Interconnection Device Power Line Communication Standard Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interconnection devices are limited in their ability to provide communication and power supply to devices with different power standards through a wiring duct, as they typically require a matching power standard for effective communication and power transfer.

Innovation Solution

An interconnection device with a housing that includes a duct connector for attaching to a wiring duct, a first communication unit for power line communication, and an output unit featuring a second communication unit and a conversion unit to adapt power and communication standards, enabling communication and power supply to devices with different standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wiring duct uses a specific power standard for communication and power supply, then devices with matching power standards can be effectively connected, but devices with different power standards cannot be communicated with or supplied power through the wiring duct

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different power standardsVSAvoidstructure of interconnection device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interconnection device as an intermediary between the wiring duct and the target device. This device includes a power supply unit that receives power from the wiring duct in the first power standard and converts it to the second power standard, and a communication unit that communicates with the target device using a communication standard different from power line communication. This intermediary structure enables compatibility between devices with different power standards without modifying the existing wiring duct infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The interconnection device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both power conversion and communication conversion. The power supply unit can convert between different power standards, and the communication unit can communicate using multiple communication standards. This universal design allows a single device to work with various types of devices regardless of their specific power or communication standards, thereby improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If power line communication is used for communication through the wiring duct, then power can be supplied and communicated simultaneously, but devices using different communication standards cannot be communicated with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication standard compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit acts as an intermediary that translates between power line communication (used by the wiring duct) and other communication standards (used by the target device). It receives power line communication signals from the wiring duct, converts them into appropriate communication signals, and transmits them to the target device. This mediation enables communication compatibility without requiring the wiring duct itself to support multiple communication standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables communication and power supply to devices with different power standards using a wiring duct, facilitating flexible installation and operation by adapting power and communication standards.

Implementation Method 1

The conversion unit is configured to generate second power of a different standard from the first power obtained from the wiring duct through the duct connector and supply the second power to the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Implementation Method 2

The first communication unit is connectable to the wiring duct through the duct connector and is configured to perform communication in a power line communication scheme through the wiring duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower line communication:

Data Source

PatentUS10881011B2Interconnection device and device system

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

The interconnection device includes a housing, and a first communication unit and an output unit which are accommodated in the housing. The housing includes a duct connector physically attachable and electrically connectable to a wiring duct for transferring first power. The first communication unit performs communication in a power line communication scheme through the wiring duct. The output unit includes a second communication unit and a conversion unit. The second communication unit communicates with a device in a telecommunication standard different from the power line communication scheme in accordance with the communication signal received by the first communication unit. The conversion unit generates second power of a different standard from the first power based on the first power obtained from the wiring duct through the duct connector and supply the second power to the device.