Outdoor Lighting Dimming Control Node via Wired Photocontrol Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor lighting control systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust light levels based on the presence or absence of humans or vehicles, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and luminaire lifespan, particularly in environments with occasional traffic during scheduled 'off' or 'low-illumination' periods.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor lighting system utilizing a dimming control node electrically and communicatively coupled to a motion sensor via a photocontrol interface, which receives sensor data and adjusts the luminaire ballast or driver to implement corresponding dim-level configurations, reducing the need for additional wireless communication circuitry and minimizing interference from electromagnetic noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication circuitry is used to connect motion sensor to control system, then communication flexibility is improved, but electromagnetic interference and false triggers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless electromagnetic communication with wired electrical connections between the motion sensor and control system. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to electromagnetic interference and false triggers while maintaining communication functionality through physical conductors that are immune to such interference.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If photocontrol interface is used to connect motion sensor and luminaire driver, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a photocontrol interface that serves multiple functions: it provides wired communication connectivity between the motion sensor and luminaire driver, supplies power to the motion sensor, and transmits control signals to adjust luminaire output. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and wiring, thereby managing device complexity while achieving immunity to electromagnetic interference.
3Reliability
If motion sensor is integrated with luminaire driver through photocontrol interface, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motion sensor and luminaire driver into an integrated system through the photocontrol interface, allowing the sensor to be powered directly from the driver's power supply. This consolidation improves system reliability by reducing the number of external power connections and potential failure points, while the shared power infrastructure minimizes overall power consumption compared to separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects are provided for controlling outdoor lighting systems using a photocontrol interface that can be connected to a motion sensor and a luminaire driver or ballast. In some aspects, a dimming control node is electrically and communicatively coupled to a motion sensor via wired connections to a photocontrol interface. The dimming control node is also communicatively coupled to a luminaire ballast or driver. The dimming control node can provide power to the motion sensor. The dimming control node can also receive sensor data from the motion sensor via one of the wired connections. The dimming control node can determine a sensor output state of the motion sensor from the received sensor data, and can select a dim-level configuration corresponding to the determined sensor output state. The dimming control node can cause the luminaire ballast or driver to implement the selected dim-level configuration.