Building Glazing Exchange Calculation for Thermal and Light Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to provide a simple, reliable, and precise method for determining energy and light exchange values through building glazings, and there is a lack of effective control methods for home automation devices to ensure thermal and light comfort in buildings.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for determining energy and light exchange values through building glazings using a home automation system, which includes obtaining characteristics of the glazing and environment, and controlling home automation devices based on these values to maintain thermal and light comfort, utilizing a mobile terminal, motorized drive devices, and occulting systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing technologies are used to determine energy and light exchange through glazing, then thermal gains from direct sunlight are allowed, but there is no simple solution for quantifying light gains through glazing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight gains quantificationVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation method that uses solar radiation data, glazing optical properties, and geometric parameters to compute light exchange values. This intermediary computational approach bridges the gap between direct sunlight measurement and quantified light gains, enabling precise measurement without complex physical instrumentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex physical measurement systems with a computational model that calculates energy and light exchange through glazing. By substituting mechanical/optical measurement instruments with algorithm-based calculations using solar data and glazing characteristics, the system achieves precise quantification while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If home automation devices are controlled manually, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal and light comfort cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal and light comfortVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where determined energy and light exchange values are used to automatically control home automation devices. The system continuously monitors environmental parameters, calculates exchange values, and adjusts device operation accordingly, ensuring thermal and light comfort while maintaining automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system operates autonomously by automatically determining energy and light exchange values and using these values to control home automation devices without manual intervention. The system serves itself by integrating the determination and control functions, eliminating the need for user input while ensuring comfort requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If energy and light exchange values are determined through complex methods, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy and light exchange determinationVSAvoiddetermination process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary determination of energy and light exchange values using pre-collected data on solar radiation, glazing optical properties, and environmental conditions. By calculating these values in advance based on available data rather than requiring complex real-time measurements, the system achieves precise determination while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3914884B1Method and device for determining at least one value for heat and/or light exchange through at least one glass panel of a building, method and system for controlling at least one home automation device providing thermal and/or light comfort in a building
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3914884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3914884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3914884B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for determining at least one value for heat and/or light exchange through at least one glass panel of a building, the building being provided with a home automation facility comprising a mobile terminal and a home automation device, is implemented at least partly by the mobile terminal. The method comprises a step of obtaining (1001) first features of the glass panel and/or second features of at least one shutter associated with the glass panel, a step of obtaining (1002) third features of the environment of the glass panel, via the mobile terminal, and a step of automatically determining (1003) at least one heat and/or light exchange value from the previously obtained third features, and from the previously obtained first features and/or second features, the steps of obtaining (1001, 1002) and determining (1003) being repeated for several openings of the building which are each provided with a glass panel.