Lighting Device Power Lines as Wireless Antennas

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices with wireless communication antennas require additional space and components, increasing production costs and complexity, and can lead to degradation of solid state light sources due to VOCs and moisture release.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing existing power lines as wireless communication antennas by superimposing signals on the direct current carried by power lines, eliminating the need for additional space and components, and configuring the power lines to function as monopole or dipole antennas, which reduces substrate requirements and minimizes VOC and moisture issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate wireless communication antenna is added to the lighting device, then wireless communication capability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power lines in the lighting device are designed to serve dual purposes: delivering electrical power to the light sources and functioning as wireless communication antennas. By superimposing communication signals on the power lines, the same conductors perform both power transmission and data communication functions, eliminating the need for separate antenna components and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the power delivery function and wireless communication function into a single integrated system. The power lines that were previously used solely for electrical power transmission are now combined with wireless communication capabilities, allowing both functions to coexist on the same physical infrastructure without requiring additional space or components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate wireless communication antenna is added to the lighting device, then wireless communication capability is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power lines in the lighting device are designed to serve dual purposes: delivering electrical power to the light sources and functioning as wireless communication antennas. By superimposing communication signals on the power lines, the same conductors perform both power transmission and data communication functions, eliminating the need for separate antenna components and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing power line infrastructure within the lighting device is made to serve itself by enabling wireless communication functionality. The power lines automatically function as antennas when communication signals are superimposed on them, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing production costs while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional space is allocated for a wireless communication antenna, then wireless communication capability is improved, but the space available for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidsubstrate space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power lines in the lighting device are designed to serve dual purposes: delivering electrical power to the light sources and functioning as wireless communication antennas. By superimposing communication signals on the power lines, the same conductors perform both power transmission and data communication functions, eliminating the need for separate antenna components and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions the wireless communication function from a spatial dimension (requiring physical antenna space) to an electromagnetic dimension (superimposing signals on existing power lines). This allows communication functionality to be added without occupying additional physical space on the substrate, as the power lines serve as the antenna infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If more substrate material is used to accommodate an antenna, then wireless communication capability is improved, but VOC and moisture release increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidVOC and moisture release

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power lines in the lighting device are designed to serve dual purposes: delivering electrical power to the light sources and functioning as wireless communication antennas. By superimposing communication signals on the power lines, the same conductors perform both power transmission and data communication functions, eliminating the need for separate antenna components and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the wireless communication functionality from the substrate material and relocates it to the power line infrastructure. By using the existing power lines as antennas, the need for additional substrate material is eliminated, thereby reducing VOC and moisture release from the envelope while maintaining wireless communication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces production costs, minimizes VOC and moisture-related degradation of solid state light sources, and enhances antenna reception without occupying additional space, while maintaining efficient wireless communication.

Implementation Method 1

wireless signals may be received, or transmitted, by superimposing the wireless signal on top a direct current carried by power lines in a lighting device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal superposition:

Implementation Method 2

configuring the power lines to function as monopole or dipole antennas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation:

Data Source

PatentUS10487990B2Lighting device having a wireless communication antenna

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a lighting device (1, 1a) comprising an envelope (3), a carrier (4) arranged inside the envelope (3) and having solid state light sources (5) mounted on the carrier (4), driver circuitry (10) spaced apart from the carrier (4), at least one power line (9) connecting the solid state light sources (5) and the driver circuitry (10), and a wireless communication circuit (13) for receiving control signals, and for controlling the light output, during operation, from the solid state light sources (5). The wireless communication circuit (13) is connected to the at least one power line (9) for using the at least one power line (9) as a wireless communication antenna.