Mains Parameter Analyzing Device for Lighting Control Bus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lighting systems with DALI control require expensive drivers and higher system costs due to limited mains power analyzing accuracy, and fail to monitor non-DALI-controlled drivers and power supplies effectively.

Innovation Solution

A mains parameter analyzing device for a lighting control bus that uses a machine learning algorithm to associate bus-capable lighting drivers with their respective mains power inputs, measuring and filtering parameters such as real power, reactive power, and power factor, and integrating with a communication unit to send indicative parameters, thereby replacing individual mains power monitoring features across the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If every DALI-controlled driver is equipped with mains power monitoring feature, then mains power analyzing accuracy is improved, but driver cost and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemains power analyzing accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mains power monitoring function from multiple individual drivers into a single centralized device. The mains parameter analyzing device aggregates power consumption data from all DALI-controlled drivers through the DALI bus, eliminating the need for each driver to have its own monitoring circuitry while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized mains parameter analyzing device serves multiple functions: it monitors power consumption for all DALI-controlled drivers, identifies non-DALI-controlled drivers through learning algorithms, and provides system-wide power analysis. This multi-functional approach replaces what would otherwise require multiple dedicated monitoring features distributed across individual drivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If centralized mains power monitoring is implemented, then system cost is reduced, but measurement accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem costVSAvoidmains power analyzing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs learning algorithms that continuously refine their ability to identify and associate power consumption data with specific drivers based on feedback from the DALI bus. The algorithm learns from power consumption patterns, timing information, and driver identification data to progressively improve measurement accuracy without requiring expensive individual monitoring features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the power supply and the DALI bus that collects and analyzes power consumption data. This intermediary device acts as a mediator that aggregates raw power data and processes it through learning algorithms to produce accurate attributions, bridging the gap between centralized monitoring and precise measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If machine learning algorithm is used to associate drivers with mains power inputs, then identification accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary learning and training of the machine learning algorithm during system operation, using power consumption patterns and timing information to build associations between drivers and power inputs. This preliminary action prepares the algorithm to accurately identify drivers without requiring complex real-time processing during actual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4415484A1Mains parameter analyzing device for a lighting control bus, and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4415484A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4415484A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4415484A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mains parameter analyzing device (1) for a lighting control bus (5) is provided, comprising: a bus terminal (11), being connectable to the lighting control bus (5); a mains input terminal (12), being connectable to a mains supply; a mains output terminal (13), being connectable to a mains supply rail; a measurement unit (14), being configured to measure, at the mains output terminal (13), parameters of a mains power output to a number of bus-capable lighting drivers (3); a communication unit (15), being configured to receive, via the bus terminal (11), indicative parameters of a respective mains power input of the number of bus-capable lighting drivers (3); and a processing unit (16), being configured to associate the respective bus-capable lighting driver (3) with a respective mains power input using a machine learning algorithm, in accordance with the indicative parameters of the respective mains power inputs and the parameters of the mains power output. This avoids furnishing every bus-capable driver of a lighting system with a mains power monitoring feature.