HVAC Sensor NFC Circuit for Wireless Commissioning Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuators in building automation systems face challenges in configuring and communicating, especially when access is restricted or the master-slave configuration is unclear, and require physical access for tasks like commissioning and diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an actuator with a mechanical transducer, input data connection, feedback data connection, and processing circuit that uses a master-slave detection signal to select operating modes and facilitates bi-directional wireless communication, allowing configuration and data exchange without physical access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical access to actuators is required for configuration and commissioning, then configuration accuracy can be ensured, but accessibility becomes difficult when actuators are mounted in confined or sealed spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical access requirements with wireless communication technology. The actuator includes a wireless transceiver that enables configuration, commissioning, and diagnostic activities through wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical access to the circuit board or actuator components while maintaining configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (wireless transceiver and associated circuitry) that mediates between the user/device and the actuator's internal components. This intermediary enables configuration and control without direct physical contact with the actuator's circuit board, solving the accessibility problem while preserving configuration precision.
2Reliability
If physical access to circuit board is required for programming, then programming reliability can be ensured, but programming becomes difficult when actuators are sealed or mounted in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes physical circuit board access with wireless communication for programming activities. The processing circuit receives programming data and instructions wirelessly through the wireless transceiver, eliminating the need to physically access the circuit board while ensuring programming reliability through controlled wireless data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system serves as an intermediary that enables reliable programming without physical access. The wireless transceiver and processing circuit work together to receive, validate, and implement programming instructions wirelessly, maintaining programming reliability while improving accessibility.
3Measurement precision
If physical access is required for diagnostics, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained, but diagnostics become challenging when actuators are inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical access requirements for diagnostics with wireless communication capabilities. The wireless transceiver enables the transmission of diagnostic data and the reception of diagnostic commands wirelessly, allowing accurate diagnostics to be performed on inaccessible actuators mounted in confined or sealed spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the user and the actuator's internal state. It enables accurate diagnostic readings and control without requiring physical contact with the actuator, maintaining diagnostic precision while improving accessibility.
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional physical switching mechanisms are used for master-slave configuration, then configuration stability can be ensured, but configuration complexity increases and becomes unclear when multiple actuators are tandem-mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switching mechanisms with electronic/digital communication for master-slave configuration. The wireless transceiver and processing circuit enable configuration mode selection and master-slave relationship establishment through wireless signals, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining configuration stability through controlled signal exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system serves as an intermediary that simplifies master-slave configuration in tandem-mounted actuator systems. It enables clear identification and configuration of master and slave actuators through structured wireless communication protocols, reducing configuration complexity while ensuring stable configuration states.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor in a building HVAC system includes a transducer configured to measure a variable in the building HVAC system and to generate a sensor reading indicating a value of the measured variable. The sensor includes a communications interface configured to provide the sensor reading to a control device in the building HVAC system and a near field communication (NFC) circuit separate from the communications interface. The NFC circuit is configured to facilitate bidirectional NFC data communications between the sensor and a mobile device. The sensor includes a processing circuit having a processor and memory. The processing circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the sensor to the mobile device via the NFC circuit, wirelessly receive data from the mobile device via the NFC circuit, and store the data received from the mobile device in the memory of the sensor.