Self-Powered Home Automation Screen Bipolar Power Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Self-powered automated movable screens face high energy consumption issues due to frequent waking of the radio receiver, especially when exposed to unrelated transmitters, leading to reduced autonomy and increased costs in battery-powered systems.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a bipolar electric source comprising a low-capacity rechargeable cell and a non-rechargeable cell, where the rechargeable cell only supplies the control means, and the non-rechargeable cell supplies the motor, with a switching mechanism to optimize energy use based on available energy levels and signal reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the radio receiver is placed in sleep mode with periodic wakening to identify radio signals, then energy consumption is reduced, but the receiver is unnecessarily wakened too frequently by unrelated transmitters, decreasing autonomy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidautonomy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply is segmented into two independent sources: a rechargeable cell dedicated to the control means (radio receiver) and a non-rechargeable cell dedicated to the motor. This segmentation allows the radio receiver to operate with lower power requirements from the rechargeable cell, enabling longer autonomy even with frequent wake-ups, while the motor is powered by the non-rechargeable cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the power supply parameters by introducing a dual-cell configuration with different cell types (rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable) assigned to different functional components. This parameter change allows the radio receiver to maintain frequent wake-up cycles for signal detection while preserving overall system autonomy, as the high-consumption motor operations are isolated to the non-rechargeable cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a single battery-powered source supplies both the motor and radio receiver, then the system is simpler, but the rechargeable cell must be dimensioned to completely supply all electric equipment, leading to large and costly dimensioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidbattery size and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into two separate cells with distinct functions: the rechargeable cell supplies only the control means (low power consumption), while the non-rechargeable cell supplies the motor (high power consumption). This segmentation allows each cell to be optimally sized for its specific load, avoiding the need for an oversized rechargeable cell that would be required to power both components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-cell power supply system provides multi-functionality by enabling the rechargeable cell to handle intermittent low-power operations (radio receiver in sleep/wake mode) while the non-rechargeable cell handles high-power operations (motor activation). This universal approach optimizes the overall system by matching each power source to its most efficient operational role.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach reduces energy consumption and extends battery life by minimizing the rechargeable cell's role to only powering the control means, allowing the non-rechargeable cell to handle motor operations, thereby reducing the overall dimensioning and cost of the energy source.

Implementation Method 1

The invention proposes a method of operation of a self-powered home automation installation comprising a photovoltaic panel and a rechargeable cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2135340B1Self-powered home automation installation and its method of operation
Publication Date: 2010.07.21 SOMFY SAS
  • EP2135340B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2135340B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of operation of an electric self-powered home automation installation (10) comprising an actuator (1) allowing the movement of a movable screen (2) and a bipolar electric source (6), the actuator comprising a motor (3) for driving the movable screen and a means (4) for controlling the motor supply, the bipolar electric source comprising an in-situ rechargeable electric source (62, 63) and a non rechargeable electric source (61), the operation method comprising a first operation mode, wherein: the actuator is supplied only with the in-situ rechargeable electric source (62, 63) as long as the control means does not cause the motor to be supplied, whereas the actuator is at least supplied by the non rechargeable electric source (61) when the control means causes the motor to be supplied.