Light Regulating System with Manual Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical blind systems for windows face challenges in efficiently managing sunlight due to the need for regular manual adjustments and the drawbacks of automated systems, which can be heavy, space-consuming, and prone to misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A light regulating system that combines manual and automatic operation modes, allowing for both user-controlled and autonomous control of lamellae orientation, with a control unit that detects user intervention and adjusts accordingly to prevent interference between modes, ensuring optimal sunlight management without the limitations of traditional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic devices are used to orient slats relative to the sun, then the system can operate autonomously without manual adjustment, but the devices become relatively heavy and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the automation function into two parts: a lightweight control unit that detects sun position and calculates desired orientation, and a simple actuator that only executes rotation commands. This segmentation allows automatic operation while keeping the moving components (lamellae and their actuators) lightweight and compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sun position detection and the lamellae actuation. It processes solar position data, calculates optimal angles, and sends precise rotation commands to the actuators, enabling automatic control without requiring heavy mechanical tracking mechanisms.
2Extent of automation
If automatic devices are used to orient slats, then autonomous control is achieved, but the orientation of the slats is not as required in certain situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors the actual position of lamellae and compares it with the desired position calculated from sun location. This closed-loop control ensures precise orientation accuracy while maintaining automatic operation, allowing the system to adapt to various situations dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts lamellae orientation based on real-time sun position data and environmental conditions. The ability to change orientation angles continuously and adaptively ensures that the slats are always positioned optimally for light control, achieving both automatic operation and high orientation precision.
3Productivity
If the control unit operates autonomously in main automatic mode, then efficient sunlight management is achieved, but manual control is prevented when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between main automatic mode and manual mode based on user needs. In main automatic mode, the control unit autonomously manages sunlight optimization. When manual intervention is required, users can override the automatic control through the user interface or direct actuator operation, and the system transitions to manual mode to accommodate user preferences while maintaining the capability to return to automatic operation.
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
This invention relates to a light regulating system comprising a rail, a plurality of lamellae, lamellae support members, a lamellae rotating actuator system, a measurement system, a detector, and a control unit, wherein an operating member is connected to the lamellae rotating actuator system to allow rotation of the lamellae by manual operation of the operating member, and wherein the control unit is configured to operate in a main automatic mode in which the lamellae rotating actuator system is autonomously driven, provided that the detector indicates that the lamellae support members are in a closed position and there is no indication from the measurement system that the lamellae have been rotated by a user.