Portable Device for Building Automation Equipment Identifier Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for providing identifiers to building automation equipment in building automation systems are complex and time-consuming, requiring extensive knowledge and manual steps, leading to increased logistics costs and errors during the installation process.

Innovation Solution

A portable electronic device with a user interface and software that allows electrical installers to assign physical addresses to building automation equipment post-hardware installation, using a more efficient and cost-effective workflow, reducing the need for System Integrators and minimizing errors by enabling automatic or semi-automatic mapping of identifiers to equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional methods are used to assign identifiers to building automation equipment, then the equipment can communicate in the system, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment communication capabilityVSAvoididentifier assignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting equipment and pre-assigning identifiers before final system commissioning. The portable device scans the area, identifies equipment types, and assigns appropriate identifiers in advance, eliminating the need for manual identifier assignment during the commissioning phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The building automation equipment performs self-service by automatically providing its own identification signals to the portable device. Each equipment piece transmits its type and status information autonomously, allowing the system to automatically match and assign identifiers without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual identifier assignment is performed, then equipment can be identified in the system, but extensive knowledge and manual steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment identificationVSAvoidinstaller knowledge requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The equipment provides self-service by automatically transmitting its identification signals and type information to the portable device. The system automatically determines the appropriate identifier based on equipment type and location, eliminating the need for installers to manually configure or program identifiers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of identifier assignment is replaced by an automated electronic system. The portable device uses wireless communication to detect equipment and automatically assigns identifiers through software algorithms, replacing the manual knowledge-based process with an automated computational system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If traditional commissioning processes are used, then equipment identifiers can be assigned, but logistics costs and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentifier assignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation logistics cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the identifier assignment process. The portable device receives identification signals from equipment, verifies the assigned identifiers are appropriate, and provides confirmation to the installer. This feedback loop ensures accuracy and allows for immediate correction of any assignment errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional manual commissioning process is replaced by an automated electronic system that uses wireless communication to detect equipment and assign identifiers. This substitution eliminates the need for manual configuration steps, reducing both logistics costs and human error in the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3541024B1Providing building automation equipment with identifiers via a portable electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3541024B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3541024B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3541024B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention is directed towards a portable electronic device (28) in a building automation system and a method and computer program product for providing pieces of building automation equipment with identifiers. The device (28) detects, via a wireless short-range communication interface, pieces of building automation equipment (20, 22, 24, 26) in an area (A) of the building automation system (10) in which the device (28) is located, displays the detected pieces of building automation equipment (Ii, I2,I3,I4), displays a number of allocated identifiers (ADR1, ADR2, ADR3, ADR4) to be used by the pieces of building automation equipment, performs a mapping between the identifiers and the detected pieces of building automation equipment and transmits the mapped identifiers to the pieces of building automation equipment, via the wireless short-range communication interface, to be used for communication in the building automation system.