EP0667968B1 - Method and device for minimizing the energy consumption of an electrical load - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/CH94/00172 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 7, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 7, 1995 PCT Filed Sep. 2, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/07500 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 16, 1995A controlling device is operated continuously throughout the day to minimize the energy consumption of an electrical load. The controlling device processes at least one primary measured value and at least one primary nominal value to obtain a control value. The control value is output by the controlling device for controlling the flow of energy to the electrical load throughout the day. The at least one primary nominal value is adjusted for individual conditions occurring throughout the day by using an output obtained by processing at least one secondary measured value and at least one secondary nominal value. The at least one secondary measured value is influenced by a user. The energy consumption of the electrical load is minimized while the comfort level of the electrical load (i.e., readiness of the electrical load when usage is expected) is maximized or optimized.

Description

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 and 8.

Since the beginning of industrialization, the energy consumption per capita of the population has been massive increased and is still increasing. The direct and indirect consequences of this Development is difficult to estimate. The very fact that society is up today limited available energy reserves such as oil or coal and not in Being able to live in balance with nature requires appropriate measures to reduce energy consumption.

There are various ways of reducing energy consumption: by foregoing Performance, which also means giving up comfort, by improving efficiency Conversion or transportation of energy and avoiding useless Waste of energy.

In the case of electrical energy consumers in particular, there are various devices and Known methods for avoiding unused energy consumption. The following will also the term "electrical load" or simply "load" as a synonym for "electrical Energy consumer "is used. This means that any electrically powered elements 8 or Devices 20, such as incandescent lamps, gas discharge lamps, Vending machines, copiers, computers, electric motors, heating elements, hobs etc.

• Ausschalten von Geräten, wenn diese nicht gebraucht werden. Die Energiezufuhr zur elektrischen Last kann dabei manuell, beispielsweise durch die Betätigung eines Schalten, oder automatisch, beispielsweise durch ein Relais, unterbrochen werden;
• Dimmen der Raumbeleuchtung auf einen minimal notwendigen Helligkeitswert. Dabei wird der Energiefluss zur Last auf das notwendige Minimum gedrosselt.

To illustrate, here are some examples of how to avoid wasted energy:

• Switch off devices when they are not needed. 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.

In the international search report the European application EP, A, 0376049 is mentioned. It describes a timer with a microcomputer. An electrical load can be switched on and off depending on the time as the primary measurement and the programmed switch-on and switch-off times as the primary setpoint. The timer also has a programmable timer. With this timer, the controlled load can be switched on or off temporarily during the preselected duration, regardless of the programmed switch-on and switch-off times. If the electrical load is used outside the programmed times, the timer automatically returns to the programmed on and off times after the timer has expired. This ensures that a controlled device does not remain switched on unnoticed, as is often the case with conventional time switches with a bypass switch.
However, such timers have the disadvantage that the primary target values are fixed: The programmed times often do not correspond to the actual requirements and do not automatically adapt to new requirements.

From the document GB, A, 2146797 mentioned in the international search report is one Control to minimize the energy consumption of a hot water treatment system known. Depending on the primary measurand, the time of day is determined based on the consumption Amount of water as a secondary measurement and due to the water temperature of the Energy requirements determined at different times of the day. Depending on the expected Energy requirements at different times of the day are then suitable setpoints for the Calculated water temperature. During times with expected low energy consumption the setpoint for the water temperature is reduced. This can cause heat loss be minimized.

Automatic copiers or laser printers are known to have a relatively high level Have energy consumption in standby mode. One way to reduce the unused In this case, energy is, for example, the use of a time switch, which at certain times, where the device is unlikely to be used, an automatic one Device shutdown allowed. In this case, there is still a significant proportion unused energy. In the Ravel manual "Use electricity efficiently; comprehensive Basic knowledge and practical guide to the rational use of electricity ", published by BfK / vdf 1992, it is mentioned on page 249 that the latest devices according to a selectable delay time after use automatically in a Consumption state can change with lower energy consumption, which in Periods with lower usage frequency energy is saved, but then in these times with longer warm-up times and thus longer waiting times must become.

To avoid unused energy consumption, a distinction must first be made can, whether the energy consumed is used energy or not, and whether saving the unused energy leads to a tolerable or intolerable loss of comfort. Both Most conventional methods do not provide enough information about the actual need Energy available, or the available information is not being used enough to generate energy Minimize energy consumption.

