Temperature compensated parallel LED drive circuit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A light emitting diode device, comprising:
- a plurality of light emitting diodes each having anode and cathode terminals; and
a current source circuit comprising a plurality of current source transistors;
wherein the light emitting diodes are connected in parallel such that the anode terminal of each light emitting diode is electrically connected with a different current source transistor and the cathode terminal of each light emitting diode is electrically coupled with a ground node; and
wherein a base terminal of each of the current source transistors is connected with a current control node.
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Abstract
A light emitting diode drive circuit provides each of the plurality of parallel light emitting diodes substantially uniform current, causing the light emitting diodes to each have substantially the same brightness. An optional control circuit controls the current flow as a function of an external control signal. Optional temperature derating circuits adjust the intensity of the light emitting diodes as a function of a measured temperature. The measured temperature may be provided externally via a temperature output signal. The light emitting diode drive circuit may be specially adapted for automotive applications.
74 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A light emitting diode device, comprising:
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a plurality of light emitting diodes each having anode and cathode terminals; and
a current source circuit comprising a plurality of current source transistors;
wherein the light emitting diodes are connected in parallel such that the anode terminal of each light emitting diode is electrically connected with a different current source transistor and the cathode terminal of each light emitting diode is electrically coupled with a ground node; and
wherein a base terminal of each of the current source transistors is connected with a current control node.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A display unit adapted for an automotive application, comprising:
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a liquid crystal display;
a backlighting light emitting diode array comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes in a parallel configuration, where a cathode terminal of each light emitting diode is connected with a common ground node, where the backlighting light emitting diode array backlights the liquid crystal display;
a current source circuit that maintains substantially identical amounts of electrical current supplied to each light emitting diode;
a temperature derating circuit electrically connected with the current source circuit;
wherein the temperature derating circuit reduces the light emitting diode array'"'"'s intensity as a function of a temperature measured at the common ground node after a threshold is reached. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
a light emitting diode controller that provides a pulse width modulated signal that controls the intensity of the light emitting diode array.
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27. The display unit of claim 25, further comprising:
a light emitting diode controller that provides an analog direct current voltage signal that controls the intensity of the light emitting diode array.
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28. The display unit of claim 25, wherein the light emitting diode controller comprises a microprocessor.
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29. A method of controlling a parallel light emitting diode array, comprising:
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monitoring a temperature of a light emitting diode array at a node connected with a light emitting diode;
providing a temperature adjusted signal to the light emitting diode;
monitoring a sample current source; and
adjusting the temperature adjusted signal as a function of a current from the sample current source.
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30. A display unit, comprising:
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a liquid crystal display;
a light pipe located behind the liquid crystal display;
a light emitting diode array;
an specular reflector that reflects light from the light emitting diode into the light pipe;
a circuit board having first and second sides, where the light emitting diode array connected with the first side and a light emitting diode array controller circuit connected to the other side, wherein the circuit board is within a light cavity of the display unit;
a frame housing the liquid crystal display, light pipe, light emitting diode array, and the circuit board, wherein the circuit board is thermally connected with the frame. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A light emitting diode device, comprising:
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at least five white light emitting diodes each having anode and cathode terminals; and
a current source circuit comprising a plurality of current source transistors;
wherein the at least five white light emitting diodes are connected in parallel such that the anode terminal of each light emitting diode is electrically connected with a different current source transistor and the cathode terminal of each light emitting diode is electrically coupled with a ground node.
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38. A display unit adapted for an automotive application, comprising:
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a liquid crystal display;
a backlighting light emitting diode array comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes in a parallel configuration, where a cathode terminal of each light emitting diode is connected with a common ground node, where the backlighting light emitting diode array backlights the liquid crystal display;
a current source circuit that maintains substantially identical amounts of electrical current supplied to each light emitting diode;
a temperature derating circuit electrically connected with the current source circuit, wherein the temperature derating circuit reduces the light emitting diode array'"'"'s intensity as a function of a temperature measured at the common ground node after a threshold is reached;
a light pipe in proximity to the liquid crystal display and the light emitting diode array;
a housing encasing at least a portion of the liquid crystal display, the light pipe, and the light emitting diode array; and
a light emitting diode controller that provides a pulse width modulated signal that controls the intensity of the light emitting diode array.
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39. A display unit adapted for an automotive application, comprising:
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a liquid crystal display;
a backlighting light emitting diode array comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes in a parallel configuration, where a cathode terminal of each light emitting diode is connected with a common ground node, where the backlighting light emitting diode array backlights the liquid crystal display;
a current source circuit that maintains substantially identical amounts of electrical current supplied to each light emitting diode;
a temperature derating circuit electrically connected with the current source circuit, wherein the temperature derating circuit reduces the light emitting diode array'"'"'s intensity as a function of a temperature measured at the common ground node after a threshold is reached;
a light pipe in proximity to the liquid crystal display and the light emitting diode array;
a housing encasing at least a portion of the liquid crystal display, the light pipe, and the light emitting diode array; and
a light emitting diode controller that provides an analog direct current voltage signal that controls the intensity of the light emitting diode array. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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Specification