Self-orienting Photocontrol for Intelligent Lighting Fixtures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual orientation of intelligent outdoor lighting fixtures is prone to errors and requires labor-intensive recalibration, leading to inefficiencies and potential environmental impacts.

Innovation Solution

A lighting fixture equipped with multiple photosensors and a microprocessor that determines geographical orientation by calculating ambient light differentials across various sections, allowing for self-orientation and reduced manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual orientation techniques are used to orient intelligent outdoor lighting fixtures, then installation can be performed with simple equipment, but the process is prone to error and requires labor-intensive recalibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation accuracyVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting fixture autonomously determines its own geographical orientation by using multiple photosensors to detect ambient light patterns and calculating orientation based on temporal variations in light levels across different sections of the fixture, eliminating the need for manual orientation by technicians

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical orientation procedures with an automated optical detection system that uses photosensors to measure ambient light levels and a microprocessor to calculate geographical orientation based on temporal light pattern analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual orientation and recalibration procedures are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but labor costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidrecalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-orientation and self-recalibration automatically, allowing rapid deployment of lighting fixtures without requiring technician intervention for orientation or recalibration, significantly improving installation efficiency and eliminating ongoing recalibration time losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting fixture automatically determines its orientation immediately upon installation and continuously self-calibrates by analyzing ambient light patterns, eliminating the need for subsequent manual recalibration procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If manual orientation is performed, then equipment complexity is minimized, but the risk of introducing water or debris into the protective housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing seal integrityVSAvoidphotocontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated self-orientation system eliminates manual handling of the housing during orientation, preventing technicians from potentially compromising seals or introducing contaminants, while maintaining housing integrity through contactless optical measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables precise geographical orientation of lighting fixtures, reduces labor costs, and improves energy efficiency by adjusting lighting output based on ambient light patterns, thereby minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The first photosensor may be configured to detect a first level of ambient light at a first section of the lighting fixture. The second photosensor may be configured to detect a second level of ambient light at a second section of the lighting fixture.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11873980B2Automatic orientation techniques for photocontrols of intelligent lighting fixtures

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A photocontrol, such as for an outdoor intelligent lighting fixture, may detect levels of ambient light at multiple sections of the photocontrol. The ambient light may be detected via multiple photosensors located at the photocontrol sections. In addition, the ambient light may be detected via multiple color filters (or sections of a color filter) located at the photocontrol sections. The photocontrol may determine an ambient light differential, such as an instant differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections at a particular time, or a temporal differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections across multiple times. Based on the ambient light differential, the photocontrol may identify triggering photosensor or triggering section that substantially align with a geographical orientation. The photocontrol may identify a lighting output profile. An output level of a lighting element may be modified based on the lighting output profile.