Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Discharge device and/or rectifier in the supply circuit – Flashers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-03
2001-12-11
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Discharge device and/or rectifier in the supply circuit
Flashers
C315S360000, C362S800000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329760
ABSTRACT:
The present invention resides in a circuit arrangement for operating a lamp, including a first impulse generator, a means for coupling a voltage source to the first impulse generator and a means for coupling a lamp to the first impulse generator and to a method of saving energy during operation of an energy consumer utilizing such a circuit arrangement.
Such lamps are known for example from blinkers of motor vehicles. There are also bicycle lights, which are switched to blink in order to reduce power consumption. Such bicycle lights are switched by a relay. In order to minimize power consumption, the time gaps between the light-up phases are as large as possible and the light-up phases are as short as possible. Such lamps however have the disadvantage that the blinking disturbs the eye of an observer and does not provide for uniform lighting.
However, for uniform lighting as it is normally provided by the front lights of bicycles or by flashlights, a relatively large amount of energy is consumed, so that the energy supplied by a primary cell, which is generally called a battery, which energizes the respective lamp is relatively rapidly consumed.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a circuit arrangement with which the energy consumption of lamps over a predetermined period is reduced so that the life of primary or secondary cells is noticeably increased or the energy consumption is reduced. This applies also to equipment connected to the electric power net. Particularly in areas or at times where there is no power supply available such as in vehicles, in remote areas and during power outages, it is advantageous to utilize such circuit arrangements. It is furthermore an object of the present invention to provide a method for saving energy during operation of an electric power consumer, which results in substantial energy savings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a circuit arrangement for operating a lamp, an impulse generator for generating series of impulses having a frequency of more than 10 Hz is provided and is connected, by coupling means, to a voltage source and to the lamp for operating the lamp with the series of pulses so as to generate bright light pulses.
Preferably, the impulse frequency is at least 16 Hz. In this way, the time-dependent resolution capability of the eye is utilized which is at close to 16 Hz or about at 16 Hz. Starting with a frequency of 10 Hz, the illumination can be considered essentially complete so that it appears to a human viewer as a timely uniform illumination. With the preferred 16 Hz or at a higher frequency, the timed lighting strokes appear to the human as light generated by a continuous light source. The voltages used herein are preferably low, specifically ≦24 V. Preferably, 1 to 4 primary cells are used in series so that a voltage of 1.5 to 6 V is obtained.
The coupling means are for example soldered wires or plug-in contacts.
Preferably, the series of impulses generated by the first pulse generator include an impulse period (HIGH-Phase) and a time period without impulse (LOW Phase), which is at least as long as the impulse period. In this way, already at least half of the energy is saved.
If the ratio of time period without impulse (LOW Phase) to the time period with impulse (HIGH Phase) is ≧2 and preferably ≧10 or even ≧100 and even ≧1000, the energy consumption is further reduced. In this connection, it is pointed out that, during the time of the impulse, the lamp must generate essentially the full light output in order to avoid the impression that in fact less light is generated.
If, as it is preferred, a switch is provided which is arranged in series with the first impulse generator and/or a second impulse generator and which switches a voltage which can be applied to the means for coupling the lamp, the power supply to the lamp can be easily controlled and, in addition, an impulse series with clearly defined ramps can be provided.
Preferably, the circuit includes a coil, which is connected in parallel with the means for coupling the lamp. The coil has at least two advantages. On one hand, the coil facilitates the utilization of induction voltages, which are higher than the voltage of the primary element or of a secondary element, or profanely expressed, which are higher than that of a battery or accumulator. In this way, a lamp, for example, a light emitting diode which lights up for example only with a flux voltage of 1.7 V can be excited to cause it to light up even with a voltage of less than 1.7 V since the induction voltage may be higher. Another advantage is that, in a light emitting diode, the normal voltage may be applied in blocking direction so that a current flow in the operating direction can be generated only by the induction voltage of the coil, which is opposite to the lamp supply voltage. Another advantage is that very bright light flashes can be generated so that the lamp appears to be very bright.
Preferably, there is a second impulse generator, which generates a second series of impulses which can be switched on and off by the first impulse series. With this preferred measure, the energy consumption can be still further reduced. It is possible in this case to use a coil with a relatively small inductivity so that the circuit arrangement can be small and also the energy losses encountered for example by the coil are relatively small. Preferably, elements are used which have a very low idle energy consumption.
Preferably, the flanks or ramps of the impulses are steep in order to permit the generation of a high voltage in the coil. The second impulse series has a frequency of more than 100 Hz or better more than 50 kHz and preferably more than 100 kHz. Preferably, the impulse series has a frequency of ≦500 kHz. It is to be taken into consideration that the coil can be smaller the higher the frequency is. But it also has to be taken into consideration that, at a certain frequency limit, the losses in the coil exceed the advantages obtained by the small size of the coil.
The lamp is preferably a diode, particularly a light emitting diode. Light emitting diodes have a relatively high lumen output with relatively low energy consumption. As indicated already earlier a light emitting diode or, respectively, luminescence diode has the advantage that it can be switched with respect to a normally applied voltage and can be induced to light up only with a coil and the utilization of an induction voltage or, respectively, an induction current.
Preferably, the diode is arranged in the circuit in a blocking direction with respect to the polarity of the voltage source. If so arranged no current flows through the diode during the idle periods whereby energy consumption can be kept low.
Preferably, the lamp employs a circuit arrangement as described above.
The lamp includes at least one diode, particularly a light emitting diode. However, preferably at least two diodes are provided which are arranged in parallel in order to achieve a uniform lighting of the two or of more diodes. Particularly in connection with suitable auxiliary means such as spherical reflectors or symmetric or asymmetric reflectors, spaces and areas can be fully illuminated. If the diode or diodes can be operated at a multiple of the maximum current for which they are rated by the manufacturer, a particular bright illumination can be achieved. It has been found that such a higher current than the maximum rated current, which provides for bright illumination can be used since the diodes have a long life, because, as a result of the short current pulses, they are subjected to such excess currents only shortly. The short current pulses may utilize a current value of nine times the maximum rated current.
If the lamp or illumination device includes at least one cold light emitter such as a halogen lamp, inexpensive illumination possibilities are provided whereby rooms or areas can be fully illuminated.
The lamp or illumination device may include at least an element of a fluorescent screen, particularly an LCD screen (Liquid Crystal D
Bach Klaus J.
Lee Wilson
Wong Don
LandOfFree
Circuit arrangement for operating a lamp does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Circuit arrangement for operating a lamp, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Circuit arrangement for operating a lamp will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2578060