Electrochromic Window Controllers for Zoned Tint and Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically-switchable windows face challenges in efficient power management and intelligent control systems to optimize lighting conditions while reducing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A networked system of controllers, including master, network, and window controllers, is employed to manage and control electrochromic windows, utilizing voltage or current profiles to transition between optical states, integrating with sensors for real-time data and zoning for coordinated control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a networked system of controllers is employed to manage electrochromic windows, then lighting conditions and energy use are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple hierarchical levels: master controllers for high-level decision making, network controllers for zone management, and window controllers for individual device operation. This segmentation allows complex control functions to be distributed across multiple simpler components, improving energy optimization while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Network controllers serve as intermediaries between master controllers and window controllers, translating high-level energy optimization commands into specific control signals for electrochromic devices. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a buffer that manages communication protocols and control logic separately.
2Use of energy by moving object
If voltage or current profiles are used to transition between optical states, then power consumption is reduced, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamic voltage or current profiles that vary over time to transition electrochromic windows between optical states. Instead of simple on/off control, the controllers implement time-varying profiles that optimize power consumption by gradually transitioning states and maintaining them with minimal holding power, thereby reducing overall energy use while managing precision requirements through adaptive control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system modifies electrical parameters (voltage magnitude, current level, pulse duration) of the control signals to achieve desired optical transitions with minimized power consumption. By carefully adjusting these parameters and their temporal profiles, the system reduces energy requirements for state transitions while maintaining adequate control precision through parameter optimization.
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
The system effectively manages energy use and lighting conditions across multiple windows, enhancing efficiency and reducing power consumption by optimizing tint states based on environmental and occupancy data.
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
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.