EP1069275A2 - Sun protection device with position adapting depending on the incidence of light - Google Patents

Abstract

The control system for operating the blind is housed and wired-up in the blind support system which secures it to the wall. Provision can also be made for housing sensors which, for instance, control the required degree of extension of the blind or have a protective function (monitoring wind loading). Suitable terminations are provided for connection to the domestic power supply.

Description

The invention relates to a sun protection system a sun protection curtain and at least one drive that the setting of the sun protection curtain via a control depending on several input variables adapts the environmental conditions.

So far, automatically controlled sun protection systems are available Known mainly from larger office buildings, in which a central Control a global match for a building or a facade predetermined target values and central measured actual values. Individual control individual sun protection systems is not provided and accordingly, one can be central, far from a certain one Sun protection system determined input size to Adjust all controlled systems, although the measured input variables for some of the systems are not relevant.

From the field of external venetian blinds, it is already known to implement a sun protection system depending on the position of the sun, by adjusting the slat angle to the position of the sun. For this purpose are on a slat in addition to the sun sensor two sensors arranged, the angle of incidence of the Capture sun rays and the slats perpendicular to the Align incoming sun rays. Such systems have so far not been able to convince in practice because the slats were often closed too far, the tracking very conspicuous and due to the constantly occurring Readjustments of the sensors and engine control unit only achieved a very short lifespan. The sensors is also very sensitive to dirt, although already light Contamination to serious incorrect settings of the system being able to lead.

The object of the present invention is a To create a sun protection system that is dependent on the position of the sun Tracking enabled and more reliable than before known systems works.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that a sun protection system of the type described above Control the setting of the curtain using one in one Memory stored basic programming as a function at least of the input variables time, sun intensity and direction undertakes, the input variables, sun intensity and cardinal direction and, if necessary, others input variables relating to the environmental properties for the installation position of the sun protection system can be determined individually are.

The sun protection system according to the invention offers the advantage that the sun-dependent tracking of the setting no longer determined by a control circuit prone to failure but as a function of the input variables time and direction is determined so that disturbances can hardly be expected are.

The is used for tracking the system depending on the position of the sun Input variable time, for example by a clock or a radio clock is determined. A radio clock is preferable because it has less gait deviations and the attitude performs independently on summer and winter time. The Correction of summer and winter time is in the control made by programming the changeover days to the Adjust sun position correction to the changed time. In addition to the time of day, the month and day are also preferred recorded as an input variable for the seasonal changes the solar path.

The input variable direction, i.e. Alignment of the Sun protection system, gives the control system information whether there is a shadow to be shaded by the sun protection system Window area of direct sunlight at all may be exposed. Also the setting of the sun protection system can be optimized using this input variable be because at any time in connection with the input variable the side angle of incidence of the sun on the system is known.

The input of the sky direction input variable can either done with the help of an electronic compass or the geographic orientation data can be obtained from Assembly for the sun protection system individually in one Memory can be stored.

The acquisition of the input variable sun intensity with With the help of a photo element, a solar cell or other photosensitive element takes place, also a combination is therefore conceivable for several such sensors sensible, in order to avoid an unnecessary extension in dense clouds to avoid the system. In addition to recording a However, a pure threshold value is also conceivable, the input variable Sun intensity in the setting control of the extended system.

Basically, the concept according to the invention is suitable for all types of sun protection systems to ensure optimal at all times Heat protection and hiding direct sunlight to enable, but also for one to ensure the best possible light in the interior of the room. Depending on the type of sun protection system you can adjust of the sun protection curtain one or more servomotors to be required. Is the sun protection system as an awning carried out depends on the input variables an adjustment of the extension length and / or the inclination of the Blind, while next to an apprenticeship as venetian blind the control of the extension length, especially the adjustment the slat inclination especially with regard to the tracking depending on the position of the sun. Of course, the sun protection systems can be designed as indoor or outdoor systems.

