GB2609950A - Improvements in or relating to energy saving - Google Patents

Abstract

An override control device (fig 3) has a power input cable e.g., mains electricity and a power output, and delivers an override control signal to the electric apparatus 1 to switch off or at least decrease energy or power consumption of the apparatus 1 when motion is not detected 2, 3 within a pre-set or pre-settable a time period. The electric apparatus 1 may be a refrigerated vending cabinet or a refrigerator. The control device may be provided with a product temperature sensor S.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ENERGY SAVING

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to energy saving and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with means for saving energy e.g. in a heating and/or cooling apparatus or enabling a heating/cooling apparatus to run more efficiently while meeting required needs.

At present, in many instances, various apparatus or equipment requiring electrical energy (e.g. mains electricity) may often be left running consuming energy in an inefficient manner when unattended or not in use. This is particularly poignant e.g. in premises such as public houses, night clubs, restaurants, hotels, shops, public buildings, offices and so forth but may be applicable anywhere that has energy using apparatus that can be switched off or regulated to reduce the amount of energy used. Such apparatus may include: fridges for bottled drinks products; vending machines; water heaters, and gaming machines.

Currently, such aforementioned apparatus may well be left operating for a full twenty four hours per day. In particular, fridges used in public houses that keep bottled drinks chilled to approx. 56C, vending machines, and gaming machines would usually be left operating all day in a manner that typically would not tend to be in an energy efficient manner. Such apparatus would usually have mains electrical lighting (to display the contents in the case of fridges for bottled drinks and vending machines) and e.g. fridges and drinks/food vending machines would have cooling / heating systems to keep the contents chilled or heated. In general, when the premises housing such apparatus are closed the same amount of electrical energy may well be used by the apparatus as when the premises are open or at least the apparatus may be left operating in a manner which tends to be energy inefficient. The Applicant has realised that a very significant amount of valuable energy may be wasted during such closed periods. On average e.g. a typical United Kingdom public house! restaurant! hotel / nightclub may have between six to ten fridges for bottled drinks products alone located behind a bar in the premises, which fridges may only need to operate at all (or at least at full capacity) during opening hours (which may vary in an irregular manner).

E nergy saving apparatus in the form of a control device has been previously proposed in order to save wastage of electrical energy by various energy using apparatus, more particularly in premises having e.g. a cellar used to store beer at a required temperature. Indeed, the A ppl i cant has patented such a control device as shown in United Kingdom Patent Specification N o. G B2545628.

However, the invention presented in Patent S pecifi cation No. G B2545628 relates to electrical energy saving in heating and/or cooling apparatus that can be switched on or activated during a peak rate ti me period for a time span predetermined by programmed system information.

Whilst it is believed the invention as described in Patent Specification N o. G B2545628 is effective in reducing energy requirements in such apparatus it is believed that alternative or additional measures may be taken to save an amount of energy in a different way in heating and/or cooling apparatus or indeed in other energy using apparatus that is not provided by that invention or e.g.by a si mple time clock.

Overall, therefore, it tends to be disadvantageous, that energy using apparatus is often left running consuming energy (or at least left running at too high capacity) using more energy than necessary for efficient operation to suit required needs.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate the aforementioned, or other, disadvantage associated with energy using apparatus, or to provide energy saving means in the form of a control device and/or energy using apparatus which is improved in at least some respect.

According to the present invention there is provided energy saving means in the form of an override control device for energy using apparatus such as a heating and/or cooling apparatus or gaming machine or other apparatus normally selectively left on or running for long periods of time, said device having at least one motion or proximity detector operatively connected, in use, to the energy using apparatus, in order to detect the presence or absence of a person, to thereby override normal operational control of said apparatus by switching the apparatus on or off or at least to an increased or decreased capacity.

