Portable Light Measurement System Using Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid shift to new lighting technologies like fluorescent and LED has made it difficult for customers to evaluate the quality and efficiency of light sources due to varying performance from manufacturer to manufacturer, requiring costly and complex laboratory tests for parameters such as power consumption, light output, angular distribution, color temperature, and light quality.
Innovation Solution
A portable measurement system that allows for the evaluation of light sources by measuring combined light output, angular distribution, color temperature, and power consumption using a compact device with a rotating platform, spectrometer, and power analyzer, capable of calculating total light output from angular distribution measurements and accounting for flickering and dimming capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory equipment (integrating sphere, goniometer, spectrometer) is used to measure light source parameters, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and physical space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate measurement functions (light output measurement, angular distribution measurement, color temperature measurement, power consumption measurement) into a single portable measurement device. This integration reduces device complexity and physical space requirements while maintaining measurement capabilities through coordinated use of sensors, processors, and measurement algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical integrating sphere with a computational approach using a sensor array and processing algorithm. Instead of physically summing light across all angles using a sphere, the system uses multiple sensors positioned at different angles with a processor that calculates total light output based on angular distribution measurements, significantly reducing mechanical complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple separate measurement devices are used to evaluate all light source parameters, then measurement completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring expert knowledge and complex setup
Solution Approach 1:
The portable measurement device is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously: measuring combined light output, angular distribution, color temperature, and power consumption. This multi-functionality allows complete light source evaluation using a single device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized instruments and reducing the requirement for expert knowledge in operating different equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple measurement capabilities into one integrated system that can evaluate all critical light source parameters in a single operation. The device includes sensors, a rotating platform for angular measurements, a power analyzer, and a processor that coordinates all measurements and provides comprehensive evaluation results.
3Measurement precision
If an integrating sphere is used to measure total light output, then measurement accuracy is improved, but portability deteriorates due to the heavy and bulky nature of the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical integrating sphere with a lighter computational system using an array of light sensors positioned at different angles around the light source. A processor calculates the total integrated light output by summing measurements from all sensor positions, achieving accurate total light measurement without the bulk and weight of a physical integrating sphere.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a three-dimensional integrating sphere volume to capture and sum light from all directions, the patent uses a two-dimensional array of sensors positioned in a plane around the light source. The rotating platform allows the sensor array to sweep through different angular positions, effectively sampling the three-dimensional light distribution using a two-dimensional sensor arrangement.
4Measurement precision
If expert involvement is required to operate measurement equipment and interpret results, then measurement accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming setup and evaluation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The portable measurement device incorporates automatic measurement and evaluation capabilities that reduce or eliminate the need for expert operation. The device automatically positions sensors, performs measurements across different angles, processes the data to calculate total light output and other parameters, and provides evaluation results without requiring specialized knowledge from the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a processor that automatically processes measurement data from multiple sensors and provides feedback in the form of evaluated results. The feedback mechanism includes algorithms that interpret raw sensor data, calculate derived parameters such as color temperature and light distribution characteristics, and present comprehensive evaluation results, reducing the need for expert interpretation.
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
Enables quick, cost-effective, and accurate evaluation of light sources without expert involvement, reducing the need for extensive equipment and physical space, while maintaining sufficient accuracy for practical applications.
Implementation Method 1
The quality and colour temperature of the light is measured using a spectrometer where the spectrum of light emitted by the light source is calculated
Implementation Method 2
The light source is then rotated by the rotating platform 360 degrees, while a light measurement spectrometer measures the resulting light coming from the light source
Implementation Method 3
a light measurement spectrometer, shown in fig. 3 (c), is placed to measure the resulting light coming from the light source
Implementation Method 4
a power analyser, as in fig. 3 (e), can be added to the measurement so that the power used by the light source
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to simplified portable method of measuring light sources by limiting the number of parameters to measured for example to one plane of radiation where know characteristics are preselected or default selected to be used to calculated combined output. Further more is light measurements combined with power calculation and control where phase of supply current is used to obtain light source flickering, determine dimmable. Further more can an imaging recording device be used to further enhance the measurements.