EP1316242B1 - Source lumineuse electronique a sortie constante et contre-reaction optique filtree electroniquement - Google Patents

Source lumineuse electronique a sortie constante et contre-reaction optique filtree electroniquement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1316242B1
EP1316242B1 EP01966371A EP01966371A EP1316242B1 EP 1316242 B1 EP1316242 B1 EP 1316242B1 EP 01966371 A EP01966371 A EP 01966371A EP 01966371 A EP01966371 A EP 01966371A EP 1316242 B1 EP1316242 B1 EP 1316242B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
solid state
light beam
specified
state light
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EP01966371A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1316242A1 (fr
Inventor
Michael C. Hutchison
Kevin Ovens
Tom Shinham
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Power Signal Technologies Inc
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Power Signal Technologies Inc
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/40—Details of LED load circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/10—Controlling the intensity of the light
    • H05B45/12—Controlling the intensity of the light using optical feedback

Definitions

  • the present invention is generally related to light sources, see for example US-A-5 659 414, and more particularly to traffic signal lights including those incorporating both incandescent and solid state light sources.
  • Traffic signal lights have been around for years and are used to efficiently control traffic through intersections. While traffic signals have been around for years, improvements continue to be made in the areas of traffic signal light control algorithms, traffic volume detection, and emergency vehicle detection.
  • the primary failure mechanism of an incandescent light source is an abrupt termination of the light output caused by filament breakage.
  • the primary failure mechanism of a solid state light source is gradual decreasing of light output over time, and then ultimately, no light output.
  • the current state of the art for solid state light sources is as direct replacements for incandescent light sources.
  • the life time of traditional solid state light sources is far longer than incandescent light sources, currently having a useful operational life of 10 - 100 times that of traditional incandescent light sources. This additional life time helps compensate for the additional cost associated with solid state light sources.
  • solid state light sources are still traditionally used in the same way as incandescent light sources, that is, continuing to operate the solid state light source until the light output is insufficient or non existent, and then replacing the light source.
  • the light output is traditionally measured by a person with a light meter, measuring the light output from the solid state light source from a Department of Transportation (DOT) "bucket”.
  • DOT Department of Transportation
  • oxidation In addition to temperature, oxidation also greatly effects the lifetime of solid state light sources. For instance, when oxygen is allowed to combine with aluminum on an aluminum gallium arsenide phosphorus (AlNGaP) LED, oxidation will occur and the light output is significantly reduced.
  • AlNGaP aluminum gallium arsenide phosphorus
  • typical solid state light sources comprised of LEDs are traditionally too bright early in their life, and yet not bright enough in their later stages of life.
  • Traditional solid state light sources used in traffic control signals are traditionally over driven initially so that when the light reduces later, the light output is still at a proper level meeting DOT requirements.
  • this overdrive significantly reduces the life of the LED device due to the increased, and unnecessary, drive power and associated heat of the device during the early term of use.
  • the overall life of the device is significantly reduced by overdriving the solid state light source during the initial term of operation.
  • Still another problem in prior art traffic signals is that signal visibility needs to be controlled so only specific lanes of traffic are able to see the traffic light.
  • An example is when a left turn lane has a green light, and an adjacent lane is designated as a straight lane. It is necessary for traffic in the left tum lane to see the green light.
  • the current visibility control mechanism is mechanical, typically implementing a set of baffles inserted into the light system to carefully point the light in the left lane in the correct direction.
  • the mechanical direction system is not very controllable because it is controlled in only one dimension, typically either up or down, or, either right or left, but not both. Consequently, the light is undesirable often seen in the adjacent lane. There is arisen a need for a better method to control the visibility range of a traffic signal.
  • old technology is typically replaced with new technology by simply disposing of the old technology traffic devices. Since most cities don't have the budget to replace all traffic control devices when new ones come to market, they have traditionally taken the position of replacing only a portion of the cities devices at any given time, thereby increasing the inventory needed for the city. Larger cities end up inventorying between four and five different manufacture's traffic signals, some of which are not in production any longer. The added cost is not only for storage of inventoried items, but also the overhead of taking all different types of equipment to a repair site, or cataloging the different inventoried items at different locations.
  • alignment traffic control devices provide that one person points the generated light beam in the desired direction from a bucket while above the intersection, while another person stands in the traffic lanes to determine if the light is aligned properly.
  • the person on the ground has to move over the entire field of view to check the light alignment, If the light is masked off (such as a turn arrow), there are more alignment iterations. There is desired a faster and more reliable method of aligning traffic signals.
  • Traffic lights also have a problem during darker conditions, i.e. at night or at dusk when the light is not well defined. This causes a problem if the light has to be masked off for any reason, whereby light may overlap to areas that should be off. This imprecise on/off boundary is called "ghosting".
  • the ghosting is primarily caused by the angle the light hits on the "risers” on a Fresnel lens. A traffic light with a longer focal length reduces the angle, therefore decreasing the amount of ghosting. Therefore, devices with shorter focal lengths have increased ghosting.
  • Another cause of ghosting is stray light from arrays of LED lights. Typical LED designs have a rather large intensity peek, that is, a less uniform beam of light being generated from the array.
  • a solid state light source has many advantageous features including the ability to predict failure of the light source, as well as an extended life time by using a heatsink to sink heat away from an LED light array, hermetically sealing the array of LEDs, and controlling the light output over time to prevent overdrive of the LED array.
  • Other features of the present invention include providing a constant output of light from a solid state light source by providing optical feedback of light and electronic filtering to accurately detect and discern generated light from ambient light.
  • the solid state light source includes an electronically steerable light beam having the ability to steer light into two dimensions, insuring only the intended lane of traffic is able to visually perceive the beam of light.
  • the solid state light source is modularly upgradeable to allow upgrades of existing components, and the adaption of new components to keep the traffic signal state of the art.