Further according to the present invention there is provided energy using apparatus having an override control device in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph In one embodiment of the present invention, the energy using apparatus is of a type that may be set to operate generally continuously or for long periods of time (albeit perhaps intermittently) using ( mai ns) electrical energy e.g. a fri dge for cooling bottled drinks. A long period of time would be a matter of hours or e.g. at least half an hour. Where the override control device is provided in such apparatus the at least one motion or proxi rrity device may be arranged to switch off (or at least reduce the capacity of) the apparatus when no motion has been detected (of a person) during a pre-set or pre-settable time span.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the override control device may include a control circuit operatively connected from the at least one motion or proximity detector to said apparatus using software to switch off or limit the energy being supplied to the apparatus when motion has not been detected within the pre-set or pre-settable ti me span.

The software may switch on the apparatus (or return energy supplied to normal operational level) I once motion is again detected. The control device may be programmed or set to allow for different ti me periods of tum off after a set or pre-set time span of no movement detection and/or to pulse energy on for a set time period (to protect the contents of the energy using apparatus).

The pre-set or pre-settable time span may e.g. be provided by a timer started on last detection of a person by said at least one motion/proximity detector, or by any convenient means.

For example, where the control device is utilised in a fridge for bottled drinks in a bar, demand for cold drinks disappears when the bar is closed so that the device may be arranged to switch the fridge off (or to at least a reduced capacity) if the at least one motion or proximity detector is unable to detect a person within the pre-set or pre-settable ti me span. Preferably, after the control device has overridden the normal operational control of the fridge to switch it off (or to a reduced capacity) the fridge is automatically switched back on or returned to an increased capacity, once the motion of a person is again detected.

The control device may be a stand alone or non-integral device operatively connected in use to the energy using apparatus by any convenient means or it may be built in to the apparatus.

Where the device is stand alone or non-integral it may be a plug and socket type connection mounted or mountable on the apparatus at a chosen location.

Usually, the energy using apparatus including the control device will have a primary (energy using) function such as cooling or heating or vending or gaming in addition to a secondary function that may be energy using such as lighting/sound production.

The detection distance or detection range/area of the at least one motion/proximity detector may be adjustable e.g. by discrete settings or programmed information.

Where the energy using apparatus has contents that need to be temperature controlled (i.e. chilled or heated) the override control device may include means to allow energy to be supplied (e.g. for a short or short periods of time, e.g. in a pulsed manner) to the apparatus during a closed or non-operational period to prevent the contents from becoming too hot or too cold.

In some energy saving apparatus, the control device may include a product temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the product in the apparatus and set it to a different level than required in the normal operational mode, when no motion is detected.

Further, according to the present invention there is provided a method of saving energy in an energy using apparatus, normally selectively left on or running for a long period, by using an override control device having at least one motion or proxi rrity detector, said method comprising detecting the presence or absence of motion within a detection range of said detector and overriding normal operational control of the apparatus by switching off the apparatus or reducing energy supplied to the apparatus, when no motion is detected, and, preferably, switching the apparatus back to normal operational mode once motion is subsequently detected.

Further according to the present invention there is provided an override control device or energy using means, or method of saving energy having any feature of features derivable from this patent description and/or drawings.

Many advantages of the apparatus and method of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings E mbodiments of energy saving means in the form of an override control device for energy using apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be descri bed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic or schematic drawings in which:-FIGURE 1 shows a front el evati onal schematic overview of a first embodiment of energy using apparatus in the form of a fridge for bottled drinks including a control device in accordance with the present invention having a motion or proximity detector located on the top of the fridge and having an additional or alternative motion or proximity detector built in to the front of the fridge; FIGURE 2 shows a front el evati onal schematic overview of a second embodiment of energy using apparatus in the form of a vending machine including a control device in accordance with the present invention having a motion or proximity detector located one side of the fridge and having an additional or alternative motion or proximity detector built in to the front of the fridge; FIGURE 3 shows a si mplified schematic view of the control device modified to include an optional product temperature sensor; FIGURE 4 shows a graph of the typical energy usage of e.g a known fridge for bottled drinks over a set ti me period; FIGURE 5 shows, by way of comparison with FIGURE 4, a graph of the typical energy usage of the fri dge uti Ii sed to generate the graphical information of FIG U RE 4 when fitted with the override control device of the present invention; FIGURE 6 shows a graph simi I ar to FIGURE 5 with the added introduction of a pulsed energy mode.

FIGURE 1 shows energy using apparatus, normally selectively left on or running for long periods, in the form of a fridge 1 for bottled or carton drinks (not shown) of a type often located behind a bar in premises such as a public house or night club.

The fridge 1 has two, hinged glass doors d at the front that can be opened to accecs the chilled contents when required and lighting (not shown) to display the contents. Thus, the fridge 1 has a primary energy using function to chill the contents inside and a secondary energy using function ( I ighti ng).

The normal operational control of the fridge 1 would be to leave it on or running selectively for long periods perhaps only switching off if empty. Clearly, such control would seem to involve significant energy wastage since the contents would only need to be chilled to desired palatable consumption and displayed under lighting when the premises and bar is open for business.

Accordingly, the fridge 1 is shown having a stand-alone or non-integral override control device C (see FIGURE 3) with motion detector or sensor 2 mounted on top of the fridge (facing forwardly to detect motion) and/or having a similar motion detector or sensor 3 (facing forwardly to detect motion) built into the fridge (shown e.g located towards the bottom of the fridge). Even so, it is envisaged the control device C will usually only need one motion detector.

FIGURE 2 shows a different energy using apparatus in the form of a vending machine 100 which could be a hot or cold drinks or food vending machine or otherwise. The vending machine 100 has the pri mary energy using function of allowing selection of the product by electronic means (not shown) and a secondary energy using function involving display I ighti ng ( not shown) as well as possibly a third energy using function involving chiIIing or heating a food /dri nks product.

In a similar manner to FIGURE 1, a stand-alone or non-integral override control device C has a motion detector or sensor 2 mounted at the left side of the vending machine 100 (facing forwardly to detect motion) and/or having a similar motion detector or sensor 3 (facing forwardly to detect motion) built into the vending machine (shown e.g.located towards the bottom of the vending machine). Even so, once again it is envisaged the control device C will usually only need one motion detector for the vending machine 100.

Where the control device C is a stand-alone or non-integral device having a motion detector 2 not built into the fridge/vending machine 1,100 it may be operatively connected to the fridgeNending machine by any convenient means and located in any convenient position. The control device C operative connection may e.g. be a plug and socket type housed in an enclosure mounted e.g on top of the fridge in the position shown with motion detector 2 in FIGURE 1 or at the side of the vending machine in the position shown with motion detector 2 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 3 shows the control device C for use with energy using apparatus such as the fridge 1 or vending machine 100. The front motion detector or sensor 2,3 is directed forwardly to detect the motion of a person or persons (not shown) passing in front of the energy using apparatus. Detecting such motion enables the energy saving apparatus to maintain normal selected operational control using energy.

As shown in FIGURE 3, motion can be detected by motion sensor 2, 3 within distance D and the distance D/ area for motion detection of a person can be a pre-set distance/area or a variable pre-settable distance/area (adjustable by any means such as-discrete -settings or programmed/programmable information in a manner which should readily be envisaged) in order to cover larger/shorter detection distances/areas as required. Some applications e.g. fridges for bottled drinks located behind a bar may require a relatively short motion detection distance D of about one metre (+1-.2 metres) whilst a distance range D of about 2-3 metres may be more suitable for other energy using apparatus (such as vending machines) located in shops or other public buildings.

FIGURE 3 shows the control device C having a power input cable (e.g. mains electricity) and a power output capable of delivering an override control signal to a control circuit (not shown) in a manner which should readily be envisaged, to switch off or at least decrease energy or power consumption of the energy saving apparatus (e.g. fridge 1 or vending machine) to which it is operatively connected, when motion is not detected within a pre-set or pre-settable time period in a manner to be explained.

The control device C in FIGURE 3 is also provided with an optional, additional product temperature sensors the purpose of which is to be explained.

FIGURE 4 shows the typical energy usage of known energy using apparatus (without a control device C of the present invention being fitted) that is normally left on running or operational for long periods of time, such as a fridge or vending machine. Where the apparatus is e.g. a fridge for bottled drinks located in a bar, during bar closing times, as shown to the left and right of FIGURE 4, the fridge is using energy, disadvantageously, in a wasteful way; as the contents do not need to be chilled to the temperature required during opening times and may not even need to be chilled at all during the closed period. When the fridge is operating normally during opening hours there will be relatively higher energy consumption (e.g partly due to the fridge doors being opened and closed to access the contents or re-stock the fridge) as shown in the centre section of FIG U RE 4.

