Method for controlling a roller shutter according to external light and temperature conditions

Abstract

Method for controlling a shutter capable of obstructing an opening made in a building, said shutter being driven by a motor controlled by means of a processing and control unit, said motor being connected to at least one solar panel supplying the motor with energy, at least one irradiance sensor equipping the solar panel and at least one sensor of the temperature outside the building also being connected to the processing and control unit.The control includes the following steps: - Checking the closed or open state of the shutter; - measuring the open-circuit voltage of the solar panel; - measuring the irradiance of the solar panel; Then, if the shutter is closed, if the open-circuit voltage Uv of the panel is greater than a predetermined voltage threshold U0 stored in the processing and control unit and if the irradiance Ir is greater than a predetermined irradiance threshold Irm stored in the processing and control unit, a control signal for the automated opening of the shutter is sent to the motor by the processing and control unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a shutter capable of obstructing an opening made in a building with a view to automated movement depending on external conditions such as brightness and temperature. The idea is to regulate the opening and closing of roller shutters, for example, in response to seasonal variations in light and weather, in particular with a view to increasing the energy efficiency of the building, and also to improve living comfort. Good management of the positioning of a shutter can in fact lead to energy savings by reducing heating needs in winter, and also promote better management of natural light for increased comfort in the premises.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to shutters equipped with solar motors, i.e. which are dependent on solar energy via solar panels installed in the vicinity of each shutter. The electric motor associated with the shutter movement mechanism is in practice powered by the output voltage of the solar panel, which is delivered to it according to the state of signals emanating from various sensors reflecting the external conditions. These sensors are connected to a processing and control unit of the motor for the purpose of automated closing / opening of the shutter according to said conditions. The processing unit, which can be connected to a home automation system operating at the building level, collects data from sensors measuring in particular the external temperature or the quantity of solar energy, and uses them to determine the appropriate time to open or close the motorized shutter.

[0003] Thermal control of shutters is already known, which consists of automatically regulating the opening and closing of shutters according to the outside or even inside temperature, already contributing to optimizing the energy efficiency of a house. In this case, the only parameter managed is thermal, without taking into account other environmental factors such as sunlight and the energy it carries depending on the direction of the incident light rays, and their impact on the management of the interior temperature of the building. We know, for example, that due to the greenhouse effect exerted through glazing, the interior heat of a building can increase significantly.

[0004] The present invention, in that it integrates parameters which are added to the simple measurement of temperature, offers management of the automated opening / closing of shutters which is more precise, and consequently guarantees better optimization of the thermal variations which occur inside the building.

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for controlling a shutter conventionally driven by a motor controlled by means of a processing and control unit, said motor being connected to at least one solar panel supplying the motor with energy, at least one irradiance sensor equipping the solar panel and at least one sensor of the temperature outside the building also being connected to the processing and control unit.

[0006] The method of the invention is such that it comprises the following steps: Checking the shutter's closing or opening status; measuring the open-circuit voltage of the solar panel; measuring the solar panel's irradiance;

[0007] Then, still according to the invention, if the shutter is closed, if the open-circuit voltage of the panel is greater than a predetermined voltage threshold stored in the processing and control unit and if the irradiance is greater than a predetermined irradiance threshold stored in the processing and control unit, a control signal for the automated opening of the shutter is sent to the motor by the processing and control unit.

[0008] Irradiance sensors, also known as solar radiation sensors, measure the intensity of solar radiation incident on a given surface at a given time. They therefore make it possible to obtain a measurement of the intensity of solar radiation by converting the incident light energy from the sun's rays into a measurable electrical signal that can be used by the processing and control unit. Measuring the open-circuit voltage of the solar panel indicates the voltage that the panel can supply under the current light conditions, knowing that this voltage decreases with temperature, and that driving an electric motor requires a known nominal voltage, the existence of which must obviously be verified at the terminals of the solar panel.

