Wireless Fluorescent Lamp Starter Dimming Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-lamp fluorescent light fixtures often consume unnecessary electrical energy when left on in unoccupied areas, as existing solutions require manual intervention or hardwired systems for control.
Innovation Solution
Integration of wireless RF-enabled starter units with built-in microcontrollers that can identify themselves as dimmer units based on AC voltage characteristics, configuration information, or hardware indicators, allowing for remote control and dimming of fluorescent lamps through a master unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If infrared motion detecting wall switches are used to prevent energy waste, then energy conservation is improved, but the system requires hardwired power lines and manual installation which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardwired wall switch system with a wireless RF-based starter unit system. The starter units communicate wirelessly with a master control unit, eliminating the need for hardwired installations while maintaining the ability to detect occupancy and control lighting. This substitution resolves the contradiction by preserving energy conservation functionality while dramatically improving ease of operation and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RF communication as an intermediary between the master control unit and starter units. This wireless intermediary enables control functionality without requiring direct physical connections, allowing the system to conserve energy while being easily installed and operated. The RF intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing a wireless path that eliminates installation complexity while maintaining energy conservation capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If wireless RF-enabled starter units are used for remote control, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to reliably control multiple lamps simultaneously may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having the master control unit transmit control commands to multiple starter units simultaneously before any lamp state changes occur. The starter units are designed to receive and process these commands in a coordinated manner, ensuring that multiple lamps are controlled reliably and simultaneously. This preliminary coordination resolves the contradiction by establishing reliable control protocols before operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where starter units communicate their status and lamp states back to the master control unit via RF communication. This feedback loop allows the master unit to monitor and adjust control commands to ensure synchronized operation of multiple lamps, maintaining reliability while enabling easy remote control. The feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing real-time information for coordinated control.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-lamp fluorescent light fixture includes a plurality of replaceable fluorescent lamp starter units. Each starter unit has a built-in microcontroller, an RF (Radio-Frequency) receiver, and communicates wirelessly with a master unit. The plurality of starter units can be wirelessly controlled to dim the multi-lamp fixture. Each starter unit receives a DIM command. Each starter unit identified as a dimmer starter unit responds to the DIM command by turning off coupled fluorescent lamps. Starter units not identified as dimmer starter units respond by leaving coupled lamps turned on, or alternatively, turning off and quickly restarting coupled lamps. Systems of existing light fixtures are retrofitted with such wireless starter units, and thereby made controllable by a master unit so that the master unit can dim the lights if room occupancy is not detected or if sufficient ambient light is available.