Street Lamp Dimming Control via Dynamic Time-Zone Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing street lamp lighting systems lack the ability to dynamically control illumination intensity based on environmental conditions and purpose, leading to inefficient energy use and reduced LED lifespan due to overheating.

Innovation Solution

A dimming controlling apparatus that divides the operating time into multiple zones, generates and applies specific dimming profiles based on parameters like country, language, location, and standard time differences, and uses sensors to adjust lighting levels according to temperature, illumination, and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If street lamps are controlled by a control center using photoconductive elements, then automatic on/off lighting is achieved, but illumination intensity cannot be actively controlled according to peripheral illumination intensity and purpose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic on/off lighting controlVSAvoidillumination intensity control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic dimming control by dividing operation time into multiple zones with different dimming levels. The controller dynamically adjusts illumination intensity based on time zone, selecting from multiple stored dimming profiles that correspond to different time periods. This transforms the static on/off control into a dynamic system that adapts illumination levels to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the illumination intensity parameter by selecting from multiple pre-stored dimming profiles in the storage unit. Each dimming profile contains specific dimming level parameters for different time zones. The controller modifies the output parameter (illumination intensity) by switching between these predefined parameter sets, enabling active control of brightness without requiring complex real-time calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If LED is used as light source, then low power consumption and high brightness are achieved, but LED may overheat and lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption efficiencyVSAvoidLED lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic dimming cycles by dividing the operating time into multiple zones with varying dimming levels. Instead of continuous full-power operation, the system periodically reduces illumination intensity during certain time zones, allowing LED to cool down during lower-power periods. This periodic action pattern prevents sustained overheating while maintaining overall lighting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by proactively reducing power output during specific time zones before thermal damage can occur. The controller preemptively applies dimming profiles that limit maximum illumination intensity during periods when full brightness is not required, preventing the accumulation of thermal stress that would otherwise reduce LED lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dimming profiles are stored and selected based on parameters like country, language, location, then customized lighting control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomized lighting control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple dimming profiles in the storage unit before operation. Each profile is pre-configured with specific time zone divisions and dimming level parameters tailored to different locations, languages, or countries. During operation, the controller simply selects from these pre-prepared profiles based on input parameters, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations or profile generation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses copying by creating multiple copies of dimming profiles with different parameter configurations stored in the storage unit. Each copy represents a预设 lighting scheme for specific conditions (different countries, languages, or locations). The controller copies the appropriate profile data into working memory and executes it, rather than generating unique control sequences for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9072124B2Apparatus for and method of controlling dimming of street lamp

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A dimming controlling apparatus including: a lighting driving unit for driving a lighting appliance; a power supply unit for supplying power required to drive the lighting appliance; a storage unit for storing a plurality of dimming profiles including time zones for driving the lighting appliance and dimming levels in accordance to the time zones; and a controller for controlling the lighting driving unit and the power supply unit by using the dimming profiles. An operating time of the lighting appliance is divided into a plurality of time zones, and dimming profiles are generated to include an intensity of illumination for driving the lighting appliance in each of the plurality of time zones and each of the time zones.