LED Power Supply Reconfiguration for Smart Lighting Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The need for versatile, multipurpose, easily reconfigurable, and low-cost power supplies for LED lighting appliances that can independently control LED light sources, auto-regulate luminosity, and offer remote wireless control, emergency lighting, and energy-saving features is not adequately met by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A multifunction electronic power supply for LED lighting appliances that includes a microcontroller, flyback converter, light sensor, digital radio transceiver, and emergency battery connection, allowing for auto-regulation of luminosity, remote control, and emergency lighting functions, with modular expansion capabilities for added features like movement detection and camera integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a power supply is designed with multiple functions (wireless control, movement detection, camera integration, emergency lighting), then the versatility and adaptability of the lighting system is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal power supply unit that can perform multiple functions: standard LED lighting, emergency lighting, wireless control reception, movement detection, and camera integration. The same hardware platform supports all these functions through software configuration and optional module additions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into a core power supply unit with basic lighting functionality and optional functional modules (wireless control module, movement detection module, camera module). These modules can be selectively added or removed based on specific application requirements, allowing the system to scale from simple to complex configurations without redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a power supply is designed with multiple functions and expansion capabilities, then the adaptability and future-proofing of the system is improved, but the ease of manufacture and initial cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply unit is pre-configured with all necessary hardware interfaces and communication protocols during manufacturing, even if certain functions are not immediately activated. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment of additional functions later without requiring complex field modifications or system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system architecture is designed to be dynamically configurable, where functions can be enabled or disabled based on detected conditions (e.g., automatic emergency lighting activation during power failures) or user preferences. This dynamic adaptability allows the same hardware to serve different purposes in different scenarios without physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the power supply includes advanced features like wireless control and movement detection, then the ease of operation and user control is improved, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless control and movement detection modules operate in periodic or event-driven modes rather than continuously. The microcontroller enters low-power states between communication events, and sensors are activated only when triggered by specific conditions (e.g., motion detection thresholds), significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes automatic functions that operate without continuous user intervention, such as automatic emergency lighting activation during power failures, automatic dimming based on ambient light sensors, and automatic movement-triggered lighting. These self-service features improve ease of operation while consuming minimal energy as they respond only to specific triggering events rather than requiring constant user control signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides a versatile, cost-effective power supply that can be easily updated to include complex functions, efficiently managing energy consumption and offering advanced control features such as auto-regulation of luminosity and emergency lighting, enhancing the competitive advantage of LED lighting systems.

Implementation Method 1

a light sensor 19, which detects the light reflected from the floor and from the objects and/or people present in the area which is illuminated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a flyback converter having an isolated output 16

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3308606B1Multifunction electronic power supply for LED lighting appliances
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 BEGHELLI SPA
  • EP3308606B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3308606B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3308606B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Multifunction electronic power supply (10) for LED lighting appliances (1 1), comprising a plurality of interface connectors (CN1, CN2, CN3, CN4), a I/V filtering and a measuring block (12) which is connected to the mains power supply (13), an auxiliary power supply (14), a microcontroller (15), a fly-back converter (16) having an isolated output and a circuit for measuring the brightness (17) of the lighting appliance, a lightsensor (19), which detects the light reflected from the floor and from the objects and/or people present in the area which is illuminated by said lighting appliance (11), and a LED light source (20) of the lighting appliance (11), which emits light in the environment and which is driven by said electronic power supply (10). The electronic power supply (10) is configured, via an interface connector (CN1) and by means of said microcontroller (15), during an assembly phase of said electronic power supply (10) inside said lighting appliance (11), so that each electronic power supply (10) is configured for each different type of lighting appliance (11) when said lighting appliance (11) is built.