Lighting apparatus

Abstract

A lighting apparatus includes a rectifier, a loading module, a constant current switch module and a current supplemental module. The rectifier is connected to an output of the AC power for receiving an AC signal to convert the AC signal to a positive wave signal. The loading module includes multiple loading units. The loading module is disposed on the output of the rectifier. The constant current switch module is connected to output of each loading unit and to control the working cycle of each loading unit so as to ensure a total passing current of the loading module is opposite in phase to the positive wave signal to keep output power constant. The current supplemental module supplies output current to the loading module when the positive wave signal is in sufficient to drive the loading module.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus coupled to an AC power, comprising: a rectifier connected to an output of the AC power for receiving an AC signal to convert the AC signal to a positive wave signal; a loading module comprising multiple loading units, wherein the loading module is disposed on the output of the rectifier; a constant current switch module connected to output of each loading unit and to control the working cycle of each loading unit so as to ensure a total passing current of the loading module is opposite in phase to the positive wave signal to keep output power constant; and a current supplemental module connected to the output of the rectifier and an input of the loading module, wherein the current supplemental module is charged the loading unit during the working cycle and supplies output current to the loading module when the positive wave signal is in sufficient to drive the loading module.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the constant current switch module comprises multiple current limit modules respectively corresponding to the multiple loading units.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the current limit module is connected to an output of one corresponding loading unit.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the constant current switch module sequentially switches the switches of the current limit modules to convert the total passing current to a lowering ladder signal when the positive wave signal is at a rising period.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the constant current switch module sequentially switches the current limit modules to convert the total passing current of the loading module to a rising ladder signal when the positive wave signal is lowering.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the input of each current limit module is connected an output of a corresponding loading unit to form a working loop with the loading unit.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the current limit module comprises a current source on the working loop, a switch unit and a voltage detector, wherein the voltage detector turns on or turns off the switch unit according to a detected voltage of the working loop.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the current supplemental module comprises a first capacitor, wherein an input of the first capacitor is connected between the rectifier and the loading module.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 8, wherein the current supplemental module comprises a charging current source series connected to a back end of the first capacitor.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the current supplemental module comprises capacitor charging unit, wherein the capacitor charging unit comprises a voltage detector and a switch unit, wherein the voltage detector detects an input voltage of the loading module, wherein the switch unit is series connected to a back end of the charging current source.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the voltage detector determines whether to turn on the switch unit to charge the first capacitor according to the input voltage of the loading module.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the current supplemental module comprises a capacitor power supply unit, wherein the capacitor power supply unit comprises a switch control loop and a current detector, wherein the current detector detects a passing current to the first loading unit and determines to turn on or to turn off the switch control loop to supply power to the loading unit.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the current supplemental module comprises a second capacitor, wherein the second capacitor is connected between the rectifier and the loading module.

14. The lighting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the current supplemental module comprises a back-to-back NMOS circuit series connected with the second capacitor.

15. The lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the current supplemental module comprises a capacitor charging-discharging control unit connected to a gate of the back-to-back NMOS circuit to control turn-on or turn-off of the back-to-back NMOS circuit.

16. The lighting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the capacitor charging-discharging control unit detects a passing current through the first loading unit and determines to turn on or to turn off the back-to-back NMOS circuit according to the passing current.

17. The lighting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the capacitor charging-discharging control unit charges the second capacitor or enables the second capacitor to supply power to the loading units.

18. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the loading units respectively has at least one LED module.

19. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the loading unit comprises a wireless circuit.

20. The lighting apparatus of claim 19, wherein the wireless circuit is further coupled to a third capacitor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit architecture diagram of a lighting apparatus embodiment.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit example.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates another circuit example.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a working cycle diagram.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates another working cycle diagram.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates another working cycle diagram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Driver circuits are important in the design of LED light devices. If the current supplied to the LED modules is not stable, the LED modules are easily to be damaged or their life spans are significantly affected. In addition, people expect LED light devices to emit stable light.

(8) LED modules work in DC (Direct Current) mode. However, most indoor power source is AC (Alternating Current) mode. Therefore, it is found helpful to decrease variant of the AC power on driving LED modules.

(9) Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which illustrate a lighting apparatus embodiment.