[0009] According to the invention, several approaches are combined to achieve an automated opening or closing of the shutter which depends on a plurality of factors and which is likely to be implemented in differentiated ways depending on the context, for example according to the seasonal weather. Thus, in winter, the method will be used rather in the sense of an auroral opening, to take advantage of solar radiation as soon as possible in order to increase the heat in the building.

[0010] To make the most of the time factor, the processing and control unit preferably includes a clock capable of delivering time information.

[0011] Thus, during the cold seasons, in addition to verifying the aforementioned conditions on the irradiance threshold and the open-circuit voltage of the solar panel, it can be provided that if the temperature is lower than a first predetermined temperature threshold stored in the processing and control unit, the control signal for the automated opening of the shutter is only sent if the clock time is beyond a first predetermined reference time stored in the processing and control unit. In other words, the operation as characterized by the method of the invention then depends in addition on an outside temperature parameter and a time condition: when the temperature is low, before a certain time, the shutter is not commanded to open.In fact, in winter and depending on the time of dawn, which can occur quite late in the morning, it is not advisable to open the shutter too early, since it constitutes an additional layer of thermal protection preventing the building from losing calories.

[0012] Further refining the temperature condition, if the temperature is above a first predetermined temperature threshold and below a second predetermined temperature threshold, the shutter opening control signal is sent only if the clock time is beyond a second predetermined reference time stored in the processing and control unit. In most cases, the aforementioned temperature intervals are adjacent; that is, the first temperature thresholds mentioned are identical, as are the first reference time and the second reference time, which are also chosen to be identical. This is the hypothesis that is favored in the following configurations.In this particular case, when the temperature is within the temperature range whose lower limit is equal to the temperature of the first threshold, the shutter opens at the same time as in the previous case where the measured temperature is lower than a single temperature threshold managed by the system.

[0013] By further optimizing the management of the opening and closing of shutters, when the temperature is lower than the first temperature threshold, if a user opens the shutter at a time preceding the reference time stored in the processing and control unit, this time is stored in the processing and control unit and becomes the new reference time.

[0014] Furthermore, time delays can be implemented to further improve operational flexibility. For example: if a shutter is closed by the user after its automated opening and before the expiration of a first predetermined time delay stored in the processing and control unit, this first time delay starting at the reference time stored for the automated opening of the shutter, and if the opening of said shutter is then triggered by the user at a time occurring during a second predetermined time delay stored in the processing and control unit and also starting at the reference time stored for the automated opening of the shutter, and if the temperature is lower than the second temperature threshold, then the time of opening by the user becomes the reference time and is stored as the reference time in the processing and control unit.

[0015] More specifically, in the method of the invention, the first temperature threshold may be between 5°C and 15°C, and preferably be equal to 12°C. Similarly, the second temperature threshold may be between 15°C and 22°C, and preferably be equal to 18°C. Finally, the predetermined irradiance threshold may be between 5 W / m 2< and 15 W / m 2< , and preferably be equal to 10 W / m 2< .

[0016] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the description which follows, relating to embodiments which are given only as indicative examples. The understanding of this description will be facilitated in particular by reference to the diagrams attached in the appendix and in which: [ Fig.1 ] shows a block diagram of the overall operation of the automated method of moving (opening or closing) a shutter according to the invention; [ Fig.2 ] represents a synoptic diagram of an operation of the method of the invention integrating a first thermal parameter setting at a temperature threshold; [ Fig.3 ] shows a synoptic diagram of an operation very close to the previous one integrating a thermal parameterization variant with two temperature thresholds; [ Fig.4 ] illustrates a block diagram of a process operation adding a time setting following a user action; and [ Fig.5 ] represents a block diagram of a possible operation of the method of the invention integrating parameterized time delays.