  • An optical sight alignment mechanism is also provided with the light source allowing a technician at the light source to determine where a beam of light generated from the light array is directed, without requiring the assistance of an on ground technician.
  • Yet another feature of the present invention is an opto-electronic ghosting control for a light source reducing ghosting of a generated beam of light.
  • the solid state light of the present invention includes several new features, and several improved features, providing a state of the art solid state light source that overcomes the limitations of prior art traffic sources, including those with conventional solid state light sources.
  • Light apparatus 10 is seen to comprise a trapezoidal shaped housing 12, preferably comprised of plastic formed by a plastic molding injection techniques, and having adapted to the front thereof a pivoting lid 14.
  • Lid 14 is seen to have a window 16, as will be discussed shortly, permitting light generated from within housing 12 to be emitted as a light beam therethrough.
  • Lid 14 is selectively and securable attached to housing 12 via a hinge assemble 17 and secured via latch 18 which is juxtaposed with respect to a housing latch 19, as shown.
  • FIG. 1B and Figure 2B there is illustrated a second preferred embodiment of the present invention at 32 similar to apparatus 10, whereby a housing 33 includes a solar louver 34 as shown in Figure 2B.
  • the solar louver 34 is secured to housing 33 and disposed over a external heatsink 20 which shields the external heatsink 20 from solar radiation while permitting outside airflow across the heatsink 20 and under the shield 34, thereby significantly improving cooling efficiency as will be discussed more shortly.
  • FIG. 2A there is shown light apparatus 10 of Figure 1A having a rear removable back member 20 comprised of thermally conductive material and forming a heatsink for radiating heat generated by the internal solid state light source, to be discussed shortly.
  • Heatsink 20 is seen to have secured thereto a pair hinges 22 which are rotatably coupled to respective hinge members 23 which are securely attached and integral to the bottom of the housing 12, as shown.
  • Heatsink 20 is further seen to include a pair of opposing upper latches 24 selectively securable to respective opposing latches 25 forming an integral portion of and secured to housing 12. By selectively disconnecting latches 24 from respective latches 25, the entire rear heatsink 20 may be pivoted about members 23 to access the internal portion of housing 12, as well as the light assembly secured to the front surface of heatsink 20, as will be discussed shortly in regards to Figure 3.
  • light apparatus 10 is further seen to include a rear eye piece 26 including a U-shaped bracket extending about heatsink 20 and secured to housing 12 by slidably locking into a pair of respective locking members 29 securely affixed to respective sidewalls of housing 12.
  • Eye piece 26 is also seen to have a cylindrical optical sight member 28 formed at a central portion of, and extending rearward from, housing 12 to permit a user to optically view through apparatus 10 via optically aligned window 16 to determine the direction a light beam, and each LED, is directed, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 14 and Figure 15.
  • housing 12 having an upper opening 30 with a serrated collar centrally located within the top portion of housing 12, and opposing opening 30 at the lower end thereof, as shown in Figure 3. Openings 30 facilitate securing apparatus 10 to a pair of vertical posts allowing rotation laterally thereabout.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown a detailed cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1, illustrating a solid state light assembly 40 secured to rear heatsink 20 in such an arrangement as to facilitate the transfer of heat generated by light assembly 40 to heatsink 20 for the dissipation of heat to the ambient via heatsink 20.
  • Solid state light assembly 40 is seen to comprise an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 42 aligned in a matrix, preferably comprising an 8 X 8 array of LEDs each capable of generating a light output of 1-3 lumens.
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • Each LED 42 is directly bonded to heatsink 20 within a respective light reflector comprising a recess defined therein.
  • Each LED 42 is hermetically sealed by a glass material sealingly diffused at a low temperature over the LED die 42 and the wire bond thereto, such as 8000 Angstroms of, SiO 2 or Si 3 N 4 material diffused using a semiconductor process.
  • each LED 42 is directly secured to, and in thermal contact arrangement with, heatsink 20, whereby each LED is able to thermally dissipate heat via the bottom surface of the LED.
  • a thin layer of heat conductive material 46 such as a thin layer of epoxy or other suitable heat conductive material insuring that the entire rear surface of each LED 42 is in good thermal contact with rear heatsink 20 to efficiently thermally dissipate the heat generated by the LEDs.
  • Each LED connected electrically in parallel has its cathode electrically coupled to the heatsink 20, and its Anode coupled to drive circuitry disposed on daughterboard 60.
  • the heatsink 20 preferably is comprised of an electrically non-conductive material such as ceramic.
  • a main circuit board 48 secured to the front surface of heatsink 20, and having a central opening for allowing LED to pass generated light therethrough.
  • LED holder 44 mates to the main circuit board 48 above and around the LED's 42, and supports a lens 86 above each LED.
  • a light diffuser 50 secured above the LEDs 42 by a plurality of standoffs 52, and having a rear curved surface 54 spaced from and disposed above the LED solid state light source 40, as shown.
  • Each lens 86 ( Figure 9) is adapted to ensure each LED 42 generates light which impinges the rear surface 54 having the same surface area.
  • the lenses 86 at the center of the LED array have smaller radius of curvature than the lenses 86 covering the peripheral LEDs 42.
  • the diffusing lenses 46 ensure each LED illuminates the same surface area of light diffuser 50, thereby providing a homogeneous (uniform) light beam of constant intensity.
  • a daughter circuit board 60 is secured to one end of heatsink 20 and main circuit board 48 by a plurality of standoffs 62, as shown.
  • a power supply 70 secured to the main circuit board 48 and adapted to provide the required drive current and drive voltage to the LEDs 42 comprising solid state light source 40, as well as electronic circuitry disposed on daughterboard 60, as will be discussed shortly in regards to the schematic diagram shown in Figure 16.
  • Light diffuser 50 uniformly diffuses light generated from LEDs 42 of solid state light source 40 to produce a homogeneous light beam directed toward window 16.
