Apparatus, method and system for providing AC line power to lighting devices

摘要

An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

主权项

1. An apparatus for providing power to a plurality of light emitting diodes couplable to receive an AC voltage, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes is couplable to form a plurality of segments of light emitting diodes, each segment comprising one or more light emitting diodes, the apparatus comprising:
a controller configured to selectively include:
a first segment of light emitting diodes from the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes in an overall series light emitting diode current path; anda second segment of light emitting diodes from the plurality of segments of light emitting diodes in the overall series light emitting diode current path, wherein, during at least one of a first part and a second part of an AC voltage interval of the received AC voltage, the controller is further configured to:
in a first light emitting diode configuration, cause:
one of the first or second segments to be coupled in series in a first series light emitting diode current path;the other of the first or second segments to be coupled in series in a second series light emitting diode current path; andthe first series light emitting diode current path and the second series light emitting diode current path to be parallel to one another in the overall series light emitting diode current path; andin a second light emitting diode configuration, cause:
the first and second segments to be coupled in series in a third series light emitting diode current path; andthe third series light emitting diode current path to be in the overall series light emitting diode current path.