Garden Lighting Power-Line Control via Polarity Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional garden lighting systems lack the ability to independently control the on/off times and lighting functions of different groups of lights on a single power supply line, leading to costly and complex installations when multiple power supply lines are required for varied lighting needs.

Innovation Solution

A garden lighting control system that utilizes a power supply control box to change power supply polarity, modulate polarity frequency, or duty cycle to independently control the lighting functions of each garden light or group, allowing for multi-time-period and zone lighting without additional power supply lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple power supply lines are installed to control different garden light groups with different lighting times, then the lighting control flexibility is improved, but the installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting control flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control function by dividing garden lights into different groups, each with independent control switches. This allows different lighting control strategies for different zones without requiring separate power supply lines. The segmentation is achieved at the control level rather than at the power distribution level, maintaining system simplicity while enabling flexible lighting management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities through switches that can be manually or automatically operated to change lighting modes in real-time. The system can dynamically switch between different lighting scenarios (e.g., pathway lighting, area lighting, security lighting) based on time, motion detection, or manual control, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed power lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If control devices are installed inside or outside each garden light to achieve independent control, then the independent control capability is improved, but the device cost and control complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal control switch that can be integrated into the existing power supply line and serves multiple control functions. This single switch can control different garden light groups, enable/disable lighting modes, and work with both manual and automatic control systems. The universal switch eliminates the need for separate control devices in each garden light while maintaining independent control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary control switch that acts as a mediator between the power supply and garden lights. This switch is integrated into the power supply line and provides the control function without requiring additional control devices at each light. The intermediary switch simplifies the control architecture by centralizing the control function while maintaining the ability to independently control different light groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single power supply line is used for all garden lights, then the installation simplicity is improved, but the ability to control different lighting times for different groups is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidlighting time control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control function by dividing garden lights into different groups, each with independent control switches. This allows different lighting control strategies for different zones without requiring separate power supply lines. The segmentation is achieved at the control level rather than at the power distribution level, maintaining system simplicity while enabling flexible lighting management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic control through timer-based automatic switching that can be configured for different time periods. The system can automatically switch lighting modes based on time of day, weather conditions, or scheduled events. This periodic action enables different lighting times for different groups without requiring complex manual control or multiple power lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3993564B1Garden lighting control system and method
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SMART ELECTRIC WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3993564B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3993564B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3993564B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A garden lighting control system includes a power supply control box system (10) for providing the power required by a plurality of connected garden lights (30), for changing the voltage properties of the provided power at different times, including changing the positive and negative polarity of the supply voltage, modulating the positive and negative polarity conversion frequency, and modulating the positive and negative polarity duty cycle. The garden lights (30) identify the voltage positive and negative polarity, positive and negative polarity conversion frequency, positive and negative polarity duty cycle of the power received, and execute the pre-set lighting function of the garden lights (30) to achieve multi-time-period zone lighting according to the function pre-selected for each garden light (30).