Hub-Based Load Control for Restoring Previous Light Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems fail to distinguish between intentional and unintentional power removal events, causing light bulbs to revert to a default high intensity level upon power restoration, which is undesirable for users during unintentional power outages.
Innovation Solution
A load control system with a hub device that determines the nature of power removal events (local or system-wide) and communicates power states to control devices to restore them to their previous settings upon power restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is removed and restored to light bulbs, then the light bulbs turn on to a default intensity level, but this causes undesirable high intensity lighting during unintentional power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing the power state (intensity level) in memory before power removal occurs. When power is restored, the controller retrieves the stored state and applies it to the light bulb, preventing the default high intensity from activating. This advance preparation ensures the light bulb returns to its previous intensity level rather than defaulting to maximum.
2Ease of operation
If the system restores light bulbs to default intensity upon power restoration, then the system operation is simple, but this fails to provide consistent lighting conditions during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring and storing the actual power state of the light bulb before power removal. The controller reads this stored state information upon power restoration and uses it to adjust the light bulb's intensity accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the lighting conditions remain stable and consistent with user expectations, rather than defaulting to high intensity.
3Measurement precision
If the system distinguishes between intentional and unintentional power removal events, then the lighting control accuracy is improved, but this increases the system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary component (memory device) that stores power state information independently of the power removal cause. The controller interacts with this intermediary to retrieve stored state data without needing to directly analyze or distinguish between intentional and unintentional power removal events. This intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining accurate power state restoration.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may include control devices for controlling power provided to an electrical load. The control devices may include an input device and a load control device. The load control system may include a hub device. The hub device may include a communication circuit and a control circuit. The communication circuit may be configured to receive a digital message from the control device. The control circuit may be configured to determine, based on content of the digital message, whether the control device has experienced a power removal event. The hub device may send, via the communication circuit, a power removal event indication to the control device of whether the control device has experienced the power removal event.