Method of generating current pulses for operating a light-emitting diode and circuit arrangement for carrying out the method
First Claim
1. A device for actuating a light-emitting diode, comprising a piezoelectric body having two electrodes;
- means for mechanically striking said piezoelectric body;
a pulse transformer having its primary winding directly connected to said electrodes and a secondary winding directly connected to a light-emitting diode to generate a current pulse energizing said light emitting diode when said mechanical striking means is operated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light-emitting diode is energized by converting a mechanical energy by means of a piezoelectric element into electrical charges which are transformed in a transformer into current pulses sufficient for activating the light-emitting diode. The component parts of a device of this invention include a rotation-symmetrical housing enclosing a striking member which is spring-biased against an opening in the housing, a piezoelectric element cooperating with the striking member and having two opposite electrodes connected to a primary winding of a pulse transformer. The secondary winding of the transformer is connected to the leads of the light-emitting diode. The piezoelectric element is pressed against the compression spring of the striking member by a connection spring leading to a terminal of the primary winding. All component parts are aligned along the center axis of the housing.
52 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for actuating a light-emitting diode, comprising a piezoelectric body having two electrodes;
- means for mechanically striking said piezoelectric body;
a pulse transformer having its primary winding directly connected to said electrodes and a secondary winding directly connected to a light-emitting diode to generate a current pulse energizing said light emitting diode when said mechanical striking means is operated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
- means for mechanically striking said piezoelectric body;
- 4. A device for actuating a light-emitting diode, comprising a tubular electrically conductive housing having two opposite ends each provided with an opening, a striking plunger arranged in said housing for movement in two opposite directions within said housing and being spring-baised against a limit stop in one of said openings, a piezoelectric body arranged in said housing in the path of movement of said striking plunger, said piezoelectric body having two opposite electrodes, a pulse transformer fixed in said housing at a spaced relation to said piezoelectric body, a contact spring of an electrically conductive material provided between said pulse transformer and said piezoelectric body, said pulse transformer having a primary winding directly connected via said contact spring to said electrodes and a secondary winding, a light-emitting diode installed at the other opening and having electrodes directly connected to said secondary winding, and a rectifying diode connected in parallel with said light emitting diode.
Specification