To make the setting of the sun protection system even more precise with respect to the current position of the sun enable is in a further preferred embodiment of the invention provided that the geographic coordinates of the Installation location of the sun protection system as a further input variable serve to control the blind adjustment.

The exact information about the latitude and longitude Latitude of the installation site allowed in connection with time recording and knowledge of the geographical Alignment of the system at any time an exact arithmetic Determination of the position of the sun relative to the sun protection system, being aware of the exact location also a mathematical consideration of the time zone enables.

The geographic data can be used when installing the sun protection system can be entered and saved, whereby a particularly precise determination of the location with the help a so-called GPS receiver is possible. It is also conceivable to integrate such a GPS receiver into the system, however, since the determination of the geographical location The transmission of data is only to be carried out once from a mobile GPS receiver or a factory Prefer preference for cost reasons.

It is particularly advantageous for outdoor facilities that Control with a wind sensor, rain sensor, temperature sensor and / or to couple air humidity sensors, the further the curtain capture influencing input variables. The On the one hand, input variables can have protective functions for example the system when the wind is too strong, when it rains or being able to drive in, or they can be targeted used to vary the curtain setting be, for example, at low temperatures Increase direct sunlight into the room, to save heating costs.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is envisaged that the sun protection system is ready for operation pre-assembled with all sensors and the pre-programmed Control is provided and a supply connection to a common household electricity network. The Supply connection can in addition to the power supply Connection lines to the hand switches must be assigned. The advantage of such a sun protection system is that that they are up to the everywhere existing power connection works completely independently and not on external sensors or controls, regardless of whether the Sun protection system in a family home or as part a sun protection system consisting of several sun protection systems of a larger building. The Concept of the self-sufficient sun protection system offers the advantage that no additional control lines in the Buildings need to be relocated and commissioning also the system is simplified and can be done without specially trained Personnel. It is not programming the System more required. The elimination of the control lines is particularly useful when retrofitting old buildings Advantage in which such control lines are very expensive should be relocated.

The sensors for detecting the environmental properties reproducing input variables are preferably located within of a housing and are via suitable channels or conductors connected to the environment. Through this measure, the Largely sensors against dirt or damage protected and the effort for electrical wiring, otherwise when assembling the sun protection system must be made decreases.

In most applications, it makes sense that a manual intervention is provided, the automatic Setting is overriding. Because the basic programming always only for a certain application can be optimized, for example for jobs in close to window surfaces, and also the feeling of Users can be very different, should be manual on this Adjustability cannot be waived. Also for complete darkening of the room, for example for picture presentations, manual intervention is essential. However, it is also conceivable to differentiate certain Optimized basic programming in the uses Save the control so that a preset can already be set Adaptation of the sun protection system to the actual use of the room to be shadowed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, that the basic programming through manual intervention changeable with the help of an adaptively learnable control is. In addition to the pure manual operation, through which the system can be operated manually according to a normal system, the adaptively learnable control extends the adaptation in Automatic operation to meet user requirements. The adaptively learnable The control does not detect a manual intervention only the desired setting but also the input variables, that existed at the time of the manual intervention to have. Takes place with essentially the same input variables repeated manual intervention, the control can when these input variables are recognized in the future the repeated manual setting automatically drive off. Also a gradual convergence of the Basic programming to the different manual setting with increasing number of repetitions of the manual Readjustment is conceivable.

Resetting the system to its original state Basic programming is possible, e.g. by entering a certain signal via the hand switch. To look for a manual Intervention the setting of the sun protection system as inconspicuous as possible in a setting accordingly the basic programming depending on the input variables to be able to bring is preferably provided that the return from a manually entered setting based on a predetermined adjustment characteristic. Sigmoidal transitions, realized using Bèzier curves allow a particularly inconspicuous resetting.

