Control System Wiring Cost Reduction via Cloud Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of power reception systems and control devices is costly due to the need for extensive wiring, especially when facilities are far apart or require underground wiring to cross obstacles like highways, making traditional wiring impractical.
Innovation Solution
A control system where a first control device connected to a power reception system via a cable shares power consumption information with other control devices through a cloud server or wireless communication, reducing the need for direct wiring and enabling demand control across multiple sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct wiring is used between power reception system and control devices, then reliable power consumption information can be acquired, but installation cost increases due to extensive wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary device that receives power consumption information from the power reception system via cable and distributes it to multiple control devices wirelessly. This mediator approach allows only one physical cable connection while enabling multiple control devices to access the information, thereby reducing wiring costs while maintaining reliable information acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system for distributing power consumption information to control devices. Instead of physically connecting each control device to the power reception system via cable, the system uses wireless communication (such as Wi-Fi or other wireless protocols) to transmit information, eliminating the need for extensive physical wiring infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wiring is extended to reach distant facilities, then control coverage is improved, but wiring feasibility deteriorates due to obstacles like highways
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a central intermediary that collects power consumption information from the power reception system and redistributes it to control devices at various locations. This architecture allows control devices to be positioned anywhere with wireless coverage without requiring physical wiring extensions, thus improving control coverage while avoiding the feasibility issues of long-distance wiring across obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional physical wiring constraint to a multi-dimensional wireless communication space. Instead of being limited by the physical path of cables, the system uses wireless signals that can propagate through three-dimensional space, allowing control devices to be deployed in locations that would be inaccessible or prohibitively expensive to reach via traditional wiring methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If wireless communication is used for information sharing, then wiring cost is reduced, but information transmission reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as a reliable intermediary that maintains the primary wired connection to the power reception system for acquiring power consumption information. The wireless communication to control devices is initiated from this stable wired source, ensuring that the information originates from a reliable channel. The server can implement error checking, data validation, and retransmission protocols to maintain reliability in the wireless distribution phase.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cost for wiring a control device and a power reception system is reduced, and information for a demand control is acquired even in a case where the wiring itself is difficult. The present disclosure relates to a control system including a first control device 10-1 configured to communicate with a power reception system 9 via a cable, and one or more second control devices 10-2 coupled to a device 30 that consumes electric power, wherein the first control device includes a first control unit, the first control unit acquires power consumption information of the device from the power reception system, and the first control unit transmits the power consumption information or information based on the power consumption information to the one or more second control devices.