3D-Modeled Electrochromic Window Tint Scheduling for Glare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochromic devices and windows, despite advances in technology, have not realized their full commercial potential due to various issues, including inefficient control methods for tinting and energy management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize all-solid-state and inorganic electrochromic devices integrated into tintable windows, controlled by a network of processors and sensors that generate 3D models of building sites to determine optimal tint levels based on glare and reflection models, adjusting tint states dynamically through cloud-based scheduling and sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrochromic windows are used to control light transmission and energy savings, then energy efficiency is improved, but control complexity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates tint schedules based on historical weather data, building geometry, and occupancy patterns before they are needed. This allows the complex control logic to be executed in advance, simplifying real-time operation while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified representations of building geometry, occupancy patterns, and weather conditions as data models. These copied representations allow complex simulations to be performed on simplified data structures rather than real-world complexity, reducing computational burden during operation.
2Measurement precision
If 3D modeling and glare/reflection models are used to determine optimal tint levels, then tint control precision is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs computationally intensive 3D modeling, glare analysis, and reflection calculations in advance to generate pre-computed tint schedules. This shifts the computational burden to off-line processing, allowing high precision control without real-time computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of modeling detail and computational effort based on the specific application context, building characteristics, and available processing resources. This allows the system to optimize between precision and computational complexity for each situation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic tint adjustment based on real-time data is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but energy consumption for data processing and communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic updates of tint states based on pre-calculated schedules rather than continuous real-time adjustment. This reduces the frequency of data processing and communication events while maintaining adaptability through periodic re-scheduling based on updated weather forecasts and occupancy patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes weather data, occupancy patterns, and building performance models to create anticipatory tint schedules before they are needed. This reduces real-time data processing requirements while maintaining adaptability through pre-computed optimization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cloud-based 3D modeling platform is used to store and process building data, then system versatility and customization are improved, but network dependency and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and stores essential building geometry, material properties, and occupancy data in simplified data structures and configurations that can be locally cached. This reduces continuous network dependency while maintaining access to versatile building models through periodic updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based platform provides universal data storage and processing capabilities that serve multiple functions: building model storage, simulation execution, data analytics, and user interface hosting. This consolidates network requirements into a multi-functional platform rather than separate systems for each function.
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 approach enables efficient energy management by dynamically controlling tint levels in tintable windows, optimizing light transmission and energy savings, and enhancing user customization and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material exhibits a reversible electrochemically-mediated change in an optical property when placed in a different electronic state, typically by being subjected to a voltage change. The optical property is typically one or more of color, transmittance, absorbance, and reflectance.
Data Source
AI summary
System for controlling tinting of one or more zones of windows in a building based on clear sky models for the building site maintained on a cloud network.