Intelligent Lamp Head Assemblies with Microprocessor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lamp systems face challenges in maintenance and troubleshooting due to the difficulty in identifying specific components, safety risks from high electrical current, and varying operating requirements, leading to potential damage from over-voltage or over-current conditions.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a microprocessor-controlled driver circuit with RFID, EEPROM, or barcode identification for each array of light producing elements, enabling individual control and tracking, along with sensors for real-time monitoring and data logging, allows for precise operation and maintenance of lamp head assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional lamp systems use a plurality of arrays of light producing elements, then the light output and coverage are improved, but the difficulty of locating and identifying specific components during maintenance and troubleshooting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidcomponent identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp system is divided into multiple independently addressable arrays, each with its own identification code stored in memory. This segmentation allows individual arrays to be identified and controlled separately, making maintenance and troubleshooting easier while maintaining high light output across multiple arrays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A microprocessor-controlled driver circuit with memory serves as an intermediary between the power source and the light producing elements. The memory stores identification codes for each array, enabling the system to identify and track specific components without requiring physical inspection of each element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If lamp systems draw large magnitude electrical current to operate multiple light producing devices, then the light output is improved, but safety challenges during in situ investigation or troubleshooting increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The driver circuit dynamically controls the electrical current delivered to each array based on stored identification codes and operational parameters. This dynamic control allows the system to deliver high current when needed for light output while reducing or eliminating current during maintenance modes, thereby ensuring safety during troubleshooting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The microprocessor-controlled driver circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor operational status and can adjust current delivery accordingly. When a maintenance or troubleshooting mode is detected, the feedback system reduces current magnitude to safe levels while maintaining the ability to deliver high current during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If identical looking lamp systems have extremely different operating requirements, then the versatility is improved, but the potential for damage due to accidental over-voltage or over-current conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating requirementsVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each array within the lamp system has its own unique identification code stored in memory, creating local quality differences that allow the driver circuit to apply specific operational parameters to each array. This ensures that arrays with different operating requirements receive appropriate voltage and current levels, preventing over-voltage or over-current damage while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification of each array's operating requirements by reading stored identification codes before delivering electrical power. This preliminary action allows the driver circuit to pre-configure appropriate voltage and current levels for each specific array, preventing damage from mismatched operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3245848B1Intelligent lamp head assemblies and methods of operating the same
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 HERAEUS NOBLELIGHT AMERICA LLC
  • EP3245848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3245848B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3245848B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lamp head assembly is provided. The lamp head assembly includes a plurality of arrays of light producing elements; a driver circuit configured to provide energy to each of the plurality of arrays; and a microprocessor for controlling operation of the driver circuit.