  • Window 16 is seen to comprise a lens 70, and a Fresnel lens 72 in direct contact with lens 70 and interposed between lens 70 and the interior of housing 12 and facing light diffuser 50 and solid state light source 40.
  • Lid 14 is seen to have a collar defining a shoulder 76 securely engaging and holding both of the round lens 70 and 72, as shown, and transparent sheet 73 having defined thereon grid 74 as will be discussed further shortly.
  • One of the lenses 70 or 72 are colored to produce a desired color used to control traffic including green, yellow, red, white and orange.
  • the outside heatsink 20 cools the LED die temperature up to 50°C over a device not having a external heatsink. This is especially advantageous when the sun setting to the west late in the afternoon such as at an elevation of 10° or less, when the solar radiation directed in to the lenses and LEDs significantly increasing the operating temperature of the LED die for westerly facing signals.
  • the external heatsink 20 prevents extreme internal operating air and die temperatures and prevents thermal runaway of the electronics therein.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown the electronic and optic assembly comprising of solid state light source 40, light diffuser 50, main circuit board 48, daughter board 60, and power supply 70.
  • the electronic circuitry on daughter board 60 is elevated above the main board 48, whereby standoffs 62 are comprised of thermally nonconductive material.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown a side view of the assembly of Figure 4 illustrating the light diffuser 50 being axially centered and disposed above the solid state LED array 40.
  • Diffuser 50 in combination with the varying diameter lenses 86, facilitates light generated from the LEDs 42 to be uniformly disbursed and have uniform intensity and directed upwardly as a light beam toward the lens 70 and 72, as shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 6 there is shown a top view of the assembly shown in Figure 4, whereby Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the same.
  • FIG 8 there is shown a top view of the lens holder 44 comprising a plurality of openings 80 each adapted to receive one of the LED lenses 86 hermetically sealed to and bonded thereover.
  • the glass to metal hermetic seal has been found in this solid state light application to provide excellent thermal conductivity and hermetic sealing characteristics.
  • Each opening 80 is shown to be defined in a tight pack arrangement about the plurality of LEDs 42.
  • the lenses 86 at the center of the array, shown at 81 have a smaller curvature diameter than the lenses 86 over the perimeter LEDs 42 to increase light dispersion and ensure uniform light intensity impinging diffuser 50.
  • each opening 80 having an annular shoulder 82 and a lateral sidewall 84 defined so that each cylindrical lens 86 is securely disposed within opening 80 above a respective LED 42.
  • Each LED 42 is preferably mounted to heatsink 20 using a thermally conductive adhesive material such as epoxy to ensure there is no air gaps between the LED 42 and the heatsink 20.
  • the present invention derives technical advantages by facilitating the efficient transfer of heat from LED 42 to the heatsink 20.
  • FIG. 10 there is shown a top view of the main circuit board 48 having a plurality of openings 90 facilitating the attachment of standoffs 62 securing the daughter board above an end region 92.
  • the power supply 48 is adapted to be secured above region 94 and secured via fasteners disposed through respective openings 96 at each comer thereof.
  • Center region 98 is adapted to receive and have secured thereagainst in a thermal conductive relationship the LED holder 42 with the thermally conductive material 46 being disposed thereupon.
  • the thermally conductive material preferably comprises of epoxy, having dimensions of, for instance, .05 inches.
  • a large opening 99 facilitates the attachment of LED's 42 to the heatsink 20, and such that light from the LEDs 42 is directed to the light diffuser 50.
  • FIG 11 there is shown a side elevational view of diffuser 50 having a lower concave surface 54, preferably having a radius A of about 2.4 inches, with the overall diameter B of the diffuser including a flange 55 being about 6 inches.
  • the depth of the rear surface 52 is about 1.85 inches as shown as dimension C.
  • FIG 12 there is shown a top view of the diffuser 50 including the flange 56 and a plurality of openings 58 in the flange 56 for facilitating the attachment of standoffs 52 to and between diffuser 50 and the heatsink 20, shown in Figure 4.
  • the Fresnel lens 72 preferably having a diameter D of about 12.2 inches. However, limitation to this dimension is not to be inferred, but rather, is shown for purposes of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the Fresnel lens 72 has a predetermined thickness, preferably in the range of about 1/16 inches. This lens is typically fabricated by being cut from a commercially available Fresnel lens.
  • a video camera oriented to view forward of the front face of solid state lamp 10 and 30, respectively.
  • the view of this video camera 56 is precisionaly aligned to view along and generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis shown at 58 that the beam of light generated by the internal LED array is oriented.
  • the video camera 56 generates an image having a center of the image generally aligned with the center of the light beam directed down the center axis 58. This allows the field technician to remotely electronically align the orientation of the light beam referencing this video image.
  • control electronics 60 has software generating and overlaying a grid along with the video image for display at a remote display terminal, such as a LCD or CRT display shown at 59 in Figure 14A.
  • This video image is transmitted electronically either by wire using a modem, or by wireless communication using a transmitter allowing the field technician on the ground to ascertain that portion of the road that is in the field of view of the generated light beam.
  • the field technician can program which LEDs 42 should be electronically turned on, with the other LEDs 42 remaining off, such that the generated light beam will be focused by the associated optics including the Fresnel lens 72, to the proper lane of traffic.
  • the field technician can electronically direct the generated light beam from the LED arrays, by referencing the video image, to the proper location on the ground without mechanical adjustment at the light source, such as by an operator situated in a DOT bucket.
  • the LEDs 42 associated with the respective windows "W” will be turned on, with the rest of the LEDs 46 associated with the other windows being turned off.
  • a transparent sheet 73 having a grid 74 defining windows 78 can be laid over the display surface of the remote monitor 59 whereby each window 78 corresponds with one LED. For instance, there may be 64 windows associated with the 64 LEDs of the LED array. Individual control of the respective LEDs is discussed hereafter in reference to Figure 14A.
