METHOD FOR AUTOMATED CONTROL OF THE HEAT SHUTTER OF A NON-SOLAR POWERED WINDOW SHUTTER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling the so-called "heatwave" closure of a motorized, non-solar shutter, ensuring automated movement of the shutter in the event of a confirmed heatwave. The objective is to automate the shutter's closure through a "heatwave" mode, specifically based on the temperature rise, with closure occurring only if the climatic conditions are considered characteristic of a heatwave. The most immediate aim of the invention is to improve living comfort in a home, given the ever-increasing likelihood of heatwave episodes. Secondarily, in the case of a building equipped with air conditioning systems, proper management of the positioning of solar shutters can lead to energy savings by reducing the need for air conditioning during hot summers.

[0002] The motorized shutters covered by the invention are equipped with an electric drive motor connected to the mains voltage, the motor also being connected to a control unit, generally an electronic board which groups together the components enabling the processing of information for the purpose of controlling the motor.US patent 10859985 B2 describes a method for the automated control of a non-solar shutter driven by an electric motor. The motor is connected to a control unit equipped with telecommunications means and is controllable by means of an individual remote control programmable by the user between an automated and a non-automated operating mode for the shutter. An additional remote control is associated with the shutter, said remote control including means for measuring the ambient temperature. The method involves measuring the ambient temperature at regular intervals using the additional remote control. Methods for closing shutters during periods of extreme heat are already known, particularly for so-called solar shutters driven by a motor powered by solar energy obtained via solar panels, to which a solar irradiance sensor is added for control purposes.In this case, it is indeed the measurements of solar irradiance that are used to determine the existence of heatwave conditions triggering the closing of the shutter.

[0003] For the non-solar shutters targeted by the invention, which can be connected to a home automation system, an automated, so-called twilight-delay closing mechanism is known. This mechanism is programmable based on a timer that controls the closing of the connected shutters at a pre-programmed time, for example, a time specified by the user, which theoretically corresponds to a time close to sunset. It is therefore a time-based program. If the home automation system is connected to the internet, the shutters can also be automated based on the temperature forecast provided by meteorological services for the region, data accessible on the internet. The resulting automation is not based on a parameter measured at the shutter installation site, but on a purely theoretical and virtualized test control value.

[0004] Automation, if programmed on such a basis, suffers from a lack of precision, as a weather forecast temperature is not a true reflection of the actual conditions on the ground. Above all, such a program struggles to accurately account for the emergence of heatwave conditions at a specific time and place, because a predicted temperature for a region never reflects the numerous potential specificities of the dwellings whose shutters need to be controlled. These specificities can be architectural, such as wall depth and window distribution / size, or situational, such as the orientation of the windows (north / south) or the building's location (wooded or not), etc. Many examples could be given of differences that necessitate different heatwave treatment for dwellings located in the same area, thus making automation highly dependent on the context.In this regard, it seems obvious to say that the ambient temperature measured inside a building, and therefore directly felt by the inhabitants whom we seek to protect from the rigors of the heatwave, must be an essential factor to take into account.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide an assessment of the heatwave conditions specific to each dwelling, in order to implement an automation process that is as closely adapted as possible to the reality experienced by people living in buildings subjected to high temperatures. In this respect, the method of the invention aims to take as a reference value the ambient temperature in the part of the building where the heatwave-related shutter closure is to be automated.

[0006] To this end, the invention consists of an automated control method for the heatwave closure of a non-solar shutter, conventionally driven by an electric motor, the motor being connected to a control unit equipped with telecommunication means, and controllable by means of an individual remote control capable of being programmed by the user between an automated operating mode and a non-automated operating mode of the shutter, an additional remote control being associated - in the method of the invention - with the shutter, said additional remote control having means for measuring the ambient temperature.

[0007] According to the present invention, the method comprises: the measurement, at regular intervals, of the ambient temperature T amb by the additional remote control; the determination of conditions defined as being heatwave conditions, if the measured ambient temperature T amb meets the following characteristics: o the ambient temperature T amb > Δ + T amb min , with Δ = 1 if the minimum ambient temperature T amb min ≥ 24° C or Δ = 2 if the minimum ambient temperature 22° C ≤ T amb min < 24° C; or o the ambient temperature T amb > 26° C; the determination that the current season has high temperatures, if the measured ambient temperature meets the following characteristics: o the average calculated over a predetermined period of the respective minimum ambient temperatures T amb min and maximum ambient temperatures T amb max is greater than a respective threshold value T s min and T s max;if the conditions are determined to be heatwave conditions and if the current season is determined to have high temperatures, the engine will be sent a heatwave closure frame by the control unit.

