PoE Lighting Backup Power Control for Outage Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting systems fail to provide backup power during AC power outages, leading to unsafe environments and hindered emergency services due to unpowered light sources, particularly in emergency situations like power outages.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system incorporating a battery pack with an energy storage medium and an output control circuit that manages power delivery over Ethernet cables, detecting power outages and switching to battery mode to provide emergency power to light sources, ensuring continued illumination for a threshold time period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PoE lighting systems use AC power input to PSE, then normal lighting operation is achieved, but lighting fails during AC power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the AC power input, battery pack, and PoE power delivery system into a unified power supply architecture. The battery pack is integrated with the PSE so that both AC-powered normal operation and battery-powered emergency operation occur through the same device, eliminating the need for separate emergency lighting systems while maintaining continuous lighting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The PSE is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in normal mode using AC power input, switch to emergency mode using battery power during outages, and automatically recharge the battery when AC power is restored. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle both routine lighting and emergency lighting requirements without requiring separate specialized equipment.
2Reliability
If battery pack is added for backup power, then emergency lighting is provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automatic operation: the PSE automatically detects AC power outages and switches to battery power without user intervention, automatically recharges the battery when AC power is restored, and manages the entire power transition process autonomously. This eliminates the need for manual switching or complex user configuration while maintaining emergency lighting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack serves as an intermediary energy storage component between the AC power source and the PoE lighting system. It absorbs excess energy during normal operation and releases it during outages, mediating the power supply to ensure continuous operation. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a buffer that handles power transitions automatically.
3Ease of operation
If power is provided over Ethernet cables, then low voltage lighting solution is achieved, but no backup power is available during outages
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is pre-charged during normal AC-powered operation before an outage occurs. This preliminary energy storage ensures that when the outage happens, power is already available immediately without delay. The system prepares in advance by accumulating energy in the battery, so emergency lighting can commence instantly when needed.
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
The solution ensures safety by maintaining light sources operational during AC power outages, reducing injury risks and enabling effective emergency services by providing backup power through the battery pack's managed power delivery, exceeding a threshold operational time period.
Implementation Method 1
a battery pack configured to provide power to the one or more light sources over the one or more Ethernet cables
Implementation Method 2
an output control circuit configured to manage delivery of power from the battery pack to the one or more light sources
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for backup power sources and controls for Power over Ethernet light sources are provided. In one example embodiment, a lighting system includes one or more light sources configured to receive power over one or more Ethernet cables. The lighting system also includes a battery pack comprising an energy storage medium. The battery pack can be configured to provide power to the one or more light sources over one or more Ethernet cables. The lighting system can also include an output control circuit configured to manage delivery of power from the battery pack to the one or more light sources.