Sun Protection Control Using Building Shadow Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dynamic facade systems for buildings lack a simple and economical method to manage local conditions such as shadows, wind, and rain, which are crucial for optimizing comfort and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automated operating process that uses a configuration device to model the building and its environment, determining the presence of shadows and other local conditions, and generating a configuration file to control motorized screens and other electrical equipment for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex procedures are used to manage shadows and local conditions, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores shadow patterns and local condition data in lookup tables before operation. Configuration data including building geometry, surrounding obstacles, and shadow trajectories are computed in advance, allowing the control system to simply retrieve pre-determined control commands based on current time and sensor inputs, rather than performing complex real-time calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual model of the building and its environment that replicates physical shadow patterns and local conditions. This digital twin includes geometric representations of the building, surrounding structures, and terrain, allowing the system to simulate and store shadow trajectories without requiring complex physical measurements during operation
2Measurement precision
If complex procedures are used to manage shadows and local conditions, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically retrieves control commands from pre-configured lookup tables based on current time and sensor readings, without requiring manual configuration or complex user intervention. The actuators self-regulate by comparing current conditions with stored reference data, making the system easy to operate while maintaining high precision through pre-calculated optimal control strategies
Solution Approach 2:
All complex configuration work including shadow pattern calculation, building geometry modeling, and control strategy optimization is performed in advance during system setup. This preliminary configuration creates ready-to-use lookup tables that simplify ongoing operation to simple data retrieval and execution, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining precision
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are deployed to measure local conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual representation of physical sensors through computational models. Instead of deploying additional physical sensors to measure shadow patterns and local conditions, the invention uses a digital model of the building environment that replicates what these sensors would measure, calculating shadow trajectories and local condition variations based on time, date, and geometric data
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces physical sensing systems with computational modeling. Rather than using additional optical sensors, temperature sensors, or anemometers to detect shadows and local conditions, the system substitutes these mechanical/physical measurement devices with mathematical models that compute the same information from geometric data and time parameters
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing installations are modified to add shadow management capabilities, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs all complex adaptation work during the configuration phase before the installation is put into service. Building geometry, surrounding obstacles, and shadow patterns are pre-calculated and stored in lookup tables during initial setup, allowing existing installations to be adapted to shadow management functionality without modifying the physical installation during commissioning
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the shadow management functionality into an independent software/configuration layer that operates separately from the physical installation. This segmentation allows the control system to be adapted to different buildings and conditions through configuration data alone, without requiring modifications to the motorized screens, actuators, or building structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating equipment for automatically controlling the conditions in a building, the equipment including a central control unit, electrical devices provided in areas of the building, and a sensor management unit including at least one sensor capable of measuring an input physical quantity, the method being characterized in that it includes: a step of modeling the building and the areas of the building; a step of obtaining least one first value of the input physical quantity measured by the at least one sensor; a step of iteratively determining, on the basis of at least one second value of the input physical quantity, the values of at least one output physical quantity of the model of the building and of the areas of the building; and a step of using the determined values to control the electrical devices provided in each area of the building.