I. Smart Control Methods
- Remote Control
By adopting wireless remote – control technology, users can easily control the extension and retraction of the sunshade awning through a handheld remote control. This remote control can be a simple button – type one or an advanced one with a display screen. For example, for the courtyard sunshade awnings of some villas, when users are sitting on the sofa in the living room, they only need to press the “extend” button on the remote control, and the sunshade awning can automatically unfold to provide shade for the outdoor leisure area. The effective control range of the remote control can be designed according to actual situations, generally ranging from several meters to dozens of meters, which is convenient for users to operate from different positions. Since sunshade awnings are usually installed at a relatively high place and people are not tall enough, especially after work in the evening, people can’t turn it off by hand. Therefore, technical devices are needed to close the sunshade awning. Moreover, the remote control is convenient to store and use.
Mobile App Control
Develop a dedicated mobile application. Connect the sunshade awning to the home Wi – Fi network or pair it with the mobile phone via Bluetooth. Through the mobile app, users can control the sunshade awning anytime and anywhere. For instance, on the way to work, users can check the status of the sunshade awning at home through their mobile phones and open or close it in advance according to the weather. The app can also have a timing function. For example, it can automatically open the sunshade awning at 10 a.m. and close it at 5 p.m. every day to make full use of sunlight and shading needs. In addition, the app can integrate a weather forecast function. When it detects that it is about to rain, it will automatically retract the sunshade awning to avoid damage from rain.
Mobile app control is a form of remote control. For example, in rainy days, users can use their mobile phones to control the opening of the sunshade awning, or they can also open it on sunny days. Whether it is sunny or rainy, the awning can provide good shade, providing a larger area for people to hold other activities. Nowadays, most sunshade awnings are controlled by mobile phones or remote controls.
Voice Control
With the help of smart voice assistants, users can control the sunshade awning through voice commands. For example, users only need to say, “Xiaomi AI, open the sunshade awning,” and the voice assistant can send the command to the smart control system of the sunshade awning to unfold it. This control method is very convenient, especially when users have their hands occupied, such as when holding barbecue tools or other items. Nowadays, many things are controlled by smart voice. For example, lights can also be controlled by voice.
The lights on the stairs can also be controlled by voice. When there are footsteps or people talking, the lights will turn on, illuminating the way forward and bringing convenience to people.
II. Smart Sensing Technologies
- Light Sensing
Install a light – sensing function on the sunshade awning. For example, on sunny days, the light sensor can sense the light, and then the sunshade awning will be opened in a timely manner to block the sun, providing a larger space for people to hold activities. The sunshade awning must be designed in this way because its function is to provide shade. Therefore, the light sensor is particularly important. It can open the sunshade awning as long as it senses sunlight.
Wind and Rain Sensing
The wind and rain sensor can retract the sunshade awning when it senses rain or wind speed. Generally, when the wind and rain sensor senses rain, it will automatically retract the sunshade awning. Or, by the seaside, when the wind is relatively strong, the wind and rain sensor can sense how strong the wind is. If the wind force exceeds the bearing capacity of the sunshade awning, the awning will be retracted. In the face of wind and rain, the smart wind and rain sensing can solve the problems of consumers, that is, the problems of being too exposed to the sun on sunny days and getting wet in the rain on rainy days. It helps the catering industry and the milk – tea industry solve some problems, allowing these industries to have a larger business area.
III. Smart Monitoring and Maintenance
- Status Monitoring
The smart system can monitor the operating status of the sunshade awning in real – time, including the working current of the motor, the extension and retraction positions of the sunshade awning, etc. If the motor current is abnormal, it may indicate that there is a fault in the mechanical part of the sunshade awning, and the system will issue an alarm in a timely manner. For example, when the sunshade awning encounters an obstacle during the extension process, the motor current will increase instantaneously. After the system detects this situation, it will stop the extension and issue a fault prompt, reminding users to check and clear the obstacle. The detection of the smart system can promptly identify potential safety hazards. Whenever there is a fault, the smart system will issue an alarm, enabling the staff to know in time and repair the fault.
Remote Diagnosis and Maintenance
Through the Internet of Things technology, the smart control system of the sunshade awning can transmit the device status data to the manufacturer’s server. The manufacturer’s technicians can remotely diagnose the problems of the sunshade awning and provide users with maintenance suggestions. In some cases, small faults can be repaired or the performance of the sunshade awning can be optimized through remote software updates, reducing the number of on – site maintenance times and improving the user experience.
