Wireless Building Control System Using MEMS Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current building control systems in large buildings require extensive wiring for data communication between numerous sensors and actuation devices, leading to labor-intensive installation and high material costs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a building control system that utilizes wireless communications and microelectromechanical (MEMS) technology, incorporating wireless communication devices and MEMS sensor elements with stand-alone power sources, such as batteries, to reduce wiring requirements and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extensive wiring is used to connect sensors and actuation devices in large buildings, then reliable data communication is achieved, but installation labor and material costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation labor and material cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Sensors and actuators communicate with the building control system via wireless signals (such as radio frequency communication) instead of physical electrical wires, thereby eliminating the need for extensive wiring infrastructure while maintaining data communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication devices as intermediaries between sensors/actuators and the building control system. These wireless communication modules receive data from sensors and transmit control signals to actuators without requiring direct physical wiring connections, thus reducing installation complexity while ensuring reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wired communication is used for building control elements, then system reliability is maintained, but the system complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidwiring infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical wiring infrastructure with wireless communication technology. Each sensor and actuator is equipped with a wireless communication module that enables data exchange with the central control system without requiring physical wire connections, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the building control system into independent wireless nodes (sensors, actuators, and control units). Each node operates autonomously with its own wireless communication capability, eliminating the need for a centralized wiring network and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability through distributed communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If traditional wired sensor modules are used, then power can be continuously supplied, but wiring requirements and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply continuityVSAvoidwiring material and installation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired power delivery with wireless power transmission or energy harvesting techniques. Sensors are powered by batteries combined with wireless communication capabilities, eliminating the need for wired power connections while enabling flexible deployment and reducing installation costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-powered sensor nodes using energy harvesting from environmental sources (such as solar energy, thermal energy, or ambient radio frequency energy) