Power Line Communication for Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climate control systems face challenges in efficient remote control methods, as they often require dedicated conductive wires or expensive wireless communication, complicating installation and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing the electrical power supply line to transmit control instructions between a remote control and a climate control device, where the control device extracts necessary power from the supply line, eliminating the need for a separate power source and optimizing energy use by interrupting power only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated conductive wire is used for remote control communication, then communication reliability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply function and communication function into a single electrical wire. The control device extracts power from the power supply line during periods when the heating device is not actively heating, and uses the same line to transmit control signals through phase modulation of the power supply. This eliminates the need for separate communication wiring while maintaining reliable bidirectional communication between remote control and heating device.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical power supply line is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a power delivery medium and as a communication channel. The control device detects phase modulations on the power line to receive commands, and the heating device modulates the power line phase to send status information, allowing the single wire to perform multiple functions simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If wireless communication methods are used for remote control, then installation simplicity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing power supply infrastructure to provide both power and communication functions. Instead of adding expensive wireless communication modules, the patent makes the power line serve the communication function as well, leveraging an already-present resource to eliminate the need for additional costly components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control device has its own electrical power supply, then operational independence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from a separate power source and integrates it into the power line that is already connected to the heating device. The control device obtains its operating power by extracting energy from the power supply line during periods when the heating element is not actively heating, eliminating the need for an independent power supply circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device operates in periodic cycles, extracting power from the power line during intervals when the heating device is not actively heating. This periodic power extraction allows the control device to maintain operational independence while sharing the power infrastructure with the heating element, reducing overall system complexity.
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 approach simplifies installation, reduces costs by eliminating the need for separate power supplies, and efficiently manages energy consumption by only powering the control device when adjustments are needed.
Implementation Method 1
Document US 2010/123449 describes a control device using a power line as a medium for transmitting control information by phase modulation of the power supply.
Implementation Method 2
By virtue of these arrangements, the control device does not have its own electrical power supply, but it extracts all the electrical energy that it needs on the electrical power supply line of the device.
Implementation Method 3
when the first switch is closed, the device is supplied with electricity and the adjustment means is controlled, when the first switch is open, the transmitter of the control device transmits, via the power supply line, said instructions to the receiver of the device.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The assembly (10) has a control device (11) controlling a climatic regulation apparatus (12). The device has a man-machine interface (13) receiving climatic regulation instructions and a transmitter (27) to transmit the instructions to a piloting device (14) that pilots an adjustment unit (16) of a climatic regulation unit (18). An implementation unit implements a process in which the apparatus is supplied with electricity and the adjustment unit is controlled when a power supply switch (17) is closed and the transmitter transmits the instructions to a receiver (28) when the switch is opened. The implementation unit is formed of the transmitter, the receiver and microcontrollers (29, 31). An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a climatic regulation assembly.