DC Power Bus Layout for Motorized Window Treatment Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window treatment control systems face challenges in efficient energy management and reduced installation and wiring costs, as they often require complex and labor-intensive wiring configurations for motorized window treatments.
Innovation Solution
A DC power bus system that trickle charges internal energy storage elements in control devices, allowing for a daisy-chain configuration that reduces installation labor and wiring costs, with each device charging based on message reception and sharing charge with others when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a DC power bus system with daisy-chain configuration is used, then installation labor and wiring costs are reduced, but energy distribution and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each control device autonomously monitors its own energy storage level and independently decides when to charge from the DC power bus, eliminating the need for centralized energy management. Devices transmit storage level information via communication circuits and automatically charge when conditions are met, making the system self-managing despite its distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system is segmented into independent control devices, each with its own energy storage element. This segmentation allows each device to operate semi-independently while being part of the distributed DC power bus network, simplifying both installation and energy management.
2Duration of action of moving object
If internal energy storage elements are charged from the DC power bus, then operational autonomy is improved, but power consumption during charging increases
Solution Approach 1:
Charging of internal energy storage elements occurs periodically rather than continuously. Control devices monitor their storage levels and activate charging only when the storage level falls below a threshold or when communication with the system indicates it is appropriate, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining operational autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where control devices transmit storage level information to the system and receive commands accordingly. This feedback loop enables intelligent charging decisions that balance operational autonomy with energy consumption, charging only when necessary based on real-time storage level monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the installation process, reduces wiring complexity, and optimizes energy distribution among motorized window treatments, ensuring efficient operation and energy savings by allowing devices to coordinate charging and sharing of energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
A DC power bus system that trickle charges internal energy storage elements in control devices
Implementation Method 2
internal energy storage elements in control devices
Data Source
AI summary
A control system may include a direct-current (DC) power bus for charging (e.g., trickle charging) internal energy storage elements in control devices of the control system. For example, the control devices may be motorized window treatments configured to adjust a position of a covering material to control the amount of daylight entering a space. The system may include a DC power supply that may generate a DC voltage on the DC power bus. For example, the DC power bus may extend from the DC power supply around the perimeter of a floor of the building and may be connected to all of the motorized window treatments on the floor (e.g., in a daisy-chain configuration). Wiring the DC power bus in such a manner may dramatically reduce the installation labor and wiring costs of an installation, as well as decreasing the chance of a miswire.