Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
  • G04G15/00—Time-pieces comprising means to be operated at preselected times or after preselected time intervals
  • G04G15/006—Time-pieces comprising means to be operated at preselected times or after preselected time intervals for operating at a number of different times

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method and a control device for minimizing the energy consumption of an electrical load according to the preamble of claims 1, 8 and 10.
• electrical load or simply “load” is also used as a synonym for "electrical energy consumer”.
• electrically powered elements 8 or devices 20 such as incandescent lamps, gas discharge lamps, vending machines. Copiers. Computers, electric motors. Heating elements. Hobs etc.
• the energy supply to the electrical load can be interrupted manually, for example by actuating a switch, or automatically, for example by a relay; Dimming the room lighting to a minimum necessary brightness value. The flow of energy to the load is reduced to the necessary minimum.
• the object of the present invention is now to provide a method and to create a control device 1, with which the energy consumption of a load is 8, 20 mi ⁇ imie ⁇ by reducing the proportion of energy used but not used to a minimum, such that the loss of comfort caused by the saving is tolerable.
• the energy consumed but not used by an electrical load 8, 20 is minimized according to the invention by controlling the energy flow to the load 8, 20 in a way that is adapted to the individual circumstances of a ratio of used and unused energy consumption through a learning process .
• the method according to the invention is based on the fact that the energy flow to the load 8, 20 is automatically controlled with the aid of a control device 1, in that at least one primary measurement variable 2 and at least one primary target variable 3 are processed into a control variable 6 for controlling the energy flow to the load 8, 20 .
• the control device 1 additionally has means with which a user can intervene manually, in which case he may override the automatic control device 1.
• the user interventions provide the usage information and are recorded by the control device 1 in the form of at least one secondary measurement variable 4 and processed with at least one secondary target size 5 to change the primary target size 3. This results in a correction of the primary target size 3 that is adapted to individual circumstances which control the flow of energy in such a way that energy consumption is minimal and comfort is sufficient.
• control device 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the control device 1 according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the control device 1 according to the invention, as can be used for example for a light control
• FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the control device 1 according to the invention with a processing unit 14, as can be used to control a coffee machine 20;
• FIG. 4 shows a diagram to illustrate the process for controlling the coffee machine 20 according to the invention.
• the first two diagrams show the frequency of use H for two different days.
• the third diagram shows the mean H of the frequency of use from several previous days.
• the last diagram shows the determined time course for the switch-off delay thousand;
• FIG. 5 shows a further diagram to illustrate a further process for controlling the coffee machine 20 according to the invention.
• Each of these periods of use is divided into n equal sub-periods TP j , TP ,, ..., TP ⁇ . - * > -
• copiers are often switched off automatically after an adjustable delay time.
• the loss of comfort compared to continuous operation consists of the extended waiting times, which must be accepted if the device is used after the delay period.
• An improvement is possible in that the switch-off delay is not predefined by the user, but rather from the control frequencies 1 determined and stored usage frequencies, which represent a secondary measurement variable 4, and from useful delay times predefined for certain usage frequencies, which represent a secondary target variable 5 , independently developed and adapted to individual needs through this learning process.
• control device 1 will set the switch-off delay, for example in times of high and medium frequency of use, in such a way that in most cases there are no waiting times and the delay time in times of low frequency of use set a minimum so that in these times in favor of Wa ⁇ ezeit must be expected.
• Vending machines such as coffee machines 20, are generally not equipped with devices for reducing the unused energy consumption.
• the application of the method according to the invention enables the independent determination of different usage states. This can be done, for example, by repeatedly registering the number of user actions during a fixed time interval. From this data, the frequency of use can now be assigned to different states of use, for example no, small, medium or large frequency of use. Linking these usage states with the time 203 enables the independent determination of characteristic usage times. It is thus possible, for example, that automatic shutdown does not take place during times when the machine 20 is in high use, while at other times when the machine 20 is rarely used, the automatic shutdown is initiated after a short delay.
• control device 1 can recognize this according to the invention independently on the basis of the stored information about the typical usage pattern over time and adapt it to the new situation.
• FIGS. 3 and 4 an example of the method according to the invention is given below, which is illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4:
• the coffee machine 20 is fed 9 via the actuator 7, which is controlled by a microcontroller 10 of the control device 1.
• the supply voltage on the machine 20 can be switched on and off by the process. If the feed 9 of the machine 20 is interrupted by the actuator 7, the process also allows the feed 9 to be switched on by the actuator 7 when the beverage request button 402 is actuated.
• the use of a non-volatile storage medium 12, for example an EEPROM, ensures that the stored information is retained in the event of a power failure.
• the process independently determines a characteristic course for the delay time t ⁇ as a function of the time of day t.
• This course of the delay time is a primary target variable 3. If the machine 20 is switched on, then after pressing the beverage request button 402, the time t m is waited until the process 9 interrupts the feed 9 for the machine 20 on the actuator 7.
