Segmented LED Tunnel Lighting for Lower Emergency Battery Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lighting systems require high-capacity batteries for emergency lighting, which are bulky and heavy, and consume excessive energy when full illumination is not needed.

Innovation Solution

An LED lighting system with multiple power buses, allowing selective power distribution to subsets of LED modules, enabling reduced power consumption by powering only a portion of the modules in low-light or emergency modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If high-capacity batteries are used to maintain emergency lighting for sufficient duration, then the lighting duration is improved, but the battery size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting durationVSAvoidbattery size
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The LED strip is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones, each powered by separate power buses. This allows selective illumination of only necessary portions of the tunnel during emergency conditions, reducing total power consumption and extending lighting duration without requiring larger batteries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

During normal operation, the system provides full illumination. During emergency conditions, it transitions to partial action by illuminating only critical areas or using reduced intensity, thereby extending the effective lighting duration from the same battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Illumination intensity

If intense illumination is provided in deserted areas, then the safety lighting is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting intensityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts illumination intensity based on detected occupancy. When no personnel are present, the system automatically reduces lighting intensity or activates only essential safety lighting, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate safety illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different zones of the tunnel receive different illumination levels based on their specific requirements. Critical areas maintain higher illumination intensity, while deserted or less critical areas receive reduced illumination, optimizing the balance between safety and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If multiple power buses are used to selectively power LED modules, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The LED strip is segmented into multiple zones powered by separate power buses, allowing independent control of each segment. This segmentation enables selective power distribution to only the necessary portions of the strip, improving energy efficiency while maintaining a manageable system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple power buses serve multiple functions: they enable selective zone control, support different operating modes (normal and emergency lighting), and provide flexibility for future expansion or modification, thereby justifying the increased system complexity through enhanced versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Reduces power consumption and battery capacity requirements while maintaining sufficient illumination, especially in deserted areas, by selectively powering subsets of LED modules based on human presence or need.

Implementation Method 1

LED diode lighting systems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode effect: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

LEDs are arranged in identical modules that repeat along the strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3914046B1Lighting system for tunnel or similar structures
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 FS TUNNEL
  • EP3914046B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3914046B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

LED lighting system (1) (52), comprising: - At least one LED lighting strip (10), with at least one set (P1; P2; ...) of LED modules, the modules of a set being divided into subsets (M1; M2;...) of one or more modules (11; 12, 13, 14) supplied by respective power buses, - an electronic system (30) for supplying the strip, allowing all the power buses (20, 21; 20, 22) to be energized in a first operating mode and only part (20, 21) of the power buses in a second operating mode, so as to reduce the electrical consumption of the strip.