[0008] The control method of the invention is remarkable in that it relies solely on the ambient temperature in a dwelling, which simplifies measurements but simultaneously complicates the assessment of whether a heatwave is occurring. In the approach of the invention, it is not sufficient to determine the existence of a high ambient temperature, as the indoor temperature (which is the ambient temperature as defined by the invention) may be high if the dwelling is well heated, for example, in the middle of winter. In addition to a correction mechanism that applies to the measured ambient temperature, the invention introduces a further condition: determining the current season, to ensure that a rise in temperatures truly signifies a heatwave.

[0009] Since the temperature of a room obviously varies depending on the time of day, the determination of heatwave conditions within the meaning of the invention is based on a minimum ambient temperature Tamb min in the dwelling, corrected, if necessary, by adding a factor Δ that varies according to the measured ambient temperature. This factor is equal to one (1) or two (2), depending on whether the ambient temperature is more or less moderate, bearing in mind that, according to the invention, this ambient temperature must always be above 22°C for the determination of heatwave conditions to be undertaken. It should be noted that the values ​​Tamb min and Tamb max have a tolerance of 1°C.

[0010] To determine the current season—essentially, to verify that there are indeed sustained high outdoor temperatures—using ambient temperatures, in order to avoid closing a shutter in the middle of winter in an overheated apartment, the method of the invention is based on establishing averages of the lowest and highest ambient temperatures over a statistically significant period. These average values ​​are then compared to predetermined thresholds. It is essential to confirm that the climatic phenomenon causing the measured minimum and maximum temperatures is not an epiphenomenon or a peak lacking significant duration.

[0011] According to the invention, the minimum threshold value Ts min is between 19°C and 21°C, and preferably equal to 20°C, and the maximum threshold value Ts max is between 24°C and 26°C, and preferably equal to 25°C. If, for the entire significant duration predetermined by the method of the invention, the minimum and maximum ambient temperatures are higher than these threshold values, this means that said ambient temperatures are not simply due to internal heating of a dwelling or a brief temperature spike.

[0012] It should be noted that, in the context of the invention, the minimum ambient temperatures Tamb min and maximum ambient temperatures Tamb max are determined by successive measurements of the ambient temperature Tamb over a period of 24 hours, the value retained for the minimum ambient temperature Tamb min being the lowest temperature recorded over this period and the value retained for the maximum ambient temperature Tamb max being the highest temperature over this period.

[0013] The period previously described as significant for determining that the current season exhibits high temperatures, justifying, where appropriate, the closure of a shutter during a heatwave—that is, the predetermined period for calculating the average of the minimum (Tamb min) and maximum (Tamb max) ambient temperatures—is, in the method of the invention, between 4 and 6 days, and preferably equal to 5 days. This means that the sustained nature of the high ambient temperatures is tested by monitoring the minimum and maximum ambient temperatures each day over a period of 5 days, to confirm that these temperatures are indeed due to external climatic conditions.

[0014] In determining the conditions defined as heatwave conditions within the meaning of the invention, the ambient temperature measurement range can be equal to: 24 hours if the ambient temperature T amb is < 18° C, 3 hours if: o the ambient temperature T amb is ≥ 18° C, or o if the conditions are scorching, or o if T amb > T amb of the previous measurement + 3°C.

[0015] The variation in the ambient temperature measurement interval (Tambit) for implementing the method of the invention naturally results from the temperature value measured at time t: if this value is not initially high, it is not necessary to require the unit or the system to perform additional checks. However, beyond a certain threshold, or if the conditions defined as heatwave conditions by the method of the invention are met, or if the temperature variation is significant between two consecutive measurements, temperature measurements are taken much more frequently for heatwave management purposes.

[0016] According to a feature specific to the present invention, after a heatwave closure command is sent to the motor, the control unit can activate a time delay that inhibits any further transmission of a heatwave closure command for a specified duration, said duration being between 2 and 4 hours, preferably 3 hours. In practice, this prevents the process from continuing to operate idly when all the checks and tests it performs indicate a heatwave, but the shutter has already been closed by a previous automated command. Furthermore, this feature prevents the shutter from automatically lowering again, as part of the process, even if the user has decided to reopen it.

[0017] According to the invention, the determination of heatwave conditions and the current summer season can be carried out by the shutter control unit, with temperatures measured by the additional remote control being sent to the control unit. In this case, management is centralized in the control unit, which is generally powered by the building's own electrical grid.

[0018] Alternatively, the determination of heatwave conditions and the current summer season can also be performed by and within the additional remote control, with the results of these determinations then being sent to the control unit. The additional remote control incorporates the temperature sensor and thus performs the ambient temperature measurements from which the method of the invention is based. Tests and comparisons based on the measured temperatures can be easily carried out at the remote control level; only the final results—namely, the determinations of heatwave conditions and the current season—are then sent to the control unit, which processes them for the possible command to move the shutter. This alternative, however, is more energy-intensive for the remote control, which is battery-powered and therefore requires more frequent recharging or replacement.

