LED Navigation Light Control System with Current-Based Failure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigation light control systems face challenges in easily switching to a standby light source when the LED light source fails, as they require significant labor, time, and cost to adapt from incandescent bulbs, and existing relays cannot detect LED failures effectively.

Innovation Solution

A navigation light control system that includes a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source, a power supply unit, and a control apparatus with a light source circuit and determination section that detects failures based on current flowing through a resistor, allowing for seamless switching to a standby light source and compatibility with existing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a relay-based failure detection system is used for incandescent bulbs, then the system can detect bulb failures and switch to standby, but the system cannot detect LED failures and requires complete reconfiguration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure detection capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with LED light sources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The determination section is designed to universally detect failures of both incandescent bulbs and LED light sources using the same basic circuit architecture. By measuring current flow through the light source, the system can identify failures in either bulb type without requiring separate detection mechanisms, thus achieving multi-functionality and broad compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects LED failures by monitoring changes in current parameters. Since LEDs have different electrical characteristics compared to incandescent bulbs, the determination section analyzes current flow patterns to distinguish between normal operation and failure states for LED light sources, enabling adaptive failure detection across different light source technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the control apparatus and wiring are completely changed to support LED, then LED failure detection becomes possible, but labor, time, and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLED failure detectionVSAvoidreconfiguration effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus is segmented into modular functional sections: a power supply unit, a determination section for failure detection, and a switching section for backup activation. This modular design allows the determination section to be independently configured for LED compatibility without redesigning the entire system, reducing manufacturing complexity and reconfiguration effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A resistor is introduced as an intermediary component in the circuit to enable failure detection for LED light sources. The resistor works with the determination section to measure current flow and identify LED failures, serving as a mediating element that bridges the gap between the existing control system and LED technology without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If power consumption is reduced by using LED, then energy efficiency improves, but failure detection becomes more difficult with existing relay systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidfailure detection sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical relay-based failure detection with an electrical measurement approach using the determination section. Instead of relying on mechanical contact changes in a relay, the system directly measures current flow through the light source circuit, providing a more sensitive and reliable method for detecting LED failures while maintaining low power consumption characteristics.

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

Enables easy control and detection of LED failures, allowing for efficient switching to a standby source without requiring extensive modifications to the control apparatus, thus reducing labor, time, and cost, while ensuring continuous navigation light functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a determination section that determines a failure of the light source based on a value of a current flowing through a resistor connected to the light source circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOhm's Law: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS10499483B2Illumination light control system and switching unit

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 OMRON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a technique that facilitates control of a navigation light which uses light-emitting diodes for a light source. This navigation light control system is provided with: a navigation light that has a light source for which a light-emitting diode is used; a power supply unit that supplies power to the navigation light; and a control device that controls lighting of the navigation light, wherein the control device is provided with a light source circuit that supplies the power received from the power supply unit to the light source, and a determination unit that determines failure of the light source on the basis of the value of the current flowing through a resistor connected to the light source circuit.