[0017] In reference to the figure 1 , the method for controlling a shutter according to the present invention is based on the existence of a hardware configuration comprising an electric motor for driving the shutter in both directions, when opening and closing, powered by at least one solar panel. A processing and control unit, which is in fact the electronic central unit, manages the entire hardware system with a view to automating the movements of the shutter. For this purpose, it comprises a clock and memories for storing values ​​and parameters, for example predetermined threshold values ​​to be compared with the values ​​measured from sensors, with a view to triggering automated actions. In this case, as mentioned above, the motor is "solar", that is to say powered by at least one solar panel capable of supplying energy to the motor.The processing and control unit collects signals from at least one irradiance sensor fitted to the solar panel and at least one temperature sensor placed outside the building, as well as from shutter end-of-travel sensors, in order to measure the state of the various components of the system and to infer programmed actuations, in particular and mainly relating to the movements of the shutter or the updating of operating parameters.

[0018] According to the figure 1 , the closing or opening status of the shutter is first checked in order to know the initial position from which automated actions will be undertaken. Then, the system, via the processing and control unit, collects the open-circuit voltage U v of the solar panel, i.e. the voltage present between its terminals at the time of the measurement. Finally, the processing and control unit measures the irradiance Ir of the solar panel, a measurement given by the irradiance sensor placed at the level of the solar panel(s). The processing of the measurements taken by the processing and control unit can then begin.

[0019] If the limit switches indicate that the shutter is closed / open, if the open-circuit voltage U v measured at the terminals of the panel is greater than a predetermined voltage threshold U 0 stored in the processing and control unit and if the measurement of the irradiance Ir measured at the solar panel is greater than a predetermined irradiance threshold Ir m also stored in the processing and control unit, the processing and control unit of the system controls a movement of the shutter by driving the motor, by a control signal for the automated opening / closing of the shutter.

[0020] In addition to this basic operation, the process can be refined / optimized by managing other parameters, in particular for the opening of the shutter, for example, in winter. Thus, a measurement of the temperatures outside the building can be taken into consideration, coupled with time management - and therefore potentially the presence of day and night, the alternation of which changes according to the season. This is what is represented in figure 2 . A temperature threshold T1 is defined below and above which the system does not operate in the same way. If the measured temperature T is lower than a first temperature threshold T1 stored in the processing and control unit, the control signal for the automated opening of the shutter is only sent if an additional time condition is satisfied. In reality, so that the thermal benefits of daylight can be exploited, the processing and control unit only sends a signal to open the shutter if the time H of the clock of said unit, obviously set to the time zone of the location, is beyond a first predetermined reference time H1 stored in the processing and control unit, and which is in principle chosen according to the time at which dawn occurs.

[0021] Alternatively, two contiguous temperature ranges can be defined, and the operation can be differentiated according to whether the temperature T is lower than a first threshold T'1, as above, or higher than said first temperature threshold T'1 but still lower than a second temperature threshold T2, therefore included in the interval between T'1 and T2. The operating diagram of the process in this mode appears in figure 3 . T'1 can also be equal to T1 above, this is also the preferred configuration. In this case, according to the method of the invention, the signal for controlling the opening of the shutter is only sent if the time H of the clock is beyond a second predetermined reference time H'1 stored. As for the temperature thresholds T1 and T'1, this second reference time H'1 is preferably identical to the first reference time H1 mentioned previously.

[0022] It is also possible to vary the reference times stored by the system, as illustrated in figure 4 . Thus, still assuming that the temperature is lower than the first temperature threshold T1, if a user opens the shutter at a time H preceding the reference time H1 stored in the processing and control unit, this may mean that H1 is not correctly calibrated, and that the system should take this into account. In this case, such an opening occurring earlier than the stored reference time H1, the time H of the less late actual opening is stored in the processing and control unit and becomes the new reference time H1 for the future. This new value “overwrites” the old one in a memory of said unit.

[0023] There can be modulation and reparameterization of the reference schedules not only when there is manual opening before the reference time H1 memorized by the system, as we have just seen, but also when the user has closed the shutter after its automatic opening, thus after said time H1. In this case, the system analyzes the time H1 as inappropriate because it was set a bit too early. However, to remain within a reasonable framework of normal operation, time delays are provided to avoid reparameterization of the system that only reflects very particular days such as rest days. Thus, more precisely, several conditions must be met for this reparameterization to be taken into account by the system.

