Mobile Assistance System for Localized Heating and Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial plants, maintaining ambient temperature and lighting for human presence leads to high operational costs, as heating and illuminating entire facilities are necessary, despite people being present only in specific areas.
Innovation Solution
A mobile assistance system with localization sensors to detect individuals, temperature sensors to monitor ambient temperature, and infrared emitters to emit radiant heat and lighting units to illuminate only where people are present, reducing the need for widespread heating and lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ambient temperature is maintained throughout the entire facility, then human comfort is ensured, but heating costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform ambient heating to localized radiant heating. The infrared emitter directs thermal radiation specifically toward detected persons rather than heating the entire space, providing comfort where needed while minimizing energy consumption in unoccupied areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is segmented into targeted zones based on person detection. The system divides the facility into occupied and unoccupied zones, applying heating only to occupied zones where persons are detected, thereby reducing overall energy usage while maintaining comfort in relevant areas.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting is provided throughout the entire facility, then visibility is ensured, but lighting costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system transitions from uniform illumination to localized lighting. Lighting units are directed specifically toward areas where persons are detected, providing adequate visibility for human presence while leaving unoccupied areas unlit, thereby reducing overall lighting energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting function is segmented into active and inactive zones based on person detection. The system divides the facility into zones requiring illumination (where persons are present) and zones that can remain dark, applying lighting only where necessary to maintain visibility and safety.
3Ease of operation
If heating and lighting are provided in all areas, then human comfort and safety are ensured, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service through autonomous person detection and automatic adjustment of heating and lighting. The mobile assistance system independently detects persons, determines their locations, and activates appropriate environmental controls without manual intervention, optimizing comfort and safety while minimizing energy waste in unoccupied areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where detection data from sensors continuously informs heating and lighting control decisions. Person detection results feed back to the control system, which adjusts environmental conditions in real-time based on actual occupancy patterns, ensuring comfort where needed while reducing costs in unoccupied areas.
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
Saves on heating and lighting costs by focusing resources on areas with human presence, thus lowering overall operational expenses.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared emitter (32) for emitting radiant heat
Implementation Method 2
a localization sensor (22) for detecting a person (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile assistance system (10) to be operated in a technical plant, comprising: a drive device for moving the mobile assistance system (10) in the technical plant; a control unit (18) for controlling the drive device (12); and a communication unit (16) for wireless communication; wherein the mobile assistance system (10) comprises: a locating sensor (22) for detecting a human (2); a temperature sensor (24) for detecting an ambient temperature; and an infrared radiator (32) for emitting radiated heat. The invention also relates to a technical plant, which comprises at least one mobile assistance system according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for operating a technical plant according to the invention.