Lighting Control Gear for Remote Sensor Activation and Sensitivity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luminaires with integrated radar sensor modules for motion detection face issues such as false detection due to electromagnetic interference and increased costs when using wireless communication-enabled sensor modules, necessitating costly and risky manual adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A control gear with wireless communication capability is used to control the electrical supply to the sensor module, allowing deactivation and sensitivity adjustment without opening the luminaire housing, using electrical connections for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sensor module with wireless communication capability is used to enable remote deactivation and sensitivity adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote deactivation and sensitivity adjustmentVSAvoidsensor module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control gear as an intermediary device that handles wireless communication and processing tasks. The control gear receives wireless signals and communicates with the sensor module through electrical connections, allowing remote operation without requiring the sensor module itself to have wireless communication capabilities. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling ease of operation while keeping the sensor module simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the sensor module is deactivated by disconnecting electrical connections, then the sensor module can be deactivated without wireless communication hardware, but the luminaire housing must be opened which poses safety risks and reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor module configurationVSAvoiddeactivation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control gear serves as an intermediary that enables deactivation through wireless communication. Instead of requiring physical access to disconnect electrical connections, the control gear receives wireless commands and terminates the electrical supply to the sensor module electronically. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple sensor module configuration while dramatically improving ease of operation and eliminating safety risks associated with opening luminaire housings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically disconnecting electrical connections (requiring opening the luminaire housing) with an electronic control mechanism. The control gear electronically terminates the electrical supply to the sensor module based on wireless commands, substituting mechanical disconnection with electronic control. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple hardware configuration while improving operational ease and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If identical luminaires with integrated sensor modules are used, then the ease of manufacture and maintenance is improved, but false motion detection occurs due to electromagnetic interference from nearby metal objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminaire standardizationVSAvoidmotion detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of sensor module parameters (such as sensitivity and detection thresholds) through wireless communication. When false detections occur due to electromagnetic interference from nearby metal objects, the sensitivity parameters can be adjusted or the sensor module can be deactivated remotely. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining identical luminaire design for ease of manufacture while providing flexibility to adjust detection parameters to ensure reliability in different installation environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If the sensor module sensitivity is adjusted using DIP switches, then the measurement precision can be improved, but the luminaire housing must be opened which reduces ease of operation and poses safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion detection sensitivityVSAvoidsensitivity adjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical DIP switch adjustment mechanism with an electronic control system. The control gear receives wireless commands and adjusts the sensor module sensitivity parameters electronically through electrical connections, eliminating the need to physically access DIP switches inside the luminaire housing. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining precise sensitivity adjustment capability while dramatically improving ease of operation and eliminating safety risks associated with opening luminaire housings.

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 cost-effective operation and flexible dimming control of luminaires by wirelessly managing sensor module activation and sensitivity, reducing installation risks and costs.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor module can include one or more radar sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

The sensor output of the control gear is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical supply terminal of the sensor module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4646029A1Operating device for a lighting means, sensor module for a lighting means and lighting means
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP4646029A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4646029A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4646029A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a control gear for a light source comprising: a control unit equipped for wireless communication for controlling an electrical supply to the light source from the control gear when the light source is connected to the control gear, a sensor input for receiving information from a sensor module, and a sensor output for supplying the sensor module with electrical power. The sensor output of the control gear is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical supply terminal of the sensor module for supplying the sensor module with electrical power.The control unit is configured to control the electrical supply to the lamp from the control gear, depending on information received via the sensor input, when the lamp is connected to the control gear, and to terminate the electrical supply to the sensor module provided via the sensor output of the control gear in response to a corresponding command received wirelessly by the control unit. The present invention also relates to a corresponding sensor module and a lamp comprising the control gear and sensor module.