WO2022174923A1 - Direct-current dual polarity, light-emitting led circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention discloses a simplified DC powered, dual polarity LED lighting circuit. This comprises of two lighting element arrays, which are arranged in opposite polarities to one another. The lighting elements are designed to be turned on alternately; once the active lighting circuit has failed, the secondary light circuit can be activated simply by switching the circuit's polarity. The lighting elements are arranged in such a way inside the lighting device, that no visible lighting difference can be made between the 2 lighting circuits.

Description

[10001 Title of Invention

[1001] DIRECT-CURRENT DUAL POLARITY, LIGHT-EMITTING LED CIRCUIT f 00011 Technical field

[0002] The invention belongs to the technical field of illumination, in particular but not exclusive to DC dual polarity lighting circuit.

[00031 Background technique

[0004] SMD refers to Surface Mount Device.

[0005] DIP refers to Dual In-Line Package device.

[0006] COB refers to LED Chip On-Board device.

[0007] PCB refers to Printed Circuit Board.

[0008] 1C Chip refers to Integrated Circuit device.

[0008] Lighting element refers to COB, DIP or SMD light emitting diodes.

[0009] LED refers to Light Emitting Diode.

[0010] LEDs have been widely used in various light sources, signal displays, signal devices and as indicators just to name a few.

[00011] It has been found that all kinds of LED lighting, of various specifications, are packaged on a dedicated frame / PCB with one or multiple LED chips. To provide the most optimum lighting requirement, with a lower power consumption compared to previous lighting technology. All of the LED chips are connected in some of the following circuits; in parallel, in series, or in a mixture of parallel and series circuits.

[00012] LEDs are surging in popularity for lighting applications due to their energy saving and long life properties. With this increase in demand, LED technology has been advancing quickly in all fields of traditional lighting technology.

[0013] With this rapid implementation of LED technology, poor implementation of this technology is being used, resulting in premature failure of the lighting source. In turn, this results in additional costs and excessive e-waste, which reduces the positive environmental potential impact of this technology. [00141 Summary of the invention

[0015] It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide an improved way of implementing prior art of a DC dual directional lighting circuit.

[0016] This is achieved by the use of a dual polarity lighting circuit as mentioned in claim 1.

[0017] In one embodiment, a simple reverse polarity lighting circuit, designed with 2 or more sets of illuminating diodes arrays assembled in reverse polarity to one another. These illuminating diode arrays are arranged in such a way, whereby each active circuit provides a consistent lighting effect between each individual lighting array.

[0018] Uses DC PWM or DC direct current input for the LED driving circuit.

[0019] Reduced internal parts in the lighting device.

[0020] Simplified mechanical design, which could allow quick and easy replacement of individual part groups of the lighting device.

[0021] A simplified light failure switching circuit.

[0022] A modular design, whereby the Switching circuit / Power driving circuit / Lighting circuit can be easily replaced individually depending on the area of use.

[00231 Technical Problem

[0024] A simple way of determining the life of the device, whereby pre-planned replacement can be timely organized, resulting in higher productivity and efficiency for replacement.

[0025] Common failure occurs due to poor cooling and consequently overheating of the LED device circuitry.

[0026] Complicated and non-serviceable design results in higher chance of manufacturing and assemble faults. Consequently, a simple fault renders the device unusable, resulting in premature replacement.

[0027] There is no means to Pre-determine when the device will fail, which in turn increases maintenance cost for replacement.

[0028] Overheating faults due to compact and poor design, whereby integration of multiple parts inside the device and poor cooling design.

[0029] with AC powered bidirectional lights currently on the market, these have major failure points. If one LED Fails, it causes a chain reaction failure effect, causing the light to flicker resulting in poor or undesirable lighting affect which results in the lighting device to be replaced prematurely. [0030] With a lighting devices which has an integrated power circuit (AC-DC / DC-DC converter) installed inside the Lighting device. This increases operating temperature of the device which can result in over temperature faults. Additionally, the increase of components in the device increases a potential failure point with each additional component added. Whereby; if one part of the assembly fails, the device is no longer operational, creating excessive e-waste.

