EP2123123A1 - Procedure for producing light by the help of light radiating diodes and a light consisting of light radiating diodes - Google Patents
Procedure for producing light by the help of light radiating diodes and a light consisting of light radiating diodesInfo
- Publication number
- EP2123123A1 EP2123123A1 EP07848156A EP07848156A EP2123123A1 EP 2123123 A1 EP2123123 A1 EP 2123123A1 EP 07848156 A EP07848156 A EP 07848156A EP 07848156 A EP07848156 A EP 07848156A EP 2123123 A1 EP2123123 A1 EP 2123123A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- leds
- voltage
- current
- light
- series
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
- H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
-
- 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]
- H05B45/30—Driver circuits
- H05B45/395—Linear regulators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21K—NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21K99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
-
- 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
- H05B44/00—Circuit arrangements for operating electroluminescent light sources
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B20/00—Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
- Y02B20/30—Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method for producing light using light-emitting diodes, as described in the preamble to claim 1, and to a light source consisting of light-emitting diodes, as described in the preamble to claim 6.
- LEDs light-emitting diodes
- the power sources are usually ordinary direct voltage sources such as accumulators or batteries, which are perfectly suitable, but only for small-scale use.
- a problem shared by known LED lighting solutions based on mains current is the fact that a large part of the input power of the light is lost as thermal loss and conversion loss in the device used for reducing the mains voltage.
- a further problem is caused by voltage variations in the mains current, which can be up to approx. ⁇ 10% of the rated voltage. Therefore at the lowest voltage point, the LEDs of the light source may not light up, because the input voltage is too low to induce a voltage that exceeds the LEDs' threshold voltage.
- the problem of the highest voltage points is overheating of the LEDs, because due to the properties of an LED, the rising of the voltage passing through the LED above the LED' s threshold voltage quickly causes the LED to take up too much current.
- the object of this invention is to remove the problems described above and achieve an optimally inexpensive and simple method for producing light using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) .
- the object of the invention is also to achieve an optimally inexpensive, simple, reliable, long-life, efficient light source consisting of LEDs, designed to directly use the alternating current coming from the mains (in Europe a rated current of 230 VAC) .
- the method described in the invention is characterised by what is disclosed in the characterisation part of claim 1.
- the light source according to the invention is characterised by what is disclosed in the characterisation part of claim 6.
- Other embodiments of the invention are characterised by what is disclosed in the other claims .
- the method and light source according to the invention will later be referred to collectively as the solution according to the invention, for simplicity.
- a benefit of the solution according to the invention is that the light's power source can directly be the alternating current coming from the mains, which leaves out the voltage-reducing solutions that increase energy consumption, cost, space utilisation and susceptibility to faults. Further benefits are the reliability of the LEDs' lighting up when the light is switched on, and the effective prevention of the heating up and possible damage of the LEDs, thanks to protection from under- and overvoltage. Another benefit is the connection system of the solution according to the invention, which permits the use of a lower voltage than normal mains voltage over the light's current regulator, which means that the heating up and the need for power handling capacity of the current regulator are not as great as in other solutions. A further benefit is the opportunity of using ordinary, affordable dimming devices for adjusting the brightness of the light. Below, the invention is described in detail using application examples, by referring to the appended figures, in which
- Figure 1 shows a light solution according to the invention in simplified form
- Figure 2 shows an advantageous circuit diagram of a light according to the invention, in simplified form.
- Figure 1 shows a typical separate light source 1 that can be connected to the mains current with a connector, but the light source can just as well be for example a lamp unit in a street light, connected directly to the mains current without a separate connector, or another type of light.
- the light source 1 includes at least an electrical connection 2, with which the light is connected to an ordinary electrical network, such as a network with a rated value of 230 VAC.
- the light 1 has a control part 3, which involves for example at least a rectifier 5, which is designed to convert the 230 V alternating voltage to an essentially equivalent direct voltage using full-wave rectification.
- the actual light-radiating part of the light consists of a number of serially connected light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 9, which, connected in this way, form the light source's LED unit 4, with for example 64 series-connected and essentially identical LEDs 9.
- LEDs serially connected light-emitting diodes
- the most favourable LEDs are white LEDs.
- the light source 1 includes a current regulator acting as a regulating element 6, which regulates the current passing through the LEDs in the LED unit 4, and favourably also a reflector 10 that reflects and focuses the light produced by the LED unit 4.
