Emergency Lighting Memory Module for DALI Bus State Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In lighting systems with emergency functions, the connection between the DALI bus and emergency light fixtures is interrupted during emergency lighting activity, leading to faulty state detection and undefined lighting situations upon system restoration, requiring active reactivation of all emergency lights.

Innovation Solution

A memory module is introduced to maintain communication with the central control unit during emergency lighting activity, preventing faulty state detection and ensuring a defined operating state by storing and retrieving information about the lamp's operating state before and after emergency lighting activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connection between DALI bus and emergency light fixtures is interrupted during emergency lighting activity, then the emergency lighting system can operate independently and reliably, but the central control unit detects faulty states and cannot maintain communication with the lights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency lighting system operationVSAvoidcommunication link between central control unit and emergency lights
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the communication functions into two distinct pathways: a control line for normal operational communication between the central control unit and emergency lights, and a separate signaling mechanism for emergency activation. This segmentation allows the emergency lighting system to operate independently while maintaining communication capability, resolving the contradiction between system reliability during emergency and communication continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the switchover unit interrupts the DALI bus connection during emergency lighting activity, then the emergency lighting control is simplified, but the system requires active reactivation of all emergency lights after emergency ends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol mechanismVSAvoidsystem restoration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining the logical connection state and storing operational status information before emergency lighting activity begins. The central control unit retains knowledge of the emergency lights' states, allowing immediate resumption of normal control without requiring reactivation sequences. This preliminary maintenance of communication pathways eliminates the time loss associated with system restoration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the emergency light fixture is completely disconnected from the DALI bus during emergency activity, then the emergency lighting system operates autonomously, but the luminaire may assume an undefined state after emergency activity ends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency lighting autonomyVSAvoidluminaire operating state
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the central control unit continuously monitors and maintains knowledge of emergency light fixture states through the control line, even during emergency activity. This feedback loop ensures that when emergency activity ends, the system can immediately restore the correct operational state without ambiguity, maintaining stability while allowing autonomous emergency operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2782212B1Illumination system and luminaire with an emergency light function
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2782212B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The system has an emergency light lamp (20) operated using a central control unit (2). The emergency light lamp is connected to an emergency light supply unit (4). A memory module (22) is connected with the emergency light lamp. The memory module is communicated with the central control unit during activity of system. The control unit sends a command according to a DALI bus (3). The memory module is adapted to the light lamp after completion of the activity of the system to enable the lamp. An emergency light operation is performed using an operation apparatus (25). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an emergency light function featured lamp (2) a lighting system operating method.