Abstract:
An apparatus for LED lights which integrates a voltage booster module is provided. The string lights in series-parallel construction, which is originally powered by a high voltage, becomes now powered by a low voltage. Thus, a dry cell or a solar cell can be used as a power supply, which decreases the needs for electricity from the power rail. Accordingly, less carbon dioxide is generated and energy is also saved.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for LED lights, and more specifically to an apparatus for LED lights which integrates a booster controller. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Current LED string lights can be categorized into two types: low voltage string lights and high voltage string lights. The high voltage string lights refer to string lights (generally operates at 6V,12V,24V,48V,110V,220V) powered by an AC power supply or by a power converter (e.g., transformer, AC/DC converter, etc), which is able to provide voltage higher than 5V. The low voltage string lights refer to string lights powered by dry battery, button battery, rechargeable battery, solar cell, etc, which operates at a voltage lower than 5V, generally around 3V. 
         [0003]    The high voltage string lights may assemble in series-parallel construction and the low voltage string lights can only operate in parallel. 
         [0004]    Since the high voltage string lights require a relatively high voltage, the utilization of the low voltage power supply, such as the application of solar cell, is encumbered, which is unfavorable to environmental protection. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problem by providing an apparatus for LED lights which integrates a voltage booster control module. According to the present disclosure, the string lights in parallel or in series, which is conventionally powered by a high voltage, becomes now powered by a low voltage. Thus, a dry cell or a solar cell can be used as a power supply, which decreases the needs for electricity from the power rail. Accordingly, less carbon dioxide is generated and the energy is also saved. 
         [0006]    There is provided an apparatus for LED lights which integrates a booster control module. The apparatus includes a booster control module and at least one LED light, wherein the booster control module boosts an initial voltage and output a boosted voltage. The booster control module further comprises: 
         [0007]    a power supply for supplying the initial voltage; 
         [0008]    a pulse generator, coupled to the power supply; 
         [0009]    a first triode (Q 1 ),wherein a base of the first triode is coupled to a pulse signal output terminal of the pulse generator; 
         [0010]    a first rectifying diode (D 1 ), wherein a first terminal of the first rectifying diode (D 1 ) is coupled to a collector of the first triode (Q 1 ), a second terminal of the first rectifying diode (D 1 ) serves as an anode of a resulting voltage output, and a terminal of at least one LED light is coupled to the anode of the resulting voltage output; 
         [0011]    a first filter (C 1 ), coupled in parallel between the second terminal of the first rectifying diode (D 1 ) and an emitter of the first triode (Q 1 ); 
         [0012]    an inductor (L 1 ) or a resistor (R), wherein a first terminal of the inductor (L 1 ) is coupled to the power supply and a second terminal of the inductor (L 1 ) is coupled to the first terminal of the first rectifying diode (D 1 ), or a first terminal of the resistor (R) is coupled to the power supply and a second terminal of the resistor (R) is coupled to the first terminal of the firs rectifying diode (D 1 ). 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pulse generator further comprises: 
         [0014]    a processor chip (IC), wherein two terminals of the power supply are coupled to the processor chip (IC); 
         [0015]    a first divider circuit, comprising a first resistor (R 1 ) and a second resistor (R 2 ), wherein a first terminal of the first resistor (R 1 ) is coupled to a first pin of the processor chip (IC), a second terminal of the first resistor (R 1 ) is coupled to a first terminal of the second resistor (R 2 ), and a second terminal of the second resistor (R 2 ) is coupled to a second pin of the processor chip (IC); 
         [0016]    a capacitor (C 3 ), coupled in parallel between the first terminal of the first resistor (R 1 ) and the second terminal of the resistor (R 1 ). 