- Figure 2 shows a beneficial connection according to the invention, in simplified form. Because LEDs 9 only work with direct voltage, the 230 V alternating voltage coming from the electrical network through connector 2 is arranged to be converted into direct voltage with a full-wave rectifier 5 included in the light source 1. The full-wave rectified direct voltage received from the rectifier 5 is directly conducted, without a need for reducing voltage, to the LEDs 9 that together form the LED unit 4. Direct current can only flow in one direction through the LEDs 9, and the flow direction is marked with arrows in Figure 2.
- the light source 1 comprises at least a current regulator 6, placed after the LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4 in the direction of flow of the current, as well as the current regulator's set voltage resistor 7 or other similar set value adjuster.
- the threshold voltage of the ordinary LEDs 9 that emit white light, used in the LED unit 4 of the light source 1, is typically for example approx. 3.2-3.6 V. If the voltage fed to the LEDs is below this threshold voltage, the LEDs do not have enough current to emit light and therefore they do not light up when switched on.
- the total threshold voltage for the LED unit 4 consisting of series-connected LEDs 9 is the sum of all the threshold voltages. Therefore, if the number of LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4 is set to 64, the total threshold voltage of the LED unit 4 is 204.8 V. That is the lowest input voltage that will make the LEDs 9 in the example's LED unit 4 light up. If the electrical network's voltage rating is 230 V and the allowable voltage variation is for example 10%, the voltage coming from the network varies in the range 207-253 V.
- the number of LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4 should be chosen taking into account the threshold voltage of the LEDs 9 used, as well as the input voltage, so that the total threshold voltage of the LED unit 4 is always lower than or at most equal to the lowest point in the electrical network's input voltage variation range. Then the total threshold voltage of the LED unit 4 is always lower than or at most equal to the input voltage, regardless of the source of the input voltage. Favourably, the total threshold voltage should be suitably lower than the lowest voltage point in the electrical network' s input voltage variation range.
- the threshold voltage for each LED 9 is 3.4 V
- the number of series- connected LEDs should be for example 60, making the total threshold voltage of the LED unit 4 204 V, which is suitably lower than the lowest voltage in the electrical network' s variation range.
- the total threshold voltage of the LED unit 4 can be adapted to any input voltage. This method provides a certain safety margin for voltage variation, which makes the lighting up of the LEDs 9 reliable regardless of variations in the electrical network voltage.
- the LED When the voltage rises to an LED's threshold voltage, the LED lights up and uses a certain amount of current while it is lit, typically for example 20 mA. If the voltage going over the LED rises above the threshold voltage, the LED uses significantly more current than the abovementioned 20 mA, which makes the LED heat up and soon break. For this reason, the current coming to the LEDs must be limited using either a voltage regulator or a current regulator.
- the current going to the LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4 is limited with a current regulator 6 connected to the light source 1, according to known technology.
- the advantage of the current regulator is that it can be used to set a specific current that the LEDs take up, regardless of the voltage, which means that the voltage is automatically regulated at the same time. Therefore the current regulator ensures that the voltage cannot rise too high, which keeps the voltage going through the LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4 at an optimal level even if the network' s voltage should rise higher in its variation range than the total threshold voltage of the LED unit 4.
- the current regulator 6 is placed in the direction of flow of the direct current after the LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4, so that the inlet of the current regulator 6 is connected to the outlet of the LED unit 4, and the current regulator's 6 outlet is connected to a rectifier 5, in order to form a closed circuit over the LEDs 9.
- a voltage set resistor 7 Connected in parallel to the current regulator 6 is a voltage set resistor 7, which sets the amount of current to be fed to the LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4, for example at the abovementioned 20 mA. Because the current regulator 6 is placed after the LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4 (in the direction of flow of current) , the voltage passing through the current regulator 6 is only a part of the original input voltage, i.e.
- the LEDs' brightness control is based on momentarily switching off the input voltage from the LEDs, which makes the LEDs go out briefly. This is only visible to the eye, however, as a dimming of the light.
- a number of LEDs 9 are connected serially to form an LED unit 4, and these series-connected LEDs 9 are connected to the electrical network through at least one rectifier 5, which converts the alternating current coming from the network into direct current.
- the number of series-connected LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4 is chosen so that the total threshold voltage of the series-connected
- LEDs 9 in the LED unit 4 is essentially lower than or at most equal to the input voltage coming into the LEDs 9.
- the total threshold voltage of the LEDs 9 should be essentially lower than or at most equal to the lowest voltage point in the electrical network' s input voltage variation range.
- the voltage fed to the current regulator 6 is essentially lower than the original input voltage by the sum of the LEDs' 9 threshold voltages.