The object of the present invention is now to specify a method and a To create control device 1 with which the energy consumption of a load 8, 20 minimized is reduced to a minimum by reducing the amount of energy used but not used becomes such that the loss of comfort caused by the saving is tolerable.

This object is achieved by the method and control device 1 as defined in claims 1 and 8.
The energy consumed but not used by an electrical load 8, 20 is minimized according to the invention in that the energy flow to the load 8, 20 is controlled 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 by processing at least one primary measurement variable 2 and at least one primary target variable 3 to a control variable 6 for controlling the energy flow to the load 8, 20 become. The primary target variable 3 forms a criterion for assessing the primary measured variable 2. The control device 1 can automatically change the primary target variable 3 and adapt it to the individual conditions such that the energy consumption is minimal and the comfort is still sufficiently high. For this purpose, the control device 1 additionally has means with which a user can intervene manually, in which case under certain circumstances the automatic control device 1 is exceeded. 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 variable 5 to change the primary target variable 3.
By controlling a load with a control device 1 according to the invention, it can be achieved without additional operating effort for the user that the energy consumption is minimal and the comfort is sufficiently high. The control device 1 detects changes in user behavior and can adapt itself to the new conditions. Since the primary target quantities 3 are essentially determined as a comparison criterion for the primary measurement quantities, and this only with the required resolution, a control device 1 according to the present invention can be implemented with little effort in terms of data processing and data storage. Such a control device can also be easily installed as an add-on to existing devices.

Figur 1

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Steuervorrichtung 1;

Figur 2

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Steuervorrichtung 1, wie sie beispielsweise für eine Lichtsteuerung angewendet werden kann;

Figur 3

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Steuervorrichtung 1 mit Verarbeitungseinheit 14, wie sie zur Steuerung eines Kaffeeautomaten 20 eingesetzt werden kann;

Figur 4

ein Schema zur Illustration des Prozesses zur erfindungsgemässen Steuerung des Kaffeeautomaten 20. Dabei zeigen die ersten beiden Diagramme die Benutzungshäufigkeit H für zwei verschiedene Tage. Das dritte Diagramm zeigt den Mittelwert H' der Benutzungshäufigkeit aus mehreren vorangegangenen Tauen. Das letzte Diagramm zeigt den ermittelten zeitlichen Verlauf für die Ausschaltverzögenzng t_aus;

Figur 5

ein weiteres Schema zur Illustration eines weiteren Prozesses zur erfindungsgemässen Steuerung des Kaffeeautomaten 20. Dabei sind verschiedene aufeinanderfolgende Benutzungsperioden BP₁, BP₂,..., BP_k-2, BP_k-1, BP_k, BP_k-1,... untereinander aufgezeichnet. Jede dieser Benutzungsperioden ist in n gleiche Teilperioden TP₁, TP₂,..., TP_n unterteilt.

The method according to the invention and the control device 1 according to the invention are described in detail with the aid of some examples and the following figures. Show:

Figure 1

an exemplary embodiment of the control device 1 according to the invention;

Figure 2

a further embodiment of the control device 1 according to the invention, as can be used for example for a light control;

Figure 3

an exemplary embodiment of the control device 1 according to the invention with processing unit 14, as it can be used to control a coffee machine 20;

Figure 4

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 value H 'of the frequency of use from several previous ropes. The last graph shows the determined time profile for the Ausschaltverzögenzng _from t;

Figure 5

a further diagram to illustrate a further process for controlling the coffee machine 20 according to the invention. Different successive periods of use BP ₁ , BP ₂ , ..., BP _k-2 , BP _k-1 , BP _k , BP _k-1 , .. recorded with each other. Each of these periods of use is divided into n equal sub-periods TP ₁ , TP ₂ , ..., TP _n .

Below are some situations where energy is shown is used unused, as with conventional devices and processes, a reduction in unused energy can be achieved and how this with the inventive method insofar as it can be improved that the saving is greater and / or the loss of comfort gets smaller.

As already mentioned at the beginning, copiers are often made after an adjustable Delay time automatically switched off. The loss of comfort over you Continuous operation consists of the extended waiting times that expire when used the delay time has to be accepted. An improvement is possible by the switch-off delay is not fixed by the user, but by the Control device 1 from determined and stored usage frequencies, which a represent secondary parameter 4, and off for certain frequencies of use predetermined, useful delay times, which represent a secondary target variable 5, independently determined and thus the individual needs through this learning process is adjusted. In other words, the control device 1 is based on its registered "experience" over the course of the frequency of use the switch-off delay For example, in times of high and medium frequency of use, set such that in the In most cases there are no waiting times and the delay time becomes smaller at times Keep the frequency of use to a minimum so that in these times in favor of Energy savings with waiting times must be expected.