         [0017]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pulse generator is comprised of discrete components. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor chip (IC) is configured to generate a positive pulse signal at the first pin, which turns the first triode (Q 1 ) on via the first divider circuit; the power supply is configured to enable an input of the first rectifying diode (D 1 ) to be a pulse signal via the inductor (L 1 ) or the resistor (R), and the pulsed turn-on of the first triode (Q 1 ); the pulse signal turns into a double voltage rectification mode after the pulse signal is rectified by the first rectifying diode (D 1 ), and further becomes the resulting output voltage higher than the initial voltage of the power supply after being filtered by the first filter (C 1 ). 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus for LED lights further comprises a charging device for charging the power supply. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the charging device comprises a solar cell or a wind-powered motor. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the output pins of the processor chip is coupled to a fourth triode (Q 4 ) via a current limiting resistor (R 9 ), and a base of the fourth triode (Q 4 ) is coupled to the current limiting resistor (R 9 ), an emitter of the fourth triode (Q 4 ) is coupled together, a collector of the fourth triode (Q 4 ) serves as a cathode of the resulting voltage output; and a high voltage or a low voltage is output at the collector of the fourth triode (Q 4 ) under the control of the processor chip, and the other terminal of the at least one LED light is coupled to the cathode of the resulting voltage output. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus further comprises: 
         [0023]    a second divider circuit comprising a third resistor (R 3 ) and a fourth resistor (R 4 ), wherein the charging device is coupled between a first terminal of the third resistor (R 3 ) and a second terminal of the fourth resistor (R 4 ); 
         [0024]    a second triode (Q 2 ), wherein a base of the second triode (Q 2 ) is coupled to a second terminal of the third resistor (R 3 ); an emitter of the second triode (Q 2 ) is coupled to the second terminal of the fourth resistor (R 4 ); and a collector of the second triode (Q 2 ) is coupled to a third pin of the processor chip; 
         [0025]    a second rectifying diode (D 2 ), wherein a first terminal of the second rectifying diode (D 2 ) is coupled to the first terminal of the third resistor (R 3 ), and a second terminal of the second rectifying diode (D 2 ) is coupled to a fourth pin of the processor chip; 
         [0026]    a second filter (C 2 ), wherein a first terminal of the second filter (C 2 ) is coupled to the second terminal of the second rectifying diode (D 2 ), and a second terminal of the second filter (C 2 ) is coupled to the second terminal of the fourth resistor (R 4 ); 
         [0027]    a pull-up resistor (R 5 ), coupled between the second terminal of the second rectifying diode (D 2 ) and the collector of the second triode (Q 2 ). 
         [0028]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the charging device generates a charging voltage, and the second divider circuits divides charging voltage so that the second triode (Q 2 ) turns on and thus the third pin of the processor chip is controlled at a low voltage level, thereby rendering the processor chip to turn into in a charging mode in which the processor chip powers on and the LED light turns off. A charging current of the charging device charges the power supply after the charging current is rectified by the second rectifying diode (D 2 ) and filtered by the second filter (C 2 ). 
         [0029]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the charging device is disabled, the second triode (Q 2 ) does not turns on and the fifth resistor (R 5 ) sets the input of the third pin of the processor chip at a high voltage level so that the processor chip turns to an operating state in which the output of the processor chip is enabled and the LED light turns on. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus for LED lights further comprises: 
         [0031]    a third triode (Q 3 ), wherein a base of the third triode (Q 3 ) is coupled to a fifth pin of the processor chip via a sixth resistor (R 6 ), a collector of the third triode (Q 3 ) is coupled to a sixth pin of the processor chip and an emitter of the third triode (Q 3 ) is coupled to the fourth pin of the processor chip. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the processor chip is in the operating state, the LED turns on and the fifth pin of the processor chip outputs a low voltage. The sixth resistor (R 6 ) and a seventh resistor (R 7 ) form a third voltage divider circuit. The processor chip monitors the resulting output voltage. If the resulting output voltage is lower than a predetermined value, the third triode (Q 3 ) changes from an ON state to an OFF state under the control of the voltage at the base of the third triode (Q 3 ), the sixth pin of the processor chip is thus at a low voltage level which renders the processor chip in a sleep mode in which the output of the processor chip is disabled and the LED light turns off, so that the power supply will not be over discharged. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor chip further comprises a timer circuit. When the timer reaches a threshold, the processor chip automatically turns into a sleep mode, thereby disabling the output of the processor chip and turning off the LED lights, so that the power supply will not be over discharged. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a switch (K 1 ) is coupled between a seventh pin of the processor chip and the cathode of the resulting output voltage. The switch (K 1 ) enables the seventh pin of the processor chip to be at a low voltage level. The ON and OFF of the switch (K 1 ) is able to control the output of the LED light and imbues the LED light with functions of being constantly ON, being constantly OFF or flicker. 
