Building Appliance Controller With Modular Option Cards
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for alternative user interfaces for building appliance controllers that provide flexibility and the ability to mix and match functionality to suit specific installation requirements, as existing interfaces often lack the necessary adaptability and customization options.
Innovation Solution
A building appliance controller with a control panel and option cards, where the control panel includes a processor and hardware/software configured to allow additional functionality, and the option cards provide specific functionalities that can be programmed, modified, and viewed through a user interface, enabling communication and accommodation of various parameters and functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed user interface is used in building appliance controllers, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability and customization options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is divided into a base control panel and separate option cards. Each option card provides specific functionality (e.g., display types, input methods, communication protocols) that can be independently selected and installed. This segmentation allows customers to customize the controller by choosing only the option cards they need, thereby increasing adaptability without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base control panel is designed with a universal architecture that can accommodate multiple types of option cards. The control panel includes a processor and communication interface that can work with various display types (LED, LCD, touchscreen), input methods (keypad, touchless), and communication protocols (BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks). This universal design enables a single base unit to serve multiple customization configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functionality options are integrated into a single controller, then the versatility increases, but the device complexity and difficulty of customization increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different functional options are separated into distinct option cards that can be independently selected. Each option card contains specific functionality (display, input, communication) and can be chosen based on the customer's needs. This segmentation simplifies the customization process by allowing customers to select only the functionality they require, rather than dealing with a monolithic controller that includes all possible features.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically detect and configure the installed option cards. When option cards are installed in the controller, the processor automatically identifies them and configures the system accordingly, reducing the need for manual programming and configuration. This self-service approach simplifies the customization process for end users.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for a building appliance controller that may include a control panel and one or more option cards. The user interface may allow a user or technician to program, modify, and/or view one or more parameters of the control panel and/or the one or more option cards. In some cases, the control panel may be configured to send one or more messages to a selected option card that indicate an input at the user interface, and in response, the selected option card may send one or more messages to the control panel that indicate display information for display on the user interface of the control panel. In some embodiments, such as when the user interface includes a segmented display, the display information may include the on/off state of the various segments of the display.