Building Controller UI for Floating Output Channel Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building controllers with floating point control channels often face issues when trying to simultaneously control actuators, as activating both digital outputs can lead to undesirable results and potential damage, lacking the ability to intelligently manage multiple output channels for precise positioning or setpoints.
Innovation Solution
A building controller system that visually groups multiple output channels into a floating point control channel, allowing users to assign and manage these channels through a user interface to achieve desired positions or setpoints by determining the appropriate direction for each channel to activate, ensuring precise control without simultaneous activation of both outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If both digital outputs are activated simultaneously to control an actuator, then the actuator can be commanded to open and close at the same time, but this produces undesirable results and can damage the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-configures floating point control channels by grouping digital output channels before operation. This preliminary organization ensures that when control commands are issued, the system already has the proper channel groupings in place, preventing simultaneous activation of conflicting outputs and ensuring safe actuator operation from the start
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors the state of digital output channels and actively manages their activation to prevent simultaneous opposing commands. By tracking which channels are active and their associated control directions, the system provides feedback control that blocks harmful simultaneous activation while maintaining responsive control when safe
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple digital output channels are used to control a single actuator, then more control flexibility is achieved, but it becomes difficult to manage and visualize the channel assignments
Solution Approach 1:
The controller merges multiple digital output channels into a single floating point control channel by grouping them together. This consolidation presents multiple channels as one unified control entity in the user interface, maintaining the flexibility of having multiple channels while simplifying user interaction and visualization of channel assignments
3Loss of information
If the controller provides detailed visualization of output channel assignments, then user understanding improves, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating point control channel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it groups multiple digital output channels, provides visual representation of channel assignments, displays current actuator position, and manages control logic. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate interface elements into a single universal control interface element
Data Source
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AI summary
A building controller receives from a user an assignment of a first output channel and a second output channel of the three or more output channels to provide a floating point control channel for an actuator. The controller displays a visual indication that the first output channel and the second output channel are assigned to provide the floating point control channel for the actuator and displays a current position of the actuator on the display. The controller accepts a user selection of a new position for the actuator and compares the new position with the current position and determines whether the actuator needs to be driven in the first direction or in the second direction in order to achieve the new position, and then selectively activates only one output channel of the floating point control channel to achieve the new position.