Sun protecting arrangement with automatic blind control and possibility of manual intervention

The invention relates to a sun protection system with a motorized adjustable hangings and a controller that performs the setting of the blind in response to at least one specific input after a preset basic program for generating at least one output, with a possibility of manual intervention for the realization of the automatic adjustment of deviating settings of the blind is provided.

It is already known to provide sun protection systems with an automatic control that provide the basis of certain input parameters output variables, for example for control of electric motors by means of which the curtain according to the input parameters is automatically adjusted. Although the basic programming of such plants can be carried out in an assumed optimal manner, however, it is in advance very difficult to detect the actual illumination properties of a room, where also the subjective perception of in shaded with such investments spaces working or living people very different can be. While it can be a solution for manual intervention in the control and set the desired shading state, however, the user must then give up the automatic adjustment of the sun protection system in whole or constantly make manual changes, which can hardly be considered as an acceptable solution.

While it is possible to adapt the programming of a control on the spot the user wishes, it turns out, however, extremely labor intensive and costly and is not feasible without trained staff.

The object of the invention is to provide a sun protection system that meets the user needs more effectively and without costly reprogramming.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a sun protection system of the type described above, wherein the controller manually selected settings of the blind detected together with at least one present at the time of manual intervention input, stores and from a number of essentially identical, repeated at least twice for manual intervention at substantially the same input the basic programming for future adjustments in the presence of this input variable changes under review the manual intervention.

in control of the invention, self-learning unlike conventional systems eliminates any more or less complicated programming by the user. The programming of the controller, ie the deviation from the predetermined basic programming according to user requirements is made solely by the taking place in automatic mode manual settings, which detects the system and learn from them.

The control and learning algorithms used in the control have the effect that the user in the initial phase after the commissioning of the sun protection system only needs to make manual changes according to his wishes, and after a while no longer perceives the system as more prevalent the desired settings.

To avoid programming errors by one-time manual intervention, for example if a room once used by a third person or a room for a slide show is once completely darkened, it is advisable not to make an adjustment of the programming dependent on a single manual intervention. For example, it may be provided that the control programming with increasing number of times in substantially the same manual settings at substantially equal input gradual manual adjustment adapts and present input makes the adjusted setting of the blind. Alternatively, it is possible that after a certain number of times in substantially the same manual settings at substantially equal input programming takes over the manual setting and repeated in the presence of the input variable.

While it may be, for example, so proceed with the gradual adjustment that once or twice manual intervention cause only minimal changes, it is recommended in the second described variant, a least three presuppose to fourfold repetition of manual adjustment for a change of programming in order to to go out reasonable statistical certainty that the manual intervention of a user of the desire for a fundamental change in programming underlies.

Preferably, the learning algorithm is designed so that the call of the adapted or inherited setting is done in a certain parameter range of the detected input. This prevents that it is ruled by exaggerated accuracy in detecting the input size and manually set outputs of almost, that this condition is repeated, since the user will always make manual settings with a certain spreading width and the detected input variables, in particular in the detection multiple input variables are unlikely to be once again identical.

is in defining the width of the parameter range is also another way to avoid a repeat once of performed manual settings by the parameter range of the input value with increasing number of repetitive manual settings is wider and, for example, at a one-time entry to repeat only exactly repeated input variables made ,

The controller detects at least the input variables daytime, weekday, date, wind speed, sun intensity and / or temperature and reflects this in changing the setting of the blind and / or programming change. Basically, do not have to all input variables that are used by the controller to the setting of the blind to be involved in the learning processes with. Basically, however, it can be assumed that an improved adaptation to the user's preferences by changing the programming is possible with additional input variable, which is used for programming change.

Preferably, in several evaluated input variables, a call is an adapted or inherited setting if all input values ​​are within certain parameter ranges.