Vending machines, such as coffee machines 20, are usually not included Equipped devices to reduce unused energy consumption. The Application of the method according to the invention enables independent determination here of different usage conditions. This can be done for example by during the number of user actions is repeated at a fixed time interval. Based From now on, this data can be used in different usage states, For example, no, small, medium or large frequency of use can be assigned.

Linking these usage states with the time 203 enables independent Determination of characteristic usage times. For example, it becomes possible that no automatic during times of high usage of the machine 20 Shutdown occurs after at other times when the machine 20 is rarely used short delay the automatic switch-off is initiated. Should one The characteristic usage times are changed, the control device 1 this according to the invention based on the stored information about the typical temporal Detect usage history independently and adapt to the new situation. In the case of a coffee machine 20 is an example of the inventive method indicated, which is illustrated by Figures 3 and 4:

The feed 9 of the coffee machine 20 takes place via the actuator 7, which is from a Microcontroller 10 of the control device 1 is controlled. By brief actuation of the main switch 401, the supply voltage on the machine 20 can be switched on and off by the process turned off. If the supply 9 of the machine 20 by the actuator 7th is interrupted, the process also allows the supply 9 to be switched on Actuator 7 when the beverage request button 402 is operated. As a secondary measurement 4, the usage information about the state of the beverage request button 402 is shown as Function of the time given by a real-time clock 203, which is the primary measurement variable 2 understand is registered. The use of a non-volatile storage medium 12, for example, an EEPROM, ensures that the stored data in the event of a power failure Information is retained.

The process automatically determines a characteristic curve for the delay time t _from 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 _{off is} waited until the process 9 interrupts the supply 9 for the machine 20 on the actuator 7.

The function t _from (t) is determined as the primary target variable 3 as follows: The 24 hours of a day are divided into equal intervals of width Δt. 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. 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 uses this data set to determine the function t _out (t) 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 expiration of t _out (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.

Another example of a coffee or beverage machine 20, which is based on the Figures 3 and 5 is explained, is intended to show how by the inventive method as primary target size 3 the on and off times for the machine 20 or for parts 8 of the Automata 20 are determined. The feed 9 of the machine 20 takes place via the actuator 7 of the control device 1. The control device itself is the same with the automatic control connected that they receive a control impulse from the latter with each beverage request can. 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 guard, into a predetermined number n of the same partial periods TP. In the present example, the duration of TP is set at 6 minutes. During two periods of use BP, 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.
After the control device 1 has been installed in the machine 20, 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.
After the memory 12 has been initialized, 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 using 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.

• Manuelle Einschaltung durch kurzzeitige Betätigung des Hauptschalters 401
• Automatische Einschaltung zu Beginn der Teilperiode TP_i der aktuellen Benutzungsperiode BP_k, falls in der vorangehenden Teilperiode TP_i-1 einer der früheren Benurzungsperioden BP_k-1 oder BP_k-2 eine Benutzung stattgefunden hat

Offensichtlich übernimmt die Steuervorrichtung 1 nach einer anfänglichen Lernphase das Management der Ein- und Ausschaltzeiten. Gegenüber einer konventionellen Schaltuhr hat eine solche Steuervorrichtung 1 den Vorteil, dass keine Programmierung der Schaltzeiten notwendig ist und die optimalen Schaltzeiten von der Steuervorrichtung 1 selbständig ermittelt werden. Zudem ist die erfindungsgemässe Steuervorrichtung 1 flexibel und passt sich automatisch an sich ändernde Benutzungsgewohnheiten an. Ebenso sind beispielsweise bei der Umstellung von Sommer- auf Winterzeit keine manuellen Eingriffe erforderlich.
Natürlich kann das beschriebene Verfahren, bei dem die Ein- und Ausschaltzeiten als primäre Sollgrösse 3 an die individuellen Begebenheiten angepasst werden, weiter verfeinert werden. So kann beispielsweise das Auftreten längerer Benutzungspausen, wie sie etwa an Wochenenden oder bei Betriebsferien auftreten können, erkannt werden. Dies erlaubt der Steuervorrichtung 1, sich auch in solchen Situationen an die tatsächlichen Verhältnisse anzupassen, indem etwa nach einem Wochenende der Automat 20 wieder eingeschaltet wird, oder indem während der Betriebsferien der gespeicherte Benutzungsverlauf nicht gelöscht wird. Bei einer weiteren Variante einer Steuervorrichtung 1 für Kaffeeautomaten 20 kann auf die Verbindungen der Steuervorrichtung 1 mit der Automatensteuerung verzichtet werden. Die Information über die Gerätebenutzung wird in diesem Fall anhand einer Messgrösse 4 ermittelt, welche der momentanen Leistungsaufnahme des Automaten 20 entspricht. So kann beispielsweise aus der Dauer der Nachheizzeiten mit grosser Leistung erkannt werden, ob der Automat 20 gerade benutzt wurde. Dieses Verfahren wird vorteilhaft dort verwendet, wo die Steuervorrichtung 1 einem Gerät 20 vorgeschaltet wird. The following options are available for switching on the machine 20:

