Motorized Window Shading with Asymmetric Daylight Response

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized window covering systems for responsive daylight control struggle to balance quick responsiveness to glare-inducing conditions with minimizing frequent, high-amplitude shading adjustments, leading to obtrusive operation and reduced mechanical or battery life.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an asymmetric response time system where the response time for closing the shading is shorter than for opening, and inhibiting shade-opening during daylight fluctuations, while allowing for software modifications to conventional systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the system responds quickly to changes in daylight level, then the system provides better daylight control, but the frequency of shading adjustments increases making operation obtrusive and reducing mechanical lifetime and battery life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidmechanical lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the response time variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the response time based on the rate of change of daylight level: using a first (shorter) response time when the rate of change exceeds a threshold (indicating significant changes requiring quick response) and a second (longer) response time when the rate of change is below the threshold (indicating minor fluctuations that can wait). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to be responsive when necessary while avoiding obtrusive frequent adjustments during normal variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by not responding to every change in daylight level. Instead of reacting to all fluctuations, the system selectively responds only when the rate of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating significant changes that truly require intervention. This partial response strategy filters out minor variations that would otherwise trigger unnecessary shading adjustments, thereby reducing operational frequency while maintaining effective control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Speed

If the system responds quickly to changes in daylight level, then the system provides better daylight control, but the frequency of shading adjustments increases making operation obtrusive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidunobtrusiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the response time variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the response time based on the rate of change of daylight level: using a first (shorter) response time when the rate of change exceeds a threshold (indicating significant changes requiring quick response) and a second (longer) response time when the rate of change is below the threshold (indicating minor fluctuations that can wait). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to be responsive when necessary while avoiding obtrusive frequent adjustments during normal variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by not responding to every change in daylight level. Instead of reacting to all fluctuations, the system selectively responds only when the rate of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating significant changes that truly require intervention. This partial response strategy filters out minor variations that would otherwise trigger unnecessary shading adjustments, thereby reducing operational frequency while maintaining effective control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If the system responds quickly to changes in daylight level, then the system provides better daylight control, but the frequency of shading adjustments increases reducing battery life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the response time variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the response time based on the rate of change of daylight level: using a first (shorter) response time when the rate of change exceeds a threshold (indicating significant changes requiring quick response) and a second (longer) response time when the rate of change is below the threshold (indicating minor fluctuations that can wait). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to be responsive when necessary while avoiding obtrusive frequent adjustments during normal variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by not responding to every change in daylight level. Instead of reacting to all fluctuations, the system selectively responds only when the rate of change exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating significant changes that truly require intervention. This partial response strategy filters out minor variations that would otherwise trigger unnecessary shading adjustments, thereby reducing operational frequency while maintaining effective control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250258509A1System for Responsive Daylight Control with a Motorized Window Covering

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 POPAT PRADEEP PRANJIVAN

AI summary

Disclosed is a system for responsive daylight control using an electronically actuated shading device. Optionally, the system has a longer response time in opening the shading than in closing the shading. Optionally, the system inhibits opening of the shading device in the presence of a fluctuation in the daylight level. Optionally, the response time in opening the shading is increased when the system is powered by a battery and/or with decreasing battery charge.