Solar Blind Drive Voltage Sensing Without Mechanical Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized drive devices for concealment devices disconnect the measuring device from the photovoltaic panel during operation, leading to electrical energy losses and requiring mechanical switches, which are inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a transistor that keeps the measuring device electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel and forces the microcontroller's input port to a predetermined value, preventing voltage measurement while maintaining continuous connection, thus eliminating the need for mechanical switches and reducing energy losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the measuring device is electrically disconnected from the photovoltaic panel during motor operation, then electrical energy losses in the measuring device are reduced, but mechanical switches are required which are prone to errors and reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical energy losses in measuring deviceVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch system with an electronic control mechanism. A control unit selectively activates the measuring device based on operational state, using electronic signals rather than mechanical contactors to disconnect the measuring device from the photovoltaic panel during motor operation. This eliminates mechanical wear and contact errors while maintaining the energy loss reduction benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of the measuring device connection state. The measuring device is selectively connected or disconnected from the photovoltaic panel based on the operational state of the motorized drive device. During motor operation, the measuring device is disconnected to reduce energy losses; during idle periods, it is connected to enable voltage measurement for state of charge determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the measuring device remains electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel during motor operation, then system reliability is improved by eliminating mechanical switches, but electrical energy losses in the measuring device increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical energy losses in measuring device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a selective activation strategy where the measuring device is discarded (deactivated) during motor operation to prevent energy losses, and recovered (activated) during idle periods when measurement is needed. The control unit monitors the operational state and selectively enables or disables the measuring device accordingly, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of energy

If a mechanical switch is used to disconnect the measuring device, then electrical energy losses are reduced, but the device complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical energy losses in measuring deviceVSAvoidswitching mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switching components with an electronic control system. The control unit uses electronic signals to activate or deactivate the measuring device, eliminating the need for mechanical switches, contactors, or relays. This reduces device complexity, removes mechanical wear concerns, and simplifies maintenance requirements while maintaining the ability to reduce energy losses during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution ensures continuous electrical connection between the measuring device and photovoltaic panel, preventing disconnection and energy losses, and simplifies the control system by eliminating mechanical switches, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a photovoltaic panel (25), arranged so as to supply the battery (24) with electrical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4175119B1Motorised drive device, associated concealment device and control method

Publication Date: 2024.11.20 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA

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AI summary

A motorized drive device comprises an electromechanical actuator, an electronic control unit (15), and an electrical power supply device (26). The electrical power supply device (26) comprises a battery (24) and a photovoltaic panel (25). The electronic control unit (15) comprises a microcontroller (31), a device (33) for measuring the voltage (Vpv) supplied by the photovoltaic panel (25), and a device (37) for inhibiting the measuring device (33). The microcontroller (31) includes an input port (38) for reading the voltage (Vpv). The inhibit device (37) is electrically connected, on one side, to the measuring device (33) and, on the other side, to the input port (38). The inhibition device (37) includes a transistor (41), configured to force the input port (38) to a predetermined value, so as to block the value read by the input port (38) to the predetermined value.