         [0035]    Compared with prior arts, the present disclosure is imbued with the following technical effects. According to the present disclosure, the present circuit is designed to boost the initial operating voltage so that the resulting output voltage meets the requirement of the string lights in series-parallel construction which are otherwise powered by a high voltage. One aspect of the present disclosure is applicable to decreasing the needs for electricity from the power rail. Accordingly, a large amount of chemical fuel can be saved every year from the power rail and thus creating an environmental-friendly and low carbon life. In another aspect of the present disclosure, considering the fact that the production of LED in series-parallel string lights currently enjoys a high level of mechanization, whereas the low-voltage-powered LED string lights which are coupled in parallel mainly involves man power, the control apparatus according to the present disclosure may help to greatly improve the productivity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates a circuit diagram of an apparatus for LED lights which integrates a booster control module according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    Detailed description will be made to the present invention in conjunction with the embodiments and the accompanying drawing. 
       A First Embodiment of an Apparatus for Led Lights Which Integrates a Boost Control Module 
       [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates a circuit diagram of an apparatus for LED lights which integrates a booster control module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus for LED lights integrating a booster control module mainly includes a booster control module and at least one LED light (four LED lights are illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). The booster control module includes a power supply DC, a processor chip IC, a first voltage divider circuit constituted by a first resistor R 1  and a second resistor R 2 , a first triode Q 1 , a first rectifying diode D 1 , a first filter C 1  and an inductor L 1 . 
         [0039]    The power supply DC is configured to provide an operating voltage, i.e., an initial voltage which is a low voltage. The power supply DC may include, for example, a dry battery, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Nickel-Metal Hydride battery, or a Lithium ion battery, etc. Two terminals of the power supply DC are coupled to the processor chip IC. The anode of the power supply DC is coupled to pin IC-4 (also referred to as a fourth pin) of the processor chip IC, whereas the cathode of the power supply DC is coupled to pin IC-2 (also referred to as a seventh pin) of the processor chip IC via a switch K 1 . A first terminal of the first resistor R 1  is coupled to pin IC-14 (also referred to as a first pin) of the processor chip. A second terminal of the first resistor R 1  is coupled to a first terminal of the second resistor R 2 . A second terminal of the second resistor R 2  is coupled to pin IC-11 (also referred to as a second pin) of the processor chip. A capacitor C 3  is coupled in parallel with the first resistor R 1 . The base of the first triode Q 1  is coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor R 1 , while the emitter of the first triode Q 1  is coupled to the second terminal of the second resistor R 2 . 
         [0040]    A first terminal of the inductor L 1  is coupled to the pin IC-4 of the processor chip, which is equal to being coupled to the anode of the power supply DC. A second terminal of the inductor L 1  is coupled to the collector of the first triode Q 1 , which is equal to being coupled to a first terminal of the first rectifying diode D 1 . 
         [0041]    It is appreciated that the inductor L 1  herein may be replaced with a resistor R. In other words, a resistor R can be used to replace the inductor L 1  to achieve the technical effect of the present disclosure. 
         [0042]    The first terminal of the first rectifying diode D 1  is coupled to the collector of the first triode Q 1 . A second terminal of the first rectifying diode D 1  serves as an anode of the resulting output voltage. 
         [0043]    The first filter C 1  is coupled in parallel between the second terminal of the first rectifying diode D 1  and the collector of the first triode Q 1 . 