(10) In this embodiment, a full cycle loading driver system used in a lighting apparatus 100 is disclosed for providing driving currents to a lighting apparatus, e.g. a LED light device.

(11) The lighting apparatus 100 receives an AC power 10 and includes a rectifier 20, a loading module 20, a constant current switch module 40, and a current supplemental module 50.

(12) The rectifier 20 is connected to a output of the AC power 10 to receive an AC signal. The rectifier 20 converts the AC signal to a positive wave signal. The rectifier 20 may be a full wave rectifier, a half wave rectifier, a bridge rectifier or other similar devices.

(13) The loading module 30 is placed at output of the rectifier 30. The loading module 30 includes multiple loading units 30A-30C connected in series. An output of each loading unit is connected to a current limit module. Each current limit module has a voltage conductive threshold and a working cycle dispatched to each current limit module based on the positive wave signal.

(14) The constant current switch module 40 is connected to multiple loading units 30A-30C. The constant current switch module 40 controls the working cycle of the multiple loading units and ensures a total passing current of the loading module 30 is opposite to the phase of the positive wave signal to output a constant power.

(15) In some embodiments, the constant current switch module 40 includes multiple current limit modules 41A-41C. The current limit module corresponds to the loading unit with a one-to-one mapping. The input of each current limit module is connected to an output of a corresponding loading unit to form a working loop with the corresponding loading unit.

(16) The constant current switch module 40 sequentially switches the current limit modules 41A to 41C to convert the total passing current of the loading module 30 to a lowering ladder signal when the positive wave signal is at rising period and to convert the total passing current of the loading module 30 to a rising ladder signal when the positive wave signal is at lowering period.

(17) In some embodiments, an input of the current limit module 41A is connected between the loading unit 30A and the loading unit 30B so as to form a first ladder loop with the loading unit 30A.

(18) The input of the current limit module 41B is connected between the loading unit 30B and the loading unit 30C so as to form a second ladder loop with the loading unit 30B.

(19) The input of the current limit module 41C is connected to the output of the loading unit 30C (or connected between the loading unit 30C and next loading unit, depending on ladder numbers) so as to form a third ladder loop. Each independent ladder loop respectively correspond to a stage of the ladder signals.

(20) The current limit module 41A includes a current source 411A, a switch unit 312A and a voltage detector 413A. The current source 411A is disposed on corresponding working loop. The voltage detector 413A turns on or turns off the switch unit 412A according to the working loop.

(21) The current limit module 41B includes a current source 411B, a switch unit 412B and a voltage detector 413B. The current limit module 41C includes a current source 411C, a switch unit 412C and a voltage detector 413C.

(22) The ladder loop numbers may be varied depending on different design requirements.

(23) The current supplemental module is connected to an output of the rectifier 20 and an input of the loading module 30.

(24) The current supplemental module is charged during the working cycle of each loading unit and supplies power to the loading module 30 when the positive wave signal is insufficient to provide power to the loading module 30. The period that the current supplemental module supplies power mainly refers to the valley bottom in FIG. 4, e.g. section Ttr.

(25) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module 50 has a first capacitor 51, a charging current source 52, a capacitor charging unit 53, and a capacitor power supply unit 54.

(26) The input of the capacitor 51 is connected between the rectifier 20 and the loading module 30. The charging current source is series connected to the back end of the first capacitor 51.

(27) The capacitor charging unit 50 includes a voltage detector 531 and a switch unit 532. The voltage detector 531 detects an input voltage of the loading module 30. The switch unit 532 is series connected to a back end of the charging current source 52. The voltage detector 5321 determines whether to turn on the switch unit 532 to charge the first capacitor 51 according to a corresponding input voltage of the working cycle.

(28) The current detector 542 detects a passing current Ith1 of a current limit module 41A for the first loading unit, i.e. the loading unit 30A, and determines whether to turn on the switch 5411 of the switch control loop 541 to supply power to the loading unit 30A. In some embodiments, multiple loading units may be supplied with power at the same time.

(29) The current supplemental module 50 may be modified to another similar circuit. The following example in FIG. 3 shows such variant example.

(30) In this embodiment, the current supplement module 60 includes a second capacitor 61, a back-to-back NMOS circuit and a capacitor charging-discharging control unit. The second capacitor 61 is connected between the rectifier 20 and the loading module 30.

