Lighting Fixture Daylighting Control Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity in applying daylighting techniques arises when two groups of independently dimmable lighting fixtures in the same area interact, leading to undesirable reactions where one group increases output to compensate for the other's dimming, disrupting the desired ambient light levels.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture system that determines the actual lighting contribution from other groups and adjusts its output accordingly, ignoring changes in their dimming levels by calculating a reference output level, determining the potential lighting contribution, and regulating ambient light sensors to maintain a target level, effectively decoupling the light output of one group from the other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two groups of lighting fixtures independently apply daylighting control, then each group can maintain ambient light levels, but one group will increase output to compensate for the other's dimming, disrupting ambient light levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where each lighting fixture measures and communicates its light output contribution to other fixtures. This intermediary information exchange allows fixtures to understand and account for the lighting contributions of other groups, preventing compensatory dimming reactions and maintaining stable ambient light levels while preserving independent control capability.
2Extent of automation
If lighting fixtures use control circuitry to enable daylighting, then lighting control based on environmental conditions is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the daylighting control function into modular components: ambient light sensing, light output measurement, communication modules, and control logic. Each fixture contains independent modular units that can be configured and calibrated separately. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by making each component simpler and more standardized while maintaining the sophisticated automated daylighting control capability.
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
This solution allows one group of lighting fixtures to be dimmed without significantly affecting the other, maintaining desired ambient light levels and preventing undesirable output changes, thus enhancing the control and efficiency of daylighting in multi-group lighting environments.
Implementation Method 1
an ambient light sensor configured to measure an ambient light level for the area
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Assume that two groups of lighting fixtures are located in the same general area, employ daylighting, and provide light that can be sensed by each other. A first group will determine an actual lighting contribution provided by the second group and remove the actual lighting contribution provided by the second group when making daylighting decisions. As such, when the dimming level of the second group is changed, the first group will effectively ignore changes in the dimming level of the second group when making daylighting decisions, and vice versa. A group of lighting fixtures may include one or more lighting fixtures.