Control system for electric blinds

Abstract

To provide a control device for an electric blind that allows the slats to be controlled at an angle that optimally ensures a clear view of the object being viewed, when prioritizing the view of the object being viewed. [Solution] The control system for the electric blind is a control system for an electric blind equipped with a plurality of slats, and comprises a control unit that acquires solar position information and controls the opening and closing angles of the plurality of slats to block sunlight based on the solar position information. If the shading angle of the plurality of slats with respect to the horizontal plane calculated based on the solar position information is less than or equal to a preset viewing angle that allows a viewable object located below the installation position of the electric blind to be viewed from between the plurality of slats, the control unit maintains the viewing angle as the control angle regardless of the solar position information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system for an electric blind.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional control device for an electric blind, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The control device for an electric blind shown in this document calculates the solar light incident angle of the blind installation window surface at the control time, and then calculates the tilt angle of the slats with respect to the horizontal plane such that the tilt angle of the plane including the upper outer edge of the upper slats and the lower inner edge of the lower slats adjacent vertically is equal to or slightly smaller than the solar light incident angle, and is configured to control the slats so as to have the slat tilt angle.

[0003] According to such a configuration, it is possible to maintain the outdoor view from the window surface to the maximum extent while shielding the direct sunlight incident from the window surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the above-described control device for an electric blind can only control the slats so as to maintain the outdoor view to the maximum extent, and is not configured to control the slats so as to ensure the view for a specific viewing target. Therefore, when there is a specific viewing target for which it is desired to secure a view through the blind, there is a problem that depending on the positional relationship between the blind and the viewing target, it may become difficult to secure the view for the viewing target due to the slats controlled to shield sunlight.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to provide an electric blind control system that allows the slats to be controlled at an angle that can suitably secure a view of the object being viewed, when it is desired to prioritize the view of the object being viewed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, a control system for an electric blind according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control system for an electric blind equipped with a plurality of slats, comprising a control unit that acquires solar position information and controls the opening and closing angles of the plurality of slats to block sunlight based on the solar position information. The control unit maintains the viewing angle as the control angle regardless of the solar position information if the shading angle of the plurality of slats with respect to the horizontal plane calculated based on the solar position information is less than or equal to a preset viewing angle that allows a viewable object located below the installation position of the electric blind to be viewed from between the plurality of slats.

[0008] This allows the control system to adjust the opening and closing angle of the slats to ensure a favorable view of the object being viewed, thus meeting the user's desire to prioritize the view of objects visible through the blinds.

[0009] The control unit may set the viewing angle to an angle that allows the object to be viewed diagonally downward from between the plurality of slats.

[0010] This makes the control system particularly advantageous in usage scenarios where, for example, the viewer can look down at the object of observation from the upper floors of a building.

[0011] The control unit may set the viewing angle to the angle formed with respect to the horizontal plane by the straight line connecting the installation position of the electric blind and the viewing target position of the viewing object.

[0012] This allows the control system to set the viewing angle to the angle at which the object being viewed is most easily seen through the blinds.

[0013] The control unit may set the calculated occlusion angle as the control angle if the calculated occlusion angle is greater than the viewing angle.

[0014] This allows the control system to control the slats to block direct sunlight when the sun is low in the sky, for example, and to prioritize the view of the object being viewed when the sun is high in the sky, thus enabling the creation of a more practical and convenient electric blind.

[0015] The system may further include a sunshine determination unit for determining the sunshine conditions. In this case, if the sunshine determination unit determines that at least one of the solar radiation and illuminance is below a predetermined value, the control unit may maintain the viewing angle as the control angle regardless of the sun position information.

[0016] This allows the control system to prioritize maintaining a clear view of the object being viewed, without controlling the shading angle, in sunlight conditions such as cloudy days when direct shading is not necessary.

[0017] If the control unit determines that the solar altitude indicated by the solar position information is below a threshold, it may maintain the viewing angle as the control angle regardless of the solar position information.

[0018] This allows the control system to prioritize maintaining a clear view of the object being viewed, without controlling the shading angle, for example, at night when there is no sunlight and therefore no need for shading. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] As described above, according to the present invention, when it is desired to prioritize the viewability of the view target, it is possible to provide a control system for an electric blind that can control the slats at an angle that can suitably secure the view of the view target. However, such an effect does not limit the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system for an electric blind according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the control system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the setting of the viewing angle by the control system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the blind control process by the control system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the control operation of the opening and closing angle of the slats of the electric blind by the control system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the control operation of the opening and closing angle of the slats of the electric blind by the control system.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] [Configuration of Control System for Electric Blind] [ FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a control system for an electric blind according to the present embodiment.

