Window Shade Adjustment Alerts for Daylight and Energy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current window shading systems lack an efficient and cost-effective method for notifying users of optimal shade adjustments to optimize energy efficiency and occupant comfort, particularly in environments where automated systems are not feasible due to budget constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system that models building and surroundings to calculate shadow and reflected light presence, communicating suggested adjustments to various control systems, including HVAC and lighting, to optimize energy use and occupant comfort without requiring full automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated window shading systems are installed to optimize energy efficiency and occupant comfort, then energy management performance is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification system that bridges the gap between manual window shading control and full automation. The system calculates optimal shading adjustments based on building models, shadow models, and environmental data, then communicates recommendations to occupants through user interfaces. This intermediary approach provides automated intelligence without requiring direct automated control of shading devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining energy management benefits.
2Loss of energy
If full automated control systems are deployed for window coverings, lighting, and HVAC, then energy optimization is improved, but initial investment and wiring costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core intelligence function from a full automated control system and separates it into a standalone notification and calculation system. The system performs complex energy optimization calculations, shadow modeling, and control strategy development, then communicates recommendations without requiring integration with or control of physical shading devices, lighting systems, or HVAC equipment. This extraction eliminates expensive wiring and integration requirements while preserving energy optimization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model or copy of the building's thermal and optical behavior through shadow models and building performance simulations. Instead of directly controlling physical systems, the system uses computational models to predict energy impacts of shading adjustments, allowing optimization without physical integration infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual window shades are used instead of automated systems, then system cost is reduced, but energy optimization and occupant comfort performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors environmental conditions (sun position, shadow patterns, building orientation) and provides real-time notifications to occupants about optimal shading adjustments. This feedback loop enables manual shading users to make informed decisions that approximate automated system performance, bridging the performance gap between manual and automated approaches without increasing hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations and predictions of shadow patterns and energy impacts before occupants make shading decisions. By providing advance notification of optimal adjustment times and expected energy benefits, the system prepares occupants to make timely manual adjustments, improving energy efficiency without requiring automated actuation.
4Loss of time
If complex automated control systems are installed to provide real-time shade adjustments, then energy optimization response time is improved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service notification system that autonomously performs all calculations, model updates, and notification generation without requiring complex control infrastructure or maintenance. The system uses publicly available solar position algorithms, building geometry data, and simple environmental sensors to independently determine optimal shading strategies, eliminating the need for sophisticated automated control hardware that would require ongoing maintenance while maintaining rapid response capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The system includes information and data from analysis systems about optimal window covering positions that is communicated to building occupants. The analysis system communicates information to the occupant via the occupant's client computer to allow the occupant to fully or partially adjust the position of a manual shade or motorized shade, without the need for the analysis system to fully or partially electronically control the shades. The system may also adjust window covering systems and other systems to ensure desired or optimal daylight exposure in order promote optimal circadian functionality in the occupants.