Switchbox Integrating Radio Control with Existing Wiring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home and building automation systems face challenges due to complex electrical installations, high costs, and the need for significant changes in cabling and user habits, limiting their widespread adoption in private homes.
Innovation Solution
A switch box with a bidirectional communication module, microcontroller, and existing electrical conductors that accepts switching commands and reports states, allowing for radio or infrared communication, enabling seamless integration with existing wiring and control elements without additional power supply, and ensuring fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If radio-based solutions with additional radio receivers and modified wiring are used, then automation functionality is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the radio communication receiver, control logic, and switching element into a single integrated switch box unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate radio receivers and reduces wiring complexity, as the switch box directly receives radio commands and controls the circuit breaker without requiring additional intermediate components or modified wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch box is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the traditional circuit switching device and the radio communication endpoint. The single unit handles both manual switching operations and automated radio-based control, eliminating the need for separate automation infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If building automation systems with decentralized intelligence are implemented, then reliability is improved, but wiring effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication receiver and control functions into the existing switch box, eliminating the need for separate automated switching devices and extensive wiring. The integrated design maintains decentralized intelligence for reliability while reducing wiring requirements by utilizing the existing electrical infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional wiring systems are used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but automation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The switch box is designed as a universal device that supports both conventional manual operation and automated radio-based control through integrated functionality. The dual-mode operation allows the system to maintain installation simplicity while enabling automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated radio receiver in the switch box acts as an intermediary that translates radio commands into electrical switching actions. This mediator enables automation capability while working within the constraints of conventional wiring systems, bridging the gap between wireless control and wired electrical infrastructure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The installation has a switching box (24) a switching unit, a switching command accepted and/or switching condition retransmitted bidirectional communication module (26), a micro controller (28) and a wiring connection for an electrical load (12). The switching box is connected to a network over the electrical load, where operating units (14`, 14``) communicate with the switching box. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for operating an installation (2) a switching arrangement for an installation (3) a switching box with a switching arrangement.