Vehicle Lighting Control Architecture for Section Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles, particularly rail vehicles, existing lighting control systems face challenges in synchronizing lighting across different sections, leading to relative delays in implementing lighting scenarios due to the need for powerful data processing and multiple independent light control units.

Innovation Solution

A method and device where a central control component sends lighting data to separate driver components via a data connection, allowing these components to control lighting devices independently, enabling centralized management of lighting across the vehicle without requiring additional computing power or complex internal interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple independent light control units are provided per vehicle section, then each section can control lighting independently, but implementation delays occur across different vehicle sections

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent lighting control per sectionVSAvoidImplementation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides lighting control into two functional segments: a central control unit that generates lighting scenarios and sends control signals, and distributed light control units that execute these signals locally. This segmentation allows independent local execution while maintaining centralized coordination, eliminating implementation delays across sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control functions of multiple independent light control units into a single central control unit that coordinates all sections. By consolidating scenario generation and distribution while maintaining local execution capability, the system achieves synchronized lighting across all vehicle sections without the delays associated with multiple independent controllers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If powerful data processing resources are provided in light control units, then lighting scenarios can be processed locally, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLocal data processing capabilityVSAvoidCost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex data processing and scenario generation functions from individual light control units and consolidates them in a central control unit. This extraction allows light control units to be simpler and less expensive, while still maintaining the ability to process lighting scenarios through centralized coordination and local execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent light control units are provided, then each can control its section independently, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent section controlVSAvoidSystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments control functions by separating scenario generation (central unit) from scenario execution (distributed units). This segmentation maintains adaptability for independent section control while reducing overall system complexity through centralized coordination and standardized communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4462955A1Method and apparatus for lighting control and system
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP4462955A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4462955A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4462955A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method (100) and a device (1) for controlling the lighting in a vehicle (50), in particular a rail vehicle, as well as a lighting system (10) and a vehicle (50) with such a lighting system (10). A control component (20) sends (S3) lighting data via a data connection (60) to at least one separate driver component (30). The driver component (30) then sends (S4) a control signal based on the lighting data via a signal connection (70) to at least one light source (40).