LED Converter Anomaly Detection Without Brightness Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting systems are limited in error detection and mitigation, as they can only detect errors detectable by supported automation protocols and indicate single, delimited faults in LED converters, failing to provide comprehensive monitoring and compensation for anomalies.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses sensor-less data acquisition within LED converters to identify lighting anomalies by obtaining and comparing system data such as operating frequencies, output voltages, and currents, allowing for detailed analysis and compensation of errors without relying on dedicated sensors, and transmitting data wirelessly or via DALI bus for efficient and reliable monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional automation protocols (e.g., DALI) are used for error detection, then the system can detect errors supported by the protocol, but the detection is limited to protocol-supported parameters and commands only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the LED converter itself perform multiple functions: it acts as both the lighting device and a self-monitoring unit by utilizing its internal existing circuits (current source, PWM controller, ADC) to measure and report system data beyond what conventional automation protocols support, thereby achieving universal monitoring capability without adding dedicated sensors

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

2Reliability

If conventional lighting systems indicate single, delimited faults, then the system can identify specific fault locations, but comprehensive monitoring and compensation for multiple anomalies is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault identification accuracyVSAvoidanomaly monitoring scope
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the LED converter continuously monitors multiple system parameters (switching frequency, output voltage, output current) and reports them to a control device, which then provides compensation feedback by adjusting other converters' output to maintain overall system performance despite detected anomalies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If dedicated sensors are used for data acquisition, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem data accuracyVSAvoidsensor requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The LED converter serves itself by utilizing its own internal circuits (current source, PWM controller, ADC converter) to measure and report its operating parameters, eliminating the need for external dedicated sensors and reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4429409A1Identification and compensation of anomalies and errors in a lighting system
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4429409A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4429409A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4429409A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the field of lighting systems, lighting management and LED converters, to improved monitoring of system data of the lighting system, and to identification and compensation of anomalies and errors in such systems without recurring to brightness sensors for achieving constant light output. To this end, the present disclosure provides a system for lighting anomaly identification. The system comprises a first LED converter configured to obtain first system data available in the first LED converter and a at least one second LED converter configured to obtain second system data available in the second LED converter. The system further comprises a control device configured to identify a lighting anomaly based on the first system data and the second system data, wherein the first system data and the second system data is obtained in a sensor-less manner.