Home Automation Solar Shading Using Indoor Discomfort Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing solar shading in buildings struggle to accurately predict and adapt to indoor thermal and visual comfort due to reliance on external climatic conditions, leading to inefficiencies and discomfort during inter-seasonal periods and unusual weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing solar shading using a home automation system with motorized sunshades, where the position is controlled based on indoor temperature measurements and a discrete adjustment parameter that dynamically adapts control modes throughout the year, independent of external climatic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solar shading control is based on external climatic conditions (temperature, season), then the system is simple to implement, but it fails to accurately reflect actual indoor thermal comfort conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation mechanism that uses indoor temperature measurements as a mediator between external climatic conditions and shading control decisions. The discomfort indicator serves as an intermediary metric that translates raw temperature data into actionable control parameters, bridging the gap between simple external condition monitoring and accurate indoor comfort assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/weather-based control system with a thermally-driven control system. Instead of relying on external temperature sensors and calendar-based seasonal rules, the system substitutes indoor temperature measurement and thermal discomfort evaluation as the primary control basis, eliminating the inaccuracies of external condition-based control.
2Device complexity
If manual control of sunshades is used, then the system is simple and requires minimal technology, but it is energy-inefficient and cannot adapt to changing conditions when occupants are absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service control system where the sunshade automatically adjusts its position based on indoor temperature measurements and pre-defined comfort criteria. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring indoor conditions and making autonomous control decisions without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating energy waste while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from manual operation to automated thermal response. By using indoor temperature as the dynamic control parameter and comparing it against discomfort thresholds, the system automatically adjusts shading positions to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining comfort, replacing manual control with intelligent thermal-based control.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed seasonal control modes (Winter/Summer scenarios) are used, then the control strategy is simple to implement, but it cannot adapt to inter-seasonal periods or unusual weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, season-based control modes into a dynamic, continuous adaptation system. Instead of fixed Winter/Summer scenarios, the system dynamically adjusts shading control based on real-time indoor temperature measurements and calculated discomfort indicators, enabling seamless adaptation to any climatic condition including inter-seasonal periods and unusual weather events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where indoor temperature measurements continuously inform control decisions. The discomfort indicator serves as a feedback metric that compares actual indoor conditions against comfort thresholds, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically adapts to varying climatic conditions rather than relying on open-loop seasonal schedules.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and data sources are added to improve control accuracy, then thermal comfort management becomes more precise, but the system complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the critical control parameter (indoor temperature) from a potential array of sensors and data sources. By focusing solely on indoor temperature measurement and deriving the discomfort indicator from this single primary parameter, the system achieves accurate thermal comfort management while avoiding the complexity of integrating multiple sensors, weather forecasts, and diverse data sources.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method of managing (200) a home automation installation (100) comprising: - a control step (S1) of a position of the solar protection (3) according to a first control mode (Mjα (T1)); - a measurement step (S2) of the interior temperature (tint) of the building (1); - a first step of determining (S3) a period of discomfort (Tinc); - a second step of determining (S4) a discomfort indicator (DH, DH+(tincmax), DH-(tincmin)) as a function of a temporal accumulation of a difference between the interior temperature (tint) and the discomfort temperature (tincmax, tincmin), over the period of discomfort (Tinc); - an evaluation step (S5) of a second value (αT2) of the setting parameter (α) based on a comparison between the discomfort indicator (DH, DH+(tincmax), DH-(tincmin)) and an evaluation criterion; - an adjustment step (S6) of a second piloting mode (MJα (T2)) taking into account the second value (αJT2) of the setting parameter (α).