Dynamic Lighting Control for Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems consume significant energy even when natural light is present, necessitating a method to dynamically adjust artificial lighting to maintain acceptable conditions while reducing energy consumption and costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize sensors to measure illuminance from both artificial and natural light sources, adjusting the intensity and characteristics of artificial lighting to achieve a target level of illuminance and color rendering index (CRI) based on natural light conditions, occupancy, and scheduling, thereby optimizing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If artificial lighting sources are operated continuously to ensure acceptable lighting conditions, then lighting quality and comfort are maintained, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts artificial light intensity based on real-time natural light conditions detected by sensors. The controller continuously monitors illuminance levels and modulates artificial lighting output to maintain target illuminance thresholds while minimizing energy consumption, transitioning from static continuous operation to dynamic adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of artificial lighting sources by adjusting intensity levels according to natural light availability. When natural illuminance exceeds thresholds, artificial lighting intensity is reduced or turned off; when natural light diminishes, artificial lighting intensity is increased to maintain acceptable lighting conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If artificial lighting is reduced when natural light is abundant, then energy consumption decreases, but lighting quality and color rendering may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control where sensors continuously measure natural light conditions and provide data to the controller, which adjusts artificial lighting in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures that artificial lighting is only reduced when natural light sufficiently meets target illuminance thresholds, and immediately restored when thresholds are not met, maintaining lighting quality while optimizing energy use.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system serves itself by automatically detecting natural light conditions and adjusting artificial lighting without manual intervention. The controller monitors sensor data and autonomously makes lighting adjustments, ensuring lighting quality is maintained while minimizing energy consumption based on actual environmental conditions.
3Device complexity
If traditional lighting control methods are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy savings are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it receives data from various sensor types (illuminance sensors, occupancy sensors), processes natural light conditions, determines when to adjust artificial lighting, and controls multiple lighting sources. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single controller while achieving significant energy savings through intelligent coordination of sensing and actuation.
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 dynamically adjusts lighting to maintain desired illuminance and CRI, achieving significant energy savings while ensuring quality lighting conditions, even when natural light is abundant, and reducing peak demand and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit to receive inputs from a plurality of sensor units, the sensor unit to determine an illuminance of the natural light and an artificial light source
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
This invention discloses a method and system for managing artificial lighting sources to provide acceptable quality of lighting while reducing cost of operation of the artificial lighting sources. In one aspect of the invention, at least one color characteristic of the artificial light source is adjusted based on an illuminance of a natural light source and the at least one color characteristic of the artificial light source.