Switchable Optical Site Monitoring for Adaptive Fault Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electrically tintable windows, such as electrochromic windows, are increasingly deployed, there is a need for sophisticated control and monitoring systems to manage large installations effectively, given the substantial data associated with these smart windows.
Innovation Solution
A site monitoring system that analyzes data from remote sites to identify issues with switchable optical devices, controllers, or sensors operating outside expected performance regions, learns user preferences, and adapts control logic to meet customer goals, providing notifications, corrective actions, and integrating with HVAC and lighting systems to enhance occupant comfort and energy savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If smart windows are widely deployed, then energy efficiency and user experience are improved, but system complexity and data management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a monitoring system that continuously collects data from smart windows and related devices, analyzing performance metrics to provide feedback for optimization. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust operations, maintaining energy efficiency while managing complexity through data-driven decision making.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system performs self-diagnosis and automatic problem detection, reducing the need for manual intervention. By implementing self-service capabilities including automated performance analysis and issue identification, the system manages its own complexity while maintaining energy efficiency benefits.
2Reliability
If monitoring systems are implemented to manage smart window installations, then device reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is designed to handle multiple functions including data collection, analysis, problem detection, and coordination across various smart window devices. By creating a universal platform that performs diverse monitoring tasks, the system improves device reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized monitoring system as an intermediary between individual smart window devices and users/maintainers. This intermediary layer manages complexity by consolidating data and control functions, improving device reliability through continuous monitoring while presenting a simplified interface to end users.
3Measurement precision
If data from multiple remote sites is collected and analyzed, then problem detection accuracy is improved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system divides data processing into segments, collecting data from multiple remote sites and analyzing it in organized portions. By segmenting the data flow and analysis processes, the system achieves improved problem detection accuracy through comprehensive data review while managing information processing requirements through structured handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A site monitoring system may analyze information from sites to determine when a device, a sensor, a controller, or other structure associated with optically switchable devices has a problem. The system may, if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the system learns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meet the customer's goals.