Luminaire Calibration Using Wireless Light Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for configuring driver electronics in lighting structures, especially those with multiple channels, lack a practical and efficient way to replicate the lighting characteristics of a replaced or repaired luminaire, as users cannot easily determine the current values and optical parameters of the original driver electronics.
Innovation Solution
A calibration system comprising a light detector, receiver, and controller, which can measure and adjust lighting characteristics wirelessly, allowing for precise replication of lighting settings in new driver electronics using a mobile computing device or integrated controller, utilizing wireless signals like WiFi, NFC, or Bluetooth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If driver electronics are replaced in a lighting structure, then the lighting structure can be repaired, but the lighting characteristics cannot be replicated because users cannot determine the current values and optical parameters of the original driver electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement and storage of current values and optical parameters from the original driver electronics before replacement. The light detector captures the lighting characteristics and the controller stores the corresponding current channel values, so that when new driver electronics are installed, the pre-stored information can be used to replicate the exact lighting settings without needing to manually determine the original parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multichannel driver electronics are used to provide mixed warm white and cool white light, then lighting characteristics can be adjusted, but configuring the replacement driver becomes complicated because users cannot retrieve light settings from individual channels
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a light detector to measure the actual lighting output and provides feedback to the controller. The controller then correlates the measured lighting characteristics (CCT and illuminance) with the current values from each driver channel. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically determine which current settings produce the desired lighting characteristics, making multichannel driver configuration straightforward without requiring users to manually retrieve or calculate individual channel settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The light detector acts as an intermediary between the driver electronics and the user. Instead of requiring users to directly interface with complex multichannel driver settings, the light detector measures the actual lighting output and the controller translates these measurements into the appropriate current channel values. This intermediary approach simplifies the configuration process by mediating between the physical lighting characteristics and the electrical control parameters.
3Device complexity
If manual methods are used to configure driver electronics settings, then no special equipment is needed, but the process requires disassembly and time-consuming trial and error adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical configuration methods with an automated optical measurement and control system. Instead of requiring users to physically disassemble components and manually adjust settings through trial and error, the light detector optically measures the lighting characteristics and the controller automatically calculates and applies the correct current values to each channel. This substitution of mechanical manual processes with automated optical-electrical systems eliminates disassembly requirements and dramatically reduces configuration time.
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 accurate replication of lighting characteristics by measuring and adjusting current values in multiple channels of LEDs, simplifying the process of matching lighting settings in new driver electronics, reducing the need for disassembly and manual adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a light detector for reading lighting characteristics of a lighting structure
Implementation Method 2
The adjustment signal including a current change to the light engine for adjusting the lighting characteristics towards the reference light characteristic value
Data Source
AI summary
A calibration system that includes a light detector for reading lighting characteristics of a lighting structure; a receiver for interfacing with driver electronics for controlling current to a light engine of a lighting structure; and a controller. The controller is for receiving readings from the light detector for the lighting characteristics of the lighting structure, comparing the light characteristics to a reference light characteristic value, and sending an adjustment signal to the receiver by a wireless signal. The adjustment signal can include a current change to the light engine for adjusting the lighting characteristics towards the reference light characteristic value.