Building Automation Weather Sensing With Averaged Multi-Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building automation systems face challenges in reliably incorporating weather-dependent parameters for control, particularly due to unfavorable sensor positioning and reliance on imprecise Internet-based weather data, leading to potential damage from unreliable actuator activation.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses multiple spaced-apart sensors to generate a weighted, averaged measurement signal for weather-dependent variables like wind speed and light intensity, which is then used to create a control signal for actuators, with the option of a cloud-based control unit for improved accuracy and security, allowing for precise control of building automation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor is used for weather-dependent measurement, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient due to unfavorable sensor positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement task into multiple independent sensors spaced at different locations on the building. Instead of relying on a single sensor that may be poorly positioned, the system segments the measurement function across multiple sensors, each capturing local weather conditions. The control unit then combines these segmented measurements to derive a comprehensive weather parameter that represents the overall building environment, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring any single sensor to be perfectly positioned.
2Reliability
If Internet-based weather data is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is insufficient due to imprecise weather data
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by using the building's own sensors to generate its own weather data, making the building independent of external Internet-based weather services. The control unit processes measurements from multiple local sensors to derive weather parameters specific to the building's location and orientation, thereby improving reliability by using actual local conditions rather than regional averages that may not accurately reflect the building's immediate environment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple spaced-apart sensors are used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurements from multiple spaced-apart sensors into a single comprehensive weather parameter through the control unit. By combining the segmented measurements using algorithms that consider sensor locations, orientations, and local conditions, the system creates a unified weather parameter that accurately represents the building's environmental context. This merging process improves measurement precision while managing complexity by integrating multiple data sources into a single actionable output for building automation control.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a building automation arrangement comprising at least one actuator (1) controlled by a control signal derived from at least one weather-dependent measurement variable, wherein the same weather-dependent measurement variable is detected by at least two spaced-apart sensors (2) of the arrangement, characterized in that the arrangement further comprises a control unit (3) configured to calculate an averaged measurement signal from the measurement signals relating to the same weather-dependent measurement variable of the at least two spaced-apart sensors (2) and, on the basis of this, to generate the control signal for controlling the actuator (1) and forward it to the actuator (1). A corresponding method is further described.