Lighting Control Input Evaluating Mains Voltage Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling lighting means, such as electronic ballasts for gas-discharge lamps, often require digital interfaces or complex bus systems, limiting user flexibility and efficiency, especially in applications where manual control or motion detection is desired.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows signals from a mains voltage, such as those from a motion sensor, to be evaluated and used to set predetermined dimming levels in lighting means operating devices, enabling automatic adjustment of luminosity based on motion detection without needing additional control units, using a control input that can handle both digital and mains voltage signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital interfaces or bus systems are used for controlling lighting means, then control precision and programmability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control input of the lighting means operating device is designed to accept multiple types of signals (digital bus signals and mains voltage signals) through a single interface. This multi-functional design allows the device to work with both complex digital control systems and simple mains voltage connections, reducing the need for separate control circuits for different signal types and thereby lowering overall device complexity while maintaining control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation unit that receives and evaluates mains voltage signals from motion sensors or pushbuttons. This intermediary component translates simple voltage presence/absence into meaningful control commands for the lighting device, enabling precise control without requiring complex digital interfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between control precision and device complexity
2Extent of automation
If additional control units are added for motion detection, then automation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control input functionality with the ability to directly accept mains voltage signals from motion sensors. Instead of adding a separate control unit to interface with motion sensors, the lighting means operating device itself is equipped with a control input that can directly evaluate mains voltage signals. This merging eliminates the need for additional control units while maintaining automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting means operating device performs self-service by incorporating the ability to directly evaluate and respond to mains voltage signals from motion sensors within its own control input. This self-service capability allows the device to autonomously detect motion and adjust lighting levels without requiring external control units, thereby improving automation while reducing overall system complexity
3Ease of operation
If mains voltage signals are directly applied to control input, then ease of operation is improved, but signal evaluation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, cost-effective signal evaluation approach that treats the control input as a basic voltage detector rather than a complex digital interface. The evaluation unit simply detects the presence or absence of mains voltage signals and responds with predefined dimming levels. This disposable-like simplicity in signal evaluation maintains ease of operation while avoiding complex signal processing, effectively resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and signal evaluation complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for driving an electronically controlled lighting means operating device, by evaluating an output signal of a motion sensor which is connected to a supply voltage and outputs the supply voltage as an output signal as a function of the detection of a motion, and setting the electronically controlled lighting means operating device to one of a plurality of predetermined dimming levels as a function of an output signal of the motion sensor. At least one of the predetermined dimming levels is programmed or the output signal of the motion sensor is detected at a control input of a digital interface of the operating device.