• the function t 1, (t) is determined as the primary target variable 3 as follows: The 24 hours of a day are divided into equal intervals of width ⁇ t. For each day, the process creates a data record in which the frequency of use H of the beverage request button 402 during the time interval and the state of the actuator 7 are uniquely assigned to each of the time intervals. This data record represents a secondary measurement variable 4.
• An exemplary data record is listed below, the order of interval number I, number of operations H of beverage request button 402 during interval I, state of actuator 7 being valid in the round brackets: (1,0,0) , (2,0,0), (3,3,0), (4,0,1), (5,0,0), (6,5,0), (7,8,1), ( 8,12,1) ... (120,0,0).
• This data record is stored in an EEPROM 12.
• EEPROM 12 During the following days, further such data records are formed and stored in the memory 12. After a number of days specified in the process has been exceeded, the oldest saved data record is replaced by the current data record. After each day, the process forms a data record with the average values for H (I) from all available data records and stores this in the memory 12. The process determines the function t, “, (t) from this data set according to a rule defined as secondary target variable 5 in the process.
• This function is a primary target variable 3. At any time of the day, it specifies the necessary delay time until the supply voltage of the machine 20 is switched off. After expiry of t ⁇ t) after a last actuation of the beverage request key 402 at time t, the process interrupts the feed 9 of the machine 20 by means of the actuator 7.
• FIGS. 3 and 5 Another example of an automatic coffee or beverage machine 20, which is explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, is intended to show how the method according to the invention determines the switch-on and switch-off times for the machine 20 or for parts 8 of the machine 20 as the primary target variable 3 become.
• the vending machine 9 is supplied via the actuator 7 of the control device 1.
• the control device itself is connected to the vending machine control so that it can receive a control pulse from the latter with each beverage request.
• the main switch 401 is also connected to the control device 1. If the automat 20 is switched off, it can be switched on again manually at any time by briefly actuating the main switch 401.
• the system clock of a microcontroller 10 serves as the time base 203.
• the control device 1 now divides a predetermined typical usage period BP, for example a week, into a predetermined number n of the same partial periods TP.
• the duration of TP is set at 6 minutes.
• information is stored in the memory 12 for each time interval TP, from which it emerges whether a drink request has taken place during the corresponding interval. After the two periods of use have expired, the process is repeated, the oldest stored information being overwritten.
• the memory 12 is initialized, so that the stored information shows that no use has taken place during each of the 2n partial periods. Such an initialization of the memory can be done manually, for example, using a key provided for this purpose.
• the process itself can also initiate a memory initialization if the operating voltage of the microcontroller 10 drops below a minimum value. If there is a suitable buffering of the operating voltage, the initialization does not take place immediately after a failure of the supply 9, but only after a considerable delay. This ensures that the stored data is not deleted even in the event of a power failure.
• the automat 20 can be switched on by briefly actuating the main switch 401. If no beverage is dispensed within a predetermined time after the machine 20 is switched on, which is recognized by the control device 1 due to the absence of the control pulse from the machine controller, the process switches the machine 20 off again by means of the actuator 7 provided for this purpose.
• Such an automatic switch-off does not only take place after the memory initialization, but generally after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last beverage was dispensed.
• the following options are available for switching on the machine 20:
• control device 1 After an initial learning phase, the control device 1 obviously takes over the management of the switch-on and switch-off times. Compared to a conventional time switch, such a control device 1 has the advantage that no programming of the switching times is necessary and the optimal switching times are determined independently by the control device 1. In addition, the control device 1 according to the invention is flexible and automatically adapts to changing usage habits. Likewise, no manual intervention is required when changing from summer to winter time, for example.
• the described method in which the switch-on and switch-off times are adjusted as the primary target variable 3 to the individual circumstances, can be further refined. For example, the occurrence of longer breaks in use, such as may occur on weekends or during company holidays, can be recognized.
• control device 1 allows the control device 1 to adapt to the actual conditions even in such situations, for example by switching the automat 20 on again after a weekend, or by not deleting the stored usage history during the holidays.
• connections of the control device 1 to the machine control can be dispensed with.
• the information about the use of the device is determined on the basis of a measurement variable 4, which corresponds to the instantaneous power consumption of the machine 20. For example, it can be seen from the duration of the reheating times with great output whether the automat 20 was just being used. This method is used completely where the control device 1 is connected upstream of a device 20.
• Another example is intended to show below how the method according to the invention can be used in a lighting control system to reduce energy consumption.
• lighting especially room lighting in offices, there is considerable energy saving potential.
• the lighting often remains switched on, even if the existing room lighting from daylight or other lighting sources or a combination of both would be sufficient.
• the room lighting is switched on manually if required. If the lighting conditions change so that the room lighting would no longer be required, it is usually not switched off again immediately. Some possible reasons for this are that it is not immediately recognized that the lighting conditions would allow the room lighting to be switched off, that there is no clear responsibility for switching off the lighting for several users, or that the users are not very energy-conscious and especially little at low energy prices are cost-conscious.
