Refrigerated Merchandiser Light Networking for Coordinated Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerated merchandisers lack an efficient communication system to coordinate light output between units, leading to energy wastage and inconsistent illumination, as they typically rely on simple 'on' or 'off' states controlled by motion sensors without a networked solution.
Innovation Solution
A visible light-based communication network using light assemblies and sensors to encode and transmit data between refrigerated merchandisers, allowing for coordinated light level adjustment and energy conservation by encoding signals in light pulses undetectable to the human eye, utilizing microcontrollers and light sensors to manage LED light sources across multiple units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If motion sensors are used to control light fixtures with simple on/off states, then energy consumption is reduced when there is no consumer traffic, but light output cannot be smoothly varied and energy wastage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static on/off light control to dynamic continuous dimming control. The microcontroller receives analog light sensor signals and adjusts the light assembly output continuously between 0% and 100% based on ambient light conditions and consumer presence, enabling smooth variation of light output rather than abrupt on/off states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using light sensors to detect ambient light levels and consumer presence, then feeding this information back to the microcontroller which adjusts the light assembly output accordingly. This closed-loop control enables automatic adaptation to changing conditions while optimizing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If light fixtures are turned off to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but inconsistent illumination occurs across different merchandisers
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides universal control across multiple merchandisers through a common communication protocol. The microcontroller can independently control each light assembly while maintaining coordinated operation across the entire retail environment, enabling consistent illumination strategies to be applied universally while allowing individual adjustment based on local conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Each merchandiser equipped with light sensors provides feedback about ambient light conditions and consumer presence to its microcontroller, enabling automatic adjustment of light output to maintain consistent illumination levels across different locations while optimizing energy consumption at each site.
3Productivity
If a communication network is implemented to coordinate light output between merchandisers, then energy management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary communication network consisting of microcontrollers and light sensors to coordinate between merchandisers. The light sensors detect ambient conditions and consumer presence, the microcontrollers process this information and control the light assemblies, acting as intermediaries that enable coordinated energy management without requiring complex direct control systems between units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each merchandiser is equipped with its own microcontroller and light sensor, enabling it to autonomously monitor its ambient light conditions and consumer presence, then automatically adjust its own light assembly output without requiring external control. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining coordination across multiple units.
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
This solution enables synchronized light level adjustments across multiple merchandisers, reducing energy consumption by smoothly varying light output between 0% and 100% without turning lights completely off, ensuring consistent illumination and efficient energy management.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor coupled to the case to detect light pulses and to generate a signal indicative of the light pulses
Data Source
AI summary
A merchandiser communication system including a first plurality of merchandisers arranged in a first row and a second plurality of merchandisers arranged in a second row. Each of the merchandisers includes a light assembly coupled to a case to illuminate a product display area, a light sensor coupled to the case to detect light pulses, and a microcontroller. The light sensor is in visual proximity with one or more of the adjacent merchandisers located across the aisle. The microcontroller is in electrical communication with the light assembly and the light sensor to operate the light assembly to encode the signal in light pulses of the light assembly that are not detectable by a human eye. The communication system also includes a visible light-based communication network in communication with the merchandisers and is operable to communicate the encoded light pulses among the merchandisers via the light assemblies and the light sensors.