Sensor Unit with Conductive Rails for Flexible Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional installation technologies lack flexibility and cost-effectiveness in configuring and expanding sensor units with multiple operating elements, particularly in building systems, which often require expensive bus systems for complex light control management.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit with a base support featuring multiple operating elements, including a display, rotary push element, and button elements, connected via electrically conductive rails for power, data, and coding, allowing for flexible arrangement and expansion without the need for a bus system, with an internal serial data bus for communication and automatic address assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bus system (e.g., KNX/EIB) is used for complex light control management, then control functionality is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is divided into multiple independent functional elements (display, rotary push element, button elements) that can be individually connected to the base unit through separate electrically conductive rails. This segmentation allows each element to operate independently without requiring a complex bus system, resolving the contradiction between control functionality and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism using simple electrically conductive rails with contact elements instead of a complex bus system. This intermediary approach enables data transmission between functional elements and the base unit through straightforward electrical connections, eliminating the need for expensive bus systems while maintaining control capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating elements are added to enhance functionality, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple operating elements through standardized electrically conductive rails. The base unit can accommodate various functional elements (display, rotary push element, button elements) using the same connection infrastructure, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while supporting enhanced functionality through multi-functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic address assignment where functional elements are automatically identified and assigned addresses based on their position and type. This dynamic addressing mechanism allows the system to adapt to different configurations without requiring manual setup or complex wiring, enabling flexible expansion while keeping device complexity manageable
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional installation technology is used, then ease of installation is improved, but flexibility and expandability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is pre-configured with multiple functional elements and electrically conductive rails during manufacturing. This preliminary setup allows the unit to be installed as a complete, ready-to-use component in conventional installation technology, while maintaining the ability to expand later by simply adding more functional elements to the pre-established connection infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where functional elements are integrated within the base unit framework. Additional functional elements can be nested into the existing structure and connected through the same electrically conductive rails, enabling flexible expansion without requiring complete system redesign. This nesting approach allows the system to grow from simple to complex configurations while maintaining ease of installation
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The sensor unit has multiple operating or functional elements (3) and a basic device (11). The basic device is electrically connected with all operating or functional elements by communication rails (17). The communication rails forms an internal bus, preferably a serial data bus. The basic device and the operating or functional elements have processing units (30,31,32,33) for the signal conversion. The basic device has a connection unit (12), for energy supply, and a load connection (14).