FIGURE 5 shows the typical energy usage for the same fridge with the control device C of present invention fitted in a manner as previously explained. Once the bar is closed and no motion of a person near the fridge is detected during a preset or pre-settable time period, the normal operation of the fridge is switched off and no energy is used during the closed periods shown to left and right of FIGURE 5. The preset or pre-settable time period may be provided by a timer (not shown) started on last detected motion of a person such that when the timer times out the power to the fridge is turned off until the next time motion of a person is detected. When the bar is opened again and motion of a person is detected, the fridge is switched back on and energy consumption will continue as depicted in the centre section of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 6 shows the typical energy used for the same fridge as discussed in relation to FIGURES 4 and S. Here, advantageously, in addition to the override control device C switching off the fridge during closed hours via the motion detector 2,3, according to an optional feature of the present invention, a pulsed energy mode is provided e.g during the closed hours (or non-operational periods) of the energy using apparatus. This mode allows a pulse (or pulses -not shown-see left and right hand sections of FIGURE 5) of energy to be supplied to the energy using apparatus during closed or non-operational periods; in particular where these may be long periods of ti me and, in any event, where the energy using apparatus needs to maintain a product at least to a certain temperature (which may be less than the temperature needed during open during normal operational control). During the closed period of e.g fridge 1 the doors will remain closed and only a short energy pulse may be needed to maintain some chilling of the contents.

As previously mentioned, FIGURE 3 shows an optional, additional product temperature sensor S and this sensor can be used to allow, during closed or non-operational periods, a second controlled temperature set point, set or settable, to a different setting to the normally required first controlled temperature product temperature set point during opening times. The sensor S can be used to measure the inside temperature of the energy using apparatus and check the contents temperature; if the contents are outside the require temperature -too hot or too cold-one or more short energy on periods could be triggered to adjust the temperature level as needed. Thus, once the motion of a person remains undetected for a pre-set or presettabl e time period, the product temperature sensor S could be used in conj unction with the motion detector 2,3 to set the working product temperature in the fridge to a higher level than during opening (normal operational) time periods. During opening hours of a bar having such a fridge the normal working product temperature may be 4-56C but in closed (non-normaloperational) time periods the second controlled set point temperature could be set to 106C.

Thus, the override control device C may be used to reduce energy ugage of an energy using device by reducing energy consumption during closed peri ods rather than maintaining the apparatus switched off completely during such periods.

Whilst the afore-described embodiments of the present invention have related to a fridge and a vending machine, other embodiments of the present invention may relate to other energy using apparatus such as gaming machines (which do not need to be temperature controlled).

To summarise, different embodiments of the present invention uti I ise movement as the primary controlling function for saving energy in various energy using apparatus normally left running for long periods of time, obviating the need for ti me clocks etc that could be used as the primary control for control the operational on/off periods of the energy saving apparatus.. Using a timer as the primary means of control tends to be unsatisfactory, as times have to be set up and many premises or rooms have different operation times that can vary within each day or week. By using movement as the control trigger the energy normally supplied may be turned on with detection of the first person to walk past the apparatus to be control led; this is normally staff or cleaners in the premises before the main public opening times. T ests have shown it only takes approx. 1/2 hour for any chilled or heated equipment to get back to its normal set point temperatures. Many controlling devices such as fridges for bottled drinks are located in function rooms or night clubs and are not used for many days in at a time; thus embodiments of the present energy saving invention are well-suited for saving wasted energy in such situations.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by an equivalent or generic term e.g.-capacity-may be replaced by:energy usage-or:operation-or:function-. The term:override control device-is not meant to be unduly limiting and could be replaced by:auxiliary control device-or:additional control device-or the like; alternatively, the word: overri de-could be omitted entirely from the term: overri decoul d be replaced by:overrule-, :govern-, :interrupt-or the like. F urther it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the energy saving means or apparatus including the energy saving means might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub-range within that range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range.

