Serial LED Lighting Control for Brownout and Long Wire Runs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems using LED light sources face challenges in efficiently managing brownout events and long wire-run conditions, leading to inconsistent light intensity and potential damage due to voltage fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A linear lighting assembly with a fixture controller and control circuit that detects brownout events and long wire-run conditions, adjusting light intensity levels and communicating via RS-485 and I2C protocols to synchronize emitter modules, using a power converter circuit to stabilize voltage and manage LED intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If LED lighting devices are connected in series over long wire runs, then the lighting coverage area is increased, but voltage fluctuations and brownout events cause inconsistent light intensity and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control circuit continuously monitors the voltage on the power bus and receives brownout status messages from lighting devices. When a brownout event is detected (voltage dropping below threshold), the control circuit automatically sends scale-up messages to increase the high-end intensity level of affected devices, compensating for voltage drops and maintaining consistent light intensity across the entire series-connected lighting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the high-end intensity level parameter of LED emitter modules based on detected voltage conditions. By changing the intensity parameter in response to brownout events, the system compensates for voltage fluctuations and maintains uniform lighting performance across long wire runs, resolving the contradiction between extended coverage and performance consistency.
2Illumination intensity
If the high-end intensity level of emitter modules is increased to compensate for voltage drops, then light output is maintained, but power consumption increases and may cause overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the high-end intensity level parameter based on real-time voltage monitoring. Instead of maintaining a fixed high intensity level, the system adaptively scales up or down the intensity parameter in response to detected brownout events and voltage conditions. This dynamic approach ensures adequate light output during voltage drops while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during normal operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit uses feedback from voltage monitoring and brownout status messages to intelligently adjust power consumption. By receiving feedback about actual voltage conditions and automatically sending scale-up messages only when needed, the system maintains appropriate light output while avoiding excessive power consumption that would occur with continuously high intensity settings.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple lighting devices are connected in series to extend coverage, then the lighting system reaches larger areas, but brownout events affect more devices and amplify the problem
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a distributed feedback system where each lighting device in the series-connected network monitors its own voltage conditions and reports brownout status messages back to the control circuit. This feedback mechanism enables the control circuit to identify which specific devices are affected by brownout events and send targeted scale-up messages to compensate, rather than affecting the entire system uniformly. This resolves the amplification problem by providing precise, localized compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the lighting system into individually addressable and controllable segments (lighting devices). Each device can independently report its status and receive individualized control messages. This segmentation allows the system to extend coverage over long wire runs while managing brownout events device-by-device, preventing the amplification effect that would occur in a non-segmented system.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device may include an elongated housing that defines a cavity. The lighting device may include plurality of emitter printed circuit boards configured to be received within the cavity. Each of the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards may include a plurality of emitter modules mounted thereto. Each of the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards may include a control circuit configured to control the plurality of emitter modules mounted to the respective emitter printed circuit board based on receipt of one or more messages. The lighting device may include a total internal reflection lens for each of the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards. The total internal reflection lens may be configured to diffuse light emitted by the emitter modules of the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards.