Electrochromic Panel Tint Synchronization Across Mismatched Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochromic panels of different sizes, chemistry, or age respond differently to identical driving conditions, leading to inconsistent tint levels and rates of change, making it challenging to coordinate tint or transmissivity across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A control system that utilizes transfer functions specific to each electrochromic device to coordinate tint levels and rates of change, ensuring uniformity across multiple devices by adjusting the drive parameters based on individual device characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If identical driving conditions are applied to multiple electrochromic devices, then the control system is simple, but the tint levels and rates of change become inconsistent across devices of different sizes, chemistry, or age
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by developing and applying unique transfer functions for each electrochromic device. These transfer functions map drive conditions to tint levels, accounting for variations in device size, chemistry, and age. By changing the control parameters from uniform drive signals to device-specific transfer functions, the system achieves consistent tint levels across diverse devices without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by customizing the control approach for each individual device. Instead of applying a universal control strategy, the system creates device-specific transfer functions that reflect the unique characteristics of each electrochromic panel. This localized control strategy ensures that each device responds appropriately to drive conditions based on its specific properties, resolving the inconsistency issue.
2Manufacturing precision
If device-specific transfer functions are used to coordinate tint levels, then tint consistency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating transfer function models for each device based on their specific characteristics. Once a transfer function is developed for a device, it can be stored and reused for consistent control. The system copies the methodology of developing transfer functions across multiple devices, allowing for standardized implementation of device-specific control without requiring complex real-time adjustments for each device.
3Ease of operation
If electrochromic devices of different sizes and chemistries are controlled uniformly, then the control approach is straightforward, but the aesthetic coordination and performance optimization are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the control parameters from uniform drive signals to device-specific transfer functions. This allows the system to maintain ease of operation through a standardized control interface while achieving reliable aesthetic coordination by accounting for device-specific characteristics in the transfer functions. The parameter change enables both simplicity and reliability to coexist.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling tint for a plurality of electrochromic devices, performed by a control system, is provided. The method includes receiving a request to change tint level of a plurality of electrochromic devices, and consulting transfer functions for tint level relative to drive for each of the plurality of electrochromic devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrochromic devices has a transfer function differing from at least one other of the plurality of electrochromic devices. The method includes driving each of the plurality of electrochromic devices in accordance with the transfer functions, so as to coordinate tint level or rate of change of tint level across the plurality of electrochromic devices.