Electrochromic Window Controller Architecture for Coordinated Tinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for optically-switchable devices, such as electrochromic windows, face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and optimizing lighting conditions while integrating with building systems, as they often require complex algorithms and extensive network architectures to coordinate tinting transitions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A networked control system comprising a master controller, network controllers, and window controllers that communicate through standardized protocols like BACnet, enabling coordinated control of optically-switchable devices across multiple zones, with sensors and user interfaces to optimize tint states based on environmental and user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If complex control algorithms and extensive network architectures are used to coordinate tinting transitions, then lighting conditions can be optimized, but power consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent controllers (master controller, network controllers, window controllers) that can operate autonomously within their zones. Each controller manages local tinting decisions without requiring complex centralized algorithms, reducing overall system power consumption while maintaining optimized lighting conditions through distributed intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
Controllers pre-coordinate tinting transitions and communicate transition states in advance through standardized protocols. This preliminary coordination allows controllers to prepare and execute lighting optimizations efficiently without requiring complex real-time algorithms, thereby reducing power consumption while achieving desired lighting conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If complex control algorithms and extensive network architectures are used to coordinate tinting transitions, then lighting conditions can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into hierarchical layers (master controller, network controllers, window controllers) with clearly defined responsibilities. This segmentation simplifies individual controller complexity while achieving comprehensive lighting optimization through coordinated operation of multiple simple controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
Controllers are designed with multi-functionality to handle various tasks (tinting control, coordination, communication, monitoring) within a single device. This universality reduces the need for specialized complex components, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining optimized lighting control capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized protocols are used for communication between controllers, then system integration with building management systems is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Controllers pre-establish communication protocols and coordinate transitions in advance using standardized formats. This preliminary action reduces real-time communication overhead by preparing data structures and coordination sequences beforehand, minimizing time loss during actual tinting operations while maintaining seamless building management system integration.
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 system enhances energy efficiency by dynamically adjusting tint states based on real-time data, improving lighting conditions while reducing power consumption and integrating seamlessly with building management systems, thus optimizing the performance of optically-switchable devices.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material exhibits a reversible electrochemically-mediated change in one or more optical properties when stimulated to a different electronic state. The color, tint, transmittance, absorbance, or reflectance of electrochromic windows can be changed by inducing a change in the electrochromic material, for example, by applying a voltage across the electrochromic material.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to optically-switchable devices, and more particularly, to systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling optically-switchable devices. In some implementations, an apparatus for controlling one or more optically-switchable devices includes a processing unit, a voltage regulator and a polarity switch. The processing unit can generate: a command voltage signal based on a target optical state of an optically-switchable device, and a polarity control signal. The voltage regulator can receive power at a first voltage and increase or decrease a magnitude of the first voltage based on the command voltage signal to provide a DC voltage signal at a regulated voltage. A polarity switch can receive the DC voltage signal at the regulated voltage to maintain or reverse a polarity of the DC voltage signal based on the polarity control signal. The polarity switch can output the DC voltage signal at the regulated voltage and at the polarity based on the polarity control signal to power the optically-switchable device. In some other implementations, the apparatus includes a processing unit, an energy storage device, and first and second voltage regulators.