Mass Flow Controller NFC USB Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass flow controllers require expensive rotary switches and power cables for configuration, leading to increased costs and complexity, and necessitate physical connection to a computer for data collection and real-time data processing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of Near Field Communication (NFC) and Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections to enable configuration and data exchange without expensive switches or power cables, allowing for remote setting of MacID and baud rate settings using NFC and using off-the-shelf cables and hubs for data exchange via USB.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rotary switches and power cables are used for configuration, then configuration capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotary switches with a near-field communication (NFC) interface that uses electromagnetic fields for wireless communication. This substitution eliminates the need for physical switches and cables, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining configuration capability. The NFC interface allows configuration parameters to be set and read wirelessly through electromagnetic coupling between the MFC and a host device.
2Ease of operation
If rotary switches and power cables are used for configuration, then configuration capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical rotary switches and power cables with an NFC interface that uses integrated circuits and antennas. This substitution significantly reduces component costs and assembly complexity, making the device more economical to manufacture while maintaining full configuration capability through wireless electromagnetic communication.
3Loss of information
If physical connection to computer is required for data collection, then data collection capability is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical cable connections with a near-field communication (NFC) interface that enables wireless data transfer. This allows configuration parameters and operational data to be read and written through electromagnetic coupling between the MFC and a host device, eliminating the need for physical connections while maintaining data collection capability and significantly improving ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include several embodiments of a mass flow controller and methods for configuring a mass flow controller. For example, in one embodiment, the method includes automatically displaying a current configuration parameter, such as, but not limited to, a MacID and/or baud rate, in response to receiving power, from an external device, at a communication interface, such as, but not limited to, a near-field communication interface and/or a universal serial bus communication interface of the mass flow controller. The method adjusts the configuration parameter based on user input and stores the configuration parameter in memory while being powered by the external device.