Wireless Adapter for Outdoor Luminaire Control Upgrade

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing street lighting systems face challenges in upgrading to advanced network control capabilities, particularly when transitioning from traditional 3-pin to 5-pin or 7-pin interfaces, as this often requires replacing the entire luminaire, including costly driver electronics, especially for decorative and historical fixtures.

Innovation Solution

A wireless adapter system that replaces the standard 3-pin, 5-pin, or 7-pin wired receptacle, providing a 3-wire interface to the luminaire and a wireless interface circuit for communication with control devices, allowing for wireless control and data transmission between control nodes and luminaires, enabling the integration of advanced control capabilities without physical modifications to the luminaire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the entire luminaire is replaced to upgrade from 3-pin to 5-pin or 7-pin interfaces, then advanced network control capabilities are achieved, but installation cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork control capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate functional modules: the existing luminaire (light source + driver) and a separate wireless communication device. This segmentation allows upgrading control capabilities without replacing the entire luminaire, thus reducing installation costs while achieving advanced network control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A wireless communication device acts as an intermediary between the luminaire and the control system. This intermediary provides 5-pin or 7-pin interface capabilities and wireless communication functionality without requiring modification or replacement of the existing luminaire unit, thereby achieving adaptability upgrade at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the entire luminaire is replaced to upgrade control interfaces, then advanced control capabilities are achieved, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol interface capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the control interface functionality into an independent wireless communication device, the upgrade process becomes a simple addition rather than a complete replacement, significantly reducing installation time while achieving advanced control interface capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication device is pre-configured with communication protocols and control interface capabilities before installation. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment without requiring complex on-site configuration or extensive installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional wired control systems are used, then installation is simple, but operational flexibility is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication device serves as an intermediary that bridges simple wired power connection with flexible wireless control. It receives power through traditional simple wiring while providing sophisticated wireless communication capabilities, thus maintaining installation simplicity while achieving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication device performs multiple functions: it provides wireless communication capabilities, acts as a control interface adapter, and enables various control modes (remote control, scheduling, dimming). This multi-functionality achieves operational flexibility without complicating the installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11653436B2Systems and methods for outdoor luminaire wireless control

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods which leverage the wireless communication capability present in wireless-enabled luminaires where the lamps include a short-range wireless transceiver and can be controlled by a smart appliance. The wireless capability of a luminaire may be paired with a compatible wireless interface system (e.g., adapter system) that allows for control of the luminaire via plug-in or hard-wired photocontrols and wireless network lamp control nodes. An adapter system may be provided that replaces a standard wired receptacle of a luminaire. The adapter system may include a wired interface to the luminaire which provides power to the wireless adapter system. The wireless adapter system may include a receptacle interface that receives a plug of a control node, such as photocontrol or a networked control node. The wireless adapter system may also include a wireless interface circuit that communicates control, status or other data between the connected control device and the luminaire.