Solar-Powered LED Lighting System with Shared Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for battery storage and grid tie inverters to utilize solar energy for LED lighting, especially in indoor applications where multiple luminaires are required, leading to energy loss and increased hardware costs.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that connects multiple luminaires in series with a shared solar converter and grid power supply, allowing direct use of solar energy without battery storage, and using feedback control to maintain stable light output and compensate for solar panel power fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If battery storage is used to store solar energy for nighttime and daytime lighting, then energy availability is improved, but system cost and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the battery storage component from the system. Instead of storing solar energy in batteries for later use, the system directly converts solar energy to electrical energy through photovoltaic panels and uses it immediately to power LED lighting during daytime, thereby avoiding the 5-10% round trip efficiency loss associated with battery charging and discharging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous useful action by maintaining direct conversion and immediate utilization of solar energy. The photovoltaic panels continuously convert solar radiation to electrical energy, which is then continuously used to power the LED lighting system during daytime hours, eliminating the interruption and energy loss inherent in storage-based systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If grid tie inverter and AC-DC conversion are used to feed solar power to LED lighting, then solar energy utilization is improved, but conversion efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical/electrical conversion system (grid tie inverter + AC-DC converter) with a direct photovoltaic conversion system. Photovoltaic panels directly convert solar radiation to electrical energy suitable for LED lighting, eliminating the need for DC-AC inversion and subsequent AC-DC conversion, thereby reducing conversion losses from 10-15% to minimal levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the grid tie inverter and AC-DC conversion stages from the energy conversion chain. By directly connecting photovoltaic panels to LED lighting through appropriate DC-DC conversion or direct connection, the system eliminates the harmful intermediate conversion steps that cause significant energy loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual solar converters are used for each luminaire, then lighting control flexibility is improved, but hardware cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual solar converter functions into a single centralized photovoltaic power system. Instead of each luminaire having its own solar converter, one photovoltaic array serves multiple luminaires, reducing hardware costs and system complexity while maintaining the ability to control lighting levels through centralized or distributed control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized photovoltaic power system serves multiple functions: it provides power to multiple luminaires, enables centralized monitoring, and allows for flexible lighting control through a single control interface. This universal system replaces multiple specialized individual converters, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
4Loss of energy
If solar energy is directly used without battery storage, then energy efficiency is improved, but energy availability during non-illuminated periods deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the limitation of solar energy availability (only during daytime) into a benefit by optimizing the lighting system for daytime operation. The high-efficiency LED lighting combined with direct solar conversion creates a system that is perfectly suited for daytime lighting needs, eliminating the need for expensive battery storage while maintaining energy efficiency. The 'harm' of limited availability becomes irrelevant when the system is designed to match the availability pattern.
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 solution reduces hardware costs, enhances energy efficiency by eliminating battery storage and grid tie inverters, and maintains stable light output while allowing for efficient use of solar energy across multiple luminaires.
Implementation Method 1
A lighting system and method which make use of solar energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting system has a set of multiple LED luminaires, and combines solar panel power and external grid power. A solar converter converts the output from the solar panel into a first power. Each luminaire is associated with a driver to inject current into the LED lighting unit from the external grid power supply. The LED lighting units of the luminaires are connected together to the solar converter and are thereby driven together by the first power simultaneously. This simplifies the structure.