[0031] Additionally, failure of the Lighting device creates the following problems. a) Potential risks involved due to the lighting failure. For example, but not limited to, remote signal beacons/ Aviation/Automotive/Marine/Traffic signal lighting. b) Potential risks and cost in replacing the lighting device. For example, the cost of purchase and the logistics required in replacing - especially in difficult to access or dangerous environments like underwater/ nuclear / containment facilities / difficult to reach places just to name a few. c) Potential infringements of a light failure; e.g. Automotive light failure traffic infringement. d) Loss of productivity, in the case when work is stopped until replacement is made. e) Partial failure in the lighting circuit renders the device useless, creating excessive E-Waste.

[0032] in one example, is the use of LED device in the Automotive sector. a) A light failure can increase the potential for accidents, specifically due to the increase use of Autonomous vehicles. Whereby, the vehicle is miss interpreted by the oncoming or tailing Autonomous vehicles, resulting in a potentially avoidable accident. b) Driving infringements for a light failure can be significant. c) Productivity, time loss, inconvenience waiting for a repair, additionally the high repair costs involved. d) The increase use of sealed Driving and Tail lights, whereby it is no longer serviceable, not only creates increased e-waste and higher repair costs. e) Additionally, with the increase of vehicle leasing direct from the manufacturer, vehicles will have to be built to last. A small investment in the lighting circuit far outweighs the repair cost and lost productivity associated to lighting failures.

[0033] Therefore, in view of the above aspects, it is necessary to make reasonable improvements to the prior art, and more particularly to an LED lighting element that integrates a bidirectional redundant control device. [00341 Solution to Problem

[0035] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions to solve the above technical problems:

[0036] The basic utility model provides a simple dual polarity lighting circuit with a DC input. By using 2 LED Chips / element arrays in reverse polarity to one another, whereby, only one lighting element array is active at any one time. This method provides a cheap reverse polarity protection. Additionally, once failure occurs, by reversing the circuit's polarity, the secondary lighting circuit is activated, doubling the device life, halving the potential E-Waste and cost in the process.

[0037] The power consumption of each LED chip is always at least of 15% lower than the maximum forward voltage of the LED.

[0038] A simple way of determining the half-life of the device, whereby pre-planned replacement can be timely organized. This will result in higher productivity and efficiency for replacement.

[0039] In the advanced unity model, this uses not only the bi-directional lighting circuit model described above. The device uses an additional switching circuit, whereby once failure is detected, additional lighting circuit is switched. This, with the use of a multiple parallel and Series LED circuit arrays, the devices life expectancy can be increased 4 fold with minimum electronical components being used, vastly increasing the devices life potential and cost savings.

[0040] For the LED light source, the LED chips are grouped in a series , Parallel or Hybrid mix of the 2 circuit, so that the power consumption of each LED chip is always lower than the rated power working state of the LED.

[0041] LEDs are arranged in optimized lighting pattern, whereby, the device emits a constant lighting effect, that is visually undetectable which of the lighting circuit are activated.

[0042] In a basic embodiment, the light device does not have main or secondary lighting circuit defined, while both lighting circuits operate exactly the same. Whereby, this method provides a simple operation and no technological understanding for the replacement is required.

[0043] This device is also designed but not limited to when the Lighting device is modular, whereby the LEDs are separated from the power supply / voltage regulator to allow individual part replacement.

[0044] this device has the most potential, but not limited to, when an external power supply / voltage regulator is used.

[0045] For the current-driven LED light source, additional LED chips are added in series in the original LED light source circuit structure, so the minimum power loss is reduced from the voltage regulators / current regulator to increase efficiency of the lighting device.

[0046] By switching the circuit between plus and minus "polarity", we can double the life expectancy of the device, at the same time only adding a fraction of additional weight, which has advantages for areas where weight is critical such as Aeronautics, Space craft and Satellites. [0047] Additionally, the best design circuit would be for a 12v input, which covers a larger market of devices, while still staying at a safe working voltage. Which under specified law is required, for example, wet damp areas, e.g. bathrooms, swimming pool lights and automotive industry.

