Modular Wireless Sensor Nodes With Plug-and-Play Sensor Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high installation and maintenance costs of wireless sensor networks limit their penetration in the marketplace due to the need for customized and static sensor solutions that do not easily adapt to changing application requirements, leading to inefficiencies and increased expenses when new sensors or features are added.

Innovation Solution

A plug-and-play universal sensor interface that allows sensor module units to be easily connected and disconnected from wireless nodes, enabling flexible deployment and modification of wireless sensor networks without requiring significant reconfiguration or replacement of existing infrastructure, thereby reducing costs and enabling scalability with dynamic sensor application objectives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless sensor networks use customized and static sensor solutions, then sensor functionality is specialized for specific applications, but installation and maintenance costs increase and adaptability to changing requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to changing application requirementsVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor network is divided into independent, modular sensor units that can be individually attached to wireless nodes. Each sensor unit is a self-contained module with its own sensor element, allowing selective attachment and detachment without affecting other sensors or nodes, thereby reducing installation complexity and cost while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal attachment interface is designed that can accommodate multiple types of sensor units on a single wireless node. This standardized interface allows the same wireless node to work with different sensor modules (e.g., temperature, humidity, motion sensors), enabling one node to serve multiple functions and applications, thus reducing the need for customized solutions and lowering overall system costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If wireless sensor networks are deployed with fixed sensor configurations, then initial deployment is straightforward, but modifying or scaling the network requires significant reconfiguration and replacement of existing infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescalability and modification efficiencyVSAvoidtime for reconfiguration and replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor network transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where sensor units can be easily attached and detached from wireless nodes during operation. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the network to adapt to changing requirements in real-time without requiring shutdown or extensive reconfiguration, thereby improving productivity and reducing downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Sensor units are pre-configured and tested as standalone modules before deployment. This preliminary preparation ensures that when sensors need to be added, removed, or replaced in the field, the process is simplified and rapid, minimizing the time required for modifications and scaling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional wireless sensor networks require customized solutions for each application, then sensor performance is optimized for specific uses, but the time and expense to bring new features to market increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime and expense to bring new features to marketVSAvoidflexibility to add new sensors and features

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The universal attachment interface and standardized wireless node design enable a single platform to support multiple sensor types and applications. When new sensor technologies or features are developed, they can be created as new modular units that attach to existing nodes without requiring custom integration work, significantly reducing the time and expense to bring new features to market while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Individual sensor units are designed as low-cost, replaceable modules rather than expensive integrated systems. This allows rapid prototyping and deployment of new sensor types by simply manufacturing new sensor modules rather than redesigning entire sensor networks, reducing both development costs and time to market for new features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10237631B2Wireless control devices and methods

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 SENSEWARE INC

AI summary

A wireless sensor network at a monitored location can be configured to generate sensor channel(s) of data to assess operational conditions at the monitored location. Inputs based on the sensor channel(s) of data are provided to a host system for analysis of a demand to one or more resources at the monitored location. Response messages can be generated based on the demand analysis and transmitted to actuator(s) at the monitored location to effect an adjustment to the operational conditions.