Emergency Lighting Differential Dimming via Wireless Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency lighting systems often inefficiently manage power distribution during outages, as battery power packs are typically connected to only a select number of light fixtures, limiting the ability to dynamically adjust lighting levels based on location and need, and may not effectively balance power usage across multiple fixtures.
Innovation Solution
A wireless mesh network system that uses dimming micro-inverters and control modules to communicate and adjust light fixtures' power levels across multiple sets, allowing differential dimming based on programmed settings, ensuring collective power usage remains within the system's maximum rating, using a Bluetooth Mesh protocol for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If battery power packs are connected to only a selected number of light fixtures, then power consumption is reduced, but lighting coverage and safety in critical areas are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns different dimming levels to different lighting control sets based on their location and importance. Critical areas such as egress paths receive higher dimming levels (more light) while non-critical areas receive lower dimming levels, optimizing both safety and energy consumption simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters (dimming levels) of light fixtures based on pre-programmed settings for different locations. This allows the same lighting system to adapt to different safety requirements in different areas while operating within battery power constraints
2Reliability
If all light fixtures operate at high power levels during power outages, then lighting safety is improved, but battery power is depleted too quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power parameter of light fixtures from uniform high power to differentiated power levels based on location. By programming different dimming levels for different lighting control sets, the system extends battery duration while maintaining safety in critical areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by providing full or high power levels only to essential lighting areas during outages, rather than uniformly powering all fixtures. This selective approach extends battery life while maintaining adequate safety lighting where needed
3Device complexity
If uniform dimming levels are applied to all light fixtures, then system complexity is reduced, but lighting effectiveness in different locations is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple lighting control sets, each with its own lighting control module. This segmentation allows different dimming levels to be assigned to different groups of fixtures based on location, improving lighting effectiveness while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular control
Solution Approach 2:
Different dimming levels are applied to different lighting control sets based on their specific location and safety requirements. This local differentiation optimizes lighting effectiveness for each area without requiring complex centralized control of every individual fixture
4Reliability
If more light fixtures are connected to battery power packs, then lighting coverage is improved, but power consumption exceeds battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the power consumption parameter of connected light fixtures by applying different dimming levels. This allows more fixtures to be connected to the battery system than would be possible at full power, while keeping total power consumption within battery capacity through reduced power levels in non-critical areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system connects more light fixtures to the battery power system than traditional approaches would allow, but operates them at partial power levels (dimmed states). This expands lighting coverage while maintaining power consumption within available battery capacity
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency lighting system uses a wireless mesh network to control the dimming of luminaires in the event of a power failure or a power outage. Luminaires are commissioned to different dimming power levels depending on localized lighting needs during the power failure of power outage.