Ballast System for Constant Lumen HID Lamp Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ballast systems consume excess power before reaching the mean light level, leading to increased energy usage due to fixed output levels, which are not adjustable, resulting in inefficient lumen output maintenance over the lifespan of HID lamps.

Innovation Solution

A ballast system with integrated lumen control circuitry that adjusts power delivery to HID lamps based on degradation factors like operating hours and starts, using computational control and feedback mechanisms to maintain constant lumen output, thereby reducing power consumption and extending lamp life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional ballast systems use fixed output levels, then the lamp can operate at full power initially, but the system consumes excess power before reaching the mean light level and cannot maintain constant lumen output over the lamp's lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlumen output consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ballast system dynamically adjusts the power output level based on the lamp's operating conditions and degradation state. Instead of using a fixed output level, the system continuously monitors lamp performance and modifies power delivery to maintain constant lumen output throughout the lamp's lifespan, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and output consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor lamp lumen output and operating parameters in real-time. This feedback information is used to adjust the ballast output power accordingly, ensuring the lamp maintains its desired lumen level while minimizing power consumption. The feedback loop enables the system to adapt to lamp degradation and maintain optimal performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Illumination intensity

If the ballast provides full power to the lamp initially, then the lamp achieves high lumen output, but the system wastes energy during the period before reaching the mean light level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelumen outputVSAvoidexcess power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring and assessment of lamp conditions during the initial operating period. By detecting when the lamp reaches its mean light level through pre-established criteria, the system can transition from high power delivery to optimized power levels at the appropriate time, preventing energy waste while ensuring adequate initial illumination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ballast system changes the power output parameter based on the lamp's operational state and degradation progression. By adjusting the power delivery parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a constant high level, the system maintains adequate lumen output while eliminating excess energy consumption during the transition period before reaching mean light level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional ballasts use magnetic transformers with fixed output, then the device complexity is lower, but the lamp output cannot be varied and is limited to full power or fixed lower output levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballast design simplicityVSAvoidpower output adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical/magnetic transformer-based fixed-output ballast with an electronic control system that can dynamically adjust power output. This substitution enables continuous power variation while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and output adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8390211B2Constant lumen output control system

Publication Date: 2013.03.05 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A constant lumen output control system for providing a constant lumen output throughout the life of a lamp at the mean or preset lumen level. The lumen con system (315) coupled to a lamp driver (310) initially reduces the power to the lamp (330) to prevent the lamp from being operated at power levels that result excess mean or preset lumen levels. With increased lamp usage, the lumen control system gradually increases power to the lamp to compensate for lamp lumen depreciation due to light-reducing mechanisms. By compensating for lamp lumen depreciation the lamp is operated at a constant mean or preset lumen output throughout the life of the lamp.