Sensing device for climate control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
In animal housing buildings, identifying and connecting sensing devices to the correct input terminals in climate control systems is cumbersome and stressful for both operators and animals, as it requires tracing each connector wire, often necessitating entry into the animal growing space.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating self-identifying sensing devices with thermal resistive sensors and LEDs, where reversing the polarity of electrical leads activates the LED, allowing for remote identification of connected devices without disturbing the animals, and using a control unit to selectively turn on LEDs for easy location and connection verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensing devices are strategically placed throughout the building to collect climate data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple connections and identification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device automatically generates and transmits its own identification signal to the control unit, eliminating the need for manual identification methods such as physical wire tracing or animal stimulation. The device self-identifies through the existing communication channel used for climate data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication channel between sensing device and control unit serves dual purposes: transmitting both climate measurement data and device identification information through the same interface, reducing the need for separate identification hardware or procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual identification methods are used to match sensing devices with input terminals, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but loss of time increases due to tracing and stimulation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device is pre-configured with a unique identification signal during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming post-installation identification procedures, as the device automatically provides its identity when connected to the control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives and processes the identification signal from the sensing device, providing automatic feedback that confirms proper connection and matching. This eliminates manual verification steps and reduces installation time while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Reliability
If operators physically trace connector wires or stimulate sensing devices for identification, then reliability of connection is ensured, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to animal stress and disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
An electrical identification signal serves as an intermediary to convey device identity information through the existing communication channel. This eliminates the need for operators to physically interact with sensing devices in the animal environment, removing the source of animal stress while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical process of physical wire tracing and device stimulation is replaced with an electrical signal-based identification system. The sensing device electronically transmits its identity through the communication channel, substituting mechanical operator actions with automated electrical signaling that does not disturb animals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simplified and efficient identification and programming of climate control systems, reducing time and stress for operators while maintaining animal comfort by allowing remote verification of sensor connections.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing device also has an LED wired in parallel with the thermal resistive sensor, wherein when turning on the LED, the polarity of the first and second electrical leads is reversed
Implementation Method 2
The sensing device has a thermal resistive sensor, wherein when reading the thermal resistive sensor the control unit supplies an electric current through the thermal resistive sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A climate control system for an animal house having a plurality of climate control outputs such as heaters or ventilation fans has a control unit that regulates operation of climate control outputs. The control unit has a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of sensing devices, each of the plurality of sensing devices located in a different portion of the animal house and connected to one of the plurality of input terminals of the control unit with a connector to provide a signal to the control unit which is used to control the climate in the animal house. Each sensing device includes a thermal resistive sensor and an indicating LED configured to be selectively turned on by the control unit to indicate when the sensing unit is connected to the control unit.