Dual-Mode Light Sensor for Parallel Electric and Daylight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building lighting control systems that integrate daylight and electric light controls often operate sequentially, leading to user dissatisfaction due to long waiting times and inefficiencies in energy savings, as they require communication between subsystems and can result in suboptimal energy consumption and daylight provision.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses dual-mode light sensors to measure and control both electric light and external light sources independently, allowing them to adjust simultaneously to meet user-defined luminance levels without direct communication, thereby optimizing energy consumption and user satisfaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential control operation is used (first window treatments, then electric lights), then control simplicity is maintained, but user satisfaction decreases due to long waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into two independent parallel control loops: one for window treatments and one for electric lights. Each loop operates independently with its own controller, eliminating the sequential dependency while maintaining control simplicity. The segmentation allows simultaneous operation without requiring complex inter-loop communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning window treatments based on predicted lighting needs before occupants arrive or before lighting conditions change. This anticipatory control reduces waiting time by having adjustments ready in advance, while the independent parallel structure maintains operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If independent control loops are used for window treatments and electric lights, then system reliability improves, but control coordination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shared light sensor as an intermediary that both independent control loops reference. The sensor provides a common measurement of ambient light levels that both the window treatment controller and electric light controller use to make coordinated adjustments, eliminating the need for direct communication between controllers while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where each controller continuously monitors the effect of its actions on the overall lighting condition and adjusts accordingly. The window treatment controller and electric light controller both receive feedback from the light sensor and independently adjust their outputs to achieve the desired lighting level, creating self-coordinating independent loops.
3Loss of energy
If integrated control with central controller is used, then energy savings improve, but system complexity increases due to communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control architecture into decentralized independent loops that each make local control decisions based on shared sensor data. This eliminates the need for a central controller and complex communication infrastructure, while still achieving energy savings through coordinated control of window treatments and electric lights based on ambient light conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Each control loop serves itself by independently processing the shared light sensor data and making autonomous control decisions. The window treatment controller and electric light controller both use the same ambient light measurement to determine their respective adjustments, enabling energy optimization without requiring centralized coordination or complex communication protocols.
4Measurement precision
If dual-mode light sensor is used to measure both external and electric light components, then measurement precision improves, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or multi-sensor systems with a computational approach using a standard light sensor. By implementing algorithms that analyze temporal patterns and spectral characteristics of light, the system can separate external daylight from electric light components using software processing instead of expensive specialized hardware, achieving high measurement precision with cost-effective sensors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables parallel operation of electric lights and window treatments, reducing energy consumption and meeting user setpoints more efficiently by linking their control via measured light components, thus minimizing waiting times and enhancing user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
dual-mode light sensor... spectral light sensors... that can identify the external light component and the electric light component in a space
Data Source
AI summary
An electric light and external light control system for a space with a dual-mode light sensor is proposed. The dual-mode light sensor (106) measures and computes the amount of external light and electrical light incident on its sensing surface. The individual measured light components (total light, electric light and external light) are transmitted to the window treatment controller (103) and the electric light controller (102). The controllers (102, 103) use this information to optimally control the lighting condition to meet user requirements and reduce energy consumption. Both controllers (102, 103) operate concurrently and independently, but are linked via the dual-mode sensor (106).