LED-based lighting is still far from a mainstream technology, and its designs are in flux. Early SSL products are making their way onto store shelves and into inventory. LED lighting teardowns: Five lighting designs that illuminate the future of lighting article shows product examples that can indicate what direction SSL design will take, at least in its early stages.
6 Comments
Eric Lee says:
Also consider SMD LED technology. They are much more efficient that refractor LED bulbs.
crossbow says:
LED is the future for sure
Tomi Engdahl says:
Samsung LED light bulb teardown includes objective dimming numbers
http://www.edn.com/blog/PowerSource/41611-Samsung_LED_light_bulb_teardown_includes_objective_dimming_numbers.php
Notice that the incandescent bulb (yellow line) does not dim linearly with power. It’s main achievement is that it does dim down to zero. A CFL does a better job of dimming with power, and the Samsung LED light is very good, dimming quite linearly with power. However, it drops out at just under 20% of its max output light. (Which, however, more than meets the L-Prize spec.)
Tomi Engdahl says:
Teardown: LED touch controllers & PSU
http://www.edn.com/design/consumer/4441209/Teardown–LED-touch-controllers—PSU?_mc=NL_EDN_EDT_EDN_funfriday_20160115&cid=NL_EDN_EDT_EDN_funfriday_20160115&elq=0ef180ceef354058a1a8715a3ec9f6bc&elqCampaignId=26543&elqaid=30339&elqat=1&elqTrackId=72c7df5aa5994fe28bf8df2627375a67
Most of my house lighting is now LED-based, and most of that uses various shapes and sizes of incandescent bulb replacements. But for a few cases, I’m using pure LED designs – in particular – white and RGB strips. These require power supplies and, optionally, controllers. Keep reading as I open up a few examples I bought straight from Chinese distributors.
I decided to try building something futuristic: a white plexiglass sheet backed with LED strips, and with touch controls for brightness.
My plan was to build µC-based touch controls from scratch, but I couldn’t resist taking the easy route after discovering LED touch controllers for under $20 (USD), shipped.
When I discovered the line of touch dimmers, amidst the various styles of single-channel and RGB models, was, sure enough, one that fades between cool and warm white. So, that’s what I bought…just in case. It cost no more than a single-channel unit.
The main board’s µC or ASIC here has been obfuscated, but a bit of tracing might reveal its basic identity (a PIC perhaps).
To make my crazy plexiglass design work, I’ll also need a power supply. Here’s what I sourced for about four bucks
Based on a bit of circuit tracing, I’d guess it’s a simple flyback design. In fact, there’s no obvious control chip at all, unless it’s masquerading as a transistor or optocoupler.
Nisha Batel says:
Amazing post. It is really an informative blog. Thanks for sharing such a post.
Chelsea Rogers says:
I really love the blinking of small LEDs.