Inductive Lighting Device with Local Coupler for Dynamic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductive lighting systems for roadways and tunnel walls face challenges in dynamic control of lighting devices based on operating and external parameters, such as temperature, leading to inefficiencies and increased impedance losses.

Innovation Solution

The system employs inductive lighting devices with local couplers that transmit energy and control signals without contact, using high-frequency voltage and modulation techniques to encode and decode signals, allowing for individual control of each device and monitoring of operating parameters, while minimizing impedance losses through precise alignment and active coupler management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If high-frequency voltage modulation is used to transmit control signals to inductive lighting devices, then control capability is improved, but impedance losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidimpedance losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the lighting installation into independently controllable segments by providing individual addressing for each lighting device and coupler combination. This allows selective control of specific devices rather than blanket control, enabling the system to activate only the necessary portions and reduce overall energy consumption and impedance losses in the feed line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts control based on operating parameters by incorporating sensors that detect temperature, ambient light, and other external conditions. The control device receives this information and adaptively modifies lighting operation in real-time, optimizing performance while minimizing energy waste and impedance losses under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If multiple lighting devices are controlled through a single feed line, then system complexity is reduced, but control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors in each lighting device monitor operating parameters and external conditions, transmit this information back through the feed line to the control device, and enable the control device to make precise, device-specific adjustments. This feedback loop maintains control precision for individual devices while using the existing single feed line infrastructure, avoiding increased system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If inductive coupling is used for energy transmission, then contactless power transfer is achieved, but alignment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontactless power transferVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses high-frequency voltage generation in the couplers to create strongly coupled magnetic fields that are more tolerant of alignment variations. By operating at high frequencies, the system achieves effective energy transfer with reduced sensitivity to precise alignment requirements, maintaining ease of contactless operation while reducing manufacturing and installation precision demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables flexible control of lighting devices, reduces repair efforts by remote monitoring, and minimizes impedance losses, ensuring efficient energy transmission and effective marking of roadways and tunnels.

Implementation Method 1

a local coupler being provided for transmitting energy to an inductive lighting device... an electrical feed line can be sunk, for example, in a roadway floor and locally provided with couplers. These couplers are used to generate an alternating magnetic field, so that an inductive lighting device - if it is arranged close enough to the respective coupler - can generate an induction voltage through the changing magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The lighting device has a receiver inductance, with which the alternating magnetic field generated by the transmitting inductance can be converted into an induction alternating voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2550844B1Inductive lighting device
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 SWAREFLEX
  • EP2550844B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2550844B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2550844B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Inductive lighting device for a lighting installation with a local coupler (1) for contactless transmission of energy to the lighting device (2), with a light source (14), in particular with at least one light-emitting diode (14, 14a, 14b, 14c), wherein the lighting device (2) has a control unit, with which the light source can be controlled depending on control signals which can be transmitted by a control device (17) to the lighting device (2), wherein the local coupler (1) has a transmission inductance (5), an input for connecting an electrical feed line (3) and a device for generating a radiofrequency voltage, which is supplied to the transmission inductance (5) during operation of the coupler (1), wherein the lighting device (2) has a transmission unit (20) for transmitting information to the control device (17).