LED Traffic Lamp Fault Logging via Controller Memory

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional LED traffic lamps are difficult to repair and diagnose due to their stateless nature, lacking log information that hinders troubleshooting and fault identification, especially for variable causes like temperature.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating memory modules, sensors, and a controller in traffic lamps to log operating parameters when they fall outside acceptable limits, enabling quick diagnosis and fault detection, and disabling the lamp if necessary for safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If traditional LED traffic lamps are used without logging capabilities, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of repair deteriorates due to lack of fault information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault diagnosis capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and logging operating parameters before failures occur. The controller stores historical data about temperature, voltage, current, and operational states in memory modules, so when a fault occurs, the logged information is already available to assist in rapid diagnosis without requiring complex real-time analysis tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces memory modules as an intermediary between the controller and the fault diagnosis process. These memory modules store logged operating parameters and act as a bridge that provides fault information to technicians, eliminating the need for complex diagnostic equipment while significantly improving ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If logging memory modules are added to traffic lamps, then the ease of repair improves through available log data, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetroubleshooting efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller in the traffic lamp is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only controls the traffic signal operation but also monitors operating parameters, processes sensor data, determines when parameters are outside acceptable limits, and logs this information to memory modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated logging hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The traffic lamp system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own operating parameters and logging fault information without requiring external diagnostic equipment. The controller autonomously determines when parameters are outside acceptable limits and initiates logging, enabling the system to serve its own diagnostic needs and improving troubleshooting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If operating parameters are monitored and logged continuously, then the reliability improves through better fault detection, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by monitoring and logging operating parameters at specific intervals rather than continuously. The controller checks operating parameters periodically and logs them when they are determined to be outside acceptable limits or at predetermined time intervals, reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring while maintaining adequate fault detection accuracy for reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by selectively logging only those operating parameters that are outside acceptable limits or potentially relevant to fault conditions, rather than continuously logging all parameters at full resolution. This approach maintains sufficient reliability for fault detection while reducing the energy required for data processing and storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the traffic lamp is disabled when parameters are outside limits, then the safety improves by preventing failures, but the productivity deteriorates due to operational interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety from failureVSAvoidtraffic signal availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by disabling the traffic lamp before a complete failure occurs. When the controller determines that operating parameters are outside acceptable limits, it proactively disables the lamp to prevent potential failures, safety issues, or further damage. This preemptive measure prioritizes safety while the logged information enables quick diagnosis and restoration, minimizing overall productivity impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring operating parameters and using this information to control lamp operation. When parameters indicate potential failure conditions, the feedback loop triggers lamp disablement to ensure safety. The logged parameter data provides feedback for post-event analysis, enabling faster restoration and reducing the impact on productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2689405B1LED traffic signal fault logging system and method
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS LLC
  • EP2689405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2689405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2689405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for monitoring operating parameters of traffic lamps. A traffic lamp includes one or more memory modules and a controller. The controller receives data pertaining to one or more operating parameters of the traffic lamp and logs the one or more operating parameters to the one or more memory modules using the received data. The controller may log the one or more operating parameters to the one or more memory modules upon detection of a fault in the one or more operating parameters.