NFC Hazard Detection System Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detection systems for hazard detection face challenges in efficiently and reliably allocating unit addresses to mounting units, particularly due to the use of electrical contacts which are prone to wear, corrosion, and disruption in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
The detection system employs near-field communication (NFC) modules in both the base unit and the mounting unit to wirelessly communicate and store the unit address, allowing for simple and reliable address allocation and eliminating the need for physical electrical contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical contacts are used to communicate unit address between base unit and mounting unit, then the mounting unit can be addressable, but the system reliability deteriorates due to wear, corrosion, and disruption in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical contact system with a wireless communication system. The base unit and mounting unit communicate the unit address through wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency communication) instead of physical electrical contacts. This eliminates wear, corrosion, and disruption issues associated with mechanical contacts while maintaining the ability to allocate addresses to mounting units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication protocol as an intermediary between the base unit and mounting unit. This intermediary enables address transmission without direct physical contact, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by providing a robust communication channel that is insensitive to environmental factors.
2Ease of operation
If manual mechanical switches are used for address input, then the mounting unit can be addressable, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming manual configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service address allocation where the mounting unit automatically receives and stores the unit address from the base unit through wireless communication. This eliminates the need for manual configuration by users, significantly reducing configuration time and improving ease of operation. The system performs the address allocation task autonomously without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit prepares the unit address information in advance and transmits it wirelessly to the mounting unit automatically upon connection. This preliminary preparation and automatic transmission eliminates the time-consuming manual switch configuration process, allowing rapid deployment and reconfiguration of detection units.
3Reliability
If electrical contacts are used between base unit and mounting unit, then power and signals can be transmitted, but the system reliability deteriorates due to friction wear and corrosion in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical contact interface with a wireless communication interface. Power and data transmission are achieved through wireless energy and signal transmission (e.g., RF communication) between the base unit and mounting unit. This substitution eliminates friction wear, corrosion, and contact disruption issues, significantly extending system lifespan and improving reliability in harsh environments such as marine or industrial settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from physical contact-based electrical conduction to wireless electromagnetic field-based transmission. This parameter change transforms the interaction mode between base unit and mounting unit, eliminating material degradation mechanisms associated with physical contacts while maintaining effective power and signal transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a more reliable and efficient method for addressing mounting units, reducing the risk of electrical contact issues and enhancing system performance in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
the mounting unit comprising a second near-field communication (NFC) module operable to read the unit address from the first near-field communication (NFC) module
Data Source
AI summary
A detection system (10) for hazard detection is provided. The detection system (10) includes a control loop (16); an addressable base unit (18) connected to the control loop (16), the base unit (18) including a first near-field communication module (22) storing a unit address; and a mounting unit (20) removably coupled to the base unit (18), the mounting unit (20) including a second near-field communication module (24) operable to read the unit address from the first near-field communication module (22) and store the unit address so that the mounting unit (20) is thereby addressable via the control loop (16).