Solar Protection Screen Configuration via Shadow Lookup Tables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dynamic facade systems lack fine control over solar protection, particularly in managing shadows cast by surrounding structures, requiring complex configurations that are not easily scalable or compatible with existing installations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving three-dimensional modeling of buildings and their surroundings to generate a configuration file detailing shadow presence on motorized solar protection screens, allowing central control units to manage screen movements based on time and geographical location, enabling flexible and economical management of shadows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex shadow management procedures are implemented to achieve fine control over solar protection, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases and scalability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary shadow calculations during an offline configuration phase, storing shadow presence data in lookup tables for each opening throughout the year. This pre-computation approach allows the control system to simply retrieve pre-determined shadow information during operation, achieving fine control precision without complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual 3D model of the building and its surroundings to simulate and calculate shadow patterns. This virtual model serves as a copy of the physical environment, allowing complex shadow management calculations to be performed in the virtual space and then applied to the actual physical system, simplifying the control architecture.
2Measurement precision
If complex shadow management procedures are implemented to achieve fine control over solar protection, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
All complex shadow management configurations are performed in advance during the setup phase. The system automatically generates configuration files with shadow presence data stored in lookup tables, eliminating the need for manual configuration and simplifying installation to merely deploying the pre-configured system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically generating shadow management parameters based on the virtual building model and geographical location. This automated self-service approach eliminates manual configuration steps, significantly improving ease of installation and operation while maintaining high precision shadow control.
3Speed
If high-power computing means are used for real-time shadow calculation, then calculation speed is improved, but energy consumption increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs computationally intensive shadow calculations in advance during an offline configuration phase, storing results in lookup tables. During actual operation, the control system simply retrieves pre-computed shadow information, reducing real-time computing requirements to simple data lookup operations that consume minimal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates computation into a periodic offline configuration phase (performed once or occasionally) and a simple online operation phase. This periodic action pattern allows high-power computing to be used when necessary for generating configuration data, while normal operation uses low-power retrieval of pre-computed information.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The method involves modeling a building (1) and openings (2) on the facades (E1, E2, S1, S2, W1, W2) of the building, and iteratively determining shadows on the building itself and/or surrounding structures modeled as a function of time and geographical location of the building. A configuration file including data representing the presence or absence of a shadow on each opening fitted with a motor-driven sun protection screen (3) e.g. Venetian blinds, is generated according to time, and the configuration file is provided to a central control unit of a solar protection installation. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for operating a solar protection installation in a building (2) a data carrier including a configuration file (3) a solar protection installation in a building.