Fan Network Addressing via RFID and Self-Service Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assigning network addresses to fans in large networks are labor-intensive and inefficient, requiring manual sequencing and serial number determination, which complicates the identification and positioning of fans within the network.
Innovation Solution
Each fan is equipped with an external EEPROM featuring a RFID interface for wireless communication, allowing for the reading and writing of serial numbers and position data during installation, enabling automatic address assignment and positioning without requiring the fans to be operational or in a specific sequence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual address assignment is used for fans in a network, then each fan can be individually addressed, but large manual effort and predetermined installation sequence are required
Solution Approach 1:
The fan performs self-addressing by automatically determining its own address based on its position in the daisy-chain network. When powered on, the fan detects which address range is already in use by listening to network traffic, and selects an appropriate address from the remaining unused ranges, eliminating the need for manual address configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Address ranges are pre-defined and allocated to different network segments or daisy-chain positions. The system prepares address allocation schemes in advance, so that when a fan is installed and powered on, it can quickly determine its address from the pre-planned ranges without requiring manual configuration or complex real-time allocation
2Ease of manufacture
If identical device address is assigned to fans in delivery condition, then manufacturing is simplified, but manual address differentiation is required before network operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fan automatically differentiates itself from other fans with identical factory addresses by detecting the network environment upon power-on. It listens to existing network traffic to identify which addresses are already in use, then selects an unused address from predefined ranges, converting the identical factory address into a unique network address through self-service addressing
3Reliability
If serial number determination is performed for address assignment, then unique identification is achieved, but substantial labor during initialization is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring external reading of serial numbers during initialization, the fan performs self-addressing by detecting its position in the daisy-chain network through listening to network traffic. The address is determined automatically based on network position rather than reading physical serial numbers, eliminating substantial manual labor during initialization while ensuring unique identification
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 method simplifies the network addressing process, allowing fans to be individually addressed and positioned quickly and easily, even in large networks, without manual effort, and enables accurate fan localization within the network.
Implementation Method 1
Each fan is equipped with an external EEPROM featuring a RFID interface for wireless communication
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a method for the configuration of a network with network addresses, wherein the network consists of at least one central computer and a plurality of fans, which can communicate via a bus system in wired and/or wireless manner with the central computer, wherein each fan has a rewritable memory and a RFID interface for communication with a preferably mobile communications device, wherein the serial number of the respective fan is saved in its memory and the serial number can be read out by the communications device in the nonoperational voltage-free state of the particular fan.