Lighting Control Device for Energy-Saving Presence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting control systems consume excessive energy by illuminating areas both with and without people, regardless of external light conditions, which reduces energy-saving benefits.

Innovation Solution

A lighting control device that includes an image sensor, detector, controller, and switch to differentiate between external light presence and absence, adjusting lighting fixture operation modes to optimize energy usage by controlling lighting based on presence or absence of people and external light conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the lighting control device controls lighting fixtures to maintain target brightness regardless of external light conditions, then the brightness of the illuminated space can be maintained, but energy consumption increases because lighting fixtures must be kept on even when no one is present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness of illuminated spaceVSAvoidenergy consumption of lighting fixtures

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the control approach by dividing the illuminated space into multiple regions and controlling lighting fixtures independently for each region. The controller receives detection results from image sensors for each region and controls lighting fixtures corresponding to each region separately, allowing lighting to be turned off or reduced in areas where no one is present while maintaining brightness in occupied areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality control by adjusting illumination intensity based on local presence detection. The controller controls lighting fixtures in each region according to detection results specific to that region, providing appropriate illumination only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire space, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining necessary brightness levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the lighting control device uses image sensors to detect presence and brightness, then accurate control can be achieved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple sensors and control modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of presence and brightnessVSAvoidsystem complexity with multiple sensors and control modes

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor performs multiple functions: it detects both presence of people and brightness levels of the illuminated space. The controller processes detection results to determine both occupancy status and illumination conditions, then controls lighting fixtures accordingly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors for presence detection and brightness measurement, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the control logic for presence-based lighting control and brightness-based lighting control into a single controller that processes image sensor data. The controller integrates multiple control strategies (presence detection, brightness measurement, external light judgment) and coordinates lighting fixture control based on combined information, reducing the need for separate control systems and simplifying the overall architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If the lighting control device individually controls lighting fixtures based on presence detection, then energy-saving effect is improved, but the control system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy-saving effectVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 high energy-saving effects by selectively illuminating only necessary areas when people are present and reducing overall energy consumption by adjusting lighting levels according to external light conditions, while maintaining comfortable illumination.

Implementation Method 1

an image sensor for capturing an image of the illuminated space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9451676B2Lighting control device and lighting system

Publication Date: 2016.09.20 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A detector detects first information which represents sensing presence or absence of a person in an illuminated space and represents a position of the person in the illuminated space when sensing the presence, and second information representing brightness of the illuminated space. When external light enters the illuminated space, a controller receives both detected results of first information and second information and controls lighting fixtures in a lump so that the second information becomes a prescribed target value when the presence is sensed. When no external light enters the illuminated space, the controller receives a detected result of the first information and individually controls respective lighting fixtures in accordance with the first information regardless of the second information.