Intelligent Switches for Automated Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated lighting control systems in commercial buildings face inefficiencies, including unnecessary energy consumption, premature bulb burnout, and inconvenience due to time-based controls and motion sensors, as well as the need for costly re-wiring and ineffective detection of burnt-out bulbs.
Innovation Solution
A rules-based automated lighting control system using intelligent switches with receivers, processors, and circuit interrupters that receive and execute wireless communication signals, allowing for remote control and detection of burnt-out bulbs without re-wiring, and incorporating a gateway for communication with a remote server to manage multiple switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If time of day control or motion sensors are used to automate lighting control, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system becomes inconvenient and less adaptable to actual usage patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static time-based or motion-based controls to dynamic rules-based controls that can adapt to changing conditions. The rules engine allows the lighting system to respond dynamically to occupancy patterns, time of day, and user-defined conditions, making the system both energy-efficient and adaptable to actual usage patterns without sacrificing convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where occupancy sensors, time of day information, and user interactions are continuously monitored and used to adjust lighting control rules. This feedback loop enables the system to learn and adapt to actual usage patterns, resolving the contradiction between energy savings and operational convenience.
2Extent of automation
If conventional automated lighting control systems are installed, then lighting control is achieved, but costly re-wiring of the electrical system is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intelligent switches as intermediary devices that can be installed in place of existing light switches without requiring re-wiring of the entire electrical system. These switches act as mediators between the existing electrical infrastructure and the new automated control system, enabling lighting automation through wireless communication while avoiding costly re-wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical re-wiring approaches with wireless communication-based control. Instead of installing new wiring throughout the building, the system uses wireless signals to communicate control instructions to intelligent switches, substituting mechanical installation complexity with software-based control.
3Productivity
If conventional lighting control systems are used, then basic lighting control is provided, but the system cannot effectively detect or address burnt out bulbs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from occupancy sensors and electrical measurements to detect changes in lighting circuit behavior that indicate burnt out bulbs. By continuously monitoring current draw and occupancy status, the system can identify when bulbs are malfunctioning and alert maintenance personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting control system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own electrical parameters to detect burnt out bulbs without requiring external inspection. The intelligent switches automatically detect anomalies in their circuits and can trigger alerts, enabling the system to service itself and maintain effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control system comprising a plurality of intelligent switches designed to replace a conventional light switch, each of the intelligent switches including a receiver configured to receive communication signals that include rules based instructions for controlling one or more lighting circuits; a circuit interrupter configured to control the amount of current flowing to a lighting circuit; a memory configured to store the rules based instructions; and a processor coupled with the receiver, memory, and circuit interrupter, the processor configured to control the operation of the circuit interrupter based on the rules based instructions stored in memory.