Dual Lighting Circuit System for Emergency Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems in areas like fire escapes, car parks, and tunnels fail to maintain a minimum level of emergency lighting intensity continuously and do not account for power outages, relying on intermittent natural light and motion sensing which is not always sufficient or reliable.
Innovation Solution
A dual lighting circuit system with a first circuit powered by a mains supply or battery for continuous low-intensity emergency lighting and a second circuit with sensor input for increased lighting intensity when needed, ensuring constant minimum lighting levels and power backup during outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous standard lighting is provided to maintain minimum emergency lighting intensity, then lighting reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into two separate circuits: a first lighting circuit for continuous emergency lighting at minimum intensity, and a second lighting circuit for enhanced lighting when needed. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate independently, maintaining reliability while reducing overall energy consumption by only activating the higher-power circuit when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The second lighting circuit is activated periodically or on-demand based sensor inputs (motion detection, ambient light levels, occupancy sensors) rather than remaining continuously on. This periodic activation maintains lighting reliability when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption during periods when enhanced lighting is not required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If sensor-actuated lighting is used to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but lighting reliability deteriorates during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting power outage conditions through sensor inputs and automatically switching the first lighting circuit to battery power before complete failure occurs. This ensures seamless transition and maintains lighting reliability during power outages while the second lighting circuit remains energy-efficient by staying off or operating minimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching power sources (from mains to battery) and adjusting lighting intensity levels based on detected conditions. The first lighting circuit can operate at different intensity levels depending on whether it's powered by mains or battery, maintaining reliability while adapting to energy availability.
3Reliability
If dual lighting circuits are implemented to maintain minimum lighting continuously, then lighting reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both lighting circuits share common control elements including a single microcontroller that manages both circuits, shared sensor inputs (motion sensors, ambient light sensors, occupancy sensors), and a unified power management system that handles both mains and battery power. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity despite having dual lighting circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the control functions of both lighting circuits into a single integrated control unit. The microcontroller manages power distribution, sensor inputs, and lighting activation for both circuits simultaneously, reducing the need for separate control hardware and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 maintains a consistent minimum lighting level, reducing power consumption and ensuring compliance with standards by providing adjustable lighting levels based on occupancy and ambient conditions, while ensuring continuous operation during power outages.
Implementation Method 1
a first lighting circuit configured to receive power from a mains electricity supply or from a battery source if said mains supply is unavailable
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting system (1) has a first lighting circuit (2) configured to provide a first predetermined level of lighting intensity. The first lighting circuit (2) is configured to receive power from a mains electricity supply (3) or from a battery source (4) if the mains supply is unavailable. The first lighting circuit (2) is connected to at least one first Light source (5) and configured, when actuated, to provide lighting at the first predetermined level of lighting intensity. At this time, the first light source is in either an on or off state or a level of light required to raise ambient light level above a predetennined level. The system (1) further has a second lighting circuit (13) configured to provide lighting at least a second predetermined level of lighting intensity. The second lighting circuit (13) is configured to receive power from the mains electricity supply (3) and is connected to at least one second light source (14). The second lighting circuit (13) has at least one sensor (18) with an input such that actuation thereof causes the second light source (14) to provide the second predetermined level of lighting intensity for a predetermined period of time, in response to ambient illumination meeting or exceeding a predetermined intensity, when said sensor has no input or has had no input for a predetermined period of time, or until re-set. In the system (1), the second predetermined level of lighting intensity is greater than said first predetermined level of lighting.