Lighting Unit Control Circuit with Wireless Scenario Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems with multiple units connected to a common power supply require complex wiring and significant data transmission to control individual or grouped lighting units, leading to increased bandwidth needs and risks of transmission errors.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system where each unit has a control circuit to pre-store lighting scenarios, allowing for simplified wiring with only two conductors for power supply, and enabling wireless or modulated power transmission of control signals to execute stored scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate data wire is used to control each lighting unit individually, then individual control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply lines are made to serve dual functions: delivering electrical power to the lighting units and simultaneously transmitting control signals. This eliminates the need for separate data wires while maintaining individual control capability through inductive coupling between transmitter and receiver coils integrated into each lighting unit.
Solution Approach 2:
An electromagnetic field generated by a transmitter coil acts as an intermediary to transfer control signals wirelessly from the central controller to the receiver coils in each lighting unit. This intermediary mechanism enables signal transmission through the power supply infrastructure without requiring direct electrical connections for data.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control signals are transmitted to all lighting units, then system control capability is improved, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control transmission by enabling selective addressing of individual lighting units or groups through the electromagnetic field. The central controller can target specific receivers by modulating the field or using addressing protocols, allowing parallel or selective updates rather than sequential transmission to all units, thereby reducing overall transmission time.
3Device complexity
If control signals are transmitted through power lines, then wiring is simplified, but transmission reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic field serves as a reliable intermediary that isolates the control signal transmission from the power line electrical noise and interference. By using inductive coupling through coils rather than direct electrical contact, the system achieves both wiring simplicity and transmission reliability, as the magnetic field coupling is inherently isolated from galvanic interference.
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 approach reduces bandwidth requirements, simplifies wiring, and allows for flexible and efficient control of lighting units, enabling complex patterns without the need for separate data wires, while maintaining a straightforward electrical connection.
Implementation Method 1
A lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units (10a-10d), each including a unit control circuit (18) and a lighting element (16). The unit control circuit is connected to two conductors (12, 14) for connection to a power supply (24) and arranged to obtain power from the power supply via the two conductors. A system control circuit (34) is connected to a transmitter coil (38). The transmitter coil is arranged to generate an electromagnetic field when supplied with current from the power supply. Each lighting unit includes a receiver coil arranged to receive control signals from the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitter coil.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units. Each lighting unit includes a unit control circuit and a lighting element. The unit control circuit is disposed to store at least one lighting scenario. The lighting scenario comprises a succession of settings of intensity and/or color of the lighting element. A system control circuit is disposed to transmit an execute signal to one or more of the lighting units. The unit control circuit is disposed to control, upon reception of the execute signal, the lighting element according to the lighting scenario. The lighting units are connected to a common electrical power supply via two conductors. The execute signal is transmitted from the system control circuit to the lighting units wirelessly or via the two conductors.