Fig. 1

ein schematisches Schaubild einer Sensorik zur Ermittlung relevanter Eingangsgrößen für die Steuerung von Sonnenschutzanlagen;

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt einer Sonnenschutzanlage mit integrierter Sensorik;

Fig. 3

ein Funktionsschaubild einer mit der Sensorik gemäß Fig. 1 oder 2 verknüpften Steuerung;

Fig. 4

ein Funktionsschaubild einer mit der Sensorik gemäß Fig. 1 oder Fig. 2 verknüpften adaptiv lernfähigen Steuerung.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic diagram of a sensor system for determining relevant input variables for the control of sun protection systems;

Fig. 2

a section of a sun protection system with integrated sensors;

Fig. 3

a functional diagram of a control linked to the sensor system according to FIG. 1 or 2;

Fig. 4

2 shows a functional diagram of an adaptively learnable controller linked to the sensor system according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

1 shows a sensor system 10 for determining active input variables for controlling a sun protection system 12 (see 2), which is connected to a controller 14 (see FIG. 2 and 3) are transmitted, which are defined when reached Switching values travel commands to the drives 17 (see FIG. 3) transmitted to the sun protection system 12 and thus an automatic Setting the sun protection system 12 allows.

The sensor system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is in a separate one Housing 16 housed that with the help of connecting lines 18 is coupled to the controller 14. The sensors 10 at least the input variables time / date, Sun intensity and cardinal direction of the sun protection system determine an automatic control of the sun protection system 12 depending on the position of the sun can. Especially with external sun protection systems are the acquisition of the additional input variables Wind speed and outside temperature through the sensors 10 and a rain detector make sense.

To determine the input variable time / date, the Sensor 10 via a radio receiver 20, the electromagnetic Radio clock signals are received and used to calculate the current Passes sun position to the controller 14. The Radio receiver 20 is of course with a suitable one Antenna (not shown) designed to be safe Data reception regardless of location within the transmission range ensures. Determining the day of the week and the summer time correction can be programmed in the Control 14 can be realized.

Instead of a radio receiver 20, the sensor system 10 can also have a clock that has the required input variables provides. However, with independent clocks Disadvantage that gear deviations occur over the years or even one due to power outages complete adjustment comes that manual again Intervention in places of the time is necessary. In contrast offers the determination of the input variable time / date on the basis of the radio clock principle an almost perfect accuracy and the possibility of automatic Initial and subsequent adjustment.

The input variable sun intensity is determined with the help of a sun sensor 22, which acts as a photo resistor, Photodiode or solar cell is formed. The sun sensor 22 is immediate in the illustrated embodiment on the circuit board of the evaluation system inside the sensor housing 16 arranged and with a light guide 24 connected to a lens 26 seated on the outer wall of the housing. However, it is also conceivable for the photosensitive element to assemble itself on the outside of the housing and the Connection to the board using electrical cables to manufacture. The sun sensor supplies the controller 14 with a Information about whether the sun protection system 14 or the window surface to be shaded by her at all Is exposed to sunlight or whether for example extension of the sun protection system due to cloudiness is necessary at all. Conversely, the sun sensor 22 also from an opposite facade, for example Capture reflected sunlight and extend the Effect sun protection system at a time of the day the control actually assumes that the affected Facade is in shadow.

To record the input variable direction of the sky, i.e. the geographic orientation of the sun protection system 12 is a direction sensor 28 is provided which automatically after assembly recognizes the orientation of the sun protection system 12, what with the separately executed in Fig. 1 housing 16 of the sensors 10 of course presupposes that this is located in a precisely defined position to the sun protection system. The direction sensor 28 can in its execution as an electronic compass two or three axes of the final magnetic field measure and from the individual components of the magnetic field calculate the absolute direction. For the most For applications, the measurement of the two horizontal components is sufficient because the sun protection system and thus the Direction sensor 28 during assembly using a spirit level be aligned exactly. It is important to ensure, that ferromagnetic components of the sun protection system, such as e.g. the drive motors 17 the earth's magnetic field to be measured do not bother. During faults within the sensor system 10 The drive motors should be able to be compensated computationally 17 remain switched off during measurements, so as not to falsify the measurement result. The electronic Compass 28 can be used, for example, as a flux gate sensor or be designed as a magnetoresistive sensor.