• twilight switches are equipped with a brightness sensor. If the measured brightness, which serves as the primary measurement variable 2, drops below a default value, this default value being a primary target value 3. then the lights are turned on; If the measured brightness rises above a further default value, the lighting is switched off again.
• the brightness sensor must be installed in such a way that it is not in the area of influence of the controlled lighting fixtures.
• Such a twilight switch also switches the light source on when it is not needed, for example when nobody is in the room.
• Conventional lighting controls can now also be equipped with motion detectors, which record the heat radiation of the human body as a secondary measurement variable 4 and react to changes in this heat radiation, such as can be caused, for example, by movements of a person.
• a built-in timer activates a switch-off delay for the lighting after the last movement has been detected. This delay is a primary target variable 3.
• this switch-off delay is modified in the latest devices on the basis of the currently registered movement frequency on the movement detector according to a defined manner .
• the lighting control described above can be further improved by using the learning process according to the invention, in that on the one hand, as the primary target variable 3, the predetermined brightness level, below which the lighting is activated, is modified based on the brightness-related switch-on behavior of the user, and on the other hand, as the primary target variable 3 the switch-off delay is changed on the basis of accumulated experience about the time usage behavior.
• the primary measurement variable 2 is, for example, the time 203 and the secondary measurement variable 4 the frequency of use, the secondary target variable 5 being a function which describes the originally predefined relationship between the frequency of use and the switch-off delay.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 An exemplary process for carrying out the method according to the invention in the case of a lighting control is described below, FIGS. 1 and 2 serving for illustration.
• the task of the control device 1 is to switch off the lighting 8 independently as soon as the brightness 201, 202 is "sufficiently high", but not to switch it on again independently, even if the brightness 201, 202 is no longer "sufficiently high”.
• the term “sufficiently high” is independently defined as well as possible by the control device 1.
• a start value Ho for the current limit brightness Ha at which the lighting 8 is to be switched off is entered on the basis of a function specified as the secondary target variable 5.
• Ha is a primary target variable 3. If the lighting 8 is switched on and the brightness 201, 202 as the primary measurement variable 2 exceeds the Wen Ho for a predetermined period of time, the lighting 8 is automatically switched off by the control device 1 by means of the actuator 7 and it is A data record in the EEPROM 12 is stored with information about the cause of the change in the lighting state, the cause being either the control device 1 itself or a user action, with information about the state of the actuator 7 before the change, and with information about the current brightness 201 , 202.
• the current limit brightness Ha is determined according to a predetermined algorithm, in which data records previously stored are also stored considered are reduced within specified limits. However, if there is a change on actuator 403 within the reaction time, this is an indication that the current limit brightness Ha is too low. Analogous to the switch-off process, a data record with the corresponding information is again stored. As soon as enough data records are stored, a characteristic Wen for Ha is determined by averaging from the information about the switch-off brightness that has arisen at different times.
• the algorithm for calculating Ha is modified in such a way that the influence of "atypical user behavior", such as briefly switching the lighting 8 on and off, is less strongly weighted when Ha is adapted.
• a statement about what is "typical” and what is "atypical user behavior” is made possible by the information stored in connection with the user behavior at different times.
• the time 203 can also be used as the primary measurement variable 2 for controlling the lighting. This makes sense everywhere where the use of the lighting coils with the time of day rather than with the brightness 201, 202, that is to say, for example, in offices with insufficient daylight.
• the manual actuation of the light switch 403 or a motion detector can be used as the secondary measurement variable 4.
• Another advantage of the method according to the invention is the possibility of receiving data as measured variables ⁇ ⁇ .
• the control device 1 can record and store information about other control devices. On the basis of this data, * control device 1 can modify the processing of further measured variables 2, 4.
• the devices which transmit data to the control device 1 do not necessarily have to be of the same type as the control device 1 itself. You only have to use a serial communication method that is recognized by the control device 1. Some examples of such information-overriding devices are mentioned below: infrared remote control, modulation of the supply voltage 9 of the control device 1 by a blind control, manual pulse-width coding on a special control line of the control device 1.
• Control devices 1, as described in the preceding examples, can be constructed in a very compact manner. In particular, because of the adaptability of such devices, it is possible to record the measured variables 2, 4 directly in the device 1 itself. By integrating the actuator 7 with the other components of the control device 1 in a common housing, considerable cost savings can also be achieved during installation.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
• Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
• Control Of Electric Motors In General (AREA)
• Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
• Supply And Distribution Of Alternating Current (AREA)
• Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)

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• 1994
  • 1994-09-02 AT AT94924679T patent/ATE194228T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1994-09-02 DE DE59409412T patent/DE59409412D1/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1994-09-02 WO PCT/CH1994/000172 patent/WO1995007500A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1994-09-02 EP EP94924679A patent/EP0667968B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1994-09-02 AU AU74888/94A patent/AU7488894A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1994-09-02 US US08/416,685 patent/US5673202A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

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