Inductive Power Coupling for Retrofit Building Management Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high labor costs and regulatory complexities associated with installing and maintaining mains-powered components of building management systems, coupled with the expense of retrofitting due to rapid technological advancements, make it difficult to adopt new technologies effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of inductive coupling allows mains-powered control panels to wirelessly power and communicate with non-mains powered components, enabling easier installation and maintenance by separating the power sources, thereby reducing the need for qualified electricians and simplifying the upgrade process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mains-powered control panels are used, then reliable power supply is ensured, but installation and maintenance require qualified electricians, increasing labor costs and regulatory complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the building management system into two segments: a mains-powered control panel and battery-powered distributed devices. This segmentation allows the control panel to maintain reliable power for complex operations while distributed devices use simpler battery power, enabling technicians without electrical qualifications to install and maintain them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the mains-powered control panel and battery-powered distributed devices. This eliminates the need for direct electrical connections, allowing non-electricians to install devices without dealing with mains power wiring while maintaining system reliability through wireless data transmission.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If mains-powered components are used throughout the system, then consistent power supply is achieved, but retrofitting becomes expensive due to regulatory requirements and labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into mains-powered and battery-powered components, the patent enables selective retrofitting. Only the control panel requires mains power infrastructure, while distributed devices can be easily replaced with battery-powered models without electrical wiring changes, significantly reducing retrofitting costs and regulatory barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter from uniform mains power to a hybrid configuration. This allows the system to maintain power continuity for critical functions while using battery power for peripheral devices, making the system more adaptable to retrofitting scenarios where electrical infrastructure changes are costly or regulated.
3Reliability
If all devices are connected to mains power, then system reliability is maintained, but installation complexity and regulatory compliance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments power supply requirements by function: critical control functions use mains power for reliability, while distributed sensing and actuation devices use battery power for simplicity. This reduces installation complexity and regulatory burden for the majority of devices while maintaining reliability where it matters most.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless communication acts as an intermediary that decouples the power supply requirements from the communication needs. Battery-powered devices can communicate reliably with the mains-powered control panel without requiring electrical connections, simplifying installation and reducing regulatory complexity.
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 approach reduces labor costs and simplifies the installation and maintenance of building management systems, making it more affordable and efficient to adopt new technologies by allowing low-voltage technicians to handle distributed devices while electricians focus on control panels.
Implementation Method 1
described as utilizing inductive coupling to wirelessly provide power and communication between a control panel and a distributed device
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Mains-powered components of a building management system can be separated from non-mains powered components, allowing for easier and more affordable installation of the latter. In one embodiment, distributed devices of the building management system include a base module and a secondary module. The base module inductively powers the secondary module, which performs a function of the building management system (e.g. generating sensor data). The secondary module is easily attached to and removed from the base module via an attachment mechanism (e.g. snapfit) without rewiring the device. In another embodiment, a control panel inductively powers one or more input-output blocks, which provide an interface between distributed devices and the control panel. The input-output blocks are easily attached to and removed from the control panel via the attachment mechanism.