(31) The back-to-back NMOS circuit is series connected to the second capacitor 61. The capacitor charging-discharging control unit detects the passing current (Ith1) of the current limit module 41A for the first loading unit 30A to determine whether to supply power to the loading unit 30A with the second capacitor 61.

(32) The current supplemental module 60 includes a capacitor 61, a charging control module 62 and a power supply module 63. The input of the second capacitor 61 is connected between the rectifier 20 and the loading module 30.

(33) The back-to-back NMOS circuit is a charging control module 62 that includes a first voltage detector 621, a first control switch 622, and a first current source 623. The first voltage detector 621 is connected to the gate of the first control switch 622 to turn on or to turn off the first control switch.

(34) The power supply control module 63 includes a second voltage detector 631 and a second control switch 632. The first control switch 622 and the second control switch 632 are connected in series. The drain of the first control switch 622 is connected to the drain of the second control switch 632 to form a back-to-back structure.

(35) Please refer to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 which show a relation between positive wave signals and the ladder signal.

(36) The positive wave signal refers to the input voltage after the rectifier 20. The ladder signal refers to a current signal corresponding to the positive wave signal.

(37) In FIG. 4, the ladder signals are triggered by the current limit module 41A, 41B and 41C. When the positive wave signal is rising, the total passing current through the loading module 30 is decreased gradually. When the positive wave signal is lowering the total passing current is increased gradually.

(38) The positive wave signals are compared with the first threshold Vin1, the second threshold Vin2, the third threshold Vin3 sequentially and outputs a corresponding ladder wave signal (current).

(39) When the positive wave signal is lower, a supplemental current is provided by such circuit.

(40) In FIG. 5, in addition to charge the first capacitor 51 during the rising stage of the positive wave signal, other working cycles may also be used for charging the first capacitor.

(41) FIG. 6 shows that the charging to the capacitor can even be performed when the positive wave signal is lowering.

(42) In some embodiments, a lighting apparatus includes a rectifier, a loading module, a constant current switch module and a current supplemental module.

(43) The rectifier is connected to an output of the AC power for receiving an AC signal to convert the AC signal to a positive wave signal.

(44) The loading module includes multiple loading units.

(45) The loading module is disposed on the output of the rectifier.

(46) The constant current switch module is connected to output of each loading unit and to control the working cycle of each loading unit so as to ensure a total passing current of the loading module is opposite in phase to the positive wave signal to keep output power constant.

(47) The current supplemental module is connected to the output of the rectifier and an input of the loading module.

(48) The current supplemental module is charged the loading unit during the working cycle and supplies output current to the loading module when the positive wave signal is in sufficient to drive the loading module.

(49) In some embodiments, the constant current switch module includes multiple current limit modules respectively corresponding to the multiple loading units.

(50) In some embodiments, the current limit module is connected to an output of one corresponding loading unit.

(51) In some embodiments, the constant current switch module sequentially switches the switches of the current limit modules to convert the total passing current to a lowering ladder signal when the positive wave signal is at a rising period.

(52) In some embodiments, the constant current switch module sequentially switches the current limit modules to convert the total passing current of the loading module to a rising ladder signal when the positive wave signal is lowering.

(53) In some embodiments, the input of each current limit module is connected an output of a corresponding loading unit to form a working loop with the loading unit.

(54) In some embodiments, the current limit module includes a current source on the working loop, a switch unit and a voltage detector.

(55) The voltage detector turns on or turns off the switch unit according to a detected voltage of the working loop.

(56) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a first capacitor.

(57) An input of the first capacitor is connected between the rectifier and the loading module.

(58) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a charging current source series connected to a back end of the first capacitor.

(59) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes capacitor charging unit.

(60) The capacitor charging unit includes a voltage detector and a switch unit.

(61) The voltage detector detects an input voltage of the loading module.

(62) The switch unit is series connected to a back end of the charging current source.

(63) In some embodiments, the voltage detector determines whether to turn on the switch unit to charge the first capacitor according to the input voltage of the loading module.

(64) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a capacitor power supply unit.

(65) The capacitor power supply unit includes a switch control loop and a current detector.

(66) The current detector detects a passing current to the first loading unit and determines to turn on or to turn off the switch control loop to supply power to the loading unit.

