Shared Ballast Lighting System for Independent Lamp Replacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems with multiple lamps are economically disadvantaged due to the high cost, space requirements, and weight contributed by the ballasts, which also pose challenges in assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system design where the first lamp's operating device powers both lamps via a detachable electrical connection, eliminating the need for a separate ballast in the second lamp, allowing for cost-effective manufacturing and simplified assembly, with the option to detach and replace lamps independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each lamp is equipped with its own ballast, then each lamp can operate independently, but the manufacturing cost, space requirement, and weight of each lamp increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ballast functions into a single centralized unit located in the ceiling mounting structure, rather than having separate ballasts in each lamp. This allows multiple lamps to share one ballast, reducing manufacturing costs, space requirements, and weight while maintaining operational reliability through the shared power supply system.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized ballast is designed to serve multiple lamps simultaneously, making it a universal power supply unit that can control and power several light sources. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for duplicate ballasts in each lamp, achieving cost and space efficiency while maintaining the ability to operate lamps independently through individual sockets.
2Ease of manufacture
If a ballast is integrated into each lamp, then the lamp can be self-contained, but the lamp requires significant space and weight that could be used for other purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ballast from the lamp structure and relocates it to the ceiling mounting structure. This separation allows the lamp itself to be compact and lightweight, containing only the essential components (socket, light source, housing), while the bulky ballast resides in the ceiling-mounted power supply unit, thereby reducing the lamp's volume and weight.
3Ease of repair
If each lamp has its own ballast, then the lamp can be replaced independently, but the assembly and maintenance become more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the ballast into the ceiling mounting structure, the patent simplifies lamp replacement to a straightforward socket-based connection. The lamp can be quickly removed and replaced by simply disconnecting the electrical socket connection, eliminating the need to handle or reconfigure ballast components, thereby reducing maintenance time and complexity.
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs, space requirements, and weight, enabling easier assembly and maintenance by allowing the second lamp to be handled and replaced independently without affecting the first lamp, while maintaining efficient power supply through a converter or ballast.
Implementation Method 1
The operating device is preferably a converter or a ballast, in particular for converting an AC voltage into a DC voltage for supplying the first light source and the second light source.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a lighting system with a first luminaire (1) with a first light source (2) and a control gear (3) for operating the first light source (2) and a second luminaire (4) with a second light source (5), the first light source (2) and the second light source (5) are detachably connected to each other via an electrical connection and the control gear (3) serves to operate the first light source (2) and the second light source (5).