NFC HVAC Sensor Configuration Through Sealed Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuators in building automation systems face challenges in configuring master-slave arrangements, especially when access is restricted, and require physical access for programming and diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
Actuators equipped with a processing circuit that uses near field communication (NFC) for bidirectional data exchange, enabling automatic mode selection and configuration without physical access, and a wireless transceiver for power and data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical access is required for programming and configuration, then configuration can be performed, but access becomes difficult when devices are mounted in confined spaces or sealed environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical access (opening sealed enclosures, accessing circuit boards) with wireless electromagnetic field communication (NFC). The NFC circuit enables data exchange through the sealed enclosure wall using near-field electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need to physically access the device interior for programming or configuration.
2Productivity
If actuators are arranged in tandem with restricted access, then space is optimized, but master-slave configuration becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual physical configuration procedures with automated wireless NFC-based master-slave detection and assignment. The system automatically detects tandem arrangements and assigns roles without requiring technicians to physically access or manually configure each actuator, solving the configuration difficulty while maintaining space-efficient tandem mounting.
3Ease of repair
If physical access is required for diagnostics, then device status can be read, but access becomes difficult in sealed or confined installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical access to circuit boards and components for diagnostics with wireless NFC communication. The NFC circuit enables bidirectional data exchange through the sealed enclosure, allowing technicians to read device status, perform diagnostics, and update firmware without opening the sealed housing or physically accessing internal components.
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
Enables seamless configuration and communication of actuators within building automation systems, facilitating remote diagnostics and programming, even in confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a near field communication (NFC) circuit separate from the communications interface. The NFC circuit is configured to facilitate bidirectional NFC data communications between the sensor and a mobile device
Data Source
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AI summary
A building device (1300) can be configured to wirelessly communicate with a nearby external device (e.g., mobile device 1340, etc.) to send and receive various types of data related to the operation of building device (1300) (e.g., firmware data, control logic, model identification parameters, configuration parameters, diagnostic data, etc.) using near field communication protocol. Advantageously, building device (1300) can communicate with the external device without requiring any wired power or data connections to building device (1300). This allows a user or service technician to send data to and receive data from building device (1300) using an external device brought into close proximity with building device (1300). Building device (1300) may be embodied as a sensor in a building HVAC system. A sensor (1300) includes a transducer (1307) configured to measure a variable in the building HVAC system and to generate a sensor reading indicating a value of the measured variable. The sensor (1300) includes a communications interface (1314) configured to provide the sensor reading to a control device in the building HVAC system and a near field communication (NFC) circuit (1302) separate from the communications interface (1314). The NFC circuit (1302) is configured to facilitate bidirectional NFC data communications between the sensor (1300) and a mobile device 1340. The sensor 1300 includes a processing circuit 1304 having a processor (1306) and memory (1308). The processing circuit (1304) is configured to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory (1308) of the sensor (1300) to the mobile device (1340) via the NFC circuit (1302), wirelessly receive data from the mobile device (1340) via the NFC circuit (1302), and store the data received from the mobile device (1340) in the memory (1308) of the sensor (1300). Transducer (1307) can be a temperature sensor, pressure sensor, vibration sensor, flow sensor, humidity sensor, smoke detector, occupancy sensor, CO2-sensor, or any other type of sensor.