TECHNICAL FIELD
-
The disclosure relates to an actuator system for automatically moving a skylight element between a closed position, a fully open position, and partially open positions. The disclosure also relates to a roof window comprising the actuator system, as well as a method of automatically moving a skylight element between a closed position, a fully open position, and partially open positions by means of the actuator system.
BACKGROUND
-
Building elements such as hatches, windows, or doors may be operated manually or automatically. When the movement of the building element is automated, the building element can be part of a larger building management system such as a home automation system that can operate, for example, window coverings, a ventilation system, a fire protection system, and that can be connected to sensors such as heat or rain sensors as well as automation, control, and analytics devices or systems. This is in particular applicable to roof windows.
-
Roof windows, also known as skylights, are usually installed in inclined or substantially horizontal roof surfaces of buildings. An automatically actuated roof window allows the window to be closed in response to detection of precipitation such as rain, hail, or snow, while also allowing the window to be opened when such precipitation is not detected.
EP2626494B1 discloses a method for opening and closing a window wherein the precipitation status is determined by means of a precipitation sensor located in an external environment and where the window is closed when a precipitation status is determined which corresponds to a moist external environment.
-
US2019146441A1 discloses methods and systems for home automation using an internet of things (IoT) platform, in particular a window operated by a computer system configured to take action in response to a sensor reading or information received from a weather service.
-
However, sensor readings can initiate the closing action too late, such that the interior of the building may be affected negatively. Furthermore, preemptive closing in response to a weather forecast may impede ventilation, and affect indoor climate negatively, for longer than necessary.
SUMMARY
-
It is an object to provide an improved actuator system for automatically moving a skylight element such as a window sash or a hatch. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.
-
According to a first aspect, there is provided an actuator system for automatically moving a skylight element between a closed position, a fully open position, and at least one partially open position, the actuator system being configured to operate in a default operating mode or a temporary operating mode, the actuator system being configured to move the skylight element between the closed position, the fully open position, ad the partially open positions when in the default operating mode, the actuator system being configured to move the skylight element to one predefined position of the partially open positions when in the temporary operating mode, the actuator system comprising an electric motor; an actuator configured to be connected to the electric motor and to the skylight element; and a control assembly configured to receive and/or process environmental data, and determine if the environmental data is indicative of a predefined environmental condition, if the environmental data is indicative of the predefined environmental condition, to change operation of the actuator system from the default operating mode to the temporary operating mode, or to maintain operation of the actuator system in the temporary operating mode, and if the environmental data is not indicative of the predefined environmental condition, to maintain operation of the actuator system in the default operating mode, or to change operation of the actuator system from the temporary operating mode to the default operating mode.
-
This solution ensures any openable skylight element, such as the sash of a roof window, remains in an open position as long as possible once it has been opened, while ensuring the skylight element is closed quickly when actually needed, such that the skylight element itself or the interior of the building is unaffected by changes in weather. The solution also allows for maximum flexibility when setting up the actuator system and adapting it to existing components as far as possible, such as retrofitting the actuator system to existing windows.
-
In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the electric motor is a DC motor and the actuator optionally comprises a chain, a spindle, a rack, or a folding arm. This allows use of a variety of actuators.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the default operating mode is a weather-independent operating mode, and the temporary operating mode is a weather-dependent operating mode. This allows, for example, operation in response to changing weather conditions to override default operation.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the skylight element is a sash of a roof window or a hatch, optionally a pivotable sash or hatch.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the environmental data represents air humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and/or wind direction. This allows different weather-related events to be taken into account. For example, the environmental data can be the risk of a sudden rain shower. Climate change has increased the risk of such sudden rain showers, and sudden rain showers may damage the building interior even when the buildings are equipped with automatic actuators, as conventional skylight elements close too slowly.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, determining if the environmental data is indicative of the predefined environmental condition comprises the control assembly detecting a change of the environmental data, or registering a prediction of a change in the environmental data. This allows different types of data, as well as predictions, to be utilized for operating the skylight element.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, detecting the change of environmental data comprises the control assembly detecting an occurrence of precipitation, detecting an increase in air humidity above a predefined threshold value, detecting an increase in wind speed above a predefined threshold value, and/or detecting a change in wind direction to a predefined wind direction. This allows different types of data to be utilized for operating the skylight element.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, registering the prediction of a change of environmental data comprises the control assembly receiving predicted environmental data via an internal or external interface, confirming the prediction has a certainty above a predefined minimum certainty, and if the prediction has a certainty above the predefined minimum certainty, comparing the predicted environmental data to a predefined threshold value or a predefined wind direction. This allows using predictions for operating the skylight element.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the internal interface comprises at least one sensor, optionally a rain sensor. This allows use of current and local environmental data.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the external interface comprises a wired or wireless network interface, allowing connection to the internet.