LED Fixture Light Sensor Failure Detection and Daylighting Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED lighting systems face challenges in detecting individual LED failures within a fixture, leading to inefficient troubleshooting and maintenance, as traditional power monitoring methods are ineffective due to continued current draw during failure, and manual inspection is time-consuming, affecting daylighting functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing light sensing elements integrated with LED lighting fixtures to monitor light output, compare it against initial measurements, and transmit alerts when deviations occur, along with a room controller that adjusts daylighting targets based on averaged light level information from multiple fixtures, enabling automatic detection and adjustment of LED failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power monitoring is used to detect LED failures, then energy consumption can be tracked, but failure detection is ineffective because current draw continues during LED failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical power monitoring with optical measurement using a light sensor to detect LED failures. Instead of measuring electrical current draw, the system directly measures the light output from the LED fixture, which drops when LEDs fail. This substitution of measurement method resolves the contradiction by providing accurate failure detection independent of continued current draw.
2Ease of repair
If manual inspection methods are used to identify failed fixtures, then troubleshooting can be performed, but significant manual labor and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by embedding light sensors within LED fixtures that automatically monitor their own light output and communicate failure status to the central control system. This eliminates the need for manual inspection and troubleshooting, as the system autonomously detects and reports failures, significantly reducing maintenance time and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback through light sensors that monitor LED output in real-time and communicate status back to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic detection of failures without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and time loss by making the system self-diagnosing.
3Illumination intensity
If daylighting levels are set during initial installation, then lighting targets are established, but automatic adjustment for LED failures is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static daylighting target setting into a dynamic system that automatically adjusts lighting levels in response to detected LED failures. The control system continuously monitors light sensor data and modifies fixture output to maintain target illumination levels, providing adaptability while preserving the original daylighting intent.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from light sensors to automatically adjust daylighting targets when LED failures are detected. The control system compares actual light levels against target levels and dynamically adjusts remaining functional LEDs or other fixtures to compensate for failures, maintaining optimal illumination without manual intervention.
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 allows for quick and efficient identification and replacement of failing LED fixtures, eliminating the need for manual room walkthroughs and automatically adjusts daylighting levels, ensuring consistent lighting performance and reducing maintenance time.
Implementation Method 1
A light sensing element may be provided, and a processor communicatively coupled to the lighting fixture and the light sensing element
Data Source
AI summary
A system monitors operational status of a lighting element. A lighting fixture processor instructs a lighting element to illuminate at a predetermined time, receives sensed light level information from the light sensing element, and transmits a message including information representing the sensed light level. A room controller can control some or all of these steps. A daylighting arrangement includes a room controller that instructs the lighting fixtures of a lighting group to illuminate their lighting elements at a predetermined time of day. Sensed light level information is obtained and transmitted to the room controller, which determines an initial daylighting target for the lighting fixture group based on an average of the sensed light level information. The room controller instructs the lighting fixtures to illuminate their respective lighting elements in accordance with the initial daylighting target.