[0023] As shown in the figure, the control system 100 for an electric blind according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the control system 100) includes a central control device 1, a sunlight detection device 2, a floor control device 3, a floor control device 4, a blind control device 5, and an electric blind 6.

[0024] The central control unit 1 is connected to the blind control unit 5 of the electric blinds 6, which are located on each floor, via floor control units 4 installed on each floor of a building such as an office building. The electric blinds 6 are horizontal blinds having multiple slats 7.

[0025] The central control unit 1 is a computer that oversees the blind control process, which controls the opening and closing angles of the slats 7 of the electric blind 6 according to the position of the sun (solar altitude, solar azimuth) and the sunlight conditions. Hereafter, the solar position information, which indicates the position of the sun, will be described as including solar altitude information, which indicates the altitude of the sun, and solar azimuth information, which indicates the direction of the sun. The central control unit 1 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and includes control circuits that perform data transfer, calculations, temporary data storage, or storage of the main program according to the program, as well as an I / O control circuit (communication unit) that controls data input and output with the blind control unit 5 via the floor control unit 4, and memory for storing data and programs.

[0026] Furthermore, the control circuit of the central control unit 1 is equipped with a clock capable of acquiring the current time, and also stores location information (latitude and longitude information) of the building where the electric blinds 6 are installed. The corresponding solar altitude is calculated using this time and location information.

[0027] Outside the building, at a position below the installation location of the electric blind 6, there are objects that can be viewed from the building through each slat 7 of the electric blind 6. In this embodiment, the control system 100 can switch between a solar shading mode, which controls the opening and closing angle of each slat 7 to block sunlight based on solar position information, and a view priority mode, which maintains the set view angle as the control angle regardless of the solar position information when the shading angle is less than or equal to a preset view angle that allows the objects to be viewed through the slats 7. The control circuit also stores information about the set view angle. The process for setting the view angle will be described later.

[0028] The solar radiation detection device 2 consists of a pyranometer that detects the amount of solar radiation, an illuminance meter that detects the illuminance value, and a control unit that transmits the amount of solar radiation and the illuminance value to the floor control device 3.

[0029] More specifically, the sunshine detection device 2 comprises a first pyranometer / illuminometer, a second pyranometer / illuminometer, and a shielding plate that rotates relative to the second pyranometer / illuminometer to block the incidence of direct sunlight from the direction of the sun onto the second pyranometer / illuminometer. The sunshine detection device 2 then determines the total sky value from the first pyranometer / illuminometer and the scattered value from scattered light other than direct sunlight, which is blocked by the shielding plate of the second pyranometer / illuminometer. Furthermore, it determines the direct value, which is the difference between the total sky value and the scattered value, and uses these to determine whether or not there is sunlight.

[0030] The solar radiation and illuminance measurement signals measured by the solar radiation detection device 2 are transmitted to the central control device 1 via the floor control devices 3 and 4. Unlike the floor control device 4, the floor control device 3 does not have a connection function to the central control device 1 and the blind control device 5, and is solely a control device that acts as a relay between the solar radiation detection device 2 and the floor control device 4 connected to the central control device 1.

[0031] The blind control device 5 receives a blind control signal transmitted from the central control device 1 via the floor control device 4 to control the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 of the electric blind 6, and transmits a control signal to the motor of the electric blind 6 in accordance with the blind control signal.

[0032] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the control system 100 described above.

[0033] As shown in the figure, the control system 100 includes a sunshine determination unit 10 and a slat control unit 20 that controls the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 of the electric blind 6 according to the position of the sun or the sunshine conditions. In this embodiment, the sunshine determination unit 10 and the slat control unit 20 are, for example, performed by the control circuit of the central control unit 1.

[0034] [Setting the viewing angle] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the setting of the viewing angle by the control system 100 described above.

[0035] As shown in the figure, there is a viewable object V outside of building B, below the installation position of the electric blind 6. Viewable objects V could include various things such as buildings, bridges, lakes, the sea, or mountains.

[0036] The viewing angle θ is the angle formed by the line connecting the installation position of the electric blind 6 and the position of the object to be viewed V with respect to the horizontal plane, and is the angle of the slats 7 that makes it easiest to view the object to be viewed V through the slats 7 of the electric blind 6. The viewing angle θ is determined by the height of the object to be viewed V from the ground H A (m) The height of the installation position of the electric blind 6 is H B (m) When the horizontal distance from the viewing object V to the electric blind 6 is X(m), it is calculated by equation (1) in the same figure.

[0037] For example, if the bridge is the object of view V, then the lower end of the object of view V is at its height H, as shown in the figure. A The height position may be (m), or it may be any position, not limited to the lower end. Also, if the object of view V is something without height, such as a lake or the sea, H A = 0.

