Louvered Patio Cover Control System with Portable Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing louvered patio covers lack a portable controller to centrally manage the movement of louvered panels, lighting, and other components, limiting user convenience and control.
Innovation Solution
A patio cover control system comprising a frame, support posts, rotatably coupled cover panels, an actuator, a gutter, a light source, and a portable controller that can wirelessly control the actuator and other electrical components, including a precipitation sensor and fan, allowing remote operation through a smartphone or tablet application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable controller is added to control louvered panels, lighting, and other components, then user convenience and control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A portable controller serves as an intermediary device that wirelessly communicates with the actuator, light source, and fan. The controller receives user inputs and transmits control signals to the various components without requiring physical wiring or direct connection, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The portable controller is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling the actuator for louvered panel movement, controlling the light source for illumination, and controlling the fan for air circulation. By consolidating these control functions into a single universal device, the system achieves improved user convenience without proportionally increasing complexity
2Ease of operation
If wireless control capability is integrated into the portable controller, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable controller utilizes periodic wireless communication protocols that transmit control signals only when needed, rather than maintaining continuous communication. This allows the controller to enter low-power states between user interactions, reducing overall energy consumption while preserving full remote control functionality when required
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a patio cover control system. The system comprises a frame comprising support beams, support posts configured to support the frame, cover panels rotatably coupled to the support beams, an actuator mounted to the frame and coupled to the cover panels, a gutter coupled to the frame, a light source coupled to the gutter, a precipitation sensor, a fan, and/or a portable controller wirelessly coupled to the actuator, the light source, the precipitation sensor, and/or the fan. The actuator may be configured to rotate the cover panels between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The light source may be configured to light an area under the cover panels. The portable controller may be configured to control the actuator, the light source, the precipitation sensor, the fan, and/or other components.