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the control assembly is configured to predict environmental data and/or to receive measured or predicted environmental data from an external environmental data unit.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, environmental data threshold values, and optionally measured or predicted environmental data, are stored in a memory unit. This allows different kinds of historical, current, and future data to be taken into account.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the predicted environmental data is received from a weather forecast service.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, a width of a gap between the skylight element and a stationary frame at least partially accommodating the skylight element, when the skylight element is in the predefined position, is significantly smaller than a width of a corresponding gap when the skylight element is in the fully open position, preferably 30-50 % smaller. This facilitates closing the skylight element in a shorter timespan when necessary, while maintaining the skylight element open until closing is unavoidable.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the skylight element is moveable, by means of the actuator system, from the predefined position to the closed position in less than 15 seconds. This results in significantly faster closing of the skylight element than conventional solutions allow.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the control assembly is configured to drive the electric motor, the electric motor generating automatic movement of the skylight element between the closed position and the full and partially open positions by means of the actuator.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the control assembly is configured to drive the electric motor in response to instructions provided by a user via a user interface, improving versatility and user-friendliness.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the control assembly is configured to transmit a current position of the skylight element, and optionally the environmental data, to the user interface and/or a home automation system. This ensures a user, and/or a home automation system is alerted when a skylight element, such as a window, is left open in case of rain or any other environmental condition that might affect the integrity of the building.
-
According to a second aspect, there is provided a roof window comprising the actuator system as described above. This solution facilitates a roof window that can remain open as much as possible, while ensuring the window is closed quickly when necessary, such that the window itself or the interior of the building is unaffected by changes in weather.
-
According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of automatically moving a skylight element between a closed position, a fully open position, and at least one partially open position by means of an actuator system, the actuator system being configured to move the skylight element between the closed position, the fully open position, and the partially open positions when in a default operating mode, and move the skylight element between to one predefined position of the partially open positions when in the temporary operating mode, the method comprising the steps of receiving and/or processing environmental data; determining if the environmental data is indicative of a predefined environmental condition, and if the environmental data is indicative of the predefined environmental condition, changing operation of the actuator system from the default operating mode to the temporary operating mode, or maintaining operation of the actuator system in the temporary operating mode, and if the environmental data is not indicative of the predefined environmental condition, maintaining operation of the actuator system in the default operating mode, or changing operation of the actuator system from the temporary operating mode to the default operating mode.
-
This method ensures any openable skylight element, such as the sash of a roof window, remains open as long as possible, while ensuring the skylight element is closed quickly when actually needed, such that the skylight element itself or the interior of the building is unaffected by changes in weather.
-
In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, determining if the environmental data is indicative of the predefined environmental condition comprises detecting a change of the environmental data, or registering a prediction of a change in the environmental data. This allows different types of data to be utilized for operating the skylight element.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the third aspect, detecting the change of environmental data comprises detecting an occurrence of precipitation, detecting an increase in air humidity above a predefined threshold value, detecting an increase in wind speed above a predefined threshold value, and/or detecting a change in wind direction to a predefined wind direction. This allows different types of data to be utilized for operating the skylight element.
-
In a further possible implementation form of the third aspect, registering the prediction of a change of environmental data comprises receiving predicted environmental data via an internal or external interface, confirming the prediction has a certainty above a predefined minimum certainty, and comparing the predicted environmental data to a predefined threshold value or a predefined wind direction if the prediction has a certainty above the predefined minimum certainty. This allows using predictions for operating the skylight element.
-
These and other aspects will be apparent from the example(s) and embodiment(s) described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments, and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a roof window comprising an actuator system in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure, the actuator system being connectable to a user interface;
- Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a roof window comprising an actuator system in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure, the actuator system being connectable to a home automation system;
- Fig. 3 illustrates a method of automatically moving a skylight element between a closed position, a fully open position, and a partially open position by means of an actuator system in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
-
The present invention relates to a roof window 10 comprising an actuator system 1 described further below.
-
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate roof windows 10 comprising a skylight element 2 in the form of a pivotable window sash, i.e. the skylight element 2 is a part of a window, the window also comprising a stationary frame 7. The roof window 10 also comprises an actuator system 1 which is described in more detail below. The actuator system 1 is configured to be substantially attached to, or arranged within, a member of the window frame 7 or a member of the window sash 2. However, the actuator system 1 may be configured to move any suitable skylight element, such as a hatch. The actuator system 1 may be retrofitted onto/into existing skylight elements or skylights/roof windows, or be mounted to a skylight or skylight element during manufacture or assembly of the skylight or skylight element. The actuator system 1 is used to generate pivoting movement, however, it may also be used to generate sliding movement.
