Configuration method for an installation comprising solar protection and/or lighting devices

• US 7,155,296 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2004
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Somfy Activites SA (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Inventors: Mommaerts, Dirk, Klasson, Mattias
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr., Ronald D.
• Application Number:
  US10/762,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20040225379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700 19- 20, 709220-222, 340/825.21, 712/216
• US Class Current: 700/19
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307

Abstract

The configuration method for an installation comprising solar protection and/or lighting devices controlled by a central unit comprising a memory, microprocessor and a user interface, is characterized in that method comprises an iteration, over all of the solar protection and/or lighting devices, and comprises a parameterization step that includes phases of entry and recording of data defining the exposure of the opening fitted with the solar protection device with respect to the sun, entry and recording of data defining the type of device, and entry and recording of data defining the maximum desired depth of penetration of the sun into the building, and/or the sought visual comfort. The method further comprises a calculation step whereby for each device, coefficients for a control algorithm and/or a control algorithm, intended to control the device, are calculated.

Claims

1. A configuration method for an installation (1) comprising solar protection devices (3) controlled by a central unit (2) comprising a memory (22), computing means (21) and a user interface, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

a parameterization step comprising an iteration, over all of the solar protection devices (3), of at least two of the following phases;

(a) entry and recording of data defining an exposure of an opening fitted with the solar protection device (3) with respect to the sun;

(b) entry and recording of data defining a type of solar protection device; and

(c) entry and recording of data defining the maximum desired depth of penetration of the sun into a building, and/or a desired visual comfort;

a step of iterative calculation over all of the solar protection devices (3), whereby for each device, a control algorithm and/or coefficients for the control algorithm, intended for the control of the device, are calculated on the basis of the data, which is recorded in memory, and of general information characterizing the different types of solar protection devices and contained in memory;

a step, whereby the coefficients and/or the control algorithms are modified in order to manage conflicts and interactions between different devices; and

a step of controlling the solar protective devices in an operational mode in accordance with the control algorithm.

2. The configuration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single item of data defines the type of solar protection device.

3. A configuration method for an installation (1) comprising solar protection devices (3) controlled by a central unit (2) comprising a memory (22), computing means (21) and a user interface, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

a parameterization step comprising an iteration, over all of the solar protection devices (3), of at least two of the following phases;

(a) entry and recording of data defining an exposure of an opening fitted with the solar protection device (3) with respect to the sun;

(b) entry and recording of data defining a type of solar protection device; and

(c) entry and recording of data defining the maximum desired depth of penetration of the sun into a building, and/or a desired visual comfort;

a step of iterative calculation over all of the solar protection devices (3), whereby for each device, a control algorithm and/or coefficients for the control algorithm, intended for the control of the device, are calculated on the basis of the data, which is recorded in memory, and of general information characterizing the different types of solar protection devices and contained in memory;

a step of duplicating the results of one or more of the preceding steps in order to generate the coefficients and/or the control algorithms of certain solar protection device; and

a control step for controlling the solar protective devices in an operational mode in accordance with the control algorithm.

4. The configuration method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a single item of data defines the type of solar protection device.

5. A configuration method for an installation (1) comprising solar protection devices (3) controlled by a central unit (2) comprising a memory (22), computing means (21) and a user interface, wherein the method comprises an iteration, over all of the solar protection devices (3), of the following steps:

a parameterization step comprising at least two of the following phases;

(a) entry and recording of data defining an exposure of an opening fitted with the solar protection device (3) with respect to the sun;

(b) entry and recording of data defining a type of solar protection device; and

(c) entry and recording of data defining the maximum desired depth of penetration of the sun into a building, and/or a desired visual comfort;

a calculation step, whereby for each device, a control algorithm and/or coefficients for the control algorithm, intended to control the device, are calculated on the basis of the data, which is placed in memory during the parameterization step, and of general information characterizing the different types of solar protection devices,

a step, whereby the coefficients and/or the control algorithms are modified in order to manage conflicts and interactions between different; and

controlling the solar protective devices in an operational mode in accordance with the control algorithm.

6. The configuration method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a single item of data defines the type of solar protection device.

7. A configuration method for an installation (1) comprising solar protection devices (3) controlled by a central unit (2) comprising a memory (22), computing means (21) and a user interface, wherein the method comprises an iteration, over all of the solar protection devices (3), of the following steps:

a parameterization step comprising at least two of the following phases;

(a) entry and recording of data defining an exposure of an opening fitted with the solar protection device (3) with respect to the sun;

(b) entry and recording of data defining a type of solar protection device;

(c) entry and recording of data defining the maximum desired depth of penetration of the sun into a building, and/or a desired visual comfort;

a calculation step, whereby for each device, a control algorithm and/or coefficients for the control algorithm, intended to control the device, are calculated on the basis of the data, which is placed in memory during the parameterization step, and of general information characterizing the different types of solar protection devices; and

a step of duplicating the results of one or more of the preceding steps in order to generate the coefficients and/or the control algorithms of certain solar protection device; and

controlling the solar protective devices in an operational mode in accordance with the control algorithm.

8. The configuration method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a single item of data defines the type of solar protection device.