DIN Rail Mounting with Wireless Virtual Control Panels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The production and assembly of control panels for modular devices in building automation systems are expensive, complex, and require significant space and logistics due to the need for various sizes and channel configurations, leading to difficulties in procurement and stock management.
Innovation Solution
A series-mounted device that operates wirelessly with a separate device using NFC and Bluetooth technology, eliminating the need for physical control panels by using a mobile phone or computer to read QR codes and interact with the modular device's microcontroller, providing a virtual control panel for operation and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control panels are integrated into modular devices, then operation capability is provided, but production cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel functionality is extracted from the modular device and implemented as a separate mobile application. The modular device retains only the microcontroller and wireless communication components, while the control interface resides externally on the user's mobile device, reducing the complexity of the modular device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile device acts as an intermediary between the user and the modular device. The mobile application serves as the control panel, communicating with the modular device's microcontroller via wireless protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC), eliminating the need for physical control panels integrated into each modular device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control panels are manufactured for different device sizes and channel configurations, then specific operation requirements are met, but manufacturing cost and logistics complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single mobile application serves multiple functions across different modular device configurations. The application can adapt to various device types, sizes, and channel numbers through software configuration rather than requiring different physical control panels for each variant, making the control interface universal rather than device-specific.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel parameters (such as channel configuration, device address, and operational modes) are changed through software settings in the mobile application rather than through physical manufacturing variations. This allows the same control panel design to be adapted to different modular device configurations by modifying software parameters.
3Ease of operation
If control panels are included with each modular device, then immediate operation is enabled, but space requirements and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is extracted from the modular device and relocated to the user's mobile device. This eliminates the space requirement for physical control panels within the modular device housing, allowing for more compact modular device designs while maintaining full operational capability through the mobile application.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control panel variants are stocked for different device types, then specific operation needs are met, but inventory complexity and procurement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single mobile application provides universal control functionality across all modular device types. The application can be configured to work with different device variants through software settings, eliminating the need to maintain separate control panel inventories for different device types and simplifying procurement and stock management.
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
This solution reduces costs, minimizes operating errors, and simplifies logistics by allowing modular devices to be operated independently of their dimensions and channel numbers, enabling efficient control and monitoring of facilities like blinds and lighting systems without the need for expensive membrane keyboards or complex assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the base body (2) comprises a component which receives radio signals and/or enables near field communication (NFC) with the device (5)
Implementation Method 2
A 2D code (7) or a QR code is assigned to the base body (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A DIN rail mounting device (1) for use in building technology, comprising a base body (2) to which at least one device can be connected which can be operated, monitored and/or controlled by the DIN rail mounting device (1), wherein the base body (1) comprises a microcontroller (3) which controls the DIN rail mounting device (1) and/or provides status information, is designed and further developed with regard to the task of controlling, operating and/or monitoring downstream devices in such a way that it can be operated as independently as possible of its dimensions and the number of its channels, characterized in that the microcontroller (3) or the DIN rail mounting device (1) can be operated wirelessly with a device (5) that is structurally separate from the DIN rail mounting device (1).