Disadvantages and problems of electroless capacitor LED light engine

Author: Mao Yu Hai

So far, the "light engine" has not yet had a very strict and precise definition, so many readers still don't know what the light engine is. Some people define it as " LED light engine" refers to an overall combination of LED packages (components) or LED arrays (modules), LED drivers , and other brightness, thermal, mechanical, and electrical components. The conventional connector that matches the LED luminaire is directly connected to the branch circuit. The LED luminaire is designed not to use a standard lamp holder." This definition seems to be complete, but it is often confusing because it also includes "other brightness, Thermal, mechanical and electrical components".

In fact, it is very simple to define the light engine: that is, the combination of the LED light source and the LED driving power supply into one module can be called the light engine. More generally, it can be said that any constant current drive source is placed on the LED aluminum substrate to become a light engine.

Some people call the COB LED a light engine, which is obviously wrong. Because it does not have a constant current drive source, there is no "drive", how can it be called "engine"? .

The types of power sources can be divided into two categories: DC light engine and AC light engine. However, due to the large number of light engines currently used in indoor lighting, we are paying more attention to the light engine of AC power.

So is the entire LED fixture also known as a light engine? Of course not. Just as the whole car can't be called an engine, the engine is the powertrain of the car, but it doesn't equal the car, and it needs to be added to the car to become a car. Products such as light engines are needed because all lamps have a variety of appearances. Some fixtures can even be called artwork. Take the incandescent lamp, it can be said that it has only one form of the simplest light bulb, at most plus a candle light or a tiny Christmas light. However, its shape can be varied. In particular, the crystal lamp is a variety of arts and crafts, extremely gorgeous. But the LED must also be equipped with an extremely complex constant current drive source to work as an incandescent lamp (it can be illuminated by connecting 220V). If the LED is made into a light engine, it will be brighter when it is connected to 220V like an incandescent lamp (of course, it needs a matching radiator). This on the one hand contributes to standardization and on the other hand greatly facilitates the design of the enclosure (and radiator) designers.

First, the benefits of using a light engine

Many people believe that the main purpose of promoting light engines is to standardize to increase their interchangeability. In fact, this standardization should not only start with the light engine, but should start with the interface between the unified heat sink and the light engine. In the case of an LED bulb, the size of the light engine and the heat sink is basically the same, and specifically relates to the size position of the positioning screw hole and the positioning screw hole of the heat sink. Even with such specific problems, there are still many difficulties. Because it is related to the wattage and the heat dissipation capability of the heat sink. Therefore, the promotion of the light engine can not only focus on the benefits of interchangeability.

It can be said that the biggest benefits of promoting the light engine are as follows.

1. Reduce the R&D expenses of LED lighting manufacturers and shorten the production cycle

Because the optical and electrical specifications of all LED luminaires are set by the light engine manufacturer. Even the corresponding heat sink is recommended. Lamp manufacturers only need to install the light engine inside the radiator. Lamp manufacturers do not even need experienced optical and electronics engineers, nor do they need to purchase expensive optical and electronic equipment. In other words, the light engine can greatly reduce the entry limit of the LED lighting factory, but it will not reduce the quality of the LED lighting. Of course, this requires the manufacturer of the light engine to have a very high level.