CAN Bus Lighting Drivers for Cable Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lighting systems have a high number of cables, which complicates the communication and control of motors and light effects, leading to inefficiencies and potential malfunctions due to the complexity of wiring.
Innovation Solution
Placing drivers physically close to motors and using a centralized computer system connected via a data bus, such as the CAN bus protocol, to reduce cable requirements and enable efficient communication, allowing drivers to directly control motors and calculate new positions based on received data, while the computer system focuses on calculating positions and transmitting control data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If drivers are placed close to motors and connected via a centralized data bus, then the number of cables is reduced and communication efficiency is improved, but the reliability of communication in environments with electromagnetic noise and sparks is challenged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a differential receiver as an intermediary component between the CAN bus and the drivers. This receiver uses differential signaling to transmit control signals, which is inherently more resistant to electromagnetic noise and voltage spikes. The differential receiver converts the differential signals from the CAN bus into single-ended signals that can drive the motor drivers, thereby protecting the system from electromagnetic interference while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional multi-wire mechanical wiring with a standardized CAN bus communication protocol. This substitution reduces cable complexity by using a single two-wire differential bus instead of multiple separate control wires. The CAN protocol's built-in error handling and retransmission mechanisms provide robust communication reliability even in the presence of electromagnetic noise and sparks from discharge lamps.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a centralized computer system controls all motors and light effects, then system coordination is improved, but the number of cables and wiring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal CAN bus interface that can control multiple different types of devices (motors, color formers, light effects) through a single standardized communication protocol. Each device is equipped with a CAN transceiver that can interpret control messages according to its specific function. This multi-functional approach allows the centralized computer to coordinate all system components without requiring separate wiring for each device type, thereby reducing overall wiring complexity while maintaining system coordination.
3Ease of operation
If traditional wiring is used to connect drivers to motors, then direct control is achieved, but cable clutter increases and potential malfunctions due to wiring complexity arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional direct electrical wiring with a digital communication bus (CAN bus) that carries control signals to the drivers. This substitution eliminates the need for complex multi-wire connections between the central controller and each motor/driver. The CAN bus protocol provides error detection, error handling, and automatic retransmission, which improves system reliability compared to traditional wiring that is susceptible to loose connections, short circuits, and electromagnetic interference.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The pending patent application relates to a system and a method for internal communication in a lighting system, which lighting system comprises a computer for controlling the lighting system, in which system a number of motors or actuators are controlled by the computer system, which motors or actuators control the operation of light effect components in relation to the lighting system, where the computer further controls a number of functions in the lighting system, which computer is controlled by input means. The computer system can be centrally placed where control information generated in the computer system is distributed to a number of distributed drivers over a data bus, where distributed drivers are in operation physically close to the motors or actuators ,where distributed drivers based on data received from the data bus, perform control of actuators or motors.