Two-Wire Lighting Module With Voltage-Modulated Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting modules with multiple command lines are costly, complex, and inefficient, particularly when used in LED systems, and require manual address assignment, which is time-consuming and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A controllable lighting module with a control unit, a switch element, and a temporary power supply circuit that allows communication using only two supply conductors, enabling automatic address assignment and command interpretation through voltage modulation, ensuring stable power to the control unit during fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple command lines are used for controlling lighting modules, then selective control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power supply and data communication functions into a single two-wire interface. The same two wires that provide power to the lighting module also carry bidirectional communication signals, eliminating the need for separate command lines and reducing wiring complexity while maintaining selective control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-wire interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power supply to the module, enables bidirectional communication between master and slave devices, and carries address information. This multi-functional approach replaces traditional multi-wire configurations that required separate lines for each function.
2Reliability
If manual address assignment is implemented in two-wire systems, then communication reliability is improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic address assignment where each slave device receives its unique address automatically during initialization. When a slave is connected to the two-wire bus, the master device automatically assigns it the next available address, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing installation time while ensuring reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The address assignment is performed automatically during the initialization phase before normal operation begins. The master device pre-assigns addresses to all connected slaves in sequence, so that when communication starts, all devices already have their addresses configured and are ready for immediate use.
3Device complexity
If data is superimposed on power supply lines, then device complexity is reduced, but power supply stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication signals are transmitted using periodic modulation of the power supply line. Data is encoded by periodically switching the line between different states (e.g., present/absent voltage levels), allowing reliable data transmission while maintaining the overall power supply function. The periodic nature of the modulation enables clear signal differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes electrical parameters of the power supply line to encode communication data. By varying voltage presence, pulse width, or frequency of the power line itself, the system embeds digital information in the power supply signals, enabling communication without additional dedicated signal lines while maintaining power delivery capability.
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
Facilitates efficient, simple, and cost-effective control of multiple lighting modules with automatic address assignment, reducing complexity and minimizing errors, while maintaining stable communication and lighting effects.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit is indeed able to receive the commands such as modulation of the voltage applied to the input
Implementation Method 2
there also being provided a temporary electronic supply circuit which is situated between the input and the control unit and which is able to keep the control unit operative also during variations of the power supply at the input produced by the said modulation of the voltage at the input
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A controllable lighting module (11) comprises an input (12) for electric powering thereof, one or more light sources (16) which can be activated upon command, a control unit (15) for receiving external commands and for controlling the one or more light sources (16) depending on these commands. The module also comprises an output (13) and a switch element (14) connected to the control unit (15) for interrupting or allowing electrical continuity between the said input (12) and the said output (13) upon command of the control unit (15). The control unit (15) is also able to receive the commands as modulation of the voltage applied to the said input (12) and to remain operative also during the variations of the power supply to the input (12) produced by the said modulation of the voltage at the input (12). A system with such modules (11) and an operating method are also described.