Load Control Configuration Templates for Fast Device Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems are cumbersome and time-consuming to design and configure due to the complexity of associating numerous control devices, which hinders efficient management of electrical loads in large environments.
Innovation Solution
A load control system that includes control-source devices and control-target devices, with a system controller facilitating communication and association between these devices, allowing for efficient configuration and operation through digital messages and a graphical user interface design software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional design software is used to establish relationships between control devices in large load control systems, then the system can be configured, but the design procedure becomes lengthy and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating device relationships and associations before the user needs to use them. When control devices are added to the system, the system proactively establishes their relationships and configurations in advance, eliminating the need for manual setup during the design phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The load control system implements self-service by automatically configuring device relationships without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously establishes associations between control-source devices and control-target devices, and configures their interactions based on predefined rules and protocols.
2Reliability
If numerous control devices are associated manually in large load control systems, then complete device relationships can be established, but the configuration process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary automated configuration mechanism that mediates between control-source devices and control-target devices. This intermediary automatically establishes and manages device associations, relationships, and communications, simplifying the configuration process while ensuring completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration process is segmented into automated discrete tasks: device discovery, relationship establishment, association mapping, and communication configuration. Each segment is handled automatically by the system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining completeness of device relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may be configured using a design (e.g., graphical user interface) software. The design software may display icons representing fixtures (e.g., lighting fixtures) and devices (e.g., load control devices, controls, sensors, etc.) on a canvas. The design software may define relationships between the fixtures and/or devices. The design software may provide load control templates defining collections of devices, for example, for particular rooms in a building. The templates may be quickly placed on the canvas to define a particular area. Fixtures may be added to a template on the canvas and the design software may automatically create relationships between the fixtures and the devices (e.g., load control devices) of the template. In addition, the design software may automatically create relationships between the devices of the template (e.g., between controls and load control devices).