External Wireless Module for Retrofitting LED Lighting Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting fixtures often lack wireless control capabilities, making it difficult to retrofit them for remote control and automation, especially in outdoor environments where precise light distribution and energy efficiency are crucial.
Innovation Solution
An external wireless module is designed to be mounted on lighting fixtures, providing wireless control through a module housing with integrated communication circuitry and sensors, allowing communication with a controller via a wireless network, enabling features like scheduling and motion-activated lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless control capability is integrated within each lighting fixture, then wireless control functionality is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wireless control system into separate modules: an external wireless control module that can be mounted on existing lighting fixtures without integrating wireless components directly into the fixture housing. This segmentation allows wireless functionality to be added while keeping the original fixture design simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external wireless control module as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between existing lighting fixtures and wireless control systems. This module communicates with the fixture through existing electrical connections without requiring internal integration, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless control components are integrated into existing lighting fixtures, then wireless functionality is enabled, but ease of manufacture and retrofittability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless control functionality is segmented into a separate external module that can be manufactured independently and then mounted on existing fixtures. This approach maintains ease of manufacture for both the original fixtures and the wireless module, while enabling retrofittability.
Solution Approach 2:
The external wireless control module is designed to interface with standard electrical connections on existing fixtures, allowing the module to self-configure and operate without requiring modifications to the original fixture manufacturing process. This maintains ease of manufacture while enabling wireless functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If LED lighting fixtures are designed without wireless control capability, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability for remote control and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The external wireless control module serves as an intermediary that adds adaptability to simple LED fixtures without complicating their manufacturing. The module interfaces with standard fixture connections and provides wireless control, scheduling, and automation capabilities while leaving the original fixture design unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The external wireless control module is designed with universal compatibility to work with various LED lighting fixture types. It provides multiple functions including wireless control, scheduling, dimming, and motion detection through a single add-on device, thereby enhancing adaptability without requiring different designs for different fixtures.
Data Source
AI summary
An external wireless module for controlling a lighting fixture in a lighting system is provided. In one example implementation, an external wireless module for mounting to a lighting fixture includes a module housing. The module includes one or more electrical components located within the module housing. The one or more electrical components is configured to provide wireless control capability for the lighting fixture over a wireless network. The module housing is configured to be mounted to an exterior of a lighting fixture housing associated with the light fixture. The one or more electrical components are configured to be interfaced with one or more internal components of the lighting fixture located in an interior of the lighting fixture housing.