Broadcast Load Control for Independent Room-Level Energy Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load control systems in buildings operate independently, lacking system-wide control and management capabilities such as demand response and whole-building timeclock functions.
Innovation Solution
A load control system with independently-controlled units and a broadcast controller that communicates wirelessly to enable system-wide coordination, allowing for functions like demand response and timeclock control without requiring additional wiring or reprogramming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If independently-operating systems are used in each room, then installation and maintenance become easier and system flexibility increases, but system-wide control and coordination capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independently-operating room-level systems (commanders and energy controllers) that can be installed and maintained separately, while a broadcast controller provides optional system-wide coordination. This segmentation allows easy installation in individual rooms without requiring building-wide wiring changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy controllers are designed with dual functionality: they can operate independently in response to local commanders, and they can also receive and execute commands from the broadcast controller for system-wide operations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling both independent operation and coordinated control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If independently-operating systems are used in each room, then system flexibility and ease of maintenance improve, but demand response and whole-building timeclock functions cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates local control functionality (independent commanders and energy controllers) from building-wide management functions (broadcast controller). This allows the system to maintain flexibility at the room level while enabling centralized energy management when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadcast controller acts as an intermediary that can transmit commands to multiple energy controllers across different rooms simultaneously. This intermediary enables demand response and timeclock functions without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between all system components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized control system is implemented across the building, then system-wide control capabilities are achieved, but installation complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical wiring-based control with wireless communication technology. The broadcast controller transmits commands wirelessly to energy controllers, eliminating the need for complex building-wide control wiring while maintaining system-wide control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy controllers are designed to accept commands from multiple sources (local commanders and broadcast controller), allowing the same device to function in both decentralized and centralized control modes without requiring separate hardware installations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional wiring is installed for system-wide control, then centralized control capabilities are achieved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless communication technology substitutes for physical wiring installation. The broadcast controller communicates with energy controllers through wireless signals, eliminating the need to install additional control wiring throughout the building and dramatically reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed so that energy controllers are pre-configured to accept both local and broadcast commands. This preliminary configuration allows the system to support system-wide control capabilities from the outset without requiring retroactive wiring installations.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to a plurality of electrical load includes a plurality of independent units responsive to a broadcast controller. Each independent unit includes at least one commander and at least one energy controller for controlling at least one of the electrical loads in response to a control signal received from the commander. The independent units are configured and operate independent of each other. The broadcast controller transmits wireless signals to the energy controllers of the independent units. The energy controllers do not respond to control signals received from the commanders of other independent units, but the energy controllers of both independent units respond to the wireless signals transmitted by broadcast controller. The energy controller may operate in different operating modes in response to the wireless signals transmitted by the broadcast controller.