Virtual Sensor Solar Irradiance Mapping for Building Shading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining solar radiation on buildings assume uniform shading across all parts of a building, ignoring the influence of neighboring structures, leading to inaccurate solar radiation calculations and inefficient control of sun protection systems.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using virtual sensors on a modeled object, combined with physical sensors, applies correction factors based on neighboring buildings' shading effects and orientation to accurately calculate solar radiation on specific areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical sensors are installed on every object area to measure solar radiation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolar radiation measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual sensors that are copies of physical sensors but exist only as software entities. These virtual sensors are positioned on modeled object areas and calculate solar radiation by processing data from actual physical sensors located elsewhere, eliminating the need to install physical sensors on every surface while maintaining measurement accuracy through computational modeling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical sensor installation system with a computational system. Instead of physically deploying sensors across multiple locations, the system uses computer processing to simulate and calculate solar radiation distribution, substituting physical measurement infrastructure with digital computation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If correction factors are applied to account for neighboring buildings' shading effects, then measurement precision is improved, but calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolar radiation calculation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing correction factors that account for shading effects from neighboring buildings. These correction factors are determined in advance based on the modeled environment and are then applied during solar radiation calculations, avoiding the need for complex real-time computations while maintaining high accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces correction factors as intermediary elements that mediate between the raw sensor data and the final solar radiation calculation. These correction factors encapsulate the complex shading effects of neighboring buildings, allowing the main calculation system to remain relatively simple while still achieving high measurement precision through the application of pre-computed adjustment values

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4127622B1Computerimplemented method for determining solar irradiance
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LEAFTECH GMBH
  • EP4127622B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4127622B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4127622B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for determining a solar radiation on at least one region of a modelled object, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. receiving a solar radiation measured by at least one physical sensor; b. determining at least one correction factor for a virtual sensor; and c. calculating the solar radiation on the virtual sensor, taking the received solar radiation and the at least one correction factor into consideration.