Patent ID: 8890429
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
1. A solid-state light-emitting element drive device, comprising: a switching regulator comprising a series circuit of a switching element and an inductor, a regenerative element configured to allow a regenerative current to flow therethrough from the inductor when the switching element is turned off, and output terminals configured so that a solid-state light-emitting element is connected therebetween; and a control circuit configured to control a switching operation of the switching element of the switching regulator, wherein the control circuit is configured: to turn off the switching element when an electric current through the switching element or the inductor is equal to or more than a predetermined peak value; and also to turn on the switching element when the regenerative current is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and the control circuit is configured to suppress the output power of the switching regulator if a time period exceeds a prescribed upper limit, said time period being the switching element's ON period, OFF-period, or a switching cycle of the ON-period and the OFF period.