         [0044]    The aforementioned circuit functions to boost voltage. A positive pulse signal is produced at the pin IC-14 according to an internal program stored in the processor chip. Through the voltage divider circuit including the first resistor R 1  and the second resistor R 2 , the base of the first triode Q 1  is at a low voltage level at usual. When a positive pulse is generated at the pin IC-14 of the processor chip, the base of the first triode Q 1  is converted to a high voltage level such that the first triode Q 1  turns on. The power supply DC enables the input of the first rectifying diode D 1  to be a pulse signal via the inductor L 1  and pulsed turn-on of the first triode Q 1 . After the pulse signal is rectified by the first rectifying diode D 1 , it turns into a double voltage rectification mode. After being filtered by the first filter C 1 , the pulse signal ultimately becomes a 12-48V high voltage. The frequency and amplitude of the pulse generated by the processor chip allow the output of the first rectifying diode D 1  to reach 100V. 
         [0045]    A charging device is coupled in parallel with the power supply DC. Since the charging device is coupled in parallel with the power supply DC, the two terminals of the charging device are also coupled to the pins of the processor chip, respectively. In the present embodiment, the charging device may be a solar cell. Of course, the charging device may be other device having charging functionality. In  FIG. 1 , the pins IC-7, IC-8, IC-9, IC-10 of the processor chip are all output pins. Take an example of the pin IC-7, the output pin IC-7 is coupled to the base of the fourth triode Q 4  via a current limiting resistor R 9 . The collector of the fourth triode Q 4  serves as the cathode of the resulting output voltage. Similarly, the other pins IC-8, IC-9, and IC-10 are respectively coupled to the bases of triodes Q 5 , Q 6  and Q 7  via current limiting resistors R 10 , R 11  and R 12 . The collectors of these triodes Q 4 -Q 7  serve as the cathode of the resulting output voltage. The emitters of these triodes Q 4 -Q 7  are connected together. The LED string lights are coupled between the second terminal of the first rectifying diode D 1  which may serve as the anode of the resulting output voltage and the collector of the fourth triode Q 4  which may serve as the cathode of the resulting output voltage. In  FIG. 1 , a first group of LED string lights is coupled between the second terminal (the anode of the resulting output voltage) of the first rectifying diode D 1  and the collector (the cathode of the resulting output voltage) of the triode Q 7 . A second group of LED string lights is coupled between the second terminal (the anode of the resulting output voltage) of the first rectifying diode D 1  and the collector (the cathode of the resulting output voltage) of the triode Q 6 . A third group of LED string lights is coupled between the second terminal (the anode of the resulting output voltage) of the first rectifying diode D 1  and the collector (the cathode of the resulting output voltage) of the triode Q 5 . A fourth group of LED string lights is coupled between the second terminal (the anode of the resulting output voltage) of the first rectifying diode D 1  and the collector (the cathode of the resulting output voltage) of the triode Q 4 . 
         [0046]    When the pins IC-7, IC-8, IC-9 and IC-10 output a high voltage, the LED string lights coupled thereto turn on constantly. When the pins IC-7, IC-8, IC-9 and IC-10 output a low voltage, the LED string lights coupled thereto turn off constantly. When the pins IC-7, IC-8, IC-9 and IC-10 output a high voltage in turn, the LED string lights coupled thereto will turn on in turn (i.e., output in pipeline). When the pins IC-7, IC-8, IC-9 and IC-10 output a high voltage at regular time intervals, the LED string lights coupled thereto may flicker quickly or slowly depending on the length of the time intervals. 
         [0047]    The apparatus according to the present embodiment may further include a circuit located at one side of the solar cell. The circuit may include a second divider circuit including a third resister R 3  and a fourth resistor R 4 , a second triode Q 2 , a second rectifying diode D 2 , a second filter C 2  and a fifth resistor R 5 . 
         [0048]    The solar cell is coupled between the first terminal of the third resistor R 3  and the second terminal of the fourth resistor R 4 . The base of the second triode Q 2  is coupled to the second terminal of the third resistor R 3 . The emitter is coupled to the second terminal of the fourth resistor R 4 . The collector is coupled to the pin IC-1 of the processor chip. The first terminal of the second rectifying diode D 2  is coupled to the first terminal of the third resistor R 3 . The second terminal of the second rectifying diode D 2  is coupled to the pin IC-4 of the processor chip. The first terminal of the second filter C 2  is coupled to the second terminal of the second rectifying diode D 2 . The second terminal of the second filter C 2  is coupled to the second terminal of the fourth resistor R 4 . The fifth resistor R 5  is coupled between the second terminal of the second rectifying diode D 2  and the collector of the second triode Q 2 . 
