Sensor Assembly for Lighting Control Using Directional Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems have limited automation in configuring and controlling lighting based on environmental sensor data, which restricts their ability to optimize light output effectively in response to changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with multiple sensor units, each observing a unique monitoring direction, is used to detect objects and light levels, allowing for the determination of luminaire directions and lighting control configurations. This assembly communicates with luminaires to adjust light output accordingly, enhancing automation and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple sensor units with different monitoring directions are used to improve lighting control accuracy, then the extent of automation and adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into multiple sensor units, each with a specific monitoring direction. This segmentation allows the system to gather environmental data from multiple angles independently, enabling more precise automated lighting control without requiring a single complex omnidirectional sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces directional monitoring as an additional dimension of observation. By arranging sensor units to monitor different directions (azimuth and/or elevation angles), the system transforms a single-point measurement into a spatially-distributed measurement field, enhancing automation capability while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor units with different monitoring directions are used to improve adaptability to environmental conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor unit is assigned a specific monitoring direction and observes local environmental conditions in that direction. This local quality approach allows the system to adapt lighting control to spatial variations in occupancy and environmental characteristics, improving overall adaptability while keeping each individual sensor unit relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly provides multi-functionality by combining multiple sensor units that can detect various environmental characteristics (occupancy, light levels, temperature, etc.) in different directions. This universal design enables the same sensor assembly to adapt to diverse environmental conditions and occupancy patterns without requiring direction-specific sensor types.
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 more advanced and adaptive lighting control, optimizing light distribution based on occupancy and environmental conditions, improving energy efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a respective light sensor for observing light level in the respective monitoring direction
Implementation Method 2
a respective remote sensing device for detecting objects in the respective monitoring direction
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an example embodiment, a sensor assembly (140) for controlling one or more aspects of light output of a plurality of luminaires (120) is provided. The sensor assembly comprises a control portion (145), a communication portion (146) for communication with other elements of the lighting system (100) and a plurality of sensor units (141) for observing environmental characteristics in said space, wherein each sensor unit (141-j) is arranged to observe a respective predefined monitoring direction with respect to the sensor assembly (140) that is different from respective predefined monitoring directions of other ones of the plurality of sensor units (141), wherein each sensor unit (141-j) comprises a respective remote sensing device (142-j) for detecting objects in the respective monitoring direction and a respective light sensor (143-j) for observing light level in the respective monitoring direction, and wherein the control portion (145) is arranged to: obtain respective luminaire identifications for said plurality of luminaires (120); determine a respective luminaire direction with respect to the sensor assembly (140) for said plurality of luminaires (120) on basis of respective light levels indicated by the light sensors (143-j); determine, on basis of respective monitoring directions of said plurality of sensor units (141) in relation to the determined luminaire directions, a lighting control configuration for controlling said one or more aspects of light output of said plurality of luminaires (120) on basis of sensor data received from said plurality of sensor units (141); and control, via said communication portion (146) using the obtained luminaire identifications, said one or more aspects of light output of said plurality of luminaires (120) in accordance with the determined lighting control configuration.