Integrated Load Control for Power and Occupant Comfort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems fail to optimize power consumption by independently adjusting components without considering the impact on other components or occupant comfort, leading to increased power usage and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A system controller that predicts and adaptively adjusts lighting intensities, motorized window treatment positions, and temperature levels using data to minimize power consumption while maintaining comfort metrics, balancing factors like thermal comfort, daylight glare, and lighting levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If load control systems independently adjust individual components (lighting, heating, cooling, window treatments) to reduce power consumption, then power consumption by individual components is reduced, but total power consumption increases due to tangential effects on other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple load control devices (lighting, heating, cooling, window treatments) into a single integrated system controlled by one system controller. This allows the controller to evaluate the interrelationships between components and adjust them in coordination, preventing the tangential effects that occur when components are adjusted independently. The controller considers how changing one component affects others, optimizing total power consumption rather than just individual component consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If load control systems adjust components to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but occupant comfort deteriorates due to effects on other components
Solution Approach 1:
The system controller continuously monitors comfort metrics (lighting intensity, temperature, window treatment position) and power consumption, using this feedback to make real-time adjustments. The controller evaluates the impact of adjusting one component on both power consumption and comfort, and makes coordinated adjustments to maintain comfort while reducing power. This closed-loop control prevents the comfort deterioration that occurs when components are adjusted independently without considering their interrelationships.
3Use of energy by moving object
If load control systems make adjustments to consume less power, then power consumption is reduced, but occupants manually adjust the system resulting in increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system controller autonomously monitors and adjusts all load control devices without requiring manual intervention from occupants. The controller independently evaluates the system state, determines optimal settings for power consumption and comfort, and implements coordinated adjustments across multiple components. This self-service capability eliminates the need for occupants to manually adjust individual devices, preventing the increased power consumption that results from manual adjustments and ensuring the system operates at optimal efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A load control environment may be controlled by adjusting load control devices, such as a lighting intensity level, a level of the covering material for a motorized window treatment, and/or a temperature level to reduce and/or optimize the consumption of power. The optimization of power may include reducing the total cost and consumption of power, while maintaining a target or minimum level of comfort for occupants and/or a net monetary gain. The optimization of power consumption may be performed by adaptively controlling the load control devices to reduce the total power consumption of the load control environment, while maintaining a minimum level for comfort metrics indicating a level of occupant comfort and/or the net monetary gain associated with the comfort metrics.