[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description, which relates to an embodiment given by way of illustrative example. Understanding this description will be particularly facilitated by reference to the figures attached in the appendix: [ Fig.1 ] shows a synoptic diagram of the overall operation of the automated control method for a non-solar shutter for heatwave closure according to the invention; [ Fig.2 ] shows a synoptic diagram explaining the determination of the conditions defined as being heatwave conditions; and [ Fig.3 ] shows a synoptic diagram of how the determination works that the current season does indeed present high temperatures that could potentially lead to a heat wave.

[0020] With reference to the figure 1 The process for controlling the heatwave-resistant closure of a non-solar shutter relies on a hardware configuration based on a shutter whose movements are driven by an electric motor, generally powered by mains electricity. A control unit manages this hardware system, specifically to link the control—whether manual via an individual remote control specific to the shutter or automated—with the shutter's movements. During automated operation, aimed in this case at managing the shutter's movements during heatwave conditions, the control unit preferably collects signals emitted by an additional remote control equipped with a temperature sensor. The control unit can also operate using shutter limit switches. All these signals are processed to implement pre-programmed actions.

[0021] According to the figure 1 To achieve the invention's primary objective of automating the closing mechanism of a shutter during the implementation of a heatwave mode, the ambient temperature is measured at regular intervals, which, as mentioned, can vary depending on the recorded temperature. The ambient temperature is measured using the additional remote control. Therefore, assuming relatively low ambient temperatures, below 18°C, conditions do not warrant excessively frequent measurements or prior heatwave protection, and the measurement interval is 24 hours. This is justified, in particular, by the need to maximize the additional remote control's battery life.

[0022] If the measured ambient temperature – i.e., indoor temperature – is above 18°C, or if it increases significantly (by 3 degrees between two successive measurements), a measurement is taken more frequently, every 3 hours. The likelihood of having to activate heatwave treatment increases under these circumstances, as well as if conditions are already classified as heatwave based on the parameters recorded in the system, which are explained in more detail below.

[0023] The electronic control unit can indeed determine, from the measured ambient temperature, whether conditions are defined as heatwave conditions, as shown in figure 2 This determination depends not only on the ambient temperature measured at time t but, depending on the level of said value, on a correction coefficient Δ which itself varies according to this level, and on a minimum observed ambient temperature value Tamb min. This Tamb min value is in fact the lowest temperature recorded over a previous period, typically 24 hours. Depending on the temperature value measured at time t, there are then several possible processing options.

[0024] Thus, if the minimum ambient temperature over the 24 hours preceding the measurement is between 22°C and 24°C, the system considers a heatwave to be occurring if the measured ambient temperature is higher than this minimum temperature Tambit min + 2 (Tambit > Δ + Tambit min, with Δ = 2). For example, if the last recorded minimum ambient temperature Tambit min is 23°C, a heatwave is recognized if the measured ambient temperature Tambit is strictly greater than 25°C.

[0025] If the minimum ambient temperature Tamb min over the 24 hours preceding the measurement is greater than or equal to 24°C, the system considers the situation to be a heatwave if the measured ambient temperature Tamb is greater than this minimum temperature + 1 (Tamb > Δ + Tamb min, with Δ = 1). For example, if the last recorded minimum ambient temperature Tamb min is 25°C, heatwave conditions are recognized if the measured ambient temperature Tamb is strictly greater than 26°C.

[0026] Finally, if the minimum ambient temperature T amb min over the 24 hours preceding the measurement is greater than or equal to 26°C, the system considers the situation to be a heatwave if the measured ambient temperature T amb is greater than this threshold temperature of 26°C, without correction coefficient.

[0027] However, recognizing these conditions as heatwave conditions is not sufficient, within the meaning of the invention, as ambient temperatures inside buildings can result from factors other than meteorological heatwaves. Thus, as already mentioned, one could find oneself in the same ambient temperature conditions (Tamb) if, for example, a stove were operating intensively in the middle of winter, or more generally, depending on the setting of the room's heating system. In these cases, closing the shutters during a heatwave obviously makes no sense.

[0028] This is why, in the process of the invention, a second stage of testing is provided, which verifies – again using ambient temperatures – that the current season is indeed likely to present high temperatures, justifying an automated heatwave-related process for closing the shutters. This is demonstrated in figure 3 .

