Lighting Load State Retention for Power Restoration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems struggle to distinguish between intentional and unintentional power removal events, leading to undesirable default intensity levels when power is restored, especially during blackouts or brownouts.
Innovation Solution
A load control system that includes control devices capable of detecting power removal events and determining whether they are local or system events, allowing for state correction by recalling prior power states and adjusting the intensity of lighting devices accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the light bulbs are set to default intensity level (100%) upon power restoration, then the lighting system is simple to operate, but the energy consumption increases and user comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting power removal events and storing the prior power state (intensity level) before power is restored. When power returns, the system automatically retrieves and applies the stored state, preventing the bulbs from defaulting to 100% intensity and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining user comfort.
2Device complexity
If the light bulbs default to full intensity upon power restoration, then the device complexity is low, but the user comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the power state of the lighting system. When a power removal event is detected, the system stores the previous intensity level. Upon power restoration, the stored state is retrieved and applied, creating a feedback loop that maintains user comfort without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system performs self-service by automatically detecting power removal events, storing the prior state, and restoring the previous intensity level without user intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains user comfort while avoiding the need for complex manual reconfiguration upon power restoration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system distinguishes between intentional and unintentional power removal events, then the user comfort improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary approach by implementing a state storage and retrieval mechanism that acts as a mediator between power removal events and the lighting output. The system stores the prior power state and uses it to determine the appropriate intensity level upon power restoration, providing a balanced solution that improves user comfort while avoiding excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may detect a power removal event, determine whether the power removal event is a local power removal event or a system power removal event, and perform state correction. For example, the device may receive an indication of a state change event turning on the lighting device. The indication may be received from a sensor. For example, the sensor may include a photosensing circuit (e.g., capable of detecting light emission from the lighting device) or the sensor may include a live voltage sensor (e.g., capable of detecting a change in current driven to the lighting device). The device may then determine whether the power removal event is a system power removal event or a local power removal event. If the device determines that the power removal event is a system power removal event, the device may perform state correction (e.g., setting the lighting device to its state prior to the power removal event).