AMR Sensor Module for Outdoor Lighting Orientation and Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intelligent outdoor lighting networks face increased costs due to higher bills of materials and infrastructure costs associated with adding sensor modules for adapting to vehicle traffic and weather conditions, which can be time-consuming and expensive to install and configure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensor modules in lighting units to determine vehicle traffic and orientation, allowing for reduced costs through auto-commissioning and reuse of sensors for fault detection, enabling autonomous dimming based on real-time traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor modules are added to enable intelligent outdoor lighting networks to adapt to vehicle traffic and weather conditions, then the adaptability and functionality are improved, but the bill of materials cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single AMR sensor module to perform multiple functions: detecting vehicle traffic, determining orientation of the lighting unit, and detecting faults. This eliminates the need for separate sensor modules for each function, thereby reducing device complexity and BOM costs while maintaining adaptability to traffic and weather conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single AMR sensor module. Instead of using separate sensors for traffic detection, orientation detection, and fault detection, the invention combines these functions into one integrated sensor system, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall device architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor modules are added to enable intelligent outdoor lighting networks to adapt to vehicle traffic and weather conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the bill of materials cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The AMR sensor module is designed to perform multiple functions including vehicle traffic detection, orientation determination, and fault detection. This multi-functionality reduces the quantity of sensor modules needed, thereby lowering the bill of materials cost while maintaining full adaptability to traffic and weather conditions
Solution Approach 2:
By merging traffic detection, orientation detection, and fault detection into a single AMR sensor module, the patent reduces the total number of sensors required in the system, directly reducing BOM costs while preserving all necessary adaptability functions
3Ease of operation
If manual determination and noting of orientation of lighting units is performed by installers, then the installation process is completed, but the installation time and configuration cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AMR sensor module automatically determines the orientation of the lighting unit during installation and transmits this information to the network controller. This self-service capability eliminates the need for installers to manually determine and record orientation data, significantly reducing installation time and configuration costs while completing the installation process
4Quantity of substance
If AMR sensor modules are used to determine vehicle traffic instead of image sensors, then the bill of materials cost is reduced, but the measurement capability must be sufficient for traffic detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs low-cost AMR sensor modules as a substitute for expensive image sensors. While AMR sensors are simpler and cheaper, the system achieves sufficient measurement precision for vehicle traffic detection by leveraging the sensor's ability to detect magnetic field changes caused by moving vehicles, providing cost-effective traffic monitoring without requiring complex imaging systems
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 reduces installation and configuration costs while providing energy savings and additional functionality by using AMR sensors to measure vehicle traffic and orientation, enabling efficient and cost-effective operation of outdoor lighting networks.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor module, such as anisotropic magnetoresistance sensor module
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting unit (110) for an outdoor lighting fixture comprises a magnetic sensor module (215). The lighting unit (110) further comprises a controller (210) coupled to the sensor module (215). The controller (210) is configured to use the sensor module (215) to determine a measurement of vehicle traffic within a region defined by a sensing range of the sensor module (215), and use the sensor module (215) to determine a current orientation of the lighting unit.