  • the video camera 56 such as a CCD camera or a CMOS camera, is physically aligned alone the central axis 58, such that at extended distances the viewing area of the camera 56 is generally along the axis 58 and thus is optically aligned with regards to the normal axis 58 for purposes of optical alignment.
  • FIG. 14B there is illustrated the lid 14, the hinge members 17, and the respective latches 18.
  • Holder 14 is seen to further have an annular flange member 70 defining a side wall about window 16, as shown. Further shown the transparent sheet 73 and grid 74 comprising of thin line markings defined over openings 16 defining windows 78. The sheet can be selectively placed over window 16 for alignment, and which is removable therefrom after alignment.
  • Each window 78 is precisionaly aligned with and corresponds to one sixty four (64) LEDs 42.
  • Indicia 79 is provided to label the windows 78, with the column markings preferably being alphanumeric, and the columns being numeric.
  • the windows 78 are viable through optical sight member 28, via an opening in heatsink 20.
  • each window 78 The objects viewed in each window 78 are illuminated substantially by the respective LED 42, allowing a technician to precisionaly orient the apparatus 10 so that the desired LEDs 42 are oriented to direct light along a desired path and be viewed in a desired traffic lane.
  • the sight member 28 may be provided with cross hairs to provide increased resolution in combination with the grid 74 for alignment.
  • electronic circuitry 100 on daughterboard 60 can drive only selected LEDs 42 or selected 4 X 4 portions of array 40, such as a total of 16 LED's 42 being driven at any one time. Since different LED's have lenses 86 with different radius of curvature different thicknesses, or even comprised of different materials, the overall light beam can be electronically steered in about a 15° cone of light relative to a central axis defined by window 16 and normal to the array center axis.
  • driving the upper right 4 X 4 array of LEDs 42 would create a light beam +10 degrees off the horizontal axis and +7.5 degrees to the right of a normalized vertical axis and -7.5 degrees below a vertical axis.
  • the radius of curvature of the center lenses 86 may be, for instance, half that of the peripheral lenses 86.
  • a beam steerable +/-7.5 degrees in 1-2 degree increments is selectable. This feature is particularly useful when masking the opening 16, such as to create a turn arrow. This further reduces ghosting or roll-off, which is stray light being directed in an unintended direction and viewable from an unintended traffic lane.
  • the electronically controlled LED array provides several technical advantages including no light is blocked, but rather is electronically steered to control a beam direction.
  • Low power LEDs are used, whereby the small number of the LEDs "on” (i.e. 4 of 64) consume a total power about 1-2 watts, as opposed to an incandescent prior art bulb consuming 150 watts or a flood 15 watt LED which are masked or lowered.
  • the present invention reduces power and heat generated thereby.
  • FIG 15 there is shown a perspective view of the eye piece 26 as well as the optical sight member 28, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the center axis of optical sight member 28 is oriented along the center of the 8 X 8 LED array.
  • Circuit 10 is formed on the daughterboard 60, and is electrically connected to the LED solid state light source 40, and selectively drives each of the individual LEDs 42 comprising the array.
  • CPLD complex programmable logic device
  • U1 is preferably an off-the-shelf component such as provided by Maxim Corporation, however, limitation to this specific part is not to be inferred. For instance, discrete logic could be provided in place of CPLD U1 to provide the functions as is described here, with it being understood that a CPLD is the preferred embodiment is of the present invention.
  • CPLD U1 has a plurality of interface pins, and this embodiment, shown to have a total of 144 connection pins. Each of these pin are numbered and shown to be connected to the respective circuitry as will now be described.
  • Shown generally at 102 is a clock circuit providing a clock signal on line 104 to pin 125 of the CPLD U1.
  • this clock signal is a square wave provided at a frequency of 32.768 KHz.
  • Clock circuit 102 is seen to include a crystal oscillator 106 coupled to an operational amplifier U5 and includes associated trim components including capacitors and resistors, and is seen to be connected to a first power supply having a voltage of about 3.3 volts.
  • a power-up clear circuit comprised of an operational amplifier shown at U2 preferably having the non-inverting output coupled to pin 127 of CPLD U1.
  • the inverting input is seen to be coupled between a pair of resistors, R174 and R176, providing a voltage divide circuit, providing approximately a 2.425 volt reference signal when based on a power supply of 4.85 volts being provided to the positive rail of the voltage divide network.
  • the non-inverting input is preferably coupled to the 4.85 voltage reference via a current limiting resistor R175, as shown.
  • the voltage at the non-inverting input will come up slower than the voltage at the inverting input due to the slower rise time induced by capacitor C5.
  • the voltage at the non-inverting input will rise, and will eventually exceed the voltage at the inverting input after the 4.85V power supply has stabilized and comparator U2 responsively generate a logic 1 to Pin 127 of U1 to indicate a stable power supply.
  • an operational amplifier U6 is shown to have its non-inverting output connected to pin 109 of CPLD U1.
  • Operational amplifier U9 provides a power down function.
  • ambient light detection circuit 120 there is shown circuitry detecting ambient light intensity and comprising of at least one photodiode identified as PD1, although more than one spaced photodiode PD1 could be provided.
  • An operational amplifier depicted as U10 is seen to have its non-inverting output coupled to input pin 100 of CPLD U1.
  • the non-inverting input of amplifier U10 is connected to the anode of photodiode PD1, which photodiode has its cathode connected to the second power supply having a voltage of about 4.85 volts.
  • the non-inverting input of amplifier U10 is also connected via a current via a current limiting resistor to ground.
  • the inverting reference input of amplifier U10 is coupled to input 99 and 101 of CPLD U1 via a voltage divide network and comparators U8 and U9.
  • a second comparator U11 has a non-inverting input also coupled to the anode of photodiode PD1, and the inverting reference input connected the resistive voltage divide network. Both comparators U10 and U11 determines if the DC voltage generated by the photodiode PD1, which is indicative of the sensed ambient light intensity, exceeds a respective different voltage threshold provided to the respective inverting input. A lower reference threshold voltage is provided to comparator U11 then the reference threshold voltage provided to comparator U10 to provide a second ambient light intensity threshold detection.
