Method for controlling and/or monitoring at least one actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building automation systems require a multitude of precise sensors distributed throughout a building to measure physical quantities like temperature and humidity, leading to complex and costly installations, especially due to the need for accurate placement to avoid inaccurate readings.

Innovation Solution

Integrating sensors into control points, allowing data collection and correlation across multiple locations to determine average or total physical quantities, such as average temperature or total acoustic power, without the need for additional sensors, and using thermal and aeraulic models to analyze air flows and detect specific events like an ironing session, thereby improving measurement precision and reducing installation costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a multitude of precise sensors are distributed throughout the building, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (temperature, humidity, luminosity, acoustics) into integrated control units that are already present in the building automation system. Instead of distributing separate sensors throughout the building, the system merges sensing functions into existing control points, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through data correlation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control units in the patent serve multiple functions: they act as both control devices for building equipment and as measurement points for collecting environmental data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated sensor installations, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive monitoring across multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are precisely installed in each room, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging sensor functions into existing control units that are already installed in the building, the system eliminates the need for precise sensor installation in each room. The control units are positioned according to building automation requirements, not sensor optimization requirements, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining measurement quality through computational methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If additional sensors are distributed in the building, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of substance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing control units serve dual purposes: controlling building equipment and measuring environmental parameters. This eliminates the need to manufacture and install additional sensor devices, thereby reducing material consumption and installation costs while achieving comprehensive building monitoring through intelligent data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3134777B1Method for controlling and/or monitoring at least one actuator
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3134777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3134777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3134777B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling and/or monitoring at least one actuator (3) of a visual or thermal comfort device in a building, including the steps of: (E1) collecting data from a plurality of control points (11) configured to send at least one control order to at least one actuator (3), the data including, for at least each control point (11), information relating to an instantaneous measurement value of a physical quantity relating to comfort or to the energy consumption in the building, said measurement value being determined at the location of the control point (11), and (E2) exploiting said data, said exploitation including the definition of at least one correspondence between an instantaneous measurement value of a physical quantity and a spatial location of the measurement of said physical quantity in the building.