-
The present invention relates to an actuator system 1 for automatically moving a skylight element 2 between a closed position, a fully open position, and at least one partially open position. The positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a skylight element 2, in the form of a window sash, in the partially open position or the fully open position. The skylight element 2 may be the sash of a roof window, as illustrated in Figs. 1 or 2, or a hatch (not shown). The skylight element 2 may be a pivotable sash or hatch.
-
The actuator system 1 is configured to operate in a default operating mode M1 and in a temporary operating mode M2. The actuator system 1 operates, at any given time, in either the default operating mode M1 or the temporary operating mode M2, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The default operating mode M1 may be a weather-independent operating mode, and the temporary operating mode M2 may be a weather-dependent operating mode.
-
The actuator system 1 is configured to move the skylight element 2 between the closed position, the fully open position, and at least one partially open position when in the default operating mode M1. The skylight element 2 is usually controlled by a percentage signal between 0-100 % (e.g. corresponding to an opening width of 0-20 cm). The skylight element 2 can stop at any random % position, 100 % usually corresponding to the fully open position. Nevertheless, in windy or cold weather the fully open position can be less open, e.g. at 50 %. Furthermore, if the building is empty the fully open position may be even more limited, i.e. in a "security mode" that is small enough that no one can use it to gain entry to the building.
-
The actuator system 1 is furthermore configured to move the skylight element 2 to one predefined position of the partially open positions when in the temporary operating mode M2. The predefined position may be any suitable partially open position.
-
The width W1 of a gap 6 between the skylight element 2 and a stationary frame 7 at least partially accommodating the skylight element 2, when the skylight element 2 is in the predefined position, may be significantly smaller than the width W2 of a corresponding gap 6 when the skylight element 2 is in the fully open position, preferably 30-50 % smaller. This smaller gap allows the skylight element to be moved to the closed position significantly faster, preventing ingress of precipitation into the building or wind-associated damage. Conventionally, a fully open skylight element closes in around 30 seconds. However, in one embodiment, the skylight element 2 may be moveable, by means of the actuator system 1, from the predefined position to the closed position in less than 15 seconds, for example less than 10 seconds.
-
The skylight element 2 may move from the predefined position to the closed position in less than half the time duration of a comparable move from the fully open position to the closed position. For example, the skylight element 2 may have a predefined position in which the gap between the skylight frame and skylight element 2 is less than 10 cm and can in which the skylight can close in less than 15 seconds. Furthermore, the skylight element 2 may have a predefined position in which the actuator has opened the skylight element with an actuator stroke that is less than 50% of the full actuator stroke and can close in less than 50% of the actuator full stroke duration. For example, the skylight element 2 may have an actuator with an at least 15 cm stroke and the predefined position may be an actuator stroke that is less than 10 cm, for example less than 7,5 cm. Additionally, the skylight element 2 may have an actuator that needs more than 20 seconds, such as more than 30 seconds, to open full stroke. The skylight element 2 may also have an actuator that moves from the predefined position to the closed position in less than 15 seconds, such as less than 10 seconds.
-
The actuator system 1 comprises an electric motor 3, an actuator 4 configured to be connected to the electric motor 3 and to the skylight element 2, and a control assembly 5. The control assembly 5 may be configured to drive the electric motor 3, the electric motor 3 generating automatic movement of the skylight element 2 between the closed position and the full and partially open positions by means of the actuator 4. The electric motor 3 may be a DC motor and the actuator 4 optionally comprises a chain (such as a push-pull chain), a spindle, a rack, or a folding arm.
-
The control assembly 5 is configured to receive and/or process environmental data D. Receipt of environmental data D will be discussed in more detail further below. Processing of environmental data includes all required as well as optional acts taken when defining whether the environmental data D is indicative of a predefined environmental condition C, including executing comparisons with stored or calculated threshold values or wind directions as well as internal processes associated with deep learning.
-
The control assembly 5 is furthermore configured to determine if the environmental data D is indicative of a predefined environmental condition C. The environmental data D may represent one or several of air humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and/or wind direction. Correspondingly, the predefined environmental condition C may represent rain, snow, and/or hail, as well as adverse wind conditions such as storm or wind directed such that it, e.g., coincides with the opening direction of the skylight element.