Furthermore, the sensor system 10 offers the possibility of using of a wind sensor 30 the input variable wind speed to detect and thus a hazard to the strong wind System caused by mechanical overload caused by starting to avoid retracting the system.

Basically, a conventional cup cross anemometer is used as a wind sensor usable, but only the horizontal components of the wind up to a deviation of about 15 ° from the horizontal. At the wind speed becomes the input variable specified too low, with pure opening or Falling cups of this kind cannot be used at all Record wind movement. In addition, cup cross animometers are required relatively much space.

1 is therefore used as Wind sensor 30 used a pressure sensor inside of the housing 16 is arranged and via a hose connection 32 communicates with the environment. Further Sensors with the aid of which an air flow can be detected thermal probes can be used as a measure of wind speed, where the airflow is electrically heated Sensor cools down so that with constant heating power the temperature or at constant temperature the Heating power is a measure of the flow velocity, or a strain gauge circuit that bends the airflow exposed certain body as a measure of the flow velocity recorded with the help of two strain gauge elements and evaluates with a bridge circuit. Of course instead of the hose connection 32, the wind sensor 30 again be mounted on the surface of the housing 16.

To get an equivalent record of wind speed The wind sensor 22 has all wind directions via a sensor head (not shown), which is either a has a large detection area or self-aligning is trained. Depending on the geometry of the sensor head different coverage areas can be covered where the deviations from measured to actual wind speed e.g. less than 5%. This may be related to known investigations with total pressure probes, especially shielded probe heads, e.g. Kiel probes as Geometry template come into question.

Alternatively, the sensor head can be attached to a movable wing be attached, modeled on a simple Prandtl tube can be. The wing must be freely rotatable ensure according to the attacking wind and the Connection from the receiving tube to the sensor must be flexible, so as not to restrict the mobility of the wing.

A completely different principle for determining the input variable Wind speed can be immediate deformation, Vibrations or accelerations on parts of the Determine the sun protection system as a measure of the wind speed can apply.

For example, deformations caused by wind can be determined with the help of strain gauge circuits. These will preferably on a heavily loaded component of the sun protection system attached, for example to awnings an awning support tube in the area of the arm holder or on the arm profiles. The strain gauge circuit is according to the determining deformation as a quarter, half or full bridge formed, the changes in resistance occurring in the measuring strips a measure of the deformation and thus for the attacking wind load.

It is also possible to be caused by the attacking wind Vibrations or accelerations as a measure of that attacking wind load. This is done in a vibration Component of the sun protection system Mercury switch to detect vibrations and shocks or e.g. working according to the piezo principle Accelerometer to detect the occurring Accelerations integrated. The above certain Thresholds switched pulses are generated by the controller 14 evaluated and possibly initiate the entry the plant. In this case the arrangement is the Sensors in the area of heavily moved components under wind load expedient, e.g. Bottom rails of external venetian blinds or drop profiles of awnings.

The sensor system 10 shown in FIG. 1 also has via a rain sensor 34, the precipitation or moisture can record and especially for those sensitive to moisture Sun protection systems, e.g. Awnings, retracting the Plant can initiate.

The sensor system 10 also has a temperature sensor 36, whose signal as a further input variable for the control 14 can be used.