• Manual activation by briefly pressing the main switch 401
• Automatic switch-on at the beginning of the partial period TP _{i of} the current usage period BP _k , if in the previous partial period TP _i-1 one of the earlier usage periods BP _k-1 or BP _k-2 has been used

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.
Of course, 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. This 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. In a further variant of a control device 1 for coffee machines 20, the connections of the control device 1 to the machine control can be dispensed with. In this case, the information about the use of the device is determined on the basis of a measured variable 4, which corresponds to the current 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 has just been used. This method is advantageously used where the control device 1 is connected upstream of a device 20.

The following is intended to show in a further example how the method according to the invention Process used in lighting control to reduce energy consumption can be. When it comes to lighting, especially room lighting in offices, there is considerable energy saving potential. Often the lights stay on, too if the existing room is illuminated by daylight or other lighting sources or a combination of both would be sufficient.

If no device for automatically influencing the room lighting is provided then the room lighting is switched on manually if necessary. If now Change lighting conditions so that room lighting is no longer needed then this is usually not switched off immediately. Some possible reasons for this are that it is not immediately recognized that the lighting conditions turn off the Room lighting would allow that to turn off the lights at several No clear responsibility is given to users, or that users have little are energy-conscious and, especially when energy prices are low, are also not very cost-conscious.

There are already devices on the market that use energy for room lighting reduce, but all have their disadvantages. For example, twilight switches are included provided a brightness sensor. If the measured brightness is the primary measured variable 2 serves to drop below a default value, this default value being a primary target variable 3 the lighting is switched on; if the measured brightness is above a further default value increases, then the lighting is switched off again. The must Brightness sensor should be attached so that it is as far as possible out of the controlled area Lighting fixture lies. Such a twilight switch also switches the light source when it is not needed at all, for example when there is nobody in the room.

Conventional lighting controls can now also use motion detectors be equipped, which is the secondary measurement 4, the heat radiation of the human Body capture and changes in this heat radiation, such as those caused by Movements caused by a person can respond. By a built-in After the detection of the last movement, the timer becomes a switch-off delay for the Illumination activated. This delay is a primary target variable 3. As in the magazine "Infel Info, Electricity Application in Practice", 1/1993 on page 14, is described in latest devices this switch-off delay based on the currently registered Frequency of movement on the motion detector modified in a specified manner.

The lighting control described above can be performed by using the learning process according to the invention can be further improved, on the one hand, as the primary Target size 3 is the specified brightness level, below which the lighting is activated, modified based on the brightness-related switch-on behavior of the user and, on the other hand, by using the switch-off delay as the primary target variable 3 accumulated experience about the time usage behavior is changed. In the first case For example, brightness is the primary parameter 2 and the state of the light switch 403 used as a secondary parameter 4. In the second case, the primary measurand is 2 for example the time 203 and the secondary measurement 4 the frequency of use where the secondary target variable 5 is a function that the originally specified Relationship between frequency of use and switch-off delay describes.

