Motorized Roller Shade Sun Angle Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized roller shades require manual adjustment to control sunlight penetration, which is inefficient in managing UV radiation and glare, and lacks automatic adjustment based on sun angle and window geometry.
Innovation Solution
A motorized roller shade system equipped with a sun angle sensor that automatically adjusts the shade by determining the sun's angle and transmitting this information to a motor controller, which drives the roller tube to limit sunlight penetration to a predetermined distance within a room, using a flexible shade material and a roller tube, with optional memory storage for window height and sill height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of roller shades is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to continuous manual intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The roller shade system automatically adjusts itself based on sun angle sensor input, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system serves itself by detecting sunlight conditions and autonomously positioning the shade to maintain optimal UV protection while allowing beneficial light entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and pre-positions the shade based on predicted sun angles and window geometry. By storing window dimensions and maximum penetration distance parameters, the system can proactively adjust before excessive UV exposure occurs, rather than reacting to damage after it happens.
2Productivity
If automatic sun angle sensing is implemented, then productivity and ease of operation improve, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The sun angle sensor continuously monitors sunlight conditions and feeds this information back to the motor controller, which automatically adjusts the shade position. This closed-loop feedback system maintains optimal UV protection without requiring manual intervention, improving productivity by eliminating continuous monitoring tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system. The sun angle sensor and motor controller substitute for human hands and eyes, using electrical signals and automated control algorithms to perform the adjustment function that previously required manual mechanical operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If precise sunlight penetration control is achieved, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases due to sophisticated control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls sunlight penetration at different locations differently by allowing maximum penetration distance from the window while blocking direct UV rays. The shade position is optimized to create a gradient effect where direct sunlight is blocked but diffuse light can still enter the room up to the specified maximum distance, providing localized protection rather than uniform blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the shade position parameter based on sun angle variations throughout the day and season. By adjusting the shade's vertical position in response to changing solar geometry, the system maintains consistent UV protection levels despite external parameter changes, effectively controlling harmful factor penetration through continuous parameter optimization.
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
The system automatically adjusts to minimize UV penetration and glare, ensuring that direct sunlight enters only a specified distance into a room, protecting furnishings and reducing the need for manual operation.
Implementation Method 1
a sun angle sensor... configured for determining the angle of the sun
Data Source
AI summary
Presented is a motorized roller shade system. The system includes a flexible shade material, a roller tube configured for windingly receiving the flexible shade material, a shade motor coupled to the roller tube, a motor controller in communication with the shade motor, and a sun angle sensor. The sun angle sensor is configured for determining the angle of the sun and transmitting the angle of the sun to the motor controller. The motor controller is configured for driving the shade motor to rotate the roller tube to wind or unwind the flexible shade material in response to the transmitted angle of the sun to limit sunlight penetration to a predetermined maximum distance into a room.