         [0049]    The base of the third triode Q 3  is coupled to the pin IC-13 of the processor chip via the sixth resistor R 6 . The collector of the third triode Q 3  is coupled to the pin IC-3 of the processor chip. The emitter of the third triode Q 3  is coupled to the pin IC-4 of the processor chip. 
         [0050]    Moreover, a switch K 1  is coupled between the pin IC-2 of the processor chip and the collector of the third triode Q 3 . The switch K 1  may enable the input of the pin IC-2 of the processor chip to be at a low voltage level. Every time a low voltage is input to the pin IC-2, the output mode is changed once. For example, the LED string lights may be changed from constant ON mode to pipeline mode. 
         [0051]    After the solar cell has been exposed to the sunlight, the charging voltage is generated. Through the voltage divider including the third resistor R 3  and the fourth resistor R 4 , the charging voltage enables the second triode Q 2  to turn on. As such, the pin IC-1 of the processor chip is therefore at a low voltage level. The low voltage level at the pin IC-1 enables the internal program stored in the processor chip to turn automatically into a charging mode in which the processor chip powers on and the LED string lights turns off The charging current of the solar cell may charge the power supply DC after it is rectified by the second rectifying diode D 2  and filtered by the second filter C 2 . 
         [0052]    When there is no sunlight shining on the solar cell, the second triode Q 2  does not turn on. The fifth resistor R 5  pulls up the input of the IC-1 of the processor chip to a high voltage level. The internal program of the processor chip automatically turns into an operating state in which the output of the processor chip is enabled, and the LED string lights turns on. 
         [0053]    When the solar cell is not in a charging mode, i.e., the processor chip is in an operating state which outputs signals, the LED string lights turns on. The pin IC-13 (also referred to as a fifth pin) of the processor chip outputs a high voltage level. The fifth resistor R 5  and the sixth resistor R 6  constitute a third divider circuit. The processor chip monitors the resulting output voltage. When the resulting output voltage is lower than a predetermined value, the third triode Q 3 , subject to the voltage at the base, changes from a turn-on state into a turn-off state. A low voltage is fed to the pin IC-3 (also referred to as the sixth pin) of the processor chip. Thus, the processor chip turns into a sleep mode in which the output of the processor chip is disabled and the LED light turns off As such, the power supply DC will not be over discharged. 
         [0054]    Moreover, a timer circuit may also be integrated into the processor chip. When the timer reaches a threshold, the processor chip may automatically turn into a sleep mode in which the output of the processor chip is disabled and the LED string lights turns off. The power supply DC will not be over discharged and thus the power supply DC is protected. 
         [0055]    It is appreciated that the arrangement of the above-mentioned processor chip IC, the first resistor R 1 , the second resistor R 2  and the capacitor C 3  is only one embodiment for enabling the base of the first triode Q 1  to output pulse signals. In other words, the above-mentioned processor chip, the first resistor R 1 , the second resistor R 2  and the capacitor C 3  may be replaced with a pulse generator. The pulse generator may be coupled to the base of the first triode Q 1 , which is used to feed a pulse signal to the base of the first triode Q 1 . In addition to the first embodiment where the processor chip is used to realize the functionality of the pulse generator, some simple discrete components such as RC circuit, LC circuit, can also be used to realize the functionality of the pulse generator. Since the utilization of the discrete components for acting as the pulse generator belongs to a customary means, details are omitted herein for brevity. 
         [0056]    The foregoing embodiments are provided in order to give examples to those skilled in the art in order to practice the present disclosure. Various modifications or alternations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing embodiments shall not be construed as limiting to the scope of present disclosure. Rather, the present disclosure should be construed in the largest scope in accordance with inventive features as recited in the claims.