Adaptive Street Lighting Device with Electronic Light Distribution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing street lighting systems face challenges in adapting to changing road conditions and surroundings, leading to inefficient energy use and potential light pollution, with existing solutions either requiring complex mechanical adjustments or increasing the number of components, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device comprising a light source and a reflector that allows for adjustable light distribution by varying the light source's emission characteristics and reflector configuration, enabling flexible illumination settings without structural changes or additional components, thereby optimizing energy use and reducing light pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual mechanical adjustment of light source position is used to adapt light distribution, then light distribution can be adapted, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control of the light source. The control unit electronically adjusts the light distribution characteristics of the light source to adapt to different road conditions, eliminating the need for manual mechanical positioning of the light source relative to the reflector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the light distribution parameters of the light source through electronic control. The control unit modifies operational parameters of the light source (such as emission intensity, direction, or distribution pattern) to adapt the lighting to different road conditions without physical movement of components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light emitting elements are used to adapt light distribution, then luminous intensity can be adjusted, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single light source multi-functional by enabling it to provide both primary illumination and adaptive light distribution adjustment through electronic control. The same light source serves multiple purposes: base lighting and adaptive lighting adjustment, eliminating the need for additional light emitting elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the existing light source to create different light distribution patterns through electronic control rather than adding duplicate light emitting elements. The control unit effectively creates virtual copies of different lighting scenarios by modulating the single light source's output characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent changes of light distribution are desired, then adaptability improves, but mechanical adjustment becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated electronic control. The control unit can rapidly and frequently adjust light distribution parameters without human intervention, enabling frequent adaptation to changing road conditions while eliminating the impracticality of manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables periodic or on-demand adjustment of light distribution through electronic control. The system can respond to changing conditions (such as wet road detection) by periodically or immediately adjusting the light source parameters, facilitating frequent changes that would be impractical manually.
4Device complexity
If traditional street lighting is used without adaptation, then device complexity remains low, but energy efficiency and visual comfort deteriorate under changing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the control unit monitors road conditions (such as wetness detection) and automatically adjusts the light source parameters in response. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing conditions, improving energy efficiency and visual comfort while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the lighting system to self-adjust to changing conditions through automated electronic control. The control unit independently manages the light source parameters based on detected road conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling the system to serve itself in adapting to environmental changes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a flexible and energy-efficient street lighting system that can adapt to various conditions, reducing light pollution and energy consumption while maintaining high visual comfort and aesthetic appeal, with the ability to define precise illumination settings and minimize light loss.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector, which is positioned in front of the light source along the main light emitting direction and has a reflector surface for directing the light from the light source towards an illumination area
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting device (100) for road and/or street lighting, comprising a light source (300-302) for emitting light with a first light distribution (LD1) in a main light emitting direction (310), and a reflector (200-203), which is positioned in front of the light source (300-302) along the main light emitting direction (310), with a reflector surface (220) for directing the light from the light source (300-302) towards an illumination area (IA) with a second light distribution (LD2), wherein the light source (300-302) is configured to vary the first light distribution (LD1) for illuminating different portions of the reflector surface (220), and wherein the reflector (200-203) is provided with respect to the light source (300-302) such that the second light distribution (LD2) of the light illuminating the illumination area (IA) is defined differently depending on the portions of the reflector surface (220) illuminated with the light of the first light distribution (LD1). The present invention also relates to a lighting system (700) with the lighting device (100) and a method for adapting the light distribution of the lighting device (100).