  • the beam intensity circuit 122 detects the intensity of backscattered light from Fresnel lens 72, as shown at 124 in Figure 3, whereby the intensity of the sensed backscattered light is indicative of the beam intensity generated by the solid state apparatus 10 and 40. That is, the intensity of a sensed backscattered light 124 is directive proportional to the intensity of the light beam generated by apparatus 10 and 40 and is proportional thereto.
  • comparator U7 has its inverting reference input coupled to pin 86 of CPLD U1 and is provided with a DC reference voltage therefrom. This reference DC voltage establishes the nominal voltage for comparison against the DC feedback voltage provided by the optical feedback circuit 123 at node F as will now be described in considerable detail.
  • the optical feedback circuit 123 comprising a plurality of photodiode's PD2 seen to all be connected in parallel between a 4.85 volt source and a summation node 125.
  • This summation node 125 is coupled via a large resistor to ground, as shown.
  • Both the ambient light, and the pulsed backscattered from the Fresnel lens, are detected by these plurality of photodiode's PD2 which generate a respective DC and AC voltage component as a function of the respective intensity of light directed thereupon.
  • the ambient light from external solid state light apparatus 10 and 40 is transmitted through the Fresnel lens to the photodiode's PD2.
  • These photodiode's PD2 generate a corresponding DC voltage that is proportional the intensity of the ambient light impinging thereupon.
  • the backscattered pulsed light generated by the LED's 42 onto the photodiode's PD2 induces an AC voltage component that is proportional to the intensity of the sensed pulsed backscattered light. Since the light generated by the LED array comprising LED's 42 is pulsed with modulated at about 1 kilohertz, this AC voltage component has the same frequency of about 1 kilohertz. Both the AC and DC voltage components generated by the plurality of photodiode's PD2 are summed at summation node 125.
  • Series capacitor C18 provides capacitive coupling between this summation node 125 and the inverting input of single ended amplifier U20 to pass on to the AC voltage component to the inverting input of amplifier U20, which AC voltage corresponds to the pulsed light generated by the LED array.
  • the magnitude of the AC voltage component is directly proportional to and indicative of the intensity of pulsed light sensed by the photodiode's PD2 and backscattered from the Fresnel lens 72.
  • Amplifier U20 has its non-inverting input tied to ground, as shown.
  • Amplifier U20 provides a gain of roughly 1,000 as determined by the ratio of resistors R2 and R1, whereby the gain equals R2/R1.
  • the inverting output of amplifier U20 is connected via a large series capacitor C30 to a node A.
  • This node A is connected via a resistor R100 to a feedback node F as well as to the emitter of NPN transistor Q1.
  • a larger capacitor C31 tied between the feedback node F and ground is substantially smaller than the capacitor C30, whereby resistor R100 and capacitor C31 provide an integrator function and operate as a low pass RC filter.
  • the RC integrator comprised of R100 and capacitor C31 integrate the AC voltage at node A to provide a DC voltage at node F that is a function of both the duty cycle of the pulsed PWM AC voltage at node A as well as the amplitude of the pulsed PWM AC voltage at node A.
  • Transistor Q1 in combination with resistor 200 and diode D3 maintain node A close to ground at one condition while allowing a variable high level signal.
  • amplifier U20 will provide a .5 volt peak-to-peak 50% duty cycle signal at its inverting output, which AC signal is integrated by resistor 100 and C31 to provide a 0.5 volt DC signal at feedback node F.
  • this 0.5 volt DC signal at feedback node F may correspond to the nominal intensity of the light beam generated by apparatus 10 and 40.
  • the beam intensity generated by apparatus 10 and 40 produce backscattered light to photodiode's PD2 to be a 90% duty cycle signal introducing a 4 millivolt peak-to-peak AC voltage signal at summation node 125.
  • Amplifier U20 will provide a gain of 1000 to this signal to provide a 4 volt peak to peak AC voltage at its inverting output which when integrated by the integrator R100 and capacitor C31 at a 90% duty cycle will yield a 3.6 volt DC signal at feedback node F.
  • the CPLD U1 using the algorithm, shown in Figure 17, will thereby increase the duty cycle or the drive current to the LED array, thereby correspondingly increasing the duty cycle or current of the backscattered light sensed by photodiode's PD2.
  • the detecting circuit 123 will responsively sense via the backscattered light of the increased light output of the apparatus 10 and 40 and sense the corresponding increase in the backscattered light.
  • the duty cycle of the drive voltage for the LED array may be increased 10% to a 55% duty cycle, such that the optical feedback circuit 123 will again provide a .5 volt DC signal at feedback node F which is sensed by comparator U10 thereby informing CPLD U1 that the beam light intensity output from apparatus 10 and 40 again meets the DOT minimum requirements.
  • CPLD U1 will reduce the duty cycle or the drive current to the LED array slightly until the generated DC voltage signal at feedback node F is sensed by comparator U10 to fall below the reference voltage provided to the inverting input thereof. In this way, CPLD U1 responsively adjusts the duty cycle or drive current of the voltage signal driving the LED array such that the DC voltage provided at the feedback node F is slightly above the reference voltage provided to the inverting input of comparator U10.
  • Light apparatus 10 and 40 to present invention is adapted to provide different beam intensities depending on the ambient light that the traffic signal is operating in, which ambient light intensity is determined by photodiode's PD1 and circuit 120 as previously described. If CPLD U1 determines via circuit 120 day operation with high intensity ambient light beam sensed by photodiode PD1, the reference voltage provided to the inverting input of comparator U10 is increased to a second pre-determined threshold. CPLD U1 will provide a drive signal to transistor Q35 and LED drive circuit 130 with a sufficient duty cycle and drive current, increasing the beam intensity of the apparatus 10 and 40 until the feedback circuit 123 generates a DC voltage at feedback node F as sensed by comparator U10 corresponding to a reference voltage at the inverting input thereof.
