PoE Roller Shade With Ultra-Capacitor Power and Synchronized Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motorized window shades require building electrical power wiring, outlets, or complex battery systems, and lack simple, reliable operation for individual, grouped, or synchronized control, often disrupting operation due to failures and requiring separate lighting systems.
Innovation Solution
A motorized shade with an ultra-capacitor power source connected to a power-over-Ethernet network, providing autonomous operation and synchronization, using logic and control circuitry for shade movement and lighting, without needing additional power switches or batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional motorized shades use building electrical power wiring or outlets, then the shades can be powered reliably, but the installation becomes complex and aesthetically unappealing due to visible wires and outlets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the building's electrical infrastructure and relocates it to a portable battery pack that can be independently positioned and removed. This eliminates the need for complex wiring installations while maintaining reliable power supply to the motorized shades through wireless or flexible connection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a battery pack as an intermediary power source between the user and the motorized shade system. This intermediary component provides power without requiring direct connection to building electrical infrastructure, thereby simplifying installation while ensuring reliable operation.
2Device complexity
If battery-powered motorized shades are used to avoid wiring, then installation becomes simpler, but batteries require frequent replacement which increases maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rechargeable battery system with integrated charging capability that allows the power source to service itself. The battery pack can be recharged by placing it in sunlight or near a heat source, eliminating the need for external charging equipment and reducing maintenance complexity while keeping installation simple.
3Ease of operation
If multiple motorized shades are synchronized using complex wiring schemes or centralized control systems, then synchronized operation is achieved, but the system becomes complex to install, operate, and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical wiring schemes and centralized control systems with a peer-to-peer communication system where each shade unit independently communicates with adjacent units. This substitution of the control architecture eliminates the need for complex infrastructure while maintaining synchronized operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into independent, autonomous units that each contain their own control logic and communication capabilities. Each shade can operate independently or synchronize with others through simple peer-to-peer signaling, eliminating the need for a centralized control system and reducing overall system complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If daisy-chaining power wires between shades is implemented, then power can be distributed to multiple shades, but building wiring must be modified or surface mounting required which disturbs aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power distribution function from the building's fixed electrical infrastructure and relocates it to portable battery packs that can service multiple shades. This eliminates the need for complex wiring modifications or surface mounting, allowing flexible power distribution without compromising aesthetic appearance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable, synchronized, and aesthetically pleasing shade operation without wiring or complex systems, with integrated lighting, and continuous power supply from ultra-capacitors, ensuring consistent performance and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A power source for the motor includes a plurality of ultra-capacitors positioned in the roller tube
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized roller shade configured to connect to a power-over-Ethernet network includes a motor for rotating the shade to roll and unroll shade material to and from a roller tube to raise and lower the shade. A bank of ultra-capacitors positioned in the roller tube provides power to the motor and to logic and control circuitry also positioned within the roller tube. The logic and control circuitry charges the ultra-capacitors though power derived from the power-over-Ethernet network, without any power-over-Ethernet switches in the network to provide additional power, and controls the operation of the motor to achieve a desired target velocity. Synchronized operation of multiple motorized roller shades is achieved though autonomous operation of the shades by their corresponding logic and control circuitry. In exemplary embodiments, a lighting element controlled by the logic and control circuitry allows controlled lighting of the shade.