Switch Adapter for Remote Electrical Load Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical load control systems face challenges in balancing localized and centralized control, particularly in large installations where energy conservation is a concern, as highly localized solutions are difficult to maintain and operate, while highly centralized systems lack flexibility to respond to dynamic conditions such as occupancy fluctuations and lighting preferences.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an adapter that couples to a pre-existing wired switch, detecting its state and wirelessly transmitting this information to a controller, allowing remote control of electrical loads, enabling features like turning on/off and dimming, while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If highly localized control solutions are used with pre-existing wired switches, then ease of operation is maintained, but device complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase in larger installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary device that couples between the pre-existing wired switch and the electrical load. The adapter contains a sensor to detect switch state, a communications interface to wirelessly transmit this state, and a power unit to provide power. This intermediary enables remote control functionality without replacing the familiar wired switch, thus maintaining ease of operation while adding centralized control capability and reducing maintenance complexity through wireless communication.
2Productivity
If highly centralized control solutions are used, then energy management efficiency is improved, but adaptability to local dynamic conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into multiple independent components: pre-existing wired switches at local locations, adapters at each switch location, and a centralized controller. Each segment operates semi-independently, allowing local switches to maintain their familiar operation while the centralized controller aggregates data from multiple adapters to provide overall energy management. This segmentation enables both centralized efficiency and local adaptability.
3Extent of automation
If wireless control systems are implemented in new buildings, then remote control capability is achieved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages pre-existing wired switches that are already installed in buildings as the foundation of the control system. Instead of installing new wireless switches from scratch, the system performs preliminary action by utilizing the existing infrastructure and adding adapters to existing switches. This approach achieves remote control capability while minimizing device complexity and installation cost by building upon what is already in place.
4Extent of automation
If pre-existing wired switches are replaced with wireless devices, then remote control capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user unfamiliarity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing wired switches with wireless devices (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by keeping the wired switches in place and adding wireless functionality through adapters. This inversion allows users to continue operating familiar wired switches while gaining remote control capability through the adapter's wireless communication, thus improving automation without sacrificing ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for remotely controlling an electrical load are provided. A switch is associated with controlling one or more electricity-consuming devices. After electrically isolating the switch from the electricity-consuming device, an adapter is communicatively coupled to and used to detect the state of the switch. The adapter generates and wirelessly transmits a signal indicative of the detected state of the switch to a controller that controls operation of the device based on at least the state of the switch as detected by the sensor and indicated by the wirelessly transmitted signal.