[0038] Typically, the object of view V is something that can be viewed diagonally downward from between the slats 7, and the viewing angle θ is set accordingly. However, if the object of view V is something with great height, such as a mountain or a tower, the viewing angle θ may be 0°. Therefore, the viewing angle θ can be set within the range of 0° ≤ θ < 90°.

[0039] The central control unit 1 sets the viewing angle θ based on the above equation (1) according to the object being viewed V, and stores it as viewing angle information in the control circuit, etc.

[0040] [Operation of the control system for electric blinds] Next, the operation of the electric blind control system 100 configured as described above will be explained. This operation is performed through the cooperation of the hardware of the central control unit 1, such as the control circuit, I / O control circuit (communication unit), and memory, and the software stored in the control circuit. For convenience, in the following explanation, the control circuit will be considered the main operator, and the software (functional block) responsible for it will be shown in parentheses. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of blind control processing by the above control system.

[0041] As shown in the figure, the control circuit (sunlight determination unit 10) of the central control unit 1 first acquires solar altitude information (step 101). This solar altitude information is calculated, for example, from the current time information obtained from the control circuit's clock (or time server) and the position information (latitude / longitude information) of the electric blind 6 stored in the control circuit.

[0042] Next, the control circuit (sunlight determination unit 10) determines whether the solar altitude indicated by the acquired solar altitude information is 0° or higher (i.e., it is daytime) (step 102).

[0043] If the system determines that the sun's altitude is 0° or higher, i.e., that it is daytime (Yes in step 102), the control circuit (sunlight determination unit 10) acquires solar radiation information from the sunlight detection device 2 (step 103).

[0044] Next, the control circuit (sunlight determination unit 10) determines whether the amount of solar radiation indicated by the acquired solar radiation information is above a predetermined threshold (i.e., whether it is a sunny day) (step 104).

[0045] As described above, there are three types of solar radiation measured by the solar radiation detection device 2: "total sky value," "scattered value," and "direct value." The control circuit (solar radiation determination unit 10) may determine in step 104 that it is Yes (sunny) if any one of these three types of solar radiation is above a threshold.

[0046] In the figure, an example of a process that determines sunshine based solely on solar radiation is shown. However, the control circuit (sunshine determination unit 10) may also determine sunshine using illuminance values ​​in addition to, or instead of, solar radiation. Illuminance values ​​can be obtained by the sunshine detection device 2, just like solar radiation.

[0047] If it is determined that the amount of solar radiation is above a threshold, i.e., that it is a sunny day (Yes in step 104), the control circuit (slat control unit 20) calculates the shading angle of the slats 7 (step 105).

[0048] Specifically, the control circuit (slat control unit 20) calculates the occlusion angle based on the "solar position," which takes into account the solar azimuth in addition to the solar altitude used in step 102 above. The solar azimuth is calculated appropriately using a well-known calculation method based on the current time information and the position information, similar to the solar altitude.

[0049] Any known technique can be used to calculate the shading angle. For example, as described in Patent Document 1 above, the angle of incidence of sunlight on the window surface where the electric blind 6 is installed at time T is calculated from the position of the sun, and then the angle at which the inclination angle of the plane including the outer edge of the upper slat 7 and the inner edge of the lower slat 7 of adjacent slats 7 is equal to or slightly smaller than the angle of incidence of sunlight can be calculated as the shading angle.

[0050] Next, the control circuit (slat control unit 20) determines whether the calculated shielding angle is greater than the previously set viewing angle (step 106).

[0051] If it is determined that the shading angle is greater than the viewing angle (Yes in step 106), the control circuit (slat control unit 20) sends a blind control signal to the blind control device 5 so that the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 becomes the shading angle calculated above (step 107: solar radiation shading mode).

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined that the shading angle is less than or equal to the viewing angle (No in step 106), and if it is determined in step 102 that the solar altitude is less than 0°, i.e., it is nighttime (No), and if it is determined in step 104 that the amount of solar radiation is less than the threshold, i.e., it is cloudy (No), the control circuit (slat control unit 20) sends a blind control signal to the blind control device 5 to maintain the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 at the set viewing angle (step 108: View priority mode).

[0053] In the actual product specifications of the electric blind 6, the vertical direction is generally defined as a slat angle of 0°. However, in this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the horizontal direction is defined as a slat angle of 0°.

[0054] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the control operation of the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 of the electric blind 6 by the control system 100 described above, and shows an example in which, in step 104 of Figure 4, the system transitions to the view priority mode via the route where the amount of solar radiation is above the threshold (it is a sunny day) (Yes).

[0055] As shown in Figure (a), if the sun's altitude is still low and the shading angle is greater than the viewing angle (e.g., 30°) (Yes in step 106), the control circuit controls the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 to follow the sun's altitude and shading (solar shading mode).

