LED Luminaire Control System with Remote Battery Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED luminaire systems face challenges in cost-effectiveness and maintenance due to the need for ballast compatibility and frequent replacements, especially in retrofit applications, and they lack efficient remote testing and control capabilities for emergency lighting requirements.
Innovation Solution
An LED luminaire control system with a rechargeable battery, current-fed converter circuit, and remote control functionality that enables operation with AC mains, adapts power levels for LED arrays, and allows for remote initiation and termination of battery discharging tests, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ballast-compatible LED lamps are used to replace fluorescent lamps, then initial replacement cost is low and installation is straightforward, but total cost of ownership increases due to frequent ballast replacement and constant energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ballast component entirely from the lighting system, replacing it with a self-contained LED module that integrates the power supply and control circuitry. This extraction eliminates the need for ballast replacement and reduces total ownership cost while maintaining ease of installation by simply replacing the entire fixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED luminaire control system is designed to perform multiple functions: normal operation mode, emergency lighting mode with battery backup, and self-diagnostics. This multi-functionality consolidates what previously required separate components (ballast, emergency battery system, monitoring devices) into a single integrated unit, improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If AC mains-operable LED lamps are used without ballast, then long-term cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency improve, but installation complexity increases requiring ballast removal or bypass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LED driver, power supply, and control functions into an integrated circuit board that fits within the existing luminaire housing. This merging allows the system to operate directly from AC mains without an external ballast, achieving cost-effectiveness while simplifying installation to merely replacing the LED module rather than rewiring the entire fixture.
3Reliability
If emergency lighting systems with battery backup are implemented, then safety compliance and reliability improve, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically performs self-diagnostics to monitor battery charge status, LED array functionality, and system readiness. It autonomously transitions between normal and emergency modes without user intervention and provides remote notifications of issues. This self-service capability maintains high reliability while reducing the perceived complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms through self-diagnostics that monitor battery voltage, charge current, and LED operational status. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of battery charging parameters and provides real-time status information to facility managers, simplifying maintenance while ensuring emergency lighting reliability.
4Productivity
If remote testing and control capabilities are added to LED luminaires, then maintenance efficiency and operational control improve, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication interface that acts as an intermediary between the luminaire's control circuit and remote monitoring systems. This interface uses standard communication protocols to transmit status data and receive control commands, enabling remote testing and control without adding significant complexity to the core lighting functionality. The intermediary layer isolates the complex communication logic from the simple lighting control.
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
The system provides a cost-effective solution by eliminating the need for ballast replacement, reducing energy consumption, and enabling reliable remote testing and emergency operation, thus lowering maintenance costs and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable battery with a terminal voltage
Implementation Method 2
a current-fed converter circuit configured to convert the terminal voltage into a high direct current (DC) voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A light-emitting diode (LED) luminaire control system comprising a rechargeable battery and a control and test circuit is adopted to provide an emergency power to operate a luminaire that works only in alternate-current (AC) mains. The luminaire comprises LED arrays and a power supply. The LED luminaire control system further comprises a current-fed converter circuit, a control and test unit, a relay switch, a local controller, a remote controller, and a receiver circuit. When a battery discharging test is initiated by the remote controller with a band-pass signal transmitted, the receiver circuit can detect such a signal and subsequently send a decoded command to the LED luminaire control system to execute such a test by operating the luminaire without uncertainty.