The following is an exemplary process for carrying out the process according to the invention Method described in the case of a lighting control, wherein Figures 1 and 2 for Serve illustration. The task of the control device 1 is the lighting 8 independently switch off as soon as the brightness 201, 202 is "sufficiently high", but not independently switch on again, even if the brightness 201, 202 is no longer "sufficiently high". The The term “sufficiently high” is independently defined as well as possible by the control device 1. In addition, the manual switching on and off of the lighting must be carried out in the usual way Actuator 403 may be possible.

für die aktuelle Grenzhelligkeit Ha, bei der die Beleuchtung 8 ausgeschaltet werden soll, eingegeben. Ha ist eine primäre Sollgrösse 3 Wenn die Beleuchtung 8 eingeschaltet ist und die Helligkeit 201, 202 als primäre Messgrösse 2 während einer vorgegebenen Zeitdauer den Wen H übersteigt, dann wird die Beleuchtung 8 durch die Steuervorrichtung 1 mittels des Stellgliedes 7 selbständig ausgeschaltet und es wird ein Datensatz im EEPROM 12 gespeichert mit Information über die Ursache der Aenderung des Beleuchtungszustandes, wobei die Ursache entweder die Steuervorrichtung 1 selbst oder eine Benutzeraktion sein kann, mit Information über den Zustand des Stellgliedes 7 vor der Aenderung, und mit Information über die momentane Helligkeit 201, 202. Erfolgt innerhalb einer vorgegebenen Reaktionszeit, die als sekundäre Messgrösse 4 aufgefasst werden kann, keine Aenderung am Stellglied 403, dessen Zustand als sekundäre Messgrösse 4 erfasst wird, so wird die aktuelle Grenzhelligkeit Ha nach einem vorgegebenen Algorithmus, bei dem auch früher gespeicherte Datensätze berücksichtigt werden, innerhalb vorgegebener Grenzen reduziert. Erfolgt nun aber innerhalb der Reaktionszeit eine Aenderung am Stellglied 403, so ist dies ein Anzeichen dafür, dass die aktuelle Grenzhelligkeit Ha zu tief ist. Analog dem Ausschaltvorgang wird wiederum ein Datensatz mit den entsprechenden Informationen gespeichert. Sobald genügend Datensätze gespeichen sind, wird durch Mittelwertbildung aus der zu verschiedenen Zeiten angefallenen Information über die Ausschalthelligkeit ein charakteristischer Wen für Ha ermittelt. Der Algorithmus zur Berechnung von Ha wird so modifiziert, dass der Einfluss von "untypischem Benutzerverhalten", wie etwa dem kurzzeitigen Ein- und Ausschalten der Beleuchtung 8, bei der Anpassung von Ha weniger stark gewichtet wird. Eine Aussage darüber, was "typisches" und was "untypisches Benutzerverhalten" ist, wird durch die im Zusammenhang mit dem Benutzerverhalten zu unterschiedlichen Zeiten gespeicherten Informationen möglich. A starting value H is determined by means of a potentiometer 404, which determines a secondary measurement variable 4, on the basis of a function specified as the secondary target variable 5

for the current limit brightness Ha at which the lighting 8 is to be switched off. Ha is a primary target variable 3 when the lighting 8 is switched on and the brightness 201, 202 as the primary measured variable 2 during a predetermined period of time the Wen H exceeds, then the lighting 8 is automatically switched off by the control device 1 by means of the actuator 7 and a data record is stored in the EEPROM 12 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. If there is no change to the actuator 403 within a predetermined reaction time, which can be interpreted as a secondary measurement variable 4, its state as a secondary measurement variable 4 is detected, the current limit brightness Ha is reduced according to a predetermined algorithm, in which previously stored data records are also taken into account, within predetermined 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. Similar to the switch-off process, a data record with the corresponding information is saved. As soon as enough data sets have been saved, a characteristic Wen for Ha is determined by averaging the information about the switch-off brightness that was obtained 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.

Instead of brightness 201, 202 - or in addition to brightness 201, 202 - the Time 203 can be used as the primary measurement variable 2 for controlling the lighting. This makes sense wherever the use of lighting correlates more with the time of day, than with the brightness 201, 202, for example in offices with insufficient daylight. As In this case, secondary measurement variable 4 can be, for example, the manual actuation of the Light switch 403 or a motion detector can be used.

Another advantage of the method according to the invention is the possibility of storing data as To receive measured variables. Especially in room lighting, a wide variety can be Factors such as sun blinds, additional lighting or direct Sun exposure, lead to complex situations. The control device 1 can in in such cases, capture and store information from other control devices. On the basis of this data, the control device 1 can process the further measured variables Modify 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. she only have to use a serial communication method which is based on the Control device 1 is recognized. Below are some examples of such Information transmitting devices mentioned: 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.

