Lamp Control Gear Inductive Coupling for Wireless Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control gear systems for lamps require additional components and wiring for sensor voltage supply and data communication, leading to increased complexity and inefficiency, particularly due to the need for converters and external connections, while stray fields generated by inductors are often unused.

Innovation Solution

An assembly that incorporates an inductive coupling element within the magnetic or electromagnetic stray field of the control gear's energy transmission element, allowing for contactless energy transfer to external electric circuits, eliminating the need for additional wiring and components, and enabling galvanic separation for safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional wiring and converters are used to supply voltage to external circuits, then the voltage supply function is achieved, but the device complexity and component count increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage supply functionVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control gear uses its own existing inductor to generate stray fields that directly power external circuits, eliminating the need for separate power supply components and wiring. The system serves itself by repurposing its inherent electromagnetic field for dual functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The inductor serves dual purposes: its primary function for control gear operation and a secondary function for powering external circuits through stray field induction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated power supply components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional wiring and connectors are installed for sensor power supply, then the sensor can be powered, but the ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor power supplyVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical wiring and connectors with wireless electromagnetic field coupling. The inductive coupling eliminates the need for physical wire connections between the control gear and external circuits, simplifying installation and manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If control gear inductors are enveloped to control stray fields, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but the unused energy in stray fields represents wasted power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidstray field energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously harmful or wasted stray electromagnetic fields into a useful resource for powering external circuits. By positioning coupling elements near the inductor, the stray fields that were considered interference or energy loss become the power source for sensors and other external devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If galvanic separation is implemented for safety, then protection from high voltages is achieved, but additional expenditure for isolation components is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh voltage protectionVSAvoidisolation components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electromagnetic field coupling instead of direct electrical connections to achieve galvanic separation. This natural isolation provided by inductive coupling eliminates the need for additional isolation components while maintaining safety through inherent electromagnetic decoupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces component count and device size, enhances efficiency by utilizing stray field energy, and simplifies voltage supply and data communication, while maintaining safety through galvanic separation, thereby improving the overall compactness and efficiency of lamp control systems.

Implementation Method 1

An inductive coupling element of the electric circuit is disposed in a magnetic or electromagnetic stray field of the energy transmission element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10306715B2Assembly with control gear for lamps

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly which consists of control gear for lamps and an electric circuit, said control gear comprising at least one energy transmission element, for example a transformer. The electric circuit has an inductive coupling element arranged in a stray magnetic field of the energy transmission element. The electric circuit comprises a voltage supply unit designed to produce a supply voltage for the electric circuit from energy absorbed from the stray magnetic or electromagnetic field of the energy transmission element.