Wind Sensor Threshold Assignment for Mobile Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind safety sensors for mobile home automation elements require complex installation procedures, are prone to errors, and generate excessive radio traffic, leading to potential damage from delayed safety commands.

Innovation Solution

A wind safety sensor with actuators connected to mobile home automation elements, featuring a device for wind parameter measurement, radio frequency communication, and a table of thresholds assigned to distinct types of elements, allowing direct and simplified communication without a control unit, with bidirectional communication and manual threshold adjustment capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual threshold values are recorded for each mobile element during initialization, then the safety threshold can be validated for each element, but the installation time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety threshold validationVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the threshold validation process by type of mobile element rather than by individual element. The control unit stores threshold values indexed by element type (e.g., Type 1, Type 2, Type 3), allowing the system to validate safety thresholds for groups of elements simultaneously during initialization, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter from individual element identification to type-based classification. Instead of recording thresholds for each specific mobile element, the system uses type identifiers (e.g., Type 1 for roller blinds, Type 2 for shutters) to group elements with similar characteristics, enabling efficient batch validation during initialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple threshold values are transmitted for each mobile element, then accurate safety control is achieved, but radio traffic increases leading to delayed safety commands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety control accuracyVSAvoidradio communication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a single threshold table that serves all mobile elements in the installation. The control unit stores one comprehensive threshold table indexed by element type, which can be used to validate safety thresholds for any number of elements of that type. This eliminates the need to transmit individual threshold values for each element, reducing radio traffic while maintaining accurate safety control through type-based validation.

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

3Measurement precision

If complex initialization procedures are used to assign threshold values, then accurate safety thresholds are established, but the procedure becomes error-prone and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreshold value accuracyVSAvoidinitialization procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service during initialization by allowing the control unit to automatically determine the type of each mobile element and retrieve the corresponding threshold value from the stored threshold table. The system performs type identification and threshold assignment automatically without requiring manual configuration or complex installer procedures, thereby maintaining threshold accuracy while simplifying the initialization process and reducing error risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Simplifies installation and reduces error risk by assigning thresholds based on element type, minimizing radio traffic and ensuring timely safety commands, thus protecting mobile solar protection elements effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a device for the physical measurement of at least one parameter linked to the action of the wind

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnemometer measurement: Sonic Anemometer

Implementation Method 2

a radio frequency communication means, adapted to emit a signal when the parameter exceeds a threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2267947B1Wind sensor with thresholds by products
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP2267947B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2267947B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2267947B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

The wind safety sensor (24) has a physical device for measuring at least one parameter associated with the action of the wind. A radio-frequency communication unit transmits a signal when the parameter exceeds a threshold. An assignment table (41) stores at least one first threshold and one second threshold relating to distinct types of mobile home automation elements. The transmitted signal includes an identifier of a type for which the threshold has been exceeded, and an information selected from: a code controlling a safety action; an identifier of the safety sensor; or their combinations. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a home automation installation; and (2) a control device for a home automation installation.