[0056] Subsequently, as shown in Figures (b) and (c), when the sun's altitude increases and the occlusion angle becomes less than or equal to the viewing angle (30°) (No. in Step 106), the control circuit maintains the viewing angle (30°) as the control angle regardless of the sun's altitude (view priority mode).

[0057] As a result, the control system 100 can control the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 to ensure a suitable view of the viewing object V when the shading angle falls below a predetermined angle (i.e., when the view of the viewing object V becomes poor), even while performing solar shading. This makes it possible to meet the user's request to prioritize the view of the viewing object V that can be viewed through the slats 7.

[0058] Figure 6 shows an example of the control operation of the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 of the electric blind 6 by the control system 100 described above, and shows an example in step 104 of Figure 4 above where the view priority mode is switched via the route where the amount of solar radiation is below the threshold (cloudy day) (No).

[0059] As shown in Figures (a) to (c), when the amount of solar radiation is below the threshold (cloudy), the control circuit maintains the above-mentioned viewing angle (30°) as the control angle of the slat 7, regardless of the increasing altitude of the sun as shown in Figures (a), (b), and (c) (view priority mode).

[0060] As a result, the control system 100 can control the slats 7 to prioritize securing the view of the object of view V without controlling them to an angle for sun shading, for example, in sunlight conditions where it is not necessary to block direct sunlight, such as on an overcast day.

[0061] Similarly, if step 102 determines that the solar altitude is less than 0°, i.e., it is nighttime (No), then, in cases where there is no sunlight and therefore no need for shading, the slats 7 can be controlled to prioritize securing the view of the object of view V without controlling them to an angle for solar shading.

[0062] [summary] As described above, according to this embodiment, when prioritizing the view of the object of view V, it is possible to provide a control system 100 for an electric blind 6 that can control the opening and closing angle of the slats 7 at an angle that can suitably secure a view of the object of view V.

[0063] [Differentiation] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the art.

[0064] In the embodiment described above, the control circuit calculated the occlusion angle in step 105 of Figure 4 based on the solar position, which is obtained by adding the solar azimuth to the solar altitude. However, the occlusion angle may be calculated using only the solar altitude without using the solar azimuth. That is, the solar position information may include only information indicating the solar altitude and not information indicating the solar azimuth.

[0065] In the above embodiment, only one central control unit 1 is shown for one building B, but there may be multiple central control units 1 in one building B. For example, a central control unit 1 may be present on each floor of building B, and each central control unit 1 on each floor may independently handle the control processing of one or more electric blinds 6 on that floor.

[0066] In this case, the viewing angle θ may differ from floor to floor, and accordingly, different occlusion angle control processes may be performed for each floor.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the central control unit 1 may not exist, and each blind control unit 5 may independently perform the control processing for the shielding angle of the electric blinds 6. In this case, the blind control unit 5 may be externally connected to the electric blinds 6 or may be built into the electric blinds 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1…Central Control Unit 2…Sunlight detection device 3…Floor control device 4…Floor control device 5…Blind control device 6…Electric blinds 7...Slat 10…Sunshine determination section 20... Slat control unit 100…Control system for electric blinds B... Building V...Viewing object θ…Viewing angle

Claims

1. A control system for an electric blind with multiple slats, The system includes a control unit that acquires solar position information and controls the opening and closing angles of the plurality of slats to block solar radiation based on said solar position information, The control unit maintains the viewing angle as the control angle regardless of the sun position information if the shading angle of the plurality of slats with respect to the horizontal plane, calculated based on the sun position information, is less than or equal to a preset viewing angle that allows viewing objects located below the installation position of the electric blind to be viewed from between the plurality of slats. Control system for electric blinds.

2. A control system according to claim 1, The control unit sets the viewing angle to an angle that allows the object to be viewed diagonally downward from between the plurality of slats. Control system for electric blinds.

3. A control system for electric blinds according to claim 2, The control unit sets the viewing angle to the angle formed by the straight line connecting the installation position of the electric blind and the viewing target position with respect to the horizontal plane. Control system for electric blinds.

4. A control system for electric blinds according to claim 1, The control unit sets the calculated occlusion angle to the control angle if the occlusion angle is greater than the viewing angle. Control system for electric blinds.

5. A control system for electric blinds according to claim 4, It further comprises a sunshine determination unit that determines the sunshine conditions, If the control unit determines that the amount of solar radiation and illuminance are below a predetermined value, it maintains the viewing angle as the control angle regardless of the solar position information. Control system for electric blinds.

6. A control system for electric blinds according to claim 1, If the control unit determines that the solar altitude indicated by the solar position information is below a threshold, it maintains the viewing angle as the control angle regardless of the solar position information. Control system for electric blinds.

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