Sensor-Based Position Detection for Lamp Control Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for distributed consumers, such as lamp operating devices, require a separate step to determine the position of each device after initial random address assignment, making the startup process cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a sensor unit to determine and transmit position information directly to the consumers, allowing for automated assignment of operating addresses that account for the spatial arrangement, potentially using near-field communication for wireless data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual position determination is performed after random address assignment, then operating addresses can be assigned that account for spatial arrangement, but the startup process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial arrangement considerationVSAvoidstartup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit determines the position of each consumer and transmits this position information to the central control unit before the address assignment process begins. This preliminary acquisition of position data eliminates the need for time-consuming manual position determination during the commissioning phase, while still enabling the system to assign operating addresses that account for spatial arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual position determination is required for each consumer, then accurate address assignment is achieved, but the complexity of the commissioning process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaddress assignment accuracyVSAvoidcommissioning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit automatically determines the position of each consumer and transmits this information to the central control unit without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains accurate address assignment while eliminating the complexity of manual position determination steps during commissioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated address assignment is implemented without position information, then startup time is reduced, but control efficiency and energy optimization are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestartup speedVSAvoidcontrol efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Position information is determined and transmitted to the central control unit before address assignment occurs. This allows the system to automatically assign addresses based on spatial arrangement, achieving both fast startup and efficient control operations that utilize position-aware addressing for energy optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2907366B1Control system for loads with a distributed arrangement, more particularly for lamp-operating devices and method for putting the system into operation
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2907366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2907366B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2907366B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a method for putting into operation a control system (1) for a plurality of loads (10) with a distributed arrangement, particularly for lamp-operating devices, positional information relating to an arrangement and/or position of the load (10) is determined by means of a sensor unit (50) and the positional information is transmitted by the sensor unit (50) to the load (10) and stored by same.