Emergency Lighting Converter Device Condition Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency lighting systems lack the ability to detect developing problems, determine causes of failure, and estimate remaining lifetime effectively, as existing protocols are not suitable for predicting malfunctions or assessing the condition of components.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system and method that includes a converter device configured to detect and store operating status and conditions, and a control device to predict malfunctions based on this information, using wireless or wired communication, and machine learning models to classify operating statuses and conditions, allowing for timely maintenance and replacement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If functional tests are performed at predefined intervals with protocolled results, then the testing requirement is met, but the ability to detect developing problems and estimate remaining lifetime is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting and storing detailed operating parameters (temperature, charge cycles, discharge duration, voltage, current) before actual failure occurs. This preliminary data accumulation enables future prediction of malfunctions and remaining lifetime estimation, transforming reactive testing into proactive maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by analyzing collected operating data to generate predictions about future malfunctions and component condition. The control device receives device information, predicts malfunctions, and determines remaining lifetime, creating a closed-loop system where past operating conditions inform future maintenance decisions.
2Measurement precision
If detailed operating data is collected and stored continuously, then prediction accuracy improves, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The converter device performs multiple functions: it serves as the power conversion device for the emergency light while simultaneously acting as a data collection device, storing device information, and providing communication interface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter device self-services by autonomously collecting its own operating parameters (temperature, charge cycles, discharge duration, voltage, current) and storing this device information in its internal memory. The device does not require external monitoring equipment to gather data, simplifying the system architecture while enabling precise condition estimation.
3Ease of operation
If autonomous testing is performed by emergency lighting devices, then manual testing effort is reduced, but the capability to predict malfunctions and determine causes of failure is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously recording detailed operating conditions (temperature, charge cycles, discharge duration, voltage, current) during normal operation and autonomous testing. This preliminary data collection goes beyond simple pass/fail test results, preserving the contextual information needed to predict malfunctions and determine their causes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enhances autonomous testing with feedback by analyzing collected operating data to predict future malfunctions and identify causal operating conditions. The control device receives device information, correlates it with failure patterns, and provides predictive maintenance insights, transforming basic autonomous testing into intelligent condition monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting system comprising at least one converter device (10, 11, 12, 15) and a control device (1). The converter device (10, 11, 12, 15) is configured to provide a supply voltage and/or current to an illuminant (14), to detect an operating status and/or an operating condition of the at least one converter device (10, 11, 12, 15) and to store device information indicating the detected operating status and/or the detected condition. The control device (1) is configured to receive the device information, to predict a malfunction of the at least one converter device (10, 11, 12, 15) or battery, for example, based on the device information and/or to determine a malfunction of the at least one converter device (10, 11, 12, 15) and at least one operating condition causal to the determined malfunction based on the device information.