  • CPLD U1 when the ambient detection photodiode PD1 and circuit 120 determines night operation, or maybe operation during a storm creating darker ambient light conditions, CPLD U1 will provide a second predetermined DC voltage reference to the inverting input of comparator U10. CPLD U1 reduces the duty cycle or drive current of the drive signal to LED circuit 130 until optical feedback circuit 123 is determined by comparator U10 to generate a DC voltage at node F corresponding to this reduced voltage reference signal corresponding to a darkened operation.
  • the optical feedback circuit 123 derives advantages in that backscattered light is sensed indicative of the pulsed generated light from the apparatus 10 and 40 to directly provide an indication of a generated light intensity therefrom.
  • a plurality of photodiode's PD2 are provided in parallel having their outputs summed at summation node 125, whereby degradation or failure of one photodiode PD2 does not significantly effect the accuracy of the detection circuit.
  • the optical feedback circuit 123 provides a DC voltage at feedback node F that directly corresponds to the sensed pulsed light, and which is not effected by the ambient light since the DC component generated by the photodiode's PD2 due to ambient light is filtered out.
  • the optical feedback circuit 123 comprising detection circuit 122 accurately senses intensity of the pulsed light beam from the apparatus 10 and 40.
  • CPLD U1 always insures an adequate and appropriate beam intensity is generated by apparatus 10 and 40 without overdriving the LED array, and while always meeting DOT requirements.
  • An LED drive circuit is shown at 130 serially interfaces LED drive signal data to drive circuitry of the LEDs 42 as shown in Figure 16C.
  • Shown at 140 is another connector adapted to interface control signals from CPLD U1 to an initiation control circuit for the LED's 42.
  • Each of the LEDs 42 is individually controlled by CPLD U1 whereby the intensity of each LED 42 is controlled by the CPLD U1 selectively controlling a drive current thereto, a drive voltage, or adjusting a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) drive signal, and as a function of sensed optical feedback signals derived from the photodiodes as will now be described in reference to Figure 17.
  • PWM pulse width modulation
  • FIG 17 there is illustrated how light generated by solid state LED array 40 is diffused by diffuser 50, and a small portion 124 of which is back-scattered by the inner surface of Fresnel lens 72 back toward the surface of daughter board 60.
  • the back-scattered diffused light 124 is sensed by photodiodes PD2, shown in Figure 16.
  • the intensity of this back-scattered light 124 is measured by circuit 122 and provided to CPLD U1.
  • CPLD U1 measures the intensity of the ambient light via circuit 120 using photodiode PD1.
  • the light generated by LED's 42 is preferably distinguished by CPLD U1 by strobing the LEDs 42 using pulse width modulation (PWM) such as at a frequency of 1KH2 to discern fight generated by LEDs 42 from the ambient light (not pulsed).
  • PWM pulse width modulation
  • CPLD U1 individually controls the drive current, drive voltage, and PWM duty cycle to each of the respective LEDs 42 as a function of the light detected by circuits 120 and 122 as shown in Figure 16D. For instance, it is expected that between 3 and 4% of the light generated by LED array 40 will back-scatter back from the Fresnel lens 72 toward to the circuitry 100 disposed on daughterboard 60 for detection.
  • optical feedback is used to ensure an appropriate light output, and a constant light output from apparatus 10.
  • CPLD U1 responsively increases the drive current by increasing the PWM duty cycle, as shown in Figure 16E, to the LEDs a predicted percentage, until the back-scattered light as detected by photodiodes PD2 is detected to be the normalized sensed light intensity.
  • the drive current to the LED's can be reversed as shown in Figure 16F.
  • circuit 100 compensates for such degradation of light output, as well as for the failure of any individual LED to ensure that light generated by array 40 and transmitted through window 16 meets Department of Transportation (DOT) standards, such as a 44 point test.
  • DOT Department of Transportation
  • This optical feedback compensation technique is also advantageous to compensate for the temporary light output reduction when LEDs become heated, such as during day operation, known as the recoverable light, which recoverable light also varies over temperatures as well. Permanent light loss is over time of operation due to degradation of the chemical composition of the LED semiconductor material.
  • each of the LEDs is driven by a pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signal, providing current during a predetermined portion of the duty cycle, such as for instance, 50%.
  • PWM pulse width modulated
  • the duty cycle and/or drive current may be responsively, slowly and continuously increased or adjusted such that the duty cycle and/or drive current until the intensity of detected light using photodiodes PD2 is detected by comparator U10 to be the normalized detected light for the operation, i.e. day or night, as a function of the ambient light.
  • a notification signal is generated by the CPLD U1 which may be electronically generated and transmitted by an RF modem, for instance, to a remote operator allowing the dispatch of service personnel to service the light.
  • the apparatus 10 can responsively be shut down entirely.
  • FIG. 18A and Figure 18B there is shown an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention including a heatsink 200 machined or stamped to have an array of reflectors 202.
  • Each recess 202 is defined by outwardly tapered sidewalls 204 and a base surface 208, each recess 202 having mounted thereon a respective LED 42.
  • a lens array having a separate lens 210 for each LED 42 is secured to the heatsink 200 over each recess 202, eliminating the need for a lens holder.
  • the tapered sidewalls 206 serve as light reflectors to direct generated light through the respective lens 210 at an appropriate angle to direct the associated light to the diffuser 50 having the same surface area of illumination for each LED 42.
  • LEDs 42 are electrically connected in parallel.
  • the cathode of each LED 42 is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive heatsink 200, with a respective lead 212 from the anode being coupled to drive circuitry 216 disposed as a thin film PCB 45 adhered to the surface of the heatsink 200, or defined on the daughterboard 60 as desired.
  • each of the LED's may be electrically connected in series, such as in groups of three, and disposed on an electrically non-conductive thermally conductive material 43 such as ceramic, diamond, SiN or other suitable materials.
