Adaptive Lighting for Handheld Safety Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety switching elements on handheld control devices are not reliably recognizable in varying ambient brightness conditions, leading to potential safety hazards and inefficiencies in industrial settings, due to constant light intensity issues and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a lighting control device that adjusts the visually perceptible light intensity of safety switching elements based on ambient brightness, ensuring clear recognition and reducing energy consumption through adaptive lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If constant light intensity is used for safety switching elements, then visibility is maintained, but power consumption increases and recognizability varies in different ambient brightness conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light intensity of the safety switching element adaptive rather than constant. The lighting device dynamically adjusts its illumination intensity based on ambient brightness conditions, transitioning from static to dynamic operation to optimize both visibility and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light intensity from a fixed value to a variable parameter that responds to ambient conditions. By monitoring ambient brightness and adjusting the lighting device's output accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between visibility and power consumption through parameter adaptation.
2Reliability
If high light intensity is used for safety switching elements, then recognizability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the light intensity parameter based on ambient brightness conditions. In dark environments, higher intensity is used to ensure recognizability, while in bright environments, lower intensity suffices, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing power consumption through adaptive parameter changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring ambient brightness conditions and using this information to adjust the lighting device's output. This closed-loop control ensures that the safety switching element maintains adequate recognizability while consuming only the necessary amount of power required for the current environmental conditions.
3Reliability
If lighting device is always activated, then safety switching element is always visible, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the lighting device operates periodically or on-demand based on ambient brightness thresholds. The system activates the lighting only when ambient light levels indicate reduced visibility conditions, thereby maintaining safety switching element visibility when needed while extending battery life through intermittent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state of the lighting device from always-on to conditionally-active based on ambient brightness parameters. By monitoring environmental light levels and adjusting the lighting activation state accordingly, the system maintains reliability during critical periods while conserving battery energy during periods of adequate ambient illumination.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control system for electrically controlled systems. The control system comprises at least one portable, mobile handheld operating device for displaying information and for inputting control commands by an operator. The handheld operating device has at least one manually operable safety switching element, to which a lighting device is assigned. The control system includes a lighting control device, which is designed for electrically and/or electronically controlled adjustment of a visually perceptible luminous intensity of the lighting device.