This logical AND operation the security of knowing a reason is increased, which led to a manual intervention in the control. Although absolute security when recognizing a reason for manual intervention is not reached, the parameter ranges can be narrowly defined as the number of detected input variables without this, ie unwanted changes of sunblind, would lead to programming errors.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that after a certain period of time after a manual intervention or a call to an adapted or adopted setting a provision adjustment in accordance with the basic program or a changed setting. In this way it is ensured that the curtain does not stay in changing attitudes, but the sun protection system automatically returns to automatic control. Preferably, the provision takes place via an interpolated adjustment curve which is determined with reference to the source and to be traveled to final adjustment of the hanging of the controller. By interpolated Verstellkurven to sudden adjustment processes can be avoided, which are perceived by the people present in the shaded from the sun protection installation space as very disturbing. Particularly pleasant adjustment characteristics arise if the provision is sigmoidförmig, the sigmoid transitions are realized by Bèzier curves. Such resetting curves have only one inflection point and thereby give a perceived as a particularly soft and pleasant lighting that changes during the adjustment.

Under certain circumstances it may be advisable that the sun protection system can be switched to a purely manual control, for example, in the case of system faults still be able to set a desired sunblind permanently. On the other hand, it may be useful if the controller is switched to a state where further manual settings alter the basic programming. For example, a room in the meantime for the next person, they could manipulate the programming of the actual user through repeated manual intervention, so that the actual user's sun protection system then again should new "program". Further, it may be advantageous to be able to reset the controller by means of an input of certain signals on the basic programming.

The controls described in principle for all types of sun protection systems can be used, the setting of the blind by varying at least one output, for example, the blind length, the slat inclination or the blade inclination is carried out at external venetian blinds. The outputs can be, for example, the control signals of electric motors.

Description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings to embodiments of the invention. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a schematic diagram of a sensor system for measuring relevant input variables for the control of sun protection equipment;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a section of a sun protection system with integrated sensor;</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a functional diagram of a linked with the sensor according to FIG. 1 or 2 controls.</dd></dl>

In Fig. 1, a sensor system 10 for determining an active input variables for regulating a sun protection system 12 (see FIG. 2), which are transmitted to a controller 14 (see Fig. 2 and 3), the defined upon reaching switch values ​​move commands to the actuators 17 (see Fig. 3) of the sun protection system received 12 and thus allows an automatic adjustment of the sun protection system 12.

The sensor system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is accommodated in a separate housing 16 which is coupled by means of connecting lines 18 to the controller 14. The sensor 10 must determine the input variables the time / date, sun intensity and direction of the sun protection system in order to allow an automatic control of the sun protection system 12 depending on the position of the sun can least. Especially with external shading systems, the detection of additional inputs wind speed and outside temperature by the sensor 10 and a rain detector are meaningful.

To determine the input date / time, the sensor 10 includes a radio receiver 20 which receives electromagnetic Funkuhrsignale and passes to calculate the current sun position to the controller 14th The radio receiver 20 is of course with a suitable antenna (not shown) is formed, which ensures a secure data receiving any location within the coverage area. The determination of the weekday and daylight savings can be realized by the program in the controller 14th

Instead of a radio receiver 20, the sensor 10 may also include a clock that provides the required input. However, with independent clocks of disadvantage that adjust over the years clock errors out or even to a complete adjustment as a result of power outages, which makes a new manual intervention by setting the time required. By contrast, provides the determination of input time / date based on the Funkuhrprinzips a nearly perfect accuracy and the possibility of an automatic primary and Nacheinstellens.

The determination of the input variable intensity of the sun is carried out by means of a sun sensor 22, which is designed as a photoresistor, photodiode or solar cell. It is also conceivable for a plurality of such sensors - also of different kinds - to provide for determining the intensity of the sun. The sun sensor 22 is disposed in the illustrated embodiment directly on the circuit board of the analysis system within the sensor housing 16 and connected via an optical waveguide 24 with a person sitting on the housing outer wall lens 26th It is however also conceivable, even to assemble the light-sensitive element on the outer side of housing and connect to the circuit board by means of electrical cables. The solar sensor provides the controller 14 information as to whether the sun protection system 14 or is even exposed her to verschattende window area of ​​sunlight, or whether an extension of the sun protection system is necessary, for example due to cloud cover at all. Conversely, the sun sensor 22 can also detect, for example of an opposite facade reflected sunlight and cause a retraction of the sun protection system to a time of day at which the control actually assumes that the affected façade is shaded.