The sensor system 10 shown in FIG. 1, which is in a separate Housing 16 is housed, also has a integrated microcontroller 38, which is a multiplexer 40 and an analog / digital converter 42 (see FIG. 3), multiplexer 40 and A / D converter 42 in Fig. 3 are shown as part of the controller 14. The microcontroller 38 is on a two-wire or three-wire bus line 44 connected to the controller 14.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of a Venetian blind Venetian blind 12, in the upper rail 46 a sensor system 10 corresponding to the sensor system shown in Fig. 1 without housing and a controller 14 are integrated. The lens 26, the temperature sensor 36 and the opening of the with the Wind sensor 30 connected hose line 32 are on the Outside of an aperture 48 provided the upper part covers a shaft 50 in which the external blind 12 is mounted. The venetian blind 12 has a slatted curtain 52, the individual lamellae 54 in Fig. 2 in the retracted Position as a package are shown gathered. The Venetian blind 12 has two motors 17 (see FIG. 3), with the help of which the slat curtain 52 can be extended and the The inclination of the slats 54 is adjustable. The control the motors are taken over by the controller 14, in addition to a purely automatic control also a manual one Intervention for the extension length and the angle adjustment of the Curtain 52 is provided.

The functional diagram shown in Fig. 3 shows the Controller 14 for the motors 17 of the venetian blind 12 in FIG. 2 with the intended for determining relevant input variables Sensors. In addition to the temperature sensor already described 36, rain sensor 34, direction sensor 28, radio receiver 20, sun sensor 22 and wind sensor 30 are to be determined other input variables the already mentioned manual Hand switches 56, 58 for the extension length and the Angle adjustment of the curtain 52 shown. The hand switches can also run in the form of a remote control his. Further input variables represent the with the help of a Encoder 60 detected actual extension length and that with the help of a Another encoder 62 detected the actual angular position of the curtain 52. The two sensors 60, 62 can for example provided in the form of rotary angle sensors on the motors 17 his.

The mentioned measured or set input variables are connected to the multiplexer 40 and this one Analog / digital converter 42 passed on to the incoming Converts sensor signals serially. To converter 42 is followed by a sensor signal adaptation 64, for example Characteristic curves linearized or signal impulses in converts a continuous size. On an EPROM memory module 66 sequence programs are stored, which in Dependence on the output signal of the sensor signal adaptation 64 generate the output variables for controlling the motors 17. The control programs are still from the content of a Memory 68 affects in which information about the longitude and latitude of the location of the exhibition Sun protection system 12 are stored, because only the exact geographical indication an exact determination of the position of the sun relative to the sun protection system 12 is possible. However, even without this information, using a Preset a good approximation for many locations possible.

The controller 14 is constructed so that the with the hand switches 56, 58 manually entered values for the extension length or the angle setting with priority over the according to the measured input variables based on the Basic programming determined setting are treated. Will be a manual setting for a certain time not corrected, the controller 14 resembles a predefined one Period of several hours the setting independently again on the theoretical ideal course. The transitions are sigmoid in order to be as inconspicuous as possible To enable resetting. The sigmoid-shaped Transitions are realized via Bèzier curves, which guarantee that the feedback curve is always only a turning point owns.

The time of day input variables determined by the radio clock 20 and date are used to track the setting angle of the slats 54 to the height of the sun, the date information Compensate for seasonal changes in the solar path can. Special calculation formulas are used for tracking stored in the control 14, the azimuth and elevation angles the solar radiation. In connection with the input variable sky direction determined by the compass 28 can be calculated whether the sun at all can shine directly on the system and what relative position takes them to the facility. These calculations can be by the information stored in the memory 68 about the geographical location of the system 12 further specify, the data also from one to the System integrated GPS receiver can be provided can. In addition, the geographic data at Assembly of the system stored in the memory 68, for example by transmission from a mobile GPS receiver, immediate entry of the geographic data or the alternatively, entering the geographic location approximately characteristic information, e.g. Postcodes or license plate.

To simplify the sensor system, it is also conceivable that Omit direction sensor 28 and also the orientation of the Sun protection system in the memory 68 when mounting as Presetting.

The other input variables: sun intensity, wind speed, Rain and temperature are treated so that at Exceeding or falling below certain threshold values The system 14 is brought in by the controller 14. If necessary, these threshold values can be dependent from the actual extension state determined by the sensors 60, 62 the system 12 can be varied.