  • the electrically non-conductive thermally conductive material may be formed in a single process by using a semiconductor process, such as diffusing a thin layer of material in a vacuum chamber, such as 8000 Angstroms of SiN, which a further step of defining electrically conductive circuit traces 45 on this thin layer.
  • a semiconductor process such as diffusing a thin layer of material in a vacuum chamber, such as 8000 Angstroms of SiN, which a further step of defining electrically conductive circuit traces 45 on this thin layer.
  • Figure 19 shows an algorithm controller 60 applies for predicting when the solid state light apparatus will fail, and when the solid state light apparatus will produce a beam of light having an intensity below a predetermined minimum intensity such as that established by the DOT.
  • a predetermined minimum intensity such as that established by the DOT.
  • the controller 60 determines which operating curve in Figure 20 and Figure 21 applies to the current operating conditions, and determines the time until the LED will degrade to a performance level below spec, i.e. below DOT minimum intensity requirements.
  • Figure 22 depicts a block diagram of the modular solid state traffic light device.
  • the modular field-replaceable devices are each adapted to selectively interface with the control logic daughterboard 60 via a suitable mating connector set.
  • Each of these modular field replaceable devices 216 are preferably embodied as a separate card, with possibly one or more feature on a single field replaceable card, adapted to attach to daughterboard 60 by sliding into or bolting to the daughterboard 60.
  • the devices can be selected from, alone or in combination with, a pre-emption device, a chemical sniffer, a video loop detector, an adaptive control device, a red light running (RLR) device, and an in-car telematic device, infrared sensors to sense people and vehicles under fog, rain, smog and other adverse visual conditions, automobile emission monitoring, various communication links, electronically steerable beam, exhaust emission violations detection, power supply predictive failure analysis, or other suitable traffic devices.
  • a pre-emption device e.g., a chemical sniffer, a video loop detector, an adaptive control device, a red light running (RLR) device, and an in-car telematic device, infrared sensors to sense people and vehicles under fog, rain, smog and other adverse visual conditions, automobile emission monitoring, various communication links, electronically steerable beam, exhaust emission violations detection, power supply predictive failure analysis, or other suitable traffic devices.
  • RLR red light running
  • the solid state light apparatus 10 of the present invention has numerous technical advantages, including the ability to sink heat generated from the LED array to thereby reduce the operating temperature of the LEDs and increase the useful life thereof.
  • the control circuitry driving the LEDs includes optical feedback for detecting a portion of the back-scattered light from the LED array, as well as the intensity of the ambient light, facilitating controlling the individual drive currents, drive voltages, or increasing the duty cycles of the drive voltage, such that the overall light intensity emitted by the LED array 40 is constant, and meets DOT requirements.
  • the apparatus is modular in that individual sections can be replaced at a modular level as upgrades become available, and to facilitate easy repair.
  • CPLD U1 is securable within a respective socket, and can be replaced or reprogrammed as improvements to the logic become available.
  • Other advantages include programming CPLD U1 such that each of the LEDs 42 comprising array 40 can have different drive currents or drive voltages to provide an overall beam of light having beam characteristics with predetermined and preferably parameters.
  • the beam can be selectively directed into two directions by driving only portions of the LED array in combination with lens 70 and 72.
  • One portion of the beam may be selected to be more intense than other portions of the beam, and selectively directed off axis from a central axis of the LED array 40 using the optics and the electronic beam steering driving arrangement.
  • each LED 42 illuminates an equal surface area of the light diffuser 54, thereby providing a uniform intensity light beam from light diffuser 54.
  • a thin membrane 224 defines the light guide, like a honeycomb, and tapers outwardly to a point edge at the top of the device 220. These point edges are separated by a small vertical distance D shown in Figure 25, such as 1 mm, from the above diffuser 54 to ensure uniform lighting at the transition edges of the light guides 222 while preventing bleeding of light laterally between guides, and to prevent light roll-off by generating a homogeneous beam of light.
  • Vertical recesses 226 permit standoffs 52 extending along the sides of device 220 (see Figure 3) to support the peripheral edge of the diffuser 54.

Landscapes

  • Led Device Packages (AREA)
  • Lasers (AREA)
  • Oscillators With Electromechanical Resonators (AREA)
  • Led Devices (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Claims (23)

  1. Un luminaire électronique, comprenant :
    une source lumineuse électronique (42), commandée par un signal de commande et produisant un faisceau lumineux ;
    une lentille (72), transmettant ledit faisceau lumineux; et
    caractérisé par
    un circuit de contre-réaction (123), surveillant une partie de faisceau lumineux (124) ayant été produite, réfléchie depuis ladite lentille, ledit circuit à contre-réaction ajustant en réponse ledit faisceau lumineux produit, en fonction de ladite partie de faisceau lumineux réfléchie surveillée.
  2. Le dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit signal de commande présente une composante de signal variant en fonction du temps, dans lequel ledit faisceau lumineux présente une caractéristique indicative dudit signal variant en fonction du temps.
  3. Le luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 1, comprenant en outre, le maintien par ledit circuit de contre-réaction de ladite intensité du faisceau lumineux produit à une première valeur lumineuse prédéterminée sur le temps, y compris lorsque ladite intensité du faisceau lumineux se dégrade, depuis une deuxième intensité de faisceau prédéterminé, correspondant à un dit signal de commande fixé.
  4. Le luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 2, dans lequel ledit circuit de contre-réaction ajuste la composante de signal, variant en fonction du temps, dudit signal de commande, en fonction de ladite intensité de faisceau lumineux produite.
  5. Le luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 2, dans lequel ledit circuit de contre-réaction ajuste la composante de signal, variant en fonction du temps, dudit signal de commande, afin de maintenir ladite intensité produite à la valeur d'une intensité prédéterminée fixée, au fur et à mesure du vieillissement dudit luminaire électronique.
