Wireless Warning Lamp Network for Centralized Industrial Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warning light systems face complexity in monitoring multiple technical units across different generations and incompatible bus systems, limiting their ability to implement centralized monitoring and posing safety risks in large industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A warning light device with separate electronic lamp connections for data and control signal transmission between warning lamps, including transmitters and receivers for wireless communication, and a central control unit for unified monitoring, allowing for the connection of diverse technical units with different electronics and control systems without requiring uniform bus systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If warning lamps are monitored through existing control systems or bus networks, then centralized monitoring capability is achieved, but system complexity increases due to incompatible bus systems and different generations of machines
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring function by introducing a dedicated wireless communication layer between warning lamps and the central control unit. Each warning lamp operates independently with its own microcontroller and wireless transceiver, eliminating the need to integrate diverse machine bus systems into a unified network. This segmentation allows each component to function autonomously while contributing to centralized monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication intermediary is introduced between the warning lamps and the central control unit. The microcontrollers in each warning lamp convert status signals into wireless transmissions (e.g., via radio frequency), which are then received and processed by the central unit. This intermediary layer translates diverse machine-specific protocols into a universal communication format, resolving incompatibility issues without requiring direct integration of legacy bus systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different bus systems are integrated for centralized monitoring, then comprehensive monitoring coverage is achieved, but technical and electronic complexity increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The warning lamp system implements a universal communication interface using standard wireless communication protocols (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or proprietary RF). Each warning lamp's microcontroller can communicate with any central control unit regardless of the underlying machine's original bus system. This universal interface allows the same hardware design to monitor diverse equipment from different manufacturers and eras without requiring custom integration for each machine type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical/electrical bus system connections with wireless communication. Instead of requiring direct electrical connections through compatible bus interfaces, the system uses electromagnetic wave transmission via radio frequency. This substitution eliminates the need for physical integration of different bus systems, as wireless signals can traverse through air space without being constrained by electrical protocol compatibility. The microcontroller in each warning lamp handles protocol conversion, making the system agnostic to the original machine's communication infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If warning lamps are monitored remotely via wireless communication, then operational flexibility is improved, but allocation ability of indicated operating states is impaired in large workshops with numerous technical units
Solution Approach 1:
The central control unit implements a feedback mechanism that receives wireless status signals from multiple warning lamps and provides structured information back to operators. The system prioritizes and organizes alerts based on severity, location, and machine identity, presenting them in a hierarchical display format. This feedback loop ensures that even with numerous monitored units, operators receive organized, actionable information rather than overwhelming raw data, maintaining clear allocation ability while preserving remote monitoring flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A warning light device having a first warning lamp (1) having at least one first light unit (2) with at least one first lighting element for visually indicating at least one operating state of a first technical unit (30) for a first electronic control device (32) and at least one second warning lamp (1) having at least one second light unit (2) with at least one second lighting element for visually indicating at least one operating state of a second technical unit (30) for a second electronic control device (32) wherein an electronic equipment connection (31) is provided for transmitting data and/or control signals between the technical units. This is achieved by having at least one electronic warning lamp connection (6, 9, 11, 13) for transmitting data and/or control signals between the at least two warning lamps (1) with the electronic warning lamp connection (6, 9, 11, 13) having at least one transmitter and/or receiver (11) for the wireless control signal and/or data transmission.