IP Library Granted Patent US 12,342,434
Granted Patent B2
US 12,342,434 · App. 17/894,734 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Driver for LED retrofit with PWM correction unit, LED retrofit and vehicle headlight

Inventor: Gennadi Tochadse (Aachen-Eilendorf, DE)
Assignee: LUMILEDS LLC
H05B45/325H05B45/357
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,342,434
App. No.
17/894,734
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light-emitting diode (LED) driver is described herein. The LED driver includes input terminals that receive power from a pulse width modulation (PWM) power supply operating at a duty cycle less than 100%. The LED driver also includes a current source that receives the power from the input terminals and provides a controlled current with an adjustable target value for at least one LED. The LED driver also includes a PWM correction unit that adjusts the adjustable target value of the controlled current based on the duty cycle of the PWM to provide a constant light output of the LED retrofit lamp independent of the duty cycle of the PWM.

Claims (45)

1. A light-emitting diode (LED) driver comprising:

a plurality of input terminals configured to receive power from a pulse width modulation (PWM) power supply operating at a duty cycle less than 100%;

a current source configured to receive the power from the input terminal and provide a controlled current with an adjustable target value for at least one LED; and

a PWM correction unit comprising a variable resistor configured to adjust the adjustable target value of the controlled current by setting a resistance of the variable resistor based on the duty cycle of the PWM to provide a constant light output of the LED retrofit lamp independent of the duty cycle of the PWM.

2. The LED driver according to claim 1 , wherein:

the current source comprises a current-sense resistor, and

the variable resistor is electrically coupled in parallel with the current-sense resistor.

3. The LED driver according to claim 1 , wherein:

the current source comprises a current-sense resistor, and

the variable resistor is electrically coupled in series with the current-sense resistor.

4. The LED driver according to claim 1 , wherein the PWM is 85% or less.

5. A light-emitting diode (LED) retrofit lamp comprising:

an LED lamp body comprising a plurality of LEDs and a socket, the socket having at least one terminal for receiving power from a pulse width modulation (PWM) power supply operating at a duty cycle less than 100%; and

a driver comprising:

a plurality of input terminals configured to receive the power via the at least one terminal in the socket,

a current source configured to receive the power from the input terminals and provide a controlled current with an adjustable target value for the plurality of LEDs, and

a PWM correction unit comprising a variable resistor configured to adjust the adjustable target value of the controlled current by setting a resistance of the variable resistor based on the duty cycle of the PWM to provide a constant light output of the LED retrofit lamp independent of the duty cycle of the PWM.

6. The LED retrofit lamp according to claim 5 , wherein the driver is at least partially located within the socket of the LED lamp body.

7. The LED retrofit lamp according to claim 5 , wherein the driver is mounted in an LED driver body separate from the LED lamp body.

8. The LED retrofit lamp according to claim 5 , wherein the PWM correction unit comprises a variable resistor, and the PWM correction unit is configured to set a resistance of the variable resistor based on the duty cycle of the PWM.

9. The LED retrofit lamp according to claim 5 , wherein:

the current source comprises a current-sense resistor, and

the variable resistor is electrically coupled in parallel with the current-sense resistor.

10. The LED retrofit lamp according to claim 5 , wherein:

the current source comprises a current-sense resistor, and

the variable resistor is electrically coupled in series with the current-sense resistor.

11. The LED retrofit lamp according to claim 5 , wherein the PWM is 85% or less.

12. An automotive lighting system for an automobile that supplies power to headlamps using a pulse width modulation (PWM) power supply operating at a duty cycle less than 100%, the system comprising:

a lamp fixture; and

an LED retrofit lamp secured to the lamp fixture, the LED retrofit lamp comprising:

an LED lamp body comprising a plurality of LEDs and a socket, the socket having at least one terminal for receiving power from a pulse width modulation (PWM) power supply operating at a duty cycle less than 100%; and

a driver comprising:

a plurality of input terminals configured to receive the power via the at least one terminal in the socket,

a current source configured to receive the power from the input terminals and provide a controlled current with an adjustable target value for the plurality of LEDs, and

a PWM correction unit comprising a variable resistor configured to adjust the adjustable target value of the controlled current by setting a resistance of the variable resistor based on the duty cycle of the PWM to provide a constant light output of the LED retrofit lamp independent of the duty cycle of the PWM.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the driver is at least partially located within the socket of the LED lamp body.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the driver is mounted in an LED driver body separate from the LED lamp body.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the PWM correction unit comprises a variable resistor, and the PWM correction unit is configured to set a resistance of the variable resistor based on the duty cycle of the PWM.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein:

the current source comprises a current-sense resistor, and

the variable resistor is electrically coupled in parallel with the current-sense resistor.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein:

the current source comprises a current-sense resistor, and

the variable resistor is electrically coupled in series with the current-sense resistor.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein the PWM is 85% or less.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2023
From: TOCHADSE, GENNADI
To: LUMILEDS LLC
Reel/Frame 063675/0651 →