Window Treatment Control Using Thermal Response and Obstruction Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling window treatments do not effectively consider expected thermal responses and energy consumption to achieve desired environmental settings, leading to inefficiencies in heating and cooling cycles.
Innovation Solution
A controller that integrates with a thermostat to receive data from various sensors, including temperature, occupancy, and weather data, to determine the optimal positioning of window treatments based on expected thermal responses and energy consumption, automatically adjusting window treatments to hasten or stop movement in response to obstructions or changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If window treatments are automatically controlled based on thermal response calculations, then energy consumption is reduced and thermal efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases due to integration of sensors, controllers, and multiple data sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate systems into an integrated window treatment control system. The controller integrates thermal response calculations, sensor data from multiple sources (occupancy, light, temperature), and weather forecast data into a unified control mechanism. This merging allows the system to optimize energy consumption by coordinating all these elements work together rather than independently, reducing overall energy waste while managing the complexity through unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse tasks: calculating thermal responses, processing sensor inputs, interpreting weather forecasts, and controlling window treatments. By creating a universal control unit that performs all these functions, the system reduces the need for multiple separate devices, thereby managing complexity while achieving comprehensive energy optimization across different operational scenarios.
2Speed
If window treatments close quickly to achieve desired temperature faster, then thermal response time is improved, but the risk of obstructions or damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal response calculations before actually closing the window treatments. The controller calculates the expected thermal outcome of closing treatments and only proceeds if the calculation indicates desired temperature improvement. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary or harmful closures, maintaining reliability while enabling fast thermal response when genuinely beneficial.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor data during window treatment operation and uses this feedback to adjust control decisions. If obstructions are detected or abnormal conditions arise during closure, the feedback mechanism allows the system to stop or reverse the closing action, ensuring operational safety while maintaining the ability to achieve rapid thermal response under normal conditions.
3Measurement precision
If the system integrates multiple sensors and data sources for comprehensive control, then environmental control precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a universal processing unit that can handle multiple types of sensor inputs and data sources through standardized interfaces. This multi-functional design allows the system to integrate occupancy sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors, and weather forecast data without requiring separate processing systems for each, thereby improving environmental sensing precision while managing integration complexity through a unified architecture.
4Temperature
If window treatments are controlled based on real-time sensor data and weather forecasts, then thermal efficiency is improved, but the response time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal response calculations using current sensor data and weather forecast information before executing control actions. By pre-calculating the thermal outcomes of potential window treatment positions, the system identifies optimal control decisions in advance, enabling rapid response when conditions change while maintaining high thermal efficiency through data-driven decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller receives from a sensor associated with a window treatment a first data obtained during a controlled closing of the window treatment. A setpoint temperature, a current temperature within a structure, and a weather data is subsequently used to determine that the window treatment needs to be closed in order to hasten a movement of the current temperature towards the setpoint temperature. After an instruction is provided to cause the window treatment to start to close, second data is obtained from the sensor while the window treatment is being closed. The first data is compared to the second data, when the comparison indicates that an obstruction exists in a path of travel of the window treatment, the closing of the window treatment is stopped.