Automatic assignment between flow control devices, sensor devices and control devices in an HVAC application

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Solution Overview

Problem

In HVAC systems, the manual assignment of devices to control structures using non-hierarchical networks is time-consuming and error-prone, especially when the number of devices is high, as existing solutions are complex and require significant user input.

Innovation Solution

Automatically determining the assignment between fluid control devices and sensor devices by varying a fluid control parameter, allowing for self-configuration and immediate error detection, using sensor devices in the conduit system to quickly and reliably detect changes, and utilizing augmented reality for user guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual assignment of HVAC devices is performed using non-hierarchical networks, then device configuration can be completed, but configuration time increases significantly and error rates increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassignment accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The HVAC devices automatically perform assignment to the control structure by detecting fluid control parameter variations and correlating them with sensor parameter variations, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing both time and errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensor devices that detect variations in fluid control parameters to automatically determine device assignments, creating a self-configuring system that reduces manual intervention and improves accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual assignment of HVAC devices is performed using non-hierarchical networks, then device configuration can be completed, but configuration time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system varies fluid control parameters to induce detectable changes in sensor parameters, enabling automatic device identification and assignment without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If CRAC system assignment method is used with actuator position variation, then sensor assignment can be determined, but the solution becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassignment accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adapts the CRAC system assignment method for use in standard HVAC applications by using fluid control devices and sensors in a universal manner, maintaining assignment accuracy while reducing complexity through standardized implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If CRAC system assignment method is used with actuator position variation, then sensor assignment can be determined, but configuration time increases due to waiting for actuator effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassignment accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system varies fluid control parameters to induce detectable changes in sensor parameters, enabling automatic device identification and assignment without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11391483B2Automatic assignment between flow control devices, sensor devices and control devices in an HVAC application

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 BELIMO HLDG SA

AI summary

HVAC system for a building with a control, including a model containing representations of HVAC devices and control devices, assignments between the representations of HVAC devices and control devices, and representations of fluid control devices and sensor devices. A configuring section can: cause one of several fluid control devices to vary a fluid control parameter; determine a variation of a sensor parameter at one of several sensor devices caused by variation of the fluid control parameter; compare the determined sensor device with the model to detect the representation of sensor device(s) corresponding to the sensor device determined; assign the sensor device determined to one of the control devices corresponding to a representation of control devices assigned to the representation of the sensor device corresponding to the sensor device determined and/or assigned to the representation of the fluid control device for which the fluid control parameter has been varied.