  6. Le luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit signal de commande comprend une tension de commande.
  7. Le luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit signal de commande comprend un courant de commande, dans lequel ledit circuit de contre-réaction ajuste la valeur de commande du signal de commande en fonction de ladite partie de faisceau lumineux produite et surveillée.
  8. Le luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite composante de signal variant en fonction, du temps dudit signal de commande, comprend un signal de commande à Modulation d'Impulsions en Largeur (PWM).
  9. Le luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 8, dans lequel ledit circuit de contre réaction ajuste le taux de service dudit signal de commande PWM.
  10. Le luminaire électronique tel que spécifié à la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite source lumineuse électronique comprend une zone agencée en matrice de diodes électroluminescentes.
  11. Le luminaire électronique tel que spécifié à la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit circuit de contre-réaction comprend au moins une photodiode, surveillant ladite partie de faisceau lumineux réfléchie.
  12. Le luminaire électronique tel que spécifié à la revendication 11, dans lequel ledit circuit de contre-réaction comprend une pluralité de photodiodes, surveillant chacune ladite partie de faisceau lumineux réfléchie.
  13. Le luminaire électronique tel que spécifié à la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit circuit de contre-réaction comprend une photorésistance, surveillant ladite partie de faisceau lumineux réfléchie.
  14. Le luminaire électronique tel que spécifié à la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un diffuseur à titre de dite lentille, produisant une retrodiffusion dudit faisceau lumineux sur ledit circuit de contre-réaction, à titre de dite partie de faisceau lumineux réfléchie.
  15. Le luminaire électronique tel que spécifié à la revendication 12, dans lequel ladite pluralité de photodiodes sont espacées les unes des autres.
  16. Un procédé de fonctionnement d'un luminaire électronique (42), comprenant une lentille (72), transmettant un faisceau lumineux, comprenant les étapes consistant à :
    commander le luminaire électronique (42) avec un signal de commande pour générer un faisceau lumineux; et
    caractérisé par
    la surveillance d'une partie de faisceau lumineux (124), réfléchie depuis la lentille, et l'ajustement en réponse dudit signal de commande, dans le but de maintenir ledit faisceau lumineux en fonction de ladite partie de faisceau réfléchie surveillée.
  17. Le procédé de fonctionnement d'un luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 16, dans lequel une intensité de ladite partie de faisceau lumineux réfléchie est surveillée.
  18. Le procédé de fonctionnement d'un luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 17, dans lequel une pluralité de détecteurs optiques sont utilisés pour surveiller, chacun, ladite intensité de partie de faisceaux lumineux réfléchie.
  19. Le procédé tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 16, comprenant en outre l'étape d'utilisation d'un diffuseur à titre de dite lentille et ladite lumière réfléchie est ladite partie de faisceau lumineux ayant été retrodiffusée depuis ledit diffuseur.
  20. Le procédé tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 17, dans lequel ledit signal de commande présente une composante, variant en fonction du temps, comprenant l'étape de surveillance de ladite composante variant en fonction du temps, dans le but de générer ledit signal de sortie.
  21. Le procédé tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 20, comprenant en outre un signal en courant continu (CC) à titre de dit signal de sortie.
  22. Le procédé de fonctionnement d'un luminaire électronique selon la revendication 19, dans lequel ladite source lumineuse électronique comprend une zone agencée en matrice de diodes électroluminescentes.
  23. Le procédé de fonctionnement d'un luminaire électronique tel qu'indiqué à la revendication 22, dans lequel ladite partie de faisceau lumineux retrodiffusée et surveillée est un composite dudit faisceau lumineux ayant été généré par la matrice de diodes électroluminescentes.
EP01966371A 2000-08-30 2001-08-29 Source lumineuse electronique a sortie constante et contre-reaction optique filtree electroniquement Expired - Lifetime EP1316242B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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US65058800A 2000-08-30 2000-08-30
US650588 2000-08-30
PCT/US2001/026915 WO2002019777A1 (fr) 2000-08-30 2001-08-29 Source lumineuse electronique a sortie constante et contre-reaction optique filtree electroniquement

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EP1316242B1 true EP1316242B1 (fr) 2004-11-17

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EP2069683B1 (fr) * 2006-09-25 2019-11-20 Tony Mayer Illuminateur de surveillance micro-diffractif
US8692669B2 (en) * 2007-05-16 2014-04-08 Bosch Security Systems Bv Constant optical output illumination system
US7586274B2 (en) * 2007-11-09 2009-09-08 The Coca-Cola Company LED light output linearization
GB2509303A (en) 2012-11-08 2014-07-02 Miller Int Ltd Coupler

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JPS6152042A (ja) * 1984-08-22 1986-03-14 Hitachi Ltd 半導体レ−ザ駆動装置
US5502298A (en) * 1992-12-21 1996-03-26 Ericsson Raynet Apparatus and method for controlling an extinction ratio of a laser diode over temperature
US5659414A (en) * 1995-06-20 1997-08-19 Xerox Corporation Means for controlling the power output of laser diodes in a ROS system
US5903247A (en) * 1996-07-19 1999-05-11 The Regents Of The University Of California Servo controlled liquid crystal windows
GB9623627D0 (en) * 1996-11-13 1997-01-08 Meditech International Inc Method and apparatus for photon therapy
US5783909A (en) * 1997-01-10 1998-07-21 Relume Corporation Maintaining LED luminous intensity
US6236331B1 (en) * 1998-02-20 2001-05-22 Newled Technologies Inc. LED traffic light intensity controller
US6153985A (en) * 1999-07-09 2000-11-28 Dialight Corporation LED driving circuitry with light intensity feedback to control output light intensity of an LED

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DE60107269D1 (de) 2004-12-23
AU2001286893A1 (en) 2002-03-13
WO2002019777A1 (fr) 2002-03-07
EP1316242A1 (fr) 2003-06-04
ATE282939T1 (de) 2004-12-15

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