Light Source Driver Adapting Lighting Programs to Active Period Durations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outdoor lighting control systems for public places lack flexibility in adjusting lighting intensity and characteristics, leading to high energy consumption and unnecessary costs, while advanced systems often incur excessive complexity and reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

A driver apparatus that monitors active periods of operating power, selects lighting programs based on observed durations, and controls the provision of power to light sources, allowing for adjustable lighting characteristics such as intensity and color, without requiring significant changes to existing infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If simple dimming systems are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but flexibility and adjustability of lighting characteristics are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidflexibility of lighting characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The driver apparatus dynamically adjusts lighting parameters (intensity, color temperature) in real-time based on observed active period durations, transitioning from static simple dimming to adaptive dynamic control that optimizes energy consumption while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system observes the duration of active periods and uses this feedback information to automatically select appropriate lighting programs, enabling the lighting system to adapt its characteristics based on actual usage patterns without requiring complex external control infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If advanced control systems with PLC or wireless connections are used, then lighting control flexibility is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting control flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver apparatus autonomously observes active period durations and automatically selects lighting programs without requiring external control signals or communication infrastructure, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminate complex control wiring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The driver apparatus performs multiple functions including power conversion, lighting program selection, and lighting parameter control within a single integrated device, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall system complexity

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If advanced control systems are used, then lighting control flexibility is improved, but reliability decreases due to more components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting control flexibilityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the control functionality from external complex control systems and integrates it directly into the driver apparatus, eliminating relays, control cables, and external controllers that would reduce reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2781824B1A driver for a light source
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 HELVAR OY AB
  • EP2781824B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2781824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2781824B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3f

AI summary

An arrangement for driving one or more light sources is provided. According to an example embodiment, the arrangement comprises observing durations of active periods, wherein an active period corresponds to a continuous period of operating power being supplied to a driver apparatus, selecting one of a plurality of lighting programs for the driver apparatus in accordance with the observed durations of one or more active periods, wherein a lighting program defines the desired characteristics of light provided by the one or more light sources as a function of time for a subsequent active period, and controlling, in response to an active period, provision of operating power from the driver apparatus to the one or more light sources in accordance with the most recently selected lighting program