Occupancy Sensors Predicting Future States for Modular Electrical Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical wiring systems in buildings are difficult and costly to modify, and traditional switches and outlets lack integrated multi-room control and occupancy detection capabilities, limiting flexibility and safety in responding to changing needs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising occupancy sensors that predict future occupancy states and actuate electrical loads, integrated with modular device control units that can be toollessly interchanged within electrical junction boxes, enabling customizable control of building functions and loads through a configurable network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electrical wiring systems are modified to add control capabilities, then functionality is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control functionality into separate modular device control units that can be independently installed and configured. Each unit handles specific control tasks, allowing the system to be built incrementally without requiring complete system redesign or extensive rewiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The device control units are designed to perform multiple functions including occupancy detection, predictive control, and actuation of various electrical loads. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into unified control nodes, adding versatility without proportional increases in complexity.
2Ease of operation
If occupancy detection and predictive control are added to switches and outlets, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines occupancy sensors, predictive control logic, and load actuation capabilities into integrated device control units that replace traditional switches and outlets. This merging eliminates the need for separate occupancy sensors and control systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining enhanced user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The device control units autonomously detect occupancy, predict future occupancy states, and automatically actuate electrical loads without requiring manual user intervention. This self-service capability improves user convenience by eliminating the need for users to manually control each device while keeping the individual unit design relatively simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing wiring systems are altered to support integrated control, then system functionality is improved, but installation difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device control units are pre-configured with occupancy detection and predictive control capabilities before installation. This preliminary configuration allows the units to be installed as drop-in replacements for existing switches and outlets without requiring modification of the existing wiring infrastructure, significantly easing installation while maintaining integrated control functionality.
4Loss of energy
If predictive control based on historical occupancy data is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but processing requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The predictive control implementation focuses on the most impactful occupancy patterns and time periods rather than attempting to model all possible scenarios. By applying predictive control selectively to high-value cases, the system achieves meaningful energy efficiency improvements while keeping processing requirements and device complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for occupancy prediction includes one or more occupancy sensors configured to detect a current occupancy state of one or more detection zones including at least one of occupied by one or more occupants or vacant of occupants. The system including one or more occupancy sensors configured to predict a future occupancy state of the one or more zones based on the current occupancy state and one or more historical occupancy states, wherein at least one occupancy sensor of the one or more occupancy sensor is communicatively coupled to an electrical load. The system including at least one occupancy sensor is configured to actuate the electrical load based on the predicted future occupancy state of the one or more zones.