Automated Luminaire Braking System for Position Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated luminaires face challenges in maintaining the position of their pan and tilt axes when power is removed, as they can be displaced by external forces or gravity, leading to potential accidents or unwanted orientation changes during performances or installations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a braking system that includes a motor with a mechanical coupling to the luminaire head and a control system that determines if the motor is rotating, engaging the braking system when it is not, and storing the absolute position of the luminaire mechanism in non-volatile memory to maintain its position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no braking system is used, then the luminaire can rotate freely for positioning flexibility, but the luminaire position cannot be maintained when power is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical braking mechanisms with an electromagnetic braking system that uses the motor's own electromagnetic field to generate braking torque. The controller switches the motor windings to create a stationary magnetic field that interacts with the rotating rotor, producing electromagnetic braking force without mechanical contact or additional braking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the drive motor for rotation and as the braking mechanism when needed. By controlling the motor's electromagnetic field in different modes (motoring vs. braking), the system achieves both positioning flexibility and position maintenance without requiring separate dedicated braking components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the braking system is engaged continuously, then the luminaire position is stable, but the motor cannot rotate for positioning adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is dynamically controlled based on operational requirements. The controller switches between motoring mode (for positioning adjustments) and braking mode (for position maintenance) as needed. This dynamic switching allows the system to achieve both positioning flexibility during operation and position stability when positioning is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system operates periodically rather than continuously - engaging after positioning is complete and disengaging when positioning adjustments are needed. This periodic engagement/disengagement cycle allows the luminaire to alternate between stable position maintenance and flexible repositioning as required by different operational phases.
3Measurement precision
If the luminaire is allowed to rotate freely during movement, then positioning is flexible, but the luminaire may overshoot or oscillate around the target position
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from motion detection to determine when the luminaire has reached the target position and when to engage the braking system. By monitoring the rotation state and switching the braking mode accordingly, the system prevents overshooting and oscillation, achieving precise positioning without complex mechanical damping mechanisms.
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 ensures that the pan and tilt positions of automated luminaires remain fixed even when power is removed, preventing accidental movement and ensuring precise orientation, which is crucial for safety and performance stability in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The motor includes a motor shaft with a first part extending from a first side of the motor, the first part of the motor shaft is coupled by a mechanical coupling to the luminaire head
Implementation Method 2
The braking system is coupled by a second mechanical coupling to the motor shaft and is configured to inhibit rotation of the luminaire head
Data Source
AI summary
A luminaire is provided that includes a head, a movement system, and a control system. The movement system rotates the luminaire head around an axis of rotation. The movement system includes a motor and a braking system. The motor moves a luminaire mechanism. The luminaire mechanism may be a gobo wheel, a lens, or other optical device of the luminaire, or it may be the luminaire head or the luminaire yoke. The control system determines whether the motor is rotating and engages the braking system when the motor is not rotating. When the motor is stopped, the control system may store in non-volatile memory a current absolute position of the luminaire mechanism.