Universal Sensor Backplane for Auto-Enrolling Building Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems require professional installation and configuration for adding new sensors or devices, which is inefficient and costly, necessitating a solution that allows DIY integration without significant re-engineering or software redesign.
Innovation Solution
A wall mountable universal backplane with standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces that automatically discovers and enrolls compatible sensors and devices, using a controller and communication module to integrate them into the building management system, allowing for easy addition and management without professional intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a building management system uses standardized universal interfaces for sensor integration, then ease of operation and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backplane employs universal mechanical and electrical interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of sensors and devices through a single standardized connection mechanism. The universal sensor receiving bays include standardized connectors, contact pads, and mounting structures that work with various sensor types (temperature, humidity, motion, etc.), eliminating the need for different interface types for different devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic device discovery and configuration capabilities where the controller automatically detects when a new sensor is connected, retrieves its identification information through the standardized interface, and configures it without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach simplifies operation despite the underlying interface complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If automatic device discovery and configuration is implemented, then ease of operation improves and professional service dependency decreases, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are pre-configured with unique identification information (such as RFID tags, serial numbers, or stored memory) before installation. When connected to the backplane through the universal interface, this identification information is automatically read by the controller, enabling immediate device discovery and configuration without requiring complex real-time analysis or manual setup procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple universal sensor receiving bays are integrated into a single backplane, then adaptability and system functionality improve, but device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backplane is designed as a modular structure with distinct, independently functional sensor receiving bays. Each bay is a self-contained unit with its own universal interface, allowing sensors to be added, removed, or replaced in individual bays without affecting other bays or requiring system-wide reconfiguration. This segmentation manages complexity by creating repeatable, standardized modules.
4Ease of manufacture
If standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces are used across all sensor bays, then manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture improve, but adaptability to different sensor types may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized interface incorporates multiple contact points, connection types, and mechanical accommodation features within a single design. This universal interface can physically and electrically connect to various sensor types (different form factors, pin configurations, mounting methods) while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through repetition of the same standardized components across all bays.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and system for adding sensors/devices to a building management system. An illustrative universal backplane for accepting a plurality of building control sensors may include a housing configured to be secured relative to a wall of a building and a plurality of universal sensor receiving bays each including the same mechanical and electrical interface for selectively receiving one of a plurality of compatible building control sensors. Each of the plurality of compatible building control sensors may be compatible with the mechanical and electrical interface of the universal sensor receiving bays. The backplane may further include a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of universal sensor receiving bays, the controller configured to automatically discover each of the compatible building control sensors, if any, received by the plurality of universal sensor receiving bays and a communication module operatively coupled to the controller for communicating with a building control system.