Inverter Power Class Setting Using Type and Class Plate Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for setting the power class of inverters, such as using RFID tags or smartphone-readable type identifiers, incur technical overhead and limit housing material choices, and there is a risk of incorrect power settings due to installer errors.
Innovation Solution
A two-part plate system comprising a device type plate with device-specific information and a class plate with power-class-specific information, read using a mobile device to generate a setting sequence that authenticates and securely sets the power class during installation, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID tags are used for power class setting, then the power specification accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases and housing material choices are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RFID communication functionality from the inverter housing by using an external smartphone as the RFID reader. The inverter only contains a passive RFID tag, eliminating the need for active RFID readers, antennas, and associated power consumption within the inverter itself. This resolves the contradiction by achieving accurate power specification reading while significantly reducing device complexity and removing housing material constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a smartphone as an intermediary device that performs the RFID reading function. Instead of embedding complex RFID reading functionality in the inverter, the system uses the smartphone's existing RFID capabilities as a mediator to read the power class information from the inverter's RFID tag. This resolves the technical contradiction by transferring the complexity from the inverter to the external smartphone.
2Ease of manufacture
If power setting is deferred to installation time, then logistics are simplified and production flexibility is improved, but safety risks increase due to potential installer errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple power class settings within the inverter's control unit before installation. The inverter is manufactured with all possible power class configurations already prepared, and the specific power class is selected and activated at installation time based on the RFID tag reading. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining production simplicity while ensuring safety through pre-validated power class options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the inverter's control unit reads the RFID tag, automatically determines the correct power class, and validates the setting before activation. The system provides feedback to confirm the power class selection and can prevent incorrect settings, thereby ensuring safety while maintaining the flexibility of deferred power setting at installation time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inverter variants are produced for different power classes, then customer requirements are met, but production complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inverter's power class configurable rather than fixed during manufacturing. A single inverter model can dynamically adapt to different power classes through software configuration based on the RFID tag reading at installation time. This resolves the contradiction by providing power class versatility without requiring multiple physical variants, thereby maintaining high production efficiency and reducing inventory complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for setting a power class of an inverter, wherein the inverter has a device type plate containing information about the inverter which is device-specific and independent of the selected power class, and wherein the inverter has a class plate which is selected from a plurality of power class-specific class plates each assigned to one power class from a plurality of power classes and contains information about the assigned power class. The method includes capturing an image of the device type plate and the class plate and reading out the device-specific information and the information about the assigned power class from the data captured as an image, —transferring a setting sequence to the inverter, wherein the setting sequence has the information about the assigned power class, —setting the power class of the inverter using the setting sequence following authentication of the read-out information. The disclosure also relates to an inverter having a power class that can be set.