Mesh-Network Emergency Lighting for Cable-Free Vessel Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional emergency light systems in marine vessels rely on cabled installations, which are time-consuming, prone to component wear, and complex, making them unreliable and costly for emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A wireless mesh network-based emergency light control system that uses a communication interface for mesh networking, allowing emergency light modules to receive signals and operate autonomously during power outages, optimizing energy management and automation within the vessel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cabled installation is used for emergency light control, then the system structure is stable, but the switching time increases and component wear occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidswitching time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cabled installation with a wireless communication system. The emergency light control is achieved through wireless signals transmitted via antenna elements, eliminating physical cable connections. This substitution reduces switching time by removing mechanical relay operations and cable-based signal transmission delays, while maintaining system reliability through redundant wireless communication paths and error correction protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If cabled installation is used for emergency light control, then the system is reliable, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates complex cabled installations by using wireless communication infrastructure. The control system comprises transmitting and receiving antennas, signal processors, and control units that communicate without physical cable connections. This reduces installation complexity significantly, as wireless systems require no cable routing through ship structures, no connection points, and no physical maintenance of cable joints and connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional emergency light system is used, then the system is established, but additional functions are complex and costly to add

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem establishmentVSAvoidfunction expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal wireless communication platform that can perform multiple functions. The same antenna elements and communication protocols used for emergency light control can also support navigation, safety monitoring, and other shipboard functions. The control units are programmed with flexible protocols that allow new functions to be added through software updates rather than hardware modifications, making the system highly adaptable and cost-effective for future expansions.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4066521B1System for emergency light control over mesh network
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 WARTSILA SAM ELECTRONICS GMBH
  • EP4066521B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4066521B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4066521B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method, apparatus and system for emergency light control over a mesh network, comprising: a main power supply configured to provide power in a first operating mode; a plurality of light module apparatuses operationally connected to the main power supply, comprising a communication interface for a mesh network; an emergency power supply configured to provide power in a second operating mode; an emergency light module apparatus operationally connected to the emergency power supply, comprising a communication interface for the mesh network; and wherein in the second operating mode, an emergency signal is configured to be received by the emergency light module apparatus over the mesh network, and to control the emergency light module apparatus based on the emergency signal.