Bus Coupler Button Attachment with Dual RF and TP Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retrofitting KNX radio products into existing KNX TP systems in building automation is costly and time-consuming due to the need for a separate RF/TP media coupler, which requires additional installation efforts and preparatory measures.

Innovation Solution

A button attachment with a dual radio interface that supports both wireless and wired signal transmission, allowing for the integration of RF and TP communication within the button attachment itself, eliminating the need for a separate media coupler by using existing bus couplers and minimizing installation effort through self-startup capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate RF/TP media coupler is installed to enable communication between KNX-RF and KNX-TP devices, then communication compatibility is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication compatibilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the RF interface and TP bus coupler into a single integrated device. The button attachment includes both a radio interface for RF communication and a signal interface for TP communication, merging the functions of what would traditionally require separate RF/TP media coupler and button attachment components into one unified device that can communicate with both KNX-RF and KNX-TP devices directly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The button attachment is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual communication protocols. It can both generate wired telegrams for TP transmission and receive/send wireless telegrams via RF interface, making it a universal device that bridges both KNX-RF and KNX-TP networks without requiring separate specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate RF/TP media coupler is installed to enable communication between KNX-RF and KNX-TP devices, then communication compatibility is improved, but installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication compatibilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the RF interface and TP bus coupler into a single integrated device. The button attachment includes both a radio interface for RF communication and a signal interface for TP communication, merging the functions of what would traditionally require separate RF/TP media coupler and button attachment components into one unified device that can communicate with both KNX-RF and KNX-TP devices directly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The button attachment is pre-configured with both RF and TP communication capabilities during manufacturing. The device comes ready-to-use with integrated firmware that handles both communication protocols, eliminating the need for complex on-site configuration and reducing installation time to simply mounting the single integrated device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3772075B1Touch top for a bus coupler, corresponding operating device and corresponding method
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 GIRA GIERSIEPEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3772075B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a push-button attachment (1) for a bus coupler (2) connected to a bus line (3) of a building automation system (4), wherein the push-button attachment (1) has a signal interface (5) for connection to a bus coupler (2) and at least one push button (6) configured to generate a signal of a telegram type for wired signal transmission when actuated, characterized in that the push-button attachment (1) has a media coupler (7) with a radio interface (8) and with a further signal interface (5) for connection to a bus coupler (2), wherein the media coupler (7) is configured to convert a signal of a telegram type for wired signal transmission into a signal of a telegram type for wireless signal transmission or vice versa. A corresponding method and a corresponding operating device are further described.