Leave control devices 1 as described in the preceding examples defrost very compactly. In particular, it is because of the adaptability of such Devices possible to record the measurement 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 can thus also be considerable during installation Achieve cost savings.

Claims (10)

1. A process for minimising the energy consumption of an electrical load (8, 20) controlled by a control device (1), in which the control device (1) processes at least one primary measured variable (2) with at least one primary specified variable (3), which serves as a reference variable for the primary measured variable, to at least one control variable (6), characterised in that at least the primary specified variable (3) is adapted to individual events and user behaviour, in which it is varied by means of processing at least one of the secondary measured variables (4) influenced by the user with at least one secondary specified variable (5), which serves as the reference variable for the secondary measured variable (4), in which the secondary measured variable (4) serves as a source of information on user behaviour, and that this processing application is carried out using data stored in a memory facility (11, 12), and in which this data or the type of storage of this data contains information on previous user behaviour.
2. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that data, in particular data correlated to a specified variable (3, 5), measured variable (2, 4) or to a control variable (6), are stored in a memory facility (11, 12).
3. A process according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that an educational process is achieved, where information available from a given point in time (t₁) onwards, and in which (t₁) does not have to be the starting point in time, is stored in a memory facility (11, 12) and which, together with information available from a subsequent point in time (t₁+Δt) only, is processed further.
4. A process according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that one primary measured variable (2) is the time of day (203), and that one primary specified variable (3) is the switch-on and/or cut-off times, and that one secondary measured variable (4) is the user frequency, and one secondary specified variable (5) is a cut-off value of the user frequency.
5. A process according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that one primary measured variable (2) is the time of day (203), and one primary specified variable (3) is the cut-off delay, and that one secondary measured variable (4) is the user frequency, and the associated secondary specified variable (5) is a function correlated to the user frequency and cut-off delay.
6. A process according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that one primary measured variable (2) is the brightness intensity (201, 202), and one primary specified variable (3) is the cut-off value for the brightness intensity, and that one secondary measured variable (4) is the status of a control element (403) and the associated secondary specified variable (5) is a reference value for the status of the control element.
7. A process according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that one primary measured variable (2) is the time interval, and one primary specified variable (3) is an amount of data stored in a memory facility (11, 12), and that one secondary measured variable (4) is the information transmitted from a control device and one secondary specified variable (5) is a reference value.
8. A control device (1) for minimising the energy consumption of an electrical load (8, 20) controlled by a control device (1), in which the control device (1) processes at least one primary measured variable (2) with at least one primary specified variable (3), which serves as reference value for the primary measured variable, to at least one control variable (6), characterised in that the device comprises at least one processor (10) to adapt at least one primary specified variable (3) to individual events by processing at least one of the secondary measured variables (4) influenced by the user, with at least one secondary specified variable (5), which serves as the reference value for the secondary measured variable, in which the secondary measured variable is used as a source of information on user behaviour, and that the device further comprises a memory facility (11, 12) for storing data used during processing, and in which this data or the type of storage of this data contains information on previous user behaviour.
9. A control device (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that one control element (7) which is influenced by a control variable (6) of the control device (1) is built into a common casing together with at least one further component of the control device (1), in particular an EEPROM (12), a power supply (13) for the control device (1) or a processing unit (14) for the establishment of the control variable (6).
10. A control device (1) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterised in that one primary measured variable (2) is the time of day (203), and one primary specified variable (3) is the switch- on and/or cut-off times; that one secondary measured variable (4) is the user frequency, and one secondary specified variable (5) is a cut-off value of the user frequency; that a characteristic user interval is predetermined; that this user interval is subdivided into part intervals; that the excess or shortfall of the cut-off value for the user frequency is established using the user frequency for each part interval; that the information in relation to the excess or shortfall of the cut-off value of the user frequency during the part intervals is stored in a memory facility (12); that the switch-on and/or cut-off times in subsequent user intervals are established on account of the information stored in the non volatile memory facility (12); that the switch-on times in subsequent user intervals can be achieved earlier within the user interval, than when they actually occurred at the time the excess of the cut-off value was registered for the user frequency within an earlier user interval; that in the event of repeated absence of use in part intervals, for which the cut-off value of the user frequency was exceeded in an earlier user period, the switch-on of the controlled load is temporarily suppressed; that a trickle element guarantees continuity of the time of day in the event of failure of the power supply (9); and that a control element (7), preferably a relay, is used to control the load.

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