-
If the environmental data D is indicative of the predefined environmental condition C, the control assembly 5 changes the operation of the actuator system 1 from the default operating mode M1 to the temporary operating mode M2. Correspondingly, if the actuator system already operates in the temporary operating mode M2, the control assembly 5 maintains operation of the actuator system 1 in the temporary operating mode M2.
-
If the environmental data D is not indicative of the predefined environmental condition C, the control assembly 5 maintains operation of the actuator system 1 in the default operating mode M1. Correspondingly, if the actuator system operates in the temporary operating mode M2, the control assembly 5 changes operation of the actuator system 1 from the temporary operating mode M2 to the default operating mode M1. Hence, if there is no change in weather, that is deemed critical, the skylight element 2 is opened and closed automatically, preferably opened to the fully open position.
-
Nevertheless, the control assembly 5 may also be configured to drive the electric motor 3 in response to instructions provided by a user via a user interface 8. Furthermore, the control assembly 5 may be configured to transmit the current position of the skylight element 2, and optionally the environmental data D, to the user interface 8 and/or a home automation system 9.
-
When determining if the environmental data D is indicative of the predefined environmental condition C, the control assembly 5 either detects a change of the environmental data D or registers a prediction of a change in the environmental data D.
-
Detecting a change of environmental data D may comprise detecting an occurrence of precipitation, detecting an increase in air humidity above a predefined threshold value T, detecting an increase in wind speed above a predefined threshold value T, and/or detecting a change in wind direction to a predefined wind direction. If the aforementioned conditions have been detected, the environmental data D is indicative of the predefined environmental condition C.
-
Registering a prediction of a change of environmental data D may comprise receiving predicted environmental data D via an internal or external interface as well as confirming the prediction has a certainty above a predefined minimum certainty. If the prediction has a certainty above the predefined minimum certainty, the predicted environmental data D is compared to a predefined threshold value T or a predefined wind direction. If the predicted environmental data D is above the predefined threshold value T or coincides with the predefined wind direction, the environmental data D is indicative of the predefined environmental condition C.
-
The internal interface may comprise at least one sensor 11, optionally a rain sensor.
-
The external interface may comprise a wired or wireless network interface.
-
Environmental data threshold values T, and optionally measured or predicted environmental data D, may be stored in a memory unit.
-
The control assembly 5 may configured to predict environmental data D itself, e.g. by means of deep learning. The control assembly 5 may also be configured to receive measured or predicted environmental data D from an external environmental data unit such as a sensor or a weather forecast service.
-
The control assembly 5 may comprise remote data processing, such as a server that processes the environmental data, determines the environmental condition and changes the actuator system 1 between the default operating mode M1 and the temporary operating mode M2. In all embodiments, the control assembly 5 may also be embedded in the actuator system 1.
-
The present invention furthermore relates to a method of automatically moving a skylight element 2 between a closed position, a fully open position, and at least one partially open position by means of an actuator system 1. The actuator system 1 is configured to move the skylight element 2 between the closed position and the fully open position when in a default operating mode M1, and to move the skylight element 2 to one predefined position of the partially open positions when in a temporary operating mode M2.
-
The method comprises the following steps. Firstly, environmental data D is received and/or processed. Thereafter, it is determined if the environmental data D is indicative of a predefined environmental condition C. If yes, the environmental data D is indicative of the predefined environmental condition C, operation of the actuator system 1 is either changed from the default operating mode M1 to the temporary operating mode M2, or operation of the actuator system 1 is maintained in the temporary operating mode. If, instead, the environmental data D is not indicative of the predefined environmental condition C, operation of the actuator system 1 in the default operating mode M1 is maintained, or operation of the actuator system 1 is changed from the temporary operating mode to the default operating mode M1.
-
Determining if the environmental data D is indicative of the predefined environmental condition C may comprise the steps of detecting a change of the environmental data D, or registering a prediction of a change in the environmental data D.
-
Detecting a change of environmental data D may comprise detecting an occurrence of precipitation, detecting an increase in air humidity above a predefined threshold value T, detecting an increase in wind speed above a predefined threshold value T, and/or detecting a change in wind direction to a predefined wind direction.
-
Registering a prediction of a change of environmental data D may comprise receiving predicted environmental data D via an internal or external interface, confirming the prediction has a certainty above a predefined minimum certainty, and comparing the predicted environmental data D to a predefined threshold value T or a predefined wind direction if the prediction has a certainty above the predefined minimum certainty.
-
The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
-
The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this disclosure. As used in the description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "up" and "down", as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly", "upwardly", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.