Optical LED Control Arrangement for Floor Panel Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling LEDs in pattern cutouts embedded in floor, ceiling, and wall panels face issues with voltage drop and interference due to long cable lengths, leading to malfunctions such as loss of brightness and incorrect color mixing, especially when using large numbers of LEDs with high current requirements.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an LED control arrangement using a voltage source, an LED controller that generates and converts SPI signals into optical signals, and multiple LED converters to extend the range without voltage drop or interference, incorporating a motherboard with a processor for setting light properties via Bluetooth or WiFi, and an evaluation circuit for fire alarm integration, allowing seamless data transmission and fault-tolerant operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If long cable lengths are used to extend the control range, then the coverage area is improved, but voltage drop and signal distortion occur leading to LED malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable lengthVSAvoidLED operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical signal transmission system with an optical signal transmission system. Instead of transmitting control signals through electrical cables over long distances (which causes voltage drop and signal distortion), the system uses optical fibers or light-based transmission media. This substitution eliminates the electrical resistance and signal degradation issues inherent in long electrical cable runs, allowing extended control range without compromising LED operation reliability.

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

2Productivity

If a high number of LEDs are controlled, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the current increases requiring large conductor cross-sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidconductor cross-section
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical current transmission with optical signal transmission to control multiple LEDs. By using optical fibers or light-based communication instead of high-current electrical conductors, the system can control a large number of LEDs without requiring proportionally large conductor cross-sections. The optical transmission carries control signals rather than power, eliminating the direct relationship between LED quantity and conductor size requirements.

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

3Length of stationary object

If electrical signals are transmitted over long distances, then the control range is improved, but signal distortion and interference occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoidsignal integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission to maintain signal integrity over long distances. Optical signals transmitted through optical fibers or light-based media are immune to electromagnetic interference and signal distortion that plagues electrical signals over long cable runs. This substitution preserves data accuracy and control signal fidelity while extending the achievable transmission distance.

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 arrangement ensures fault-tolerant and electromagnetically compatible control of LEDs, maintaining brightness and color accuracy over extended ranges without voltage drop or interference, and enables battery operation during power failures, with the added functionality of indicating escape routes during emergencies.

Implementation Method 1

an LED controller (1) that generates an SPI signal and converts it into an optical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optic conversion: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

in which the optical signal is converted back into an SPI signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOpto-electric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3934384B1Arrangement for driving leds
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 BRONSERT DENIS
  • EP3934384B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3934384B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3934384B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Arrangement for controlling LEDs, which can be used for the section-wise illumination of pattern cutouts embedded in floor, ceiling and/or wall panels and tiles, comprising a power supply, a controller and at least one converter connected to LED strips or PCB tapes, wherein the arrangement for controlling LEDs (3) on LED strips or PCB tapes (5) comprises an LED controller (1) that generates an SPI signal and converts it into an optical signal, and at least one LED converter (2) that converts the optical signal (4) back into an SPI signal and forwards it to the LEDs (3) of the PCB tapes or LED strips (5) for their control.