[0024] First, if a shutter is closed by the user after its automated opening, i.e. after time H1, it must have been closed before the expiration of a first predetermined time delay Δt1 starting at the reference time H1.

[0025] Then, a reopening of said shutter must be triggered by the user at a later time H2 which is included in a second predetermined time delay Δt2 and also begins at the reference time H1 initially stored for the automated opening of the shutter.

[0026] Finally, the temperature T must be lower than the second temperature threshold T2. When these cumulative conditions are met, then the user's opening time H2 becomes the reference time H1 and is stored as the reference time H1 in the processing and control unit. The old time is also overwritten in the memory due to the replacement by the new value.

[0027] The configuration examples which are the subject of the figures should not be considered as exhaustive of the invention, which includes for example marginal variants in the ranges of values.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a shutter capable of obstructing an opening made in a building, said shutter being driven by a motor controlled by means of a processing and control unit, said motor being connected to at least one solar panel supplying the motor with energy, at least one irradiance sensor equipping the solar panel and at least one sensor of the temperature outside the building also being connected to the processing and control unit, characterized by the following steps: - checking the shutter's closed or open status; - measuring the open-circuit voltage of the solar panel; - measuring the irradiance of the solar panel; - If the shutter is closed, if the open-circuit voltage U v of the panel is greater than a voltage threshold U 0 predetermined value stored in the processing and control unit and if the irradiance Ir is greater than a predetermined irradiance threshold Ir mstored in the processing and control unit, a control signal for the automated opening of the shutter is sent to the motor by the processing and control unit.

2. Method for controlling a shutter according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The processing and control unit includes a clock capable of delivering time information.

3. Method for controlling a shutter according to the preceding claim, characterized in that if the temperature T is lower than a first predetermined temperature threshold T1 stored in the processing and control unit, the control signal for the automated opening of the shutter is only sent if the time H of the clock is beyond a first predetermined reference time H1 stored in the processing and control unit.

4. Method for controlling a shutter according to claim 1, characterized in thatif the temperature T is higher than a first predetermined temperature threshold T'1 stored in the processing and control unit and is lower than a second predetermined temperature threshold T2 stored in the processing and control unit, the signal for controlling the opening of the shutter is only sent if the time H of the clock is beyond a second predetermined reference time H'1 stored in the processing and control unit.

5. Method for controlling a shutter according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the first temperature thresholds T1 and T'1 are identical, and characterized in that the first reference schedule H1 and the second reference schedule H'1 are identical.

6. Method for controlling a shutter according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, when the temperature is lower than the first temperature threshold T1, if a user opens the shutter at a time H preceding the reference time H1 stored in the processing and control unit, this time H is stored in the processing and control unit and becomes the new reference time H1.

7. Method for controlling a shutter according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: - if a shutter is closed by the user after its automated opening and before the expiration of a first predetermined time delay Δt1 stored in the processing and control unit, this first time delay starting at the reference time H1 stored for the automated opening of the shutter, and - if the opening of said shutter is then triggered by the user at a time H2 occurring during a second predetermined time delay Δt2 stored in the processing and control unit and also starting at the reference time H1 stored for the automated opening of the shutter, and - if the temperature T is lower than the second temperature threshold T2, then the time H2 of the opening by the user becomes the reference time H1 and is stored as the reference time H1 in the processing and control unit.

8. Method for controlling a shutter according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that ​the first temperature threshold is between 5°C and 15°C, preferably equal to 12°C.

9. Method for controlling a shutter according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the second temperature threshold is between 15°C and 22°C, preferably equal to 18°C.

10. Method for controlling a shutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that predetermined irradiance threshold Ir m , is between 5 and 15 W / m 2 , and preferably equal to 10 W / m 2 .

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