Room-Segment Control Reassignment for Flexible Floor Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building automation systems face inefficiencies in adapting to changes in floor plans due to the repetitive nature of control programs and the need for manual engineering when rooms are rearranged or modified, leading to time-consuming and labor-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize room and segment objects within building automation controllers to dynamically reassign environmental control equipment, allowing for flexible room arrangements without extensive manual engineering, by using an interface to change room identifiers and automatically reconfigure control functions, enabling online or offline adjustments without downloading new control programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual engineering and customization of control programs are used for each room, then the system can be precisely adapted to specific floor plan configurations, but the process becomes inefficient and time-consuming when floor plans change
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the floor plan into discrete segments that can be independently assigned to rooms. Each segment represents a controllable unit with its own environmental control equipment, allowing flexible reconfiguration by simply changing segment-to-room assignments rather than redesigning entire control programs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal room and segment objects that can serve multiple functions and be reused across different configurations. These objects contain standardized interfaces and parameters that work across various room types and layouts, eliminating the need for custom programming for each specific configuration.
2Productivity
If customized control programs are created for specific floor plans, then the system operates efficiently for that configuration, but any change requires extensive manual reprogramming
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic assignment where segments can be reassigned to different rooms through simple interface operations rather than static, hard-coded configurations. The controller automatically updates control program associations when segment-to-room mappings change, maintaining operational efficiency while enabling flexible adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses template-based room and segment objects that can be copied and reused across multiple configurations. Instead of creating custom programs from scratch, the system replicates and reassigns standardized objects, maintaining operational efficiency while enabling rapid reconfiguration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If preloaded applications are modified to account for floor plan changes, then the system can adapt to new configurations, but the engineering process remains complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the controller automatically detects floor plan changes through the interface and performs the necessary reconfiguration of control programs without requiring manual engineering intervention. The segment-to-room assignment changes trigger automatic updates to control associations, reducing both complexity and time required for adaptation.
4Loss of time
If offline binding and loading of binding tables is used, then some time is saved in reconfiguration, but manual design work is still required to account for alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary interface layer between the user and the control program configuration. This interface handles the complex binding and unbinding operations automatically based on simple segment-to-room assignment inputs, saving time while maintaining ease of operation by shielding users from technical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible control is provided in building automation. By dividing a floor space into segments, different segments may be assigned to rooms. The operation of the building automation likewise includes room level and segment level control functions and corresponding objects. To assign or reassign a given segment to a room, the segment is linked to the room using an identifier of the corresponding room control function. The building automation equipment and corresponding control for the segment is linked to the room operation. The separation of the room and segment functions may avoid any or extensive manual engineering other than re-assignment. The assignment or reassignment of segments to rooms may be performed online (e.g., at a panel or management station), offline (e.g., at a computer or engineering station), or automatically (e.g., moveable wall system).