Proximity-Based Power Control for Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy management systems in commercial and residential settings face challenges in accurately monitoring and controlling power usage at the individual device level, with existing solutions only realizing a fraction of their potential for energy savings, particularly due to limited monitoring and control capabilities based on user proximity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a power sensing and control device, a central receiving unit, and a user location device that uses wireless communications to monitor and control power consumption based on the user's proximity to the device, allowing for remote monitoring and control of individual plug, sensed, or switch nodes, and continuous reporting of power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If energy management systems implement comprehensive monitoring and control at individual device level, then energy savings potential increases, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the energy management function into independent plug units, each capable of autonomous sensing and control. Each plug unit operates as a separate module that can be individually installed and configured, allowing the system to scale without increasing overall complexity. This segmentation enables comprehensive device-level monitoring while maintaining simple, modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug units are designed to be self-configuring and self-managing. Upon insertion, each plug automatically detects the connected device, determines appropriate control parameters, and begins monitoring without requiring manual setup or complex system configuration. This self-service capability dramatically reduces installation complexity while enabling comprehensive energy management across multiple devices.
2Measurement precision
If control systems require manual user configuration and setup, then user control precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs all necessary configuration actions automatically during plug insertion, before the user needs to use the device. The plug unit pre-detects device characteristics, pre-configures control parameters, and pre-establishes monitoring settings without requiring any manual input from the user. This preliminary automated configuration maintains precise control capabilities while eliminating setup complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug units continuously monitor device operation and automatically adjust control parameters based on real-time feedback from sensors and device performance. This closed-loop feedback system maintains precise control adaptation without requiring user intervention, as the system self-adjusts based on observed conditions while remaining simple to operate.
3Productivity
If building controls manage only a fraction of commercial building floor space, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy management effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug unit design provides universal compatibility across multiple device types and applications. Each plug can independently manage different devices (computers, monitors, peripherals, appliances) with the same hardware and software platform. This universality enables the system to expand from managing a few devices to comprehensive building-wide energy management without requiring different systems for different applications, thereby increasing effectiveness without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple functions (power monitoring, consumption measurement, control, and communication) into a single integrated plug unit. This consolidation allows the system to manage diverse devices across entire buildings through a unified platform, dramatically expanding energy management effectiveness from partial to comprehensive coverage while maintaining simple user interaction through a single system interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous system for managing power distribution to an electrically-powered device that includes a power controller module that includes power input and power output abilities and operably connected power switching abilities, wherein the power switching is configured for actuation by an integral power management module operably connected thereto, the integral power management module including integral actuation signal detection and actuation abilities configured for, in accordance with commands and operational parameters, upon detection of an actuation signal, actuation the integral power switching to alter power output through the power output from a first output level to a second output level. The system further includes memory for storing the commands an operational parameters, and wherein the actual signal include an identification component for identifying an actuating signal, and wherein the integral actuation signal detection and actuation is configured for, upon detecting signals other than actual signals, reacting other than in response to the actuation signal.