[00481 Advantageous Effects of Invention decreases e-waste longer life expectancy higher fault tolerance higher productivity increased safety

[00491 Brief Description of Drawings

[0050] Other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed descriptions when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0051] Additionally, these drawing only illustrate circuit design, this current invention has no limitation on which housing or package design it is implemented in.

[0052] In drawings 001 Fig 1 - Fig 5 illustrates some basic circuit diagrams.

Fig 1. illustrates bi-directional LEDs arranged in a simplified circuit array.

Fig 2. illustrates bi-directional LEDs arranged in a simplified circuit array with the use of Zener diodes for overvoltage and reverse polarity protection.

Fig 3. illustrates LEDs with integrated diodes arranged in opposite polarity in a simplified circuit array.

Fig 4. illustrates bi-directional LEDs arranged in a multiple circuit array.

Fig 5. illustrates LEDs arranged in opposite polarity in a simplified circuit array. [0053] Drawing 002

Fig 6. Illustrates an advance circuit; which utilizes 2 LED Circuit arrays, with a transistor as a automatic switching device, once the primary circuit has failed. 2 Zener diodes can be used connected in opposite polarity for reverse voltage and overvoltage protection. In addition, an optional current suppression / Fault indicating device can be integrated.

[0054] Drawing 003

Fig. 7 Illustrates 2 advance circuit array, arranged in opposite polarity to one another. With this design, we have 4 LED arrays which has the potential to increase the Lighting devices life. For example, LED array "A" will activate, once failure occurs LED array "B" will switch on. Once LED array "B" failure has occurred the Lighting circuits will no longer function. When this occurs, failure is detected and the lighting circuit can be then automatically or manually switched to activate the secondary circuit array which operates in the same function.

Optionally, a current sensing device or LED Driver with a current sensing device can automatically switch the devices polarity once failure is detected.

[0054] Drawing 004

Fig. 8 lllistrates basic components used in the previous drawings.

100. Power supply - uses DC input / DC PWM input

200. Resistor - An electrical component that implements an electrical resistance in the circuit. Resistors are used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, and to divide voltages just to name a few.

301. Zener Diode - A special type of diode designed to allow current to flow in the reverse direction when a certain set reverse voltage is reached.

302. Diode - An electronic component that allows current to flow in one direction and blocks the flow of current in the opposite direction.

400. Transistor - is a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals or current flow^

501. Represents a lighting source - regardless of the lighting package, for example LED, COB, SMD.

Which is a semiconductor light source, that emits light when current flows through it.

502. Lighting source with integrated Zener Diode - for reverse voltage / overvoltage protection.

503. Bi-Directional LED - which consists of two different LED emitters, which are connected to the same Anode and Cathode in opposite polarity to each other. Current flow in one direction and the first LED is activated, when voltage is reversed the second LED is activated.

504. Lighting source with an integrated diode - for additional reverse voltage protection.

Claims

Claims

1. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; connected to a DC power source, whereby only one single lighting array is activated at any one time. The Lighting array is switch between polarities, to activate the secondary lighting array.

2. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1, which uses additional switching backup lighting circuit's arrays.

3. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin the said switch is a Mechanical switch.

4. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, when the lighting circuit is manually disconnected and reconnected in the opposite polarity.

5. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin the said switch is an 1C Chip.

6. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin the said switch is a Relay.

7. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin the said switch is a Transistor.

8. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin said lighting element uses LED /COB chips.

9. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin said lighting element uses Bidirectional LED /COB chips.

10. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin said lighting element uses an integrated Zener diode.

11. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin said lighting circuit uses a combination of series circuits connected in parallel.

12. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, further comprising of a lighting element in the overvoltage circuit.

13. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, further comprising with Zener Diodes for overvoltage protection.

14. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, further comprising of a voltage suppression device in the overvoltage circuit.

15. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin said DC power source is a Digital PWM generated power source.

16. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin said DC power source is a DC voltage regulator power source.

17. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin said DC power source is integrated into the device.

18. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, wherin said DC power source is a separate external device.

19. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, further comprising of an additional automatic backup circuit.

20. A dual lighting element circuit array, arranged in opposite polarities; according to claim 1 and 2, further comprising of an integrated Heat sink on the PCB board.