Method for the individualized and automated control of the means for closing off at least one window, control assembly for implementing said method, and parameter-setting tool for said assembly

• US 9,194,167 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2011
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Gassion, Romain
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, Katherine
• Assistant Examiner(s): REPHANN, JUSTIN B
• Application Number:
  US13/994,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20130263510A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 49/29, 49/30, 49/31, 160/5, 318/445, 318/466, 318/468, 318/480, 700275-278
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/00 Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6827 sensing light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/26 Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds for vehicles B60J1/2088
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307

Abstract

A method for individualized control of means for closing off at least one window, by: determining coordinates of a dazzle cone associated with a window and with a dazzle-sensitive zone, the dazzle cone defined by a vertex positioned at the dazzle-sensitive zone and a directrix curve superimposed on the perimeter of the window; determining the orientation of direct rays of sunlight, and defined by a solar azimuth and a solar elevation; periodically checking whether the orientation falls within a predetermined dazzle cone; the directions of the rays of sunlight being parallel to one of the directions within the dazzle cone and passing through the vertex of the cone; and acting on closing-off means associated with the window for which orientation of rays of sunlight falls within a dazzle cone.

Claims

1. A method for individualized and automated control of means for closing off at least one window of a building, the method comprising, acting on closing-off means associated with at least one window according to the orientation of direct rays of sunlight as defined by a solar azimuth and a solar elevation by:

determining coordinates of at least one dazzle cone associated with a window, and with a dazzle-sensitive zone situated inside the building in which said window resides, said at least one dazzle cone being defined by a vertex point positioned in the dazzle-sensitive zone, said vertex point being selected by a user of said method, and a directrix corresponding to the perimeter of said window by identifying a plurality of directional axes each passing through the vertex point of said dazzle cone and through one of a plurality of reference points on the perimeter of the window, each of which points (n) is defined by the azimuth (An) and elevation (En) of the directional axis passing through said point;

storing the azimuth and elevation of each of said plurality of directional axes which define the dazzle cone;

periodically checking whether the direction of direct rays of sunlight entering said window falls within at least one predetermined dazzle cone, and passes through the vertex of said cone by comparing the direction of said rays of sunlight to the directions of said directional axes which define the dazzle cone; and

if the result of said periodic checking shows that the direction of said rays of sunlight corresponds to a directional axis within the defined dazzle cone, acting on the closing-off means associated with said window.

2. The control method as claimed in claim 1, additionally comprising:

determining the light intensity outside said building in an environment close to said window that is to be closed off,

comparing the determined light intensity against a closing-off threshold (Soc), and

acting on the closing-off means when the closing-off threshold is crossed.

3. The control method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the building includes a second window which is adjacent said at least one window, said second window also having second closing-off means, the method additionally comprising acting on the closing-off means of the second window, if the direction of the rays of sunlight entering said second window corresponds to a directional axis within a dazzle cone defined with regard to said second window.

4. The control method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closing-off means comprises electrochromic type window glass.

5. The control method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the closing-off means act on the glass of electrochromic type to gradually darken said glass between a minimum threshold that allows a maximum amount of light to pass therethrough and a maximum threshold that allows a minimum amount of light to pass therethrough.

6. The control method as claimed in claim 5, additionally comprising measuring light intensities outside and inside the building, and acting on the closing-off means so that the light intensity on the inside is constant.

7. The control method as claimed in claim 1, wherein all of the coordinates are expressed in the same spatial frame of reference so that the coordinates of the directions of the cone, of the solar azimuth, and of the solar elevation, are in an absolute or relative frame of reference.

8. The control method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the directrix of the dazzle cone is a rectangle, and the dazzle cone is defined by at least:

a first directional axis passing through the vertex of said cone and through a first reference point on the perimeter of the window, which first point is defined by a first azimuth (A1) and a first elevation (E1); and

a second directional axis passing through the vertex of said cone and through a second reference point on the perimeter of the window, which second point is defined by a second azimuth (A2) and a second elevation (E2).

9. The control method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the first directional axis passes through a first corner of the rectangle; and

the second directional axis passes through an opposite corner of the rectangle.