Building Automation Configuration Output System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current building automation systems require manual configuration, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to errors, leading to inaccurate estimates and complications in preparing system plans, limiting the number of permutations and occupying significant storage space with pre-rendered drawings and documents.
Innovation Solution
A configuration output system that generates multiple types of outputs based on user-selected features for a building automation system, using a database and data processing engines to create graphical, textual, and programmed specifications without the need for manual modifications or loading of applications like AutoCAD, allowing users to select output types through a toolbar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration is used to design and configure building automation systems, then flexibility in customization is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration by automatically generating system plans, component lists, and cost estimates based on user selections. The configuration system autonomously processes design parameters and produces complete documentation without requiring manual intervention for each output type.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical configuration processes are replaced with an automated computer-based configuration system. The system substitutes human designers' manual work with automated software that generates all configuration outputs through algorithmic processing of design parameters.
2Loss of information
If multiple pre-rendered drawings and documents are stored for different building automation system configurations, then design reference availability is improved, but storage space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing multiple complete pre-rendered drawing sets, the system stores a single master configuration database that can generate unlimited copies of specific views and documentation types as needed. Each configuration output is dynamically copied from the master data rather than storing pre-generated copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration system serves multiple functions from a single data source, generating P&IDs, instrument lists, cost estimates, and various drawing types on demand. One universal configuration engine replaces the need for multiple specialized pre-rendered document sets.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual modifications are made to pre-rendered drawings to reflect specific building specifications, then design accuracy is improved, but error proneness and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically verify configuration data consistency across all generated outputs. When design parameters are modified, the system automatically updates all related drawings, lists, and estimates, and verifies that modifications are consistently applied throughout the entire configuration package.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated configuration and consistency checking before final output generation. All design parameters are validated and cross-checked against building specifications before drawings and documents are generated, preventing errors rather than requiring manual detection and correction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If designers maintain and organize hundreds or thousands of pre-rendered drawings and documents, then design library completeness is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of retrieval increase
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration system segments the design library into modular, parameterized components stored in a structured database. Instead of storing complete pre-rendered drawings, the system stores segmented design elements that can be dynamically assembled and configured based on specific project requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration output system for use with a building automation system is provided. The configuration output system includes a database and an output engine block. The database contains a configuration data set selected by a user. The output engine block is operable to generate a plurality of types of outputs representing the configured building automation system as a function of the configuration data set.