T herefore, still further and more broadly according to the present invention there is provided energy using means such as a fridge, vending or gaming machine having a control device with a motion sensor arranged to override normal operational control of the apparatus, or there is provided such an override control device for such apparatus.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS1. E nergy saving means in the form of an override control device for energy using apparatus such as a heating and/or cooling apparatus or gaming machine or other apparatus normally selectively left on or running for long periods of time, said device having at least one motion or proximity detector operatively connected, in use, to the energy using apparatus, in order to detect the presence or absence of a person, to thereby override normal operational control of said apparatus by switching the apparatus on or off or at least to an increased or decreased capacity.
2. 2. E nergy saving means as claimed in claim 1 in which the at least one motion or (\I proximity device is arranged to switch off or at least reduce the capacity of the C\1 apparatus when no motion has been detected during a pre-set or pre-settable time o span.
3. 00) 3. E nergy saving means as claimed in claim 2 in which the override control device C\I includes a control circuit operatively connected from the at least one motion or proximity detector to said apparatus using software to switch off or limit the energy being supplied to the apparatus when motion has not been detected within the preset or pre-settabl e ti me span.
4. 4. E nergy saving means as claimed in claim 3 in which the software is arranged to switch on the apparatus (or return energy supplied to normal operational level) I once motion is again detected.
5. 5. E nergy saving means as claimed in claim 4 in which the control device is programmed or set to allow for different time periods of turn off after a set or preset tine span of no movement detection and/or to pulse energy on for a set time period.
6. 6. Energy saving means as claiiitd in any one of claims 2 to Sin which the pre-set or pre-settable time span is provided by a timer that can be started on last detection of a person by said at least one motion/proximity detector.
7. 7. Energy saving means as claimed in claim 6 in which, in use, the control device is utilised in energy using apparatus in the form of a fridge (for bottled drinks), and arranged to switch the fridge off (or to at least a reduced capacity) if the at least one motion or proximity detector is unable to detect a person within the pre-set or presettabl e time span.
8. 8. Energy saving means as claimed in claim 7 in which the override control device can control, after the control device has overridden the normal operational control of the fridge to switch it off (or to a reduced capacity), the fridge to automatically be C\I C\I switched back on or returned to an increased capacity, once the motion of a person is again detected.
9. 9. Energy saving means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the C\I control device is a stand alone or non-integral device operatively connected in use to the energy using apparatus 10. Energy saving means as claimed claim 9 in which the control device is a plug and socket type connection mounted or mountable on the apparatus at a chosen location.11. Energy saving means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the override device is built in to the energy using apparatus.12. Energy saving means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the detection distance or detection range/area of the at least one moti on/proximity detector is adjustable e.g. by discrete settings or programmed information.13. E nergy saving apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding in which the control device includes a product temperature sensor to sense the temperature of product in the apparatus and set it to a different level than required in the normal operational mode, when no motion is detected.14. E nergy using apparatus having energy saving means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.15. E nergy using apparatus as claimed in claim 14 having a pri mary (energy using) function such as cooling or heating or vending or gaming in addition to a secondary function.16. E nergy using apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the second function is energy *1- 0 need to be temperature controlled (i.e. chilled or heated) and in which the override (7) control device has means to allow energy to be supplied (e.g. for a short or short C\I periods of time, e.g. in a pulsed manner) to the apparatus during a closed or non-operational period to prevent the contents from becoming too hot or too cold.18. A method of saving energy in an energy using apparatus, normally selectively left on or running for a long period, by using an override control device having at least one motion or proximity detector, said method comprising detecting the presence or absence of motion within a detection range of said detector and overriding normal operational control of the apparatus by switching off the apparatus or reducing energy supplied to the apparatus, when no motion is detected.19. A method as claimed in claim 18 including switching the apparatus back to normal operational mode once motion is subsequently detected.C\I using such as lighting/sound production. C\I17. E nergy using apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 14 to 16 having contents that 20. Energy using means such as a fridge, vending or gaming machine having a contol device with a motion sensor arranged to override normal operational control of the apparatus.21. An override control device for the apparatus as claimed in claim 20.CV ('SiCD CV