- the serial connection of the LEDs is designed taking into account the LEDs' specific threshold voltage as well as the input voltage, and set so that a suitable safety margin is always in place to guarantee the lighting up of the LEDs despite variations in the input voltage, and that the input voltage does not have to be reduced with separate added components but the light can be used directly with rectified network voltage. It can also be that the total threshold voltage of the series-connected LEDs is approximately equal to the input voltage. However, this may make the abovementioned safety margin smaller, which may reduce the reliability of the LEDs' lighting up.
- connection according to the invention and the number of LEDs can vary from the examples given above.
- a rectifier is not needed when the input voltage is a direct current.
- connection according to the invention can also vary from the above example in that the current regulator can be placed before the LED unit in the direction of flow of the current. That would feed the whole input voltage through it, however, which means that the current regulator would have to be more powerful and more expensive, according to known technology.
- the regulating element that limits the current passing through the LEDs i.e. the current regulator
- a regulating element that limits the voltage passing through the LEDs i.e. a voltage regulator
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FI20061053A FI20061053A0 (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2006-11-30 | Lighting method and luminaire obtained in this way |
FI20075222A FI118881B (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2007-03-30 | Method for producing light by means of light emitting diodes and a light emitting diode |
PCT/FI2007/050623 WO2008065244A1 (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2007-11-20 | Procedure for producing light by the help of light radiating diodes and a light consisting of light radiating diodes |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2123123A1 true EP2123123A1 (en) | 2009-11-25 |
EP2123123A4 EP2123123A4 (en) | 2010-03-03 |
Family
ID=39385828
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP07848156A Withdrawn EP2123123A4 (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2007-11-20 | Procedure for producing light by the help of light radiating diodes and a light consisting of light radiating diodes |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2123123A4 (en) |
DE (1) | DE202007019404U1 (en) |
FI (2) | FI118881B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008065244A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202013101820U1 (en) * | 2013-04-26 | 2013-06-03 | Edgar Burr | Shaft lighting device and elevator shaft with such a shaft lighting device |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4298869A (en) | 1978-06-29 | 1981-11-03 | Zaidan Hojin Handotai Kenkyu Shinkokai | Light-emitting diode display |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4682147A (en) * | 1985-06-28 | 1987-07-21 | Don Gilbert Industries, Inc. | Emergency sign |
US5463280A (en) * | 1994-03-03 | 1995-10-31 | National Service Industries, Inc. | Light emitting diode retrofit lamp |
IL123123A (en) * | 1998-01-29 | 2004-03-28 | Ledi Lite Ltd | Illuminated sign system |
JPH11288252A (en) * | 1998-04-01 | 1999-10-19 | Daichu Denshi:Kk | Lighting device and extended display device using this device |
US6371637B1 (en) * | 1999-02-26 | 2002-04-16 | Radiantz, Inc. | Compact, flexible, LED array |
DE20008408U1 (en) * | 2000-05-10 | 2000-08-17 | Fischer Licht & Metall Gmbh & | LED arrangement with a power supply |
WO2002023956A2 (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2002-03-21 | Teledyne Lighting And Display Products, Inc. | Power supply for light emitting diodes |
US6957899B2 (en) * | 2002-10-24 | 2005-10-25 | Hongxing Jiang | Light emitting diodes for high AC voltage operation and general lighting |
TWI225542B (en) | 2003-06-13 | 2004-12-21 | Yuan Lin | Constant current light ribbon device |
KR20060027374A (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2006-03-27 | 코닌클리즈케 필립스 일렉트로닉스 엔.브이. | Single led driver for a traffic light |
US7211967B2 (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2007-05-01 | Yuan Lin | Strip light with constant current |
TW200704283A (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2007-01-16 | Lamina Ceramics Inc | Solid state LED bridge rectifier light engine |
-
2007
- 2007-03-30 FI FI20075222A patent/FI118881B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2007-11-20 DE DE202007019404U patent/DE202007019404U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2007-11-20 EP EP07848156A patent/EP2123123A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2007-11-20 WO PCT/FI2007/050623 patent/WO2008065244A1/en active Application Filing
-
2012
- 2012-01-03 FI FI20124002U patent/FI9614U1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4298869A (en) | 1978-06-29 | 1981-11-03 | Zaidan Hojin Handotai Kenkyu Shinkokai | Light-emitting diode display |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FI118881B (en) | 2008-04-15 |
FI9614U1 (en) | 2012-04-12 |
DE202007019404U1 (en) | 2012-06-20 |
WO2008065244A1 (en) | 2008-06-05 |
EP2123123A4 (en) | 2010-03-03 |
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