(67) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a second capacitor.

(68) The second capacitor is connected between the rectifier and the loading module.

(69) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a back-to-back NMOS circuit series connected with the second capacitor.

(70) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a capacitor charging-discharging control unit connected to a gate of the back-to-back NMOS circuit to control turn-on or turn-off of the back-to-back NMOS circuit.

(71) In some embodiments, the capacitor charging-discharging control unit detects a passing current through the first loading unit and determines to turn on or to turn off the back-to-back NMOS circuit according to the passing current.

(72) In some embodiments, the capacitor charging-discharging control unit charges the second capacitor or enables the second capacitor to supply power to the loading units.

(73) In some embodiments, the loading units respectively has at least one LED module.

(74) In some embodiments, the loading unit includes a wireless circuit.

(75) In some embodiments, the wireless circuit is further coupled to a third capacitor.

(76) The design implements a full cycle current supply to loading units to prevent blinking or signal variant problems to enhance quality of LED light devices.

(77) In some embodiments, a lighting apparatus includes a rectifier, a loading module, a constant current switch module and a current supplemental module.

(78) The rectifier is connected to an output of the AC power for receiving an AC signal to convert the AC signal to a positive wave signal.

(79) The loading module includes multiple loading units.

(80) The loading module is disposed on the output of the rectifier.

(81) The constant current switch module is connected to output of each loading unit and to control the working cycle of each loading unit so as to ensure a total passing current of the loading module is opposite in phase to the positive wave signal to keep output power constant.

(82) The current supplemental module is connected to the output of the rectifier and an input of the loading module.

(83) The current supplemental module is charged the loading unit during the working cycle and supplies output current to the loading module when the positive wave signal is in sufficient to drive the loading module.

(84) In some embodiments, the constant current switch module includes multiple current limit modules respectively corresponding to the multiple loading units.

(85) In some embodiments, the current limit module is connected to an output of one corresponding loading unit.

(86) In some embodiments, the constant current switch module sequentially switches the switches of the current limit modules to convert the total passing current to a lowering ladder signal when the positive wave signal is at a rising period.

(87) In some embodiments, the constant current switch module sequentially switches the current limit modules to convert the total passing current of the loading module to a rising ladder signal when the positive wave signal is lowering.

(88) In some embodiments, the input of each current limit module is connected an output of a corresponding loading unit to form a working loop with the loading unit.

(89) In some embodiments, the current limit module includes a current source on the working loop, a switch unit and a voltage detector.

(90) The voltage detector turns on or turns off the switch unit according to a detected voltage of the working loop.

(91) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a first capacitor.

(92) An input of the first capacitor is connected between the rectifier and the loading module.

(93) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a charging current source series connected to a back end of the first capacitor.

(94) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes capacitor charging unit.

(95) The capacitor charging unit includes a voltage detector and a switch unit.

(96) The voltage detector detects an input voltage of the loading module.

(97) The switch unit is series connected to a back end of the charging current source.

(98) In some embodiments, the voltage detector determines whether to turn on the switch unit to charge the first capacitor according to the input voltage of the loading module.

(99) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a capacitor power supply unit.

(100) The capacitor power supply unit includes a switch control loop and a current detector.

(101) The current detector detects a passing current to the first loading unit and determines to turn on or to turn off the switch control loop to supply power to the loading unit.

(102) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a second capacitor.

(103) The second capacitor is connected between the rectifier and the loading module.

(104) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a back-to-back NMOS circuit series connected with the second capacitor.

(105) In some embodiments, the current supplemental module includes a capacitor charging-discharging control unit connected to a gate of the back-to-back NMOS circuit to control turn-on or turn-off of the back-to-back NMOS circuit.

(106) In some embodiments, the capacitor charging-discharging control unit detects a passing current through the first loading unit and determines to turn on or to turn off the back-to-back NMOS circuit according to the passing current.

(107) In some embodiments, the capacitor charging-discharging control unit charges the second capacitor or enables the second capacitor to supply power to the loading units.

(108) In some embodiments, the loading units respectively has at least one LED module.

(109) In some embodiments, the loading unit includes a wireless circuit.

(110) In some embodiments, the wireless circuit is further coupled to a third capacitor.

(111) The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

(112) The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

(113) Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined by the claims.