Lighting System Temperature Sensing for Integrated Fire Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire alarm systems in buildings are costly and complex, limiting their installation and maintenance in environments that are not mandated by regulation, and there is a need for a more cost-effective and simple solution for fire detection.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system integrated with sensors that measure temperature parameters and use existing lighting control networks for fire detection, utilizing existing light driver devices and DALI-based communication to identify heat sources without additional hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated fire alarm sensors and communication networks are installed, then fire detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire detection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting control devices are made multi-functional by integrating both lighting control and fire detection capabilities into a single system. The existing lighting control network and devices are utilized to perform dual functions: normal lighting operations and fire hazard detection, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated fire alarm infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fire detection functionality is merged with the existing lighting control system. Sensors, communication networks, and processing units that were previously dedicated to lighting control are now combined to also perform fire detection, creating an integrated system that reduces overall complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If dedicated fire alarm systems are installed, then fire detection capability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire detection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting control devices are made multi-functional by integrating both lighting control and fire detection capabilities into a single system. The existing lighting control network and devices are utilized to perform dual functions: normal lighting operations and fire hazard detection, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated fire alarm infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing lighting control system serves itself by utilizing its own infrastructure (devices, sensors, communication network) to perform fire detection functions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external dedicated fire alarm systems and their associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If temperature sensors are integrated into lighting devices, then fire detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement precisionVSAvoidlighting device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting control devices are made multi-functional by integrating both lighting control and fire detection capabilities into a single system. The existing lighting control network and devices are utilized to perform dual functions: normal lighting operations and fire hazard detection, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated fire alarm infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fire detection functionality is merged with the existing lighting control system. Sensors, communication networks, and processing units that were previously dedicated to lighting control are now combined to also perform fire detection, creating an integrated system that reduces overall complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reliable fire detection using existing infrastructure, reducing costs and complexity by leveraging existing lighting system components for fire detection and localization, while minimizing false alarms.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter indicating a temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4641537A1Lighting system with integrated smart fire detection

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The disclosure concerns a lighting system and a method for detecting a heat source, wherein the lighting system comprises a plurality of devices that include each at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter indicating a temperature and to generate sensor information including the measured at least one parameter. The plurality of devices is configured to transmit the generated sensor information to a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to evaluate the sensor information transmitted by the plurality of devices by to determining an increase over time of the at least one parameter indicating a temperature and to compare the determined increase with a threshold. The processing circuit is configured to generate information on a detected heat source, and to output the generated information in case the determined increase exceeds the threshold.