Operating Device Powerline Communication for Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems with integrated sensor devices require dedicated power supplies and extensive wiring for sensor communication, leading to increased costs and complexity, especially in applications like standalone luminaires where additional wiring is costly and impractical.

Innovation Solution

An operating device with a main power supply and an auxiliary powerline for powerline communication with sensor devices, eliminating the need for dedicated power supplies and external bus system wiring by using the operating device to provide both energy and communication for sensor devices, while maintaining system functionality through powerline communication and a SELV barrier for safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated power supplies and external bus system wiring are used for sensor devices, then system functionality and communication capability are ensured, but manufacturing costs and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power supply function and communication function into a single integrated solution. The existing power lines in the operating device are used to simultaneously provide electrical energy and communication signals to sensor devices, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and communication bus wiring. This merging of functions directly reduces system complexity while maintaining full system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power lines in the operating device are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide electrical power to the light source and simultaneously enable powerline communication with sensor devices. This multi-functionality approach allows the same infrastructure to support both energy delivery and data communication, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and wiring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dedicated power supplies are provided for sensor devices, then sensor operation is ensured, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor operationVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor devices obtain their power supply from the existing power infrastructure of the operating device through powerline communication. Instead of requiring external dedicated power supplies, the sensor devices self-power from the electrical energy already present in the power lines, eliminating the need for additional power supply components and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If external bus system wiring is used for sensor communication, then communication capability is ensured, but installation complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system (external bus system) with an electromagnetic field-based communication method. Powerline communication uses the existing electrical power lines as the transmission medium for data signals, eliminating the need for separate communication wiring and simplifying installation while maintaining full communication capability between the operating device and sensor devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces manufacturing costs and complexity by enabling direct communication and energy supply between the operating device and sensor device, maintaining system functionality without the need for external wiring or dedicated power supplies, particularly beneficial for applications like standalone luminaires.

Implementation Method 1

The operating device is configured to communicate with the sensor device(s) by powerline communication over the interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPowerline communication:

Implementation Method 2

maintaining system functionality through powerline communication and a SELV barrier for safety

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSELV barrier:

Data Source

PatentEP4271134A1Operating device, sensor device and lighting system

Publication Date: 2023.11.01 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1

AI summary

An operating device for providing electrical energy to a light source (2) comprising a main power supply (5) for providing the electrical energy to a connected light source, and, preferably, an auxiliary power supply (6) for supplying electrical energy to a control unit (7) of the operating device, the control unit (7) being connected to the main power supply (5) to control the electrical energy supplied to the light source (2). The auxiliary power supply (6) is connected to an auxiliary bus interface (9) for supplying electrical energy to one or more sensor device(s) (3), and the operating device (1) is configured to communicate with the sensor device(s) (3) by powerline communication over the auxiliary bus interface (9). The operating device (1) and a sensor device (3) configured to be able to receive electrical energy from a power supply and to communicate via this power supply connection establishes a lighting system for enabling direct communication between a sensor device (3) and an operating device (1)