[0029] This monitoring is based on an average of temperatures measured over several days, for example, the five (5) days preceding the monitoring. The average also includes the minimum and maximum ambient temperatures (Tamb min and Tamb max) measured over these few days. Therefore, two averages are established: an average of the minimum ambient temperatures and an average of the maximum ambient temperatures. These minimum ambient temperatures (Tamb min) and maximum ambient temperatures (Tamb max), respectively, are themselves derived from successive measurements, preferably taken at regular intervals, of the ambient temperature (Tamb) over a 24-hour period. The value used for the minimum ambient temperature (Tamb min) is then the lowest temperature recorded over 24 hours, and, conversely, the value used for the maximum ambient temperature (Tamb max) is the highest temperature measured over the same 24-hour period.

[0030] Minimum and maximum temperature threshold values, Ts min and Ts max, are stored by the system, specifically in the control unit or, optionally, in the additional remote control. Typically, Ts min can be set to approximately 20°C and Ts max to approximately 25°C. The two averages calculated from the minimum and maximum ambient temperature values, Tambi min and Tambi max, are then compared to these threshold values, Ts min = 0°C and Ts max = 25°C. If the average minimum ambient temperature, Tambi min, is greater than 20°C and the average maximum ambient temperature, Tambi max, is greater than 25°C, the system considers the current season to be characterized by high temperatures, and therefore assumes that the high ambient temperature measurements are not due to room heating.

[0031] To get back to the figure 1The dual determination by the system of the existence of heatwave conditions on the one hand, during a season which is likely to present them on the other hand, allows the so-called heatwave closure of the shutter to be triggered.

[0032] In this case, according to the method of the invention, the closing is indeed automated, that is, controlled and carried out by the system. The invention, however, provides a means of inhibiting the automatic nature of the process to prevent the repeated activation of the closing if the conditions remain unchanged. For example, if the system considers that there is a heatwave and should send a signal to close the shutter, but for various reasons the building occupant has decided to raise the shutter, at least partially. After an automated closing, a time delay is then automatically triggered by the control unit, typically for a few hours, for example, 3 hours.

[0033] The configuration examples shown in the figures should not be considered exhaustive of the invention, which includes, for example, variations in the durations or periods mentioned.

Claims

1. A method for automated control of closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter driven by an electric motor, the motor being connected to a control unit provided with telecommunication means, and controllable by means of an individual remote control capable of being programmed by the user between an automated operating mode and a non-automated operating mode of the shutter, an additional remote control being associated with the shutter, said additional remote control including means for measuring the ambient temperature, wherein the method includes: - measuring, at regular intervals, the ambient temperature Tamb by the additional remote control; - determining conditions defined as intense heat, if the measured ambient temperature Tamb fulfils the following characteristics: o the ambient temperature Tamb > Δ + Tamb min, where Δ = 1 if the minimum ambient temperature Tamb min ≥ 24° C or Δ = 2 if the minimum ambient temperature 22° C ≤ Tamb min < 24° C; or o the ambient temperature Tamb > 26° C; - determining that the current season has high temperatures, if the measured ambient temperature fulfils the following characteristics: o the mean calculated over a predetermined duration of the respective minimum Tamb min and maximum Tamb max ambient temperatures is greater than a threshold value Ts min and Ts max respectively; - if the conditions are determined as intense heat and if the current season is determined as having high temperatures, sending a frame for closure in intense heat to the motor by the control unit.

2. The method for automated control of closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the values Tamb min and Tamb max have a tolerance of 1° C.

3. The method for automated control of closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the threshold value Ts min is between 19° C and 21° C, and preferably equal to 20° C, and the threshold value Ts max is between 24° C and 26° C, and preferably equal to 25° C.

4. The method for automated control of closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective minimum Tamb min and maximum Tamb max ambient temperatures are determined by successive measurements of the ambient temperature Tamb over a period of 24h, the value retained for the minimum ambient temperature Tamb min being the lowest temperature recorded over this period and the value retained for the maximum ambient temperature Tamb max being the highest temperature over this period.

5. The method for automated control of closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the predetermined duration for calculating the mean of the respective minimum Tamb min and maximum Tamb max ambient temperatures is between 4 and 6 days, and preferably equal to 5 days.

6. The method for automated closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ambient temperature measurement interval is equal to: - 24h if the ambient temperature Tamb is < 18° C, - 3h if: o the ambient temperature Tamb is ≥ 18° C, or o if the conditions are of intense heat, or ∘ if Tamb > Tamb of the previous measurement + 3°C.

7. The method for automated control of closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, after sending a frame for closure in intense heat to the motor, the control unit activates a time delay inhibiting any new sending of a frame for closure in intense heat for its duration, said duration being between 2 and 4 hours, preferably equal to 3 hours.

8. The method for automated control of closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that determining intense heat conditions and the current summer season is carried out by the control unit of the shutter, the temperatures measured by the additional remote control being sent to the control unit.

9. The method for automated control of closure in intense heat of a non-solar shutter according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that determining intense heat conditions and the current summer season is carried out by the additional remote control, the results of said determinations being sent to the control unit.