Electrical Installation Modeling via Geometric ID Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical installations are complex and expensive to modify and manage due to their static configuration, requiring manual updates when additional elements are added, limiting dynamic management and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize geometric data from each electrical element's unique identifier to model and dynamically configure the installation, allowing for simplified management and real-time updates through a mobile terminal and calculation unit, enabling the identification and recording of element positions and modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual management methods are used for electrical installations, then the initial setup follows a predefined model, but any modification requires manual updates making the management complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of electrical installation configurationVSAvoidcomplexity of management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic management of electrical installations by automatically detecting added or modified elements through RFID readers and updating the installation model in real-time. The system transitions from static manual updates to dynamic automatic updates, where the management system continuously adapts to configuration changes without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service management by automatically detecting electrical elements via RFID tags, identifying their positions through geometric data, and updating the installation model autonomously. The calculation unit processes geometric data from RFID readers to automatically refresh the installation representation, eliminating the need for manual model updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If static configuration is used for electrical installations, then the predefined model is simple to establish, but modifications are complex and expensive requiring manual updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of initial installation setupVSAvoidease of modification and management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by equipping electrical elements with RFID tags during manufacturing, storing geometric data (coordinates, orientation) that enable future automatic identification. This preliminary preparation allows the system to automatically detect and track elements during installation and modification, eliminating manual model updates later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical processes (physical model updates, paper-based tracking) with electronic automated processes. RFID readers electronically detect element positions, and the calculation unit automatically updates the digital installation model, substituting manual operations with electronic automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If manual modeling of electrical installation is performed, then the initial model creation is straightforward, but dynamic updates require significant time and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of installation configuration dataVSAvoidtime required for model updates
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously reading RFID tags on electrical elements and comparing their detected positions with the stored model. When discrepancies are detected (added or moved elements), the system automatically updates the model to reflect current configuration, ensuring data accuracy while minimizing update time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediaries between physical electrical elements and the digital model. These tags store unique identifiers and geometric data, serving as mediators that enable automatic identification and tracking of elements, eliminating the need for manual data collection during model updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2884412B1Management method of an electric installation and management system of one such installation
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP2884412B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2884412B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In this method for managing an electrical installation (12), the electrical installation comprises several electrical components (16A, 16B, 16C), and each component includes a first storage means (28) for a first unique identifier associated with said component (16A, 16B, 16C). This method includes a step of acquiring, via an identification means (43), the first identifier of each component (16A, 16B, 16C) belonging to the installation (12). Each first storage means (28) is also capable of saving geometric data of the corresponding component, said data being acquired during the acquisition step, via the identification means (43), and associated with the corresponding first identifier. The method further includes a calculation step, via a calculation unit (26), of a model of the electrical installation based on the acquired geometric data.