Wireless Sensor Verification for Luminaire Control Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current outdoor lighting control systems face challenges with limited space and alignment issues for signaling contacts due to twist-lock interconnections, impractical wired connections, environmental sealing complications, and compatibility problems between different manufacturers' products, which hinder effective data communication and system usability.
Innovation Solution
A local luminaire area control system featuring a sensor element with a communication module for contactless data transfer and identification, integrated with a light fixture control circuit that verifies compatibility and receives sensor data, enabling wireless communication and overcoming the limitations of traditional connections and protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used for data communication between sensor and light fixture control circuit, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but installation complexity and alignment difficulty increase due to twist-lock arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. The sensor element and light fixture control circuit communicate data without physical wire connections, eliminating alignment difficulties and installation complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission through wireless protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional signaling contacts are provided for programmable functions, then system functionality is enhanced, but available area for contacts is reduced due to standard twist-lock arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for additional physical signaling contacts by implementing wireless communication. Data for programmable functions is transmitted wirelessly between the sensor element and light fixture control circuit, removing spatial constraints on contact area while maintaining enhanced system functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensor element and light fixture control circuit use different communication protocols, then manufacturer independence is maintained, but compatibility and system usability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication interface that can handle multiple communication protocols. The light fixture control circuit is designed to accommodate different protocols from various manufacturers, enabling seamless integration and maintaining system usability while preserving manufacturer independence.
4Reliability
If environmental sealing is implemented to protect components, then reliability in outdoor conditions is improved, but design complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for complex environmental sealing by removing physical wire connections and contacts that would require sealing. Wireless communication components can be surface-mounted or integrated without penetrating the sealed housing, significantly reducing design complexity while maintaining outdoor reliability.
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
A control system (10) is provided including a sensor element (100) mounted to a light fixture (104) having a photocontrol component (106) for sensing an ambient light and a sensor element communication module (120) for contactless communication of sensor data and identifying data relating to an identifying characteristic of the sensor element to a light fixture communication module (125) of the light fixture. The light fixture communication module receives the sensor data and the identifying data. A verification module (190) receives the identifying data to verify compatibility of the sensor element with a light fixture control circuit (20) having a light control module (22) receiving the sensor data for operable control of a lighting element (170) of the light fixture based on the received sensor data.