4 is a modified embodiment of the control 14, which enables an adaptive learning ability. A further memory module 70 is provided for this purpose, in which manual interventions are carried out together with the Input variables available at the time of the intervention can be saved. As a result, it is the controller 14 possible, systematic interventions in the automatic control recognizable and according to a statistically sufficient Number of repetitions according to the basic programming to change the manual intervention. The adaptive Learning ability allows individual adaptation of the Control 14 to the user habits so that this after a short time no longer manually in the automatic Sequence of control 14 must intervene.

A reset of the controller 14 to the original state is by entering a special switching signal via the Manual switch possible, whereby the learned data is deleted and the controller then at least again initially works according to the basic programming.

The sensors 10, control 14 and motors 17 of the sun protection system 12 only need a conventional supply Household electricity network without additional components or even control lines, as they have been implemented in the past Systems can be found. With the connection to the power grid the system is ready for operation only the data for the geographical location and / or the alignment of the system can be stored have to.

Instead of controlling the venetian blind 12 described the combination of a sensor system 10 described a controller 14 also for automatic control of others Sun protection systems, e.g. from awnings. Depending on The controller can select the type of sun protection system to be controlled 14 output signals for only one motor, for two motors (see embodiment) or generate more motors. To adapt the control to the respective type only the basic programming of the sun protection system be adapted, with adapted programming the use of one and the same unit from sensors 10 and Control 14 for different types of sun protection systems can be used.

Depending on the nature of the sun protection system, individual Sensors are dispensed with the cost of the Lower sensor system 10.

Claims (11)

Sun protection system with a sun protection curtain (52) and at least one drive (17) which automatically adjusts the setting of the sun protection curtain (52) to the incidence of light as a function of several input variables, characterized in that the control system (14) adjusts the Adjustment of the curtain (52) using at least one basic programming stored in a memory (66) as a function of at least the input variables time, sun intensity and cardinal direction, the input variables time, sun intensity and cardinal direction being individually detectable for the installation position of the sun protection system. Sun protection system according to claim 1, characterized in that a clock or a radio clock (20) with antenna for detecting the input variable time is coupled to the control (14), the input variable time preferably comprising the input variables time of day and date. Sun protection system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a photo element, a solar cell or other light-sensitive element is coupled to the controller (14) as a sensor (22) for detecting the input variable sun intensity. Sun protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronic compass (28) is coupled to the control (14) for recording the input variable direction of the compass or that this input variable is stored in a memory (68) as a value to be entered during assembly. Sun protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control is coupled to a wind sensor (30), rain sensor (34), temperature sensor (36) and / or air humidity sensor which detects further input variables influencing the hanging, preferably also sensors (60 , 62) for detecting the actual position of the curtain (52) are provided as a further input variable of the control (14). Sun protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geographic coordinates of the location of the sun protection system (12) serve as a further input variable for the control (14) of the curtain adjustment, the geographic coordinates being stored in the factory or by input during assembly or by a integrated GPS receiver are detectable. Sun protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is pre-assembled ready for use with all sensors (20, 22, 28, 30, 34, 36) and has a supply connection to a conventional household power supply system. Sun protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (22, 32, 34, 36) for detecting the input variables reflecting the environmental properties are located within a housing (16) and via suitable channels (32) or conductors (24) with the Environment are connected. Sun protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a manual intervention option (56, 58) is provided which is superior to the automatic setting, the basic programming preferably being able to be changed and restored by manual intervention using an adaptively learnable controller (66, 70) is. Sun protection system according to Claim 9, characterized in that the return from a manually entered setting to a setting to be made in accordance with the basic programming takes place after a certain time delay on the basis of a predetermined adjustment characteristic. Sun protection system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is an external venetian blind (12), in which the setting can be varied as a function of the input variables by changing the output variables extension length and slat inclination of the blind slats (54).

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