Electrostatic Shutter Position Control for Variable Radiance Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic shutters face challenges in precise control over their position and motion due to environmental factors, material properties, and age-related changes, leading to incomplete unfurling or rolling, and a need for additional control over radiance transmission.
Innovation Solution
An electrostatic shutter system with a controller that applies variable voltage differences between electrodes to unfurl, recoil, or hold the shutter at intermediate positions, using sensors to detect and adjust the position, and a user interface for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the shutter is made stiffer to maintain structural integrity, then the applied voltage may not generate sufficient electrostatic force to completely unfurl the shutter, but increasing voltage may cause excessive power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the shutter position using sensors and adjusts the applied voltage dynamically. When the shutter approaches the desired position, the system reduces voltage to minimize power consumption while maintaining position accuracy, preventing excessive energy usage once the target position is reached.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static voltage application to dynamic voltage control, where the voltage level changes based on the shutter's real-time position and the force required to overcome material stiffness. This allows optimal power usage at each stage of the unfurling process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the controller switches off the voltage supply completely to save power, then the shutter rolls back up into the stowed position, but the system loses the ability to maintain intermediate positions for radiance control
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses sensor feedback to maintain the shutter at precise intermediate positions by applying just enough voltage to counteract the restoring force. This allows the system to hold any position along the travel range, providing versatile radiance control while consuming minimal power compared to maintaining full voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the voltage parameter dynamically to match the required holding force at different positions. At intermediate positions, a reduced voltage level is sufficient to maintain position, enabling both power savings and position versatility simultaneously.
3Reliability
If environmental factors and material aging are not compensated for, then the shutter position control becomes inaccurate over time, but adding complex compensation mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors actual shutter position and compares it to the desired position, automatically compensating for drift caused by environmental factors and material aging. This closed-loop approach maintains accuracy without requiring complex predictive models or frequent manual calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-compensation by detecting position errors through sensors and automatically adjusting the voltage to correct the deviation. This self-correcting mechanism maintains reliability over time without requiring external intervention or complex compensation algorithms.
4Manufacturing precision
If the shutter is designed to unroll completely to maximize radiance blocking, then the material tension stored during rolling may prevent complete unfurling, but reducing rolling tension compromises the compact stowed position
Solution Approach 1:
The control system detects when the shutter is fully unfurled using position sensors and adjusts the voltage to overcome the restoring tension force. This allows the system to achieve complete unfurling despite the material's elastic recovery, while the shutter maintains a compact stowed position when rolled.
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
Enables precise control over the shutter's position, allowing partial or complete blocking of radiance, improving control over radiance transmission and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage is applied to the electrostatic window to create an electrostatic force that causes the shutter to unfurl
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an electrostatic shutter system including an electrostatic shutter configured to be selectively raised and lowered based on a voltage applied to the electrostatic shutter, at least one sensor system configured to detect a position of the electrostatic shutter, and a controller communicatively coupled to the electrostatic shutter and the at least one sensor system. The controller is configured to apply an initial voltage to the electrostatic shutter to lower the electrostatic shutter, receive an output signal from the at least one sensor indicating the electrostatic shutter has reached a predetermined position, and based on the received output signal from the at least one sensor, apply an updated voltage to the electrostatic shutter to hold the shutter at the predetermined position.