Street Lighting Power Distribution via Master Switch and Contactor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems face disadvantages such as reliance on oversized and frequently replaced accumulators, voltage issues during both day and night, complex structures, and high costs due to the need for multiple crepuscular switches and three-phase power supply network management.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with a master switch ensuring constant voltage between two power supply lines, a contactor controlled by a crepuscular or astronomic time switch, and relays to manage power distribution to street lamps, allowing continuous power supply to electronic devices during day and night without fully powering the three-phase network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the power supply unit uses an accumulator to operate during night time, then the electronic devices can be powered when street lamps are on, but the accumulator must be oversized and frequently replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by keeping the power supply unit in standby mode during daytime when street lamps are off, so that it is ready to immediately supply power to electronic devices when the lamps turn on at night, eliminating the need for large accumulators
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply unit is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: charging during daytime when street lamps are off and supplying power to electronic devices during nighttime when lamps are on, replacing the need for separate accumulator systems
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the three-phase power supply network is kept under voltage during both day and night, then the power supply unit can operate continuously, but the structure becomes complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by synchronizing the power supply unit operation with the periodic on/off cycles of street lamps, keeping the power supply unit in standby during daytime and activating it during nighttime, achieving continuous operational capability without requiring the three-phase network to remain permanently energized
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply unit utilizes the existing periodic operation of street lamps to automatically charge and discharge, serving itself without requiring continuous external power supply or complex control systems, thereby reducing structural complexity
3Quantity of substance
If a contactor controlled by crepuscular switch is used to power the power supply unit only during night time, then the accumulator can be sized appropriately, but the autonomy is unsecured as it depends on the number of electronic devices connected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging action during daytime when street lamps are off, storing energy in advance so that the power supply unit can reliably supply power during nighttime operation, securing autonomy regardless of the number of electronic devices connected
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic operation by adapting the power supply unit's activity to the periodic on/off cycles of street lamps, allowing it to charge during off-periods and supply power during on-periods, thereby maintaining reliable autonomy without requiring oversized accumulators
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting system configured to supply power to at least one power supply unit capable of supplying power to electronic devices or systems. Said lighting system comprises: - one or more first street lamps (L-1, L1´), each of which comprises a first pole (Ρ1,Ρ1´) and a first illuminating body (LB-1,LB-1´), - a master switch (IG), - a three-phase power supply network for supplying said one or more first street lamps (L1, L1´), comprising at least one first power supply line (N; F1), a second power supply line (F1; F2) and a third power supply line (F2; F3), where said first power supply line (N; F1) and said second power supply line (F1; F2) are connected to said master switch (IG) in such a way that, when said master switch (IG) is activated, said first power supply line (N; F1) and said second power supply line (F1; F2) are always active, so that a first voltage is always present between said first power supply line (N; F1) and said second power supply line (F1; F2); - a contactor (CL), connected to said three-phase power supply network, by means of said master switch (IG), and comprising at least one switch (S1, S2, S3) to open/close said third power supply line (F2; F3); where said contactor (CL) is configured to open and close said at least one switch, so as to respectively move from an open state, in which it interrupts the flow of electric current from said three-phase power supply network towards each first illuminating body (LB1,LB1´), to a closed state, in which it allows the flow of electric current from said three-phase power supply network towards each first illuminating body (LB1,LB1´), and vice versa; - a control device (AC) configured to control the opening and closing of said at least one switch (S1,S2,S3) of said contactor (CL) depending on a intensity of solar radiation and/or at a predetermined time; - at least one power supply unit (A) to supply power to electronic devices or systems, - one or more relays (R1), each of which is connected in series to a respective first illuminating body (LB1, LB1´) and is configured to switch from an open state, in which each of said relays interrupts the flow of electric current from said three-phase power supply network towards the respective first illuminating body (LB1, LB1´), to a closed state, in which each of said relays allows the flow of electric current from said three-phase power supply network towards the respective illuminating body (LB1, LB1´), and vice versa; - one or more control elements (MC1), each of which is configured to control the opening and closing of a respective relay (R1). In particular, said at least one power supply unit (A) is connected to said first power supply line (N; F1) and to said second power supply line (F1; F2), each relay (R1) is connected in series to said second power supply line (F1; F2) or to said first power supply line (N; F1), and each control element (MC1) is connected to said first power supply line (N; F1) and to said third power supply line (F2; F3) or to said second power supply line (F1; F2) and to said third power supply line (F2; F3) and is configured to control the closing of the respective relay (R1), when a second voltage is present between said first power supply line (N; F1) and said third power supply line (F2; F3) or between said second power supply line (F1; F2) and said third power supply line (F2; F3).