Multifunctional Pump Control Input for Mixed Sensor Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control devices for technical building equipment, such as pump units, require multiple connection terminals to accommodate various sensor types, leading to increased installation space and a risk of incorrect connections, which can cause malfunctions or damage.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional input circuit arrangement with two connections that can operate in multiple modes, using internal wiring with controllable switches to adapt to different device types, eliminating the need for separate inputs for each sensor type and allowing connection via two wires, with components like analog-digital converters and low-pass filters to process signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate connection terminals are provided for each sensor type, then compatibility with different sensor types is ensured, but the number of connection terminals increases and installation space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal input terminal that can accept multiple sensor types (analog voltage, analog current, thermistors) through a single connection interface. The control unit automatically detects the sensor type and configures the internal circuitry accordingly, eliminating the need for separate dedicated terminals for each sensor type while maintaining full compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic internal wiring with controllable switches that can reconfigure the circuit connection based on the detected sensor type. The switching elements dynamically connect different circuit components (such as reference voltages, current sources, or measurement paths) to the input terminal depending on whether an analog voltage sensor, analog current sensor, or thermistor is detected, enabling one terminal to serve multiple functions.
2Ease of operation
If separate connection terminals are provided for each sensor type, then correct connection is facilitated, but the number of connection terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple specialized terminals into a single universal input terminal that accepts all sensor types. This reduces the number of terminals from multiple dedicated connections to just one multi-purpose connection, simplifying the device while maintaining the ability to correctly identify and handle different sensor types through automatic detection and adaptive configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection terminals are provided, then different sensor types can be connected, but the risk of incorrect connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic sensor type detection where the control unit independently identifies the connected sensor type by analyzing electrical characteristics (such as impedance or signal behavior) without requiring manual configuration or user input. This self-detection mechanism eliminates connection errors by ensuring the correct measurement path is automatically selected based on the actual sensor connected, rather than relying on user knowledge or proper wiring of multiple terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit monitors the electrical characteristics at the input terminal and adjusts the internal circuit configuration based on the detected sensor type. This feedback loop ensures that the measurement path, reference voltages, and current sources are properly configured according to the actual sensor connected, preventing incorrect measurements or potential damage from mismatched connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (1) for a control device for technical building equipment, in particular control and regulation electronics for a pump unit, for processing an output signal (UE, IE, UT, UPWM, U1W) from a device (31, 32, 33, 34, 35), with a multifunctional input (2) comprising two connections (2a, 2b) for connecting the device (31, 32, 33, 34, 35). The circuit arrangement (1) can be operated in at least two different modes, and at least three different device types with output signals of different types can be connected to the input (2). There is an internal wiring of the input (2) with at least one controllable switch for changing the internal wiring depending on the connected device type.