Daisy Chain Gas Sensor Network Using RJ Cable Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wired gas sensor deployments are limited by the need for each sensor to connect directly to a base unit via multiple cables, leading to complexity and cost due to the requirement for multiple ports and extensive cabling, which restricts the number of sensors that can be connected.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a daisy chain connectivity using RJ45, RJ12, or RJ11 cables allows multiple gas sensors to connect sequentially or in a ring, with wireless or wired connections to a base unit, reducing the need for multiple ports and enabling power and data transmission across the chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If each gas sensor connects individually to a base unit using star-shaped wiring, then each sensor can be directly connected, but the number of sensors that can be connected is limited by the number of ports on the base unit
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the connection path by introducing intermediate daisy-chain connection points between sensors, allowing sensors to connect through a chain rather than all directly to the base unit. This divides the connection structure into multiple segments, enabling more sensors to connect through sequential linking without requiring each sensor to have a dedicated base unit port.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate connection points and daisy-chain links as mediators between sensors and the base unit. These intermediaries allow sensors to connect to the network through sequential links rather than direct connections to the base unit, effectively increasing the number of connectable sensors without proportionally increasing base unit ports.
2Reliability
If each gas sensor wires back to a base unit individually, then direct connection is achieved, but cabling complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual sensor connections into a single shared daisy-chain cable infrastructure. Instead of each sensor having its own separate cable run back to the base unit, multiple sensors share the cabling path through sequential connections, reducing the total amount of cabling required while maintaining reliable data and power transmission through the chain.
3Quantity of substance
If daisy chained connectivity is used with complex cabling like terminal blocks or I2C connections, then multiple sensors can connect, but the cabling becomes more complex and less standardized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical interface parameter from complex specialized connectors (terminal blocks, I2C) to standardized RJ cable connectors. This parameter change in the connector type enables the same daisy-chain topology to use common, easily manufactured RJ cables instead of specialized complex cabling, improving ease of manufacture and deployment while maintaining the ability to connect multiple sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A new innovative way for connecting multiple gas sensors to a network enabled base unit; this by using a daisy chained connection between the sensors themselves using simple RJ based cabling. The gas sensor(s) connect to each other using a wired connectivity with or without being connected directly or indirectly to a base unit. The gas sensor in this invention is not a single standalone unit but consists of at least two physical different gas sensors that are connected in a sequential or ring daisy chain directly or indirectly to each other using a wired connection.