6V - 24V power supplies and batteries. Embodiments: [36] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [37] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. [38] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Specific Details [39] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [40] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including [41] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [42] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention [43] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [44] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability [45] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the power supply industry.

Claims (5)

1. A power supply for a LED lamp, wherein the power supply is adapted to power the LED lamp from universal power supply in use.

2. A power supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises a DC to-DC converter.

3. A power supply as claimed in claim 2, wherein the power supply further comprises a constant current circuit for connecting to the LED lamp in use, wherein the constant current circuit us coupled to the output of the DC-to-DC converter.

4. A power supply as claimed in claim 2, wherein the power supply further comprises a rectification and smoothing circuit for connecting to the universal power supply in use, wherein the rectification and smoothing circuit is coupled to the input of the DC-to-DC converter.

5. A LED lamp assembly comprising: a connector for connecting to universal power supply in use; a power supply as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 coupled to the connector; and a LED lamp coupled to the power supply.