Compact Lighting Arrangement with Integrated Battery Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems with battery backup solutions are often bulky and aesthetically unappealing, and they do not efficiently manage power transitions between primary and backup sources, leading to suboptimal performance during outages.
Innovation Solution
A compact lighting arrangement with a built-in battery backup system that includes a DC-AC inverter and microcontroller unit, allowing seamless power routing from either a primary AC source or batteries to the light emitter portion, ensuring continuous operation and aesthetic integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery backup system is integrated into the lighting arrangement, then continuous operation during power outages is achieved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery backup portion with the light emitter portion into a single integrated lighting arrangement. The battery backup portion includes a converter portion with DC-AC inverter and a battery portion, which are merged with the light emitter portion containing LEDs and driving circuitry. This integration eliminates the need for separate backup lighting devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter portion serves multiple functions: it acts as a DC-AC inverter to power the LEDs during battery operation, functions as a charge management system to charge the battery from AC power when available, and provides intelligent power routing based on power source availability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Productivity
If a DC-AC inverter and microcontroller unit are added for efficient power management, then power transition efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller unit autonomously manages power transitions between AC and battery sources without requiring external control systems. It automatically detects power source availability, switches between sources, and manages battery charging/discharging cycles. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external control circuitry while maintaining efficient power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller unit continuously monitors the state of the battery, AC power availability, and power consumption of the light emitter portion. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts power routing, controls the DC-AC inverter operation, and manages battery charge/discharge cycles to optimize power transition efficiency and extend battery runtime.
3Shape
If the battery backup portion is positioned within the trim, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The battery backup portion is nested within the trim structure of the lighting arrangement. The converter portion and battery portion are positioned inside the trim, which serves as both the aesthetic exterior housing and the structural framework. This nesting achieves a compact, aesthetically pleasing design while the trim's open structure and material properties facilitate heat dissipation from the battery and inverter components.
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 compact, aesthetically pleasing lighting system that maintains functionality during outages, with a smaller battery size and efficient power management, ensuring prolonged operation of the light emitter portion.
Implementation Method 1
a converter portion with a DC-AC inverter that converts the DC signal to an AC signal
Implementation Method 2
circuitry for driving the plurality of light emitting diodes including a rectifier and an IC chip configured to drive the plurality of light emitting diodes with the rectified voltage provided by the rectifier
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of light emitting diodes in an array string
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting arrangement can include a light emitter portion and a battery backup portion. The light emitter portion can have a plurality of light emitting diodes and circuitry including a rectifier for driving the light emitting diodes. The battery backup portion can be in electronic communication with the rectifier of the light emitter portion and have a battery portion and a converter portion with a DC-AC inverter and a microcontroller unit configured to route AC power to the rectifier from either a primary AC source or the battery portion. The light emitter portion can be configured to be mounted to at least one of a wall and a ceiling during use. The battery backup portion can be positioned within the trim, with the plurality of light emitting diodes in the array string.