Grouping Light Sensors for Uniform Illumination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building automation systems fail to provide uniform and aesthetically pleasing illumination in environments with supplemental daylight, as single light sensors do not reliably represent ambient light levels across entire spaces, leading to inconsistent lighting levels and limited control over energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Innovation Solution
A building automation system that groups lighting fixtures into daylight groups, where multiple light sensors report ambient light levels to an energy manager, which determines a group light level and adjusts illumination uniformly across all fixtures, ensuring consistent and aesthetically pleasing lighting while optimizing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light sensor is used to control an entire group of fixtures, then the system complexity is reduced, but the illumination uniformity and accuracy of ambient light representation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control function by dividing light sensors and light fixtures into corresponding groups. Each group's sensors independently control that group's fixtures, creating multiple autonomous control units. This segmentation allows each sensor to accurately represent ambient light for its specific zone while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional control approach (one sensor for all fixtures) to a multi-dimensional approach where sensors and fixtures are organized in spatial groups. Each group operates independently in its own control dimension, allowing parallel processing of ambient light data and fixture control across multiple zones simultaneously.
2Illumination intensity
If a light sensor is placed at each light fixture to control individual fixtures, then the illumination accuracy for each fixture is improved, but the overall energy management and comfort control for the general area deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the control functions of multiple fixtures into groups, where a single sensor controls all fixtures within its group. This consolidation maintains fixture-level control capability while improving overall energy management through coordinated group operation, reducing communication overhead, and enabling centralized monitoring of total energy consumption for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor group serves multiple functions: it controls illumination for all fixtures in its group, monitors overall ambient light conditions for the zone, and provides aggregated energy consumption data. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both local fixture control and global energy management without requiring separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual fixtures are controlled independently, then the adaptability to local ambient light conditions is improved, but the aesthetic quality and uniformity of illumination across the environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the environment into multiple zones, each with its own sensor and fixture groups. This segmentation allows each zone to independently adapt to its local ambient light conditions while maintaining aesthetic illumination quality within that zone. The uniformity is preserved within each segment, and the segments collectively provide comprehensive adaptability across the entire environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor group is responsible for maintaining appropriate illumination quality for its specific local area, adapting to the ambient light conditions of that particular zone. This local quality approach ensures that each region receives aesthetically pleasing illumination tailored to its specific conditions, while the collection of zones provides overall environmental adaptability.
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
The system achieves uniform illumination and enhanced energy efficiency by accurately responding to ambient light levels, minimizing noticeable shifts in light intensity and ensuring reliable operation, even in the presence of poor communication, thereby improving occupant comfort and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The light sensors, which may be employed in a lighting device configured as a reporting device or a reporting and acting device, detect ambient light levels of the environment
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
There is described a building automation system (100) for controlling illumination uniformly based on ambient light. Light sensors (104) are distributed within an environment and detect ambient light levels of the environment. An energy manager (102) receives the ambient light levels from the light sensors (104) and determines a group light level based on the ambient light levels. Light sources (106) are distributed within the environment and provide illumination uniformly based on the group light level.