HVAC Device Pairing Through Test Signal Feedback Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual pairing of sensors and actuators in HVAC systems is a time-consuming and error-prone process, especially in large installations, leading to potential incorrect pairings that can affect system performance.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system with a processor that transmits testing signals to building devices and sensors, receives feedback signals, and determines optimal pairings based on signal analysis, using methods such as relative gain array and weighted averaging to automate the sensor-actuator pairing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual pairing of sensors and actuators is used, then flexibility in configuration is maintained, but time consumption and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification and self-pairing of sensors and actuators through automatic scanning and signal transmission. The processor automatically detects devices on the bus, determines their types, and establishes pairings without human intervention, allowing the system to configure itself autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pairing process with an electronic automatic identification system. The processor transmits test signals electronically through the communication bus to identify devices and automatically establishes pairings based on signal analysis, eliminating the need for manual device-by-device configuration
2Productivity
If automatic device identification is implemented, then configuration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the control unit for HVAC operations and as the device identification system. The same processor that controls the HVAC system also performs scanning, signal transmission, and pairing determination, eliminating the need for separate identification hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The communication bus serves as an intermediary that enables the processor to interact with all devices on the network. Through this single communication medium, the system achieves automatic device identification and pairing without requiring direct physical connections or additional communication interfaces for each device
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring system, including an interface configured to communicate with a building device, a sensor, and a memory. The monitoring system includes a processor configured to communicate with the memory and the interface. The processor is configured to transmit a test signal to at least one of the building device and the sensor. The processor is further configured to receive a return signal from at least one of a building device signal and a sensor signal. Further, the processor is configured to associate the building device to the sensor based on the return signal.