To capture the input direction, ie the geographical orientation of the sun protection system 12, a direction sensor 28 is provided which automatically the orientation of the sun protection system 12 detects after assembly, which in the FIG. 1 separately executed housing 16 of the sensor 10, of course, presupposes that this is in a precisely defined position for sun protection system. The direction sensor 28 may in its execution measure as electronic compass, two or three axes of Endmagnetfeldes and calculated from the individual components of the magnetic field, the absolute direction. For most applications, the measurement of the horizontal components is sufficient, since the sun protection system and hence the direction sensor 28 are aligned during assembly precisely with the aid of a spirit level. It is important to ensure that ferromagnetic components of the sun protection system, such. As 17 do not interfere with the drive motors the measured magnetic field. While interference within the sensor 10 can be compensated by the calculation, the drive motors should stay off 17 during the measurements, in order not to falsify the measurement result. The electronic compass 28 can be configured for example as a fluxgate sensor or as magnetoresesiver sensor.

Furthermore 10 provides the sensor system the possibility by means of a wind sensor 30 to detect the input variable wind speed and thus in high winds to prevent contamination of the system by mechanical overloading by causing the retraction of the plant.

In principle, the wind sensor is a conventional cup anemometer can be used which, however, can only detect the Hoizontalkomponenten the pending wind up to a deviation of approximately 15 ° from the horizontal. Upon oblique attacking winds the input wind speed is set too low, with pure premium or halyard winches such Schalenkreuzanimometer can capture any wind movement. Moreover Schalenkreuzanimometer need a lot of space.

In the sensor 10 shown in Fig. 1, therefore, a pressure sensor is used as a wind sensor 30 which is arranged in the interior of the housing 16 and communicates with the surroundings in connection via a tube connection 32. Other sensors, with the aid of which an air flow can be detected, which can be considered as a measure of the wind velocity, are thermal probes, in which the air flow an electrically heated probe cools, so that at a constant heating power, the temperature or at constant temperature, the heating power is a measure of the flow rate, or a strain gauge circuit, which detects the deflection of a certain body exposed to the airflow as a measure of the flow velocity with the help of two strain gauge elements and evaluates with a bridge circuit. Of course, can be mounted on the surface of the housing 16 instead of the hose connection 32 of the wind sensor 30 in turn.

In order to permit an equivalent detection of the wind speed from all wind directions, wind sensor 22 has a sensor head (not shown) which either has a large detection area or is in the form self-aligning. Depending on the geometry of the sensor head may have different large detection areas are covered, in which the deviations of measured actual wind velocity to z. B. less than 5%. This can be made of known studies related to total pressure probes, particularly shielded probe heads such. B. Kielsche probes come as geometry template in question.

Alternatively, the sensor head can be mounted on a movable wing, where he can be modeled on a simple Prandtl. The wing must ensure a free rotation in accordance with the prevailing wind and the connection from the receiving tube to the sensor must be flexible in order not to restrict the mobility of the wing.

A completely different principle for determining the input wind speed can be to identify immediate deformations, vibrations or accelerations on parts of the sun protection system, which can be regarded as a measure of the wind speed.

For example, caused by wind deformations using DMS circuits can be determined. These are preferably mounted on a heavy-duty component of the sun protection system, with awnings for example on an awning support tube in the arm receiver or to the Armprofilen. The DMS circuit is designed according to the deformation to be determined as a quarter, half or full bridge, the resistance changes occurring in the gauges are a measure of the deformation and thus the prevailing wind load.

Further, it is possible to detect induced vibrations or accelerations as a measure for the applied wind load by the prevailing wind. To this end, a mercury switch for detecting the vibrations and shocks or a z. B. after the piezoelectric principle is integrated operating acceleration sensor for detecting accelerations in a vibration-duty component of the sun protection system. The above certain thresholds switched pulses are evaluated by the controller 14, causing possibly the insertion of the plant. In this case, the arrangement of the sensors in the area exposed to wind strongly moving components is appropriate, such. As lower rails of venetian blinds or loss profiles of awnings.

The sensor 10 shown in FIG. 1 also has a rain sensor 34, the precipitation or moisture can collect and in particular moisture-sensitive sunshade devices, such. As awnings, can cause the retraction of the plant.

The sensor 10 also has a temperature sensor 36 whose signal can be used as a further input variable for controlling 14th

The sensor shown in Fig. 1 10, which is housed in a separate housing 16 further has an integrated microcontroller 38, which includes a multiplexer 40 and an analog / digital converter 42 (see FIG. 3), wherein the multiplexer 40 and the A / D converter 42 in Fig. 3 are shown as part of the controller 14. The microcontroller 38 is connected via a two-wire or three-wire bus line 44 with the control fourteenth

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of a Venetian blinds 12, in the upper rail 46, a sensor 10 corresponding to the sensor shown in FIG. 1 without a housing, and a controller 14 are integrated. The lens 26, the temperature sensor 36 and the opening associated with the wind sensor 30 hose 32 are provided on the outer side of a diaphragm 48 which covers the upper part of a shaft 50 is mounted in which the venetian blinds 12th The venetian blind 12 has a Lamellenbehang 52 whose individual panels are shown 54 gathered in Fig. 2 in the retracted position as a package. The venetian blind 12 has two motors 17 (see FIG. 3), by means of which the extendable Lamellenbehang 52 and the inclination of the blades 54 is adjustable. The motors will be transferred from the controller 14, which in addition to a purely automatic control, manual intervention for the extension length and the angle setting of the blind 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 provided for the determination of relevant input variables sensors. In addition to the above-described temperature sensor 36 Rain sensor 34, the direction sensor 28, the radio receiver 20, sun sensor 22 and wind sensor 30 are for determining further inputs the aforementioned manual hand switch 56, 58 shown for the extension length or the angle setting of the blind 52nd The handset can also be embodied in the form of a remote control. Further input variables are the means of an encoder 60 detected actual extension length and detected using an additional encoder 62 current angular position of the shutter 52. The two encoders 60, 62 may be provided to the motors 17, for example in the form of rotary encoders.

The above-mentioned measured or set input parameters are passed to the multiplexer 40 and followed by an analog / digital converter 42 which converts the incoming sensor signals in serial. a sensor signal matching 64 is adjoined by the transducer 42, for example, linearized characteristics or converts the signal pulses in a continuous quantity. On an EPROM memory module 66 sequence programs are stored, the 64 produce the outputs for driving the motors 17 from the output signal of the sensor signal conditioning in response thereto. The control programs are still affected by the contents of a memory 68 in which information on the latitude and longitude of the exhibition space of the sun protection system are 12 deposited, because only on the exact geographical indication an exact determination of the sun to sun protection system 12 is relatively possible. However, a good approximation for many locations is also possible without this information with the help of a preset.

The controller 14 is constructed such that the manually entered using the manual switches 56, 58 values ​​for the extension length or angle adjustment with priority over the corresponding to the measured input variables determined based on the basic program setting be treated. If a manual adjustment for a certain time is not corrected, the setting resembles the controller 14 in a predefined period of several hours independently back to the theoretical ideal profile at. Transitions occur sigmoidförmig to allow an unobtrusive as possible reset. The sigmoid transitions are implemented via Bèzier curves that will guarantee that the return curve always has a point of inflection.

The determined by the clock 20 input variables daytime and date are used for tracking the attitude angle of the slats 54 to the height of the sun, the date information can compensate for years of time-dependent changes of the ecliptic. For the tracking of special calculation formulas in the controller 14 are deposited, calculate the azimuth and elevation angle of the sunlight. In conjunction with the determined by the compass 28 input direction can be calculated here if the sun ever directly may appear on the facility and which relative position it occupies on the plant. These calculations can be made 12 further specify the stored in the memory 68 information about the geographic location of the plant, where the data can be provided by an integrated system in the GPS receiver. Moreover, the geographical data as are stored in the installation of the system in the memory 68, for example by transfer from a mobile GPS receiver, direct input of geographic data or the alternative input of the geographic location approximately characterizing information such. ZIP or license plate.

To simplify the sensor, it is also conceivable to omit the direction sensor 28 and also define the orientation of the sun protection system in the memory 68 during the assembly by default.

The other input variables sun intensity, wind speed, rain and temperature are treated so that if it is above or falls below certain thresholds, a retraction of the system is caused by the controller 14th Optionally, these thresholds may be 12 varies in function of the determined by the encoder 60, 62 actual extension state of the plant.

In addition to the designed as EPROM memory 68 another, designed as a EEPROM memory module 70 is provided that allows an adaptive learning capability of control fourteenth With the help of the memory module 70, it is possible with a manual intervention the system state, that is, save all used for the adaptive learning capacity input variables and output variables, namely the setting parameters of the curtain in the form of a state vector. When taken into account for the learning process input variables, inter alia, the time of day, month and day of the week, the wind speed, the temperature and the intensity of the sun, but also the signal of the humidity sensor 34 in question.

During automatic operation, the controller 14 compares now permanently the input variables of all stored vectors with the actual values ​​of the system. If the system is again in a similar or even identical state where manually certain output variables have been chosen in deviation from the basic programming before, so this vector is called again (Recall). This means that the stored output values ​​corresponding to a manual setting made previously, are set automatically. About the input variables, the system then attempts to determine the cause, which has led to a manual operation. Although an absolutely reliable detection of a ground is hard to achieve, however, increases with each additional relied in adaptive learning capacity input security for recognizing the user's will.

For a reasonable determination of the similarity measure of the input variables of the stored vector to the continuously detected actual state, it is necessary that the control algorithms consider the input variables of the vector individually and adaptation rules and parameters to be specially adapted. It should however be noted that the input variables are partly not independently, but influence each other in the adaptation parameters. In the control shown in Fig. 3 it is provided that an absolute difference between the stored state and the detected actual state is determined for each input variable of the vector. For each input variable, a threshold is defined, which must be reached to cause a recall. The results of the individual input variables are logically and-ed. It follows that a recall of a stored vector occurs only when all input variables in the specified range of variation on the current status is.

The thresholds are not set as rigid variables but defined for each input as a so-called. Recall area. This recall areas should be adapted only when pressed repeatedly to provide greater safety and insensitivity to random manual intervention. It is therefore envisaged to choose the Recall areas at only one-time input is very small, so that a Recall actual state values ​​matching only the same as the stored input variables of a vector is.

The adaptation of the recall areas according to specific, defined rules that are part of the learning and control algorithms of the controller 14 are. If manual adjustment z. B. to a certain time of day is always on a same day, the control assumes that this adjustment should take place only on this day. The generated Recall section is therefore limited to a week, but extended to all calendar weeks. If the inputs on different weekdays, carried out also with respect to this input a relatively strong expansion of the recall range. This adaptation takes place continuously, so that an optimum adaptation of the adaptation behavior to the desired learning behavior is possible. The learning algorithm is also able to prioritize entry points of the user depending on each other by their temporal distances and their age. Older entries are only used limited to define the recall areas, where very old vectors can also be deleted from the input variables.

The controller 14 also offers the possibility of a reset that clears all vectors and the algorithm in its initial state set back, in which the output variables are determined from the detected input variables only on the basic programming. Automatic control is through the manual switch 56, 58 can be switched off.

The sensor 10, controller 14 and motors 17 of the sunshade device 12 need to supply only a conventional household power grid without additional components or even control lines, such as those found in previously implemented systems. With the connection to the mains, the system is ready, where appropriate, only the data relevant to geographical location and / or orientation of the system must be saved.

Instead of driving the venetian blinds described 12 suitable combination described a sensor 10 to a controller 14 and automatic control of other sun protection systems, such. As the awning. Depending on the type of to be controlled sun protection system, the controller 14 outputs for only one engine, two motors (see exemplary embodiment) or more engines produce. To adapt the controller to the respective type of sun protection system only the basic program must be adjusted to give a matched with programming the use and the same unit of sensor 10 and controller 14 can be used for different types of sun protection systems.

Depending on the nature of the sun protection system can be dispensed to individual sensors to reduce the cost of the sensors 10th