Suspended Ceiling Light Tiles with Sensor-Based Zone Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lighting systems are inefficient in adapting to changes in room layout and illumination needs, leading to excessive energy consumption and the need for frequent system reconfiguration, as they rely on uniform illumination levels that cannot be easily adjusted to accommodate varying lighting requirements.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system comprising suspended light tiles with sensors and control modules that adjust current levels based on measured illumination, allowing for dynamic switching between background and reinforced illumination zones, enabling adaptable and energy-efficient lighting without requiring complete system reinstallation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If uniform illumination levels are used throughout the room, then the entire room is adequately lit, but energy consumption increases and lighting requirements at specific workstations are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination levelVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing different illumination levels in different zones of the room. Background zones receive lower illumination (e.g., 100-200 lux) while workstation zones receive higher illumination (e.g., 300-500 lux). This is achieved through individual control of lighting units or groups of units, allowing each zone to receive the specific illumination level it requires rather than uniform illumination throughout the entire space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the room into multiple independent lighting zones that can be controlled separately. Each lighting unit or group of units can be independently adjusted to provide different illumination levels. This segmentation allows the system to optimize energy consumption by providing higher illumination only where needed (workstations) while maintaining adequate but lower illumination in background areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If lighting systems are designed to accommodate changes in room layout, then adaptability improves, but system complexity and reconfiguration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to layout changesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the lighting system adjustable and reconfigurable through electronic control. Each lighting unit can be independently controlled to change illumination levels and zones, allowing the system to adapt to different room layouts and workstation arrangements. This dynamic control is achieved through programmable controllers that can be configured via software, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration of the lighting infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by allowing electronic adjustment of illumination levels, zone boundaries, and control parameters without physical modification of the lighting system. The system can adapt to layout changes by modifying control parameters such as which lighting units belong to which zones, what illumination levels each zone requires, and how natural light contributes to the total illumination. This maintains adaptability while keeping the physical system simple and fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If light sources are replaced with more energy-efficient options, then energy consumption decreases, but replacement costs and technological obsolescence risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidreplacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing energy consumption through electronic control parameters rather than physical replacement of light sources. The system can adjust illumination levels, timing, and zone configurations to minimize energy use while maintaining adequate lighting. This approach allows the existing light sources to be used efficiently without incurring replacement costs or facing technological obsolescence, as the energy savings come from intelligent control rather than hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter 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 system effectively maintains recommended lighting levels while minimizing energy consumption, reducing shadows and contrasts, and automatically adjusts to environmental changes, ensuring optimal illumination and energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a set of light sensors each operating under a respective light tile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2418416B1Intelligent, self-adapting lighting system and kit for manufacturing such a system
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 EIFFAGE ENERGIE SYSTEMES PARTICIPATIONS
  • EP2418416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2418416B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2418416B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The system has a set of luminous slabs (20) distributed along a regular pattern, and another set of luminous slabs (30) intercalated in the pattern. A controller is arranged to control controlling modules of the luminous slabs in a state of the modules by storing lighting levels measured in the luminous slabs by luminous sensors , and switch certain controlling modules toward another state of the module with calculated set points based on the stored lighting levels. The luminous slabs are realized in the form of suspended ceiling slabs.