Sun Protection Radio Actuators With Master-Slave Command Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun protection systems require significant design effort and cabling for central control, which complicates user-friendly and safe operation, especially when individual components need to be connected and controlled.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized network of radio actuators with a master-slave configuration allows for non-contact communication and control of sun protection system components, eliminating the need for central control and cabling, enabling user-friendly and safe operation by permitting only predetermined commands based on the master's status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized control system is used to control individual system components, then ease of use for the user is improved, but device complexity and design effort increase due to additional control systems and cabling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple decentralized radio actuators, each with its own control intelligence. Instead of one central control unit, each system component has an associated radio actuator that can independently receive and process control commands via radio signals, eliminating the need for complex central control architecture and extensive cabling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical/electrical cabling system connecting central control to individual components is replaced by wireless radio communication. Radio actuators communicate control commands and status information via radio signals, eliminating the need for physical cable connections between control units and system components.
2Extent of automation
If individual system components are connected via cables to a central control system, then centralized control is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Physical cable connections are replaced by wireless radio communication between radio actuators. The actuators form a decentralized network using radio signals to transmit control commands and status information, eliminating installation complexity associated with routing and connecting cables throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of separate control units and communication infrastructure are merged into integrated radio actuators. Each actuator combines control reception, radio transmission, and local execution capabilities in a single device, simplifying the overall system architecture and installation process.
3Device complexity
If a decentralized network of radio actuators is used, then device complexity and installation effort are reduced, but control safety may be compromised without centralized coordination
Solution Approach 1:
Radio actuators continuously exchange status information and control commands via radio signals in the decentralized network. Each actuator receives feedback from others about system state, enabling coordinated control actions without central authority. This feedback mechanism ensures safety-critical information is shared across all actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The master actuator determines the current system state and preemptively restricts the command repertoire of slave actuators before unsafe commands can be executed. By proactively limiting which commands slaves can send based on current state, the system prevents dangerous situations before they occur.
4Ease of operation
If all radio actuators are given full control freedom, then ease of operation is improved, but unsafe states may occur due to unrestricted commands
Solution Approach 1:
The command permissions of slave actuators are dynamically adjusted based on the current system state determined by the master actuator. The repertoire of permitted commands changes adaptively according to operational conditions, allowing maximum freedom when safe and restricting commands when unsafe states could occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The master actuator preemptively identifies and restricts potentially dangerous commands before they can be executed by slaves. By determining the current state and pre-defining which commands are safe, the system prevents unsafe operations while maintaining ease of use for permitted actions.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a sun protection system (1) with a number of system components, each of which can be controlled by means of a radio actuator (10a - 10d). The radio actuators (10a - 10d) form a decentralized network, wherein in a master-slave configuration one of the radio actuators (10a - 10d) forms a master and further radio actuators (10a - 10d) form slaves. Depending on the state of the master system components assigned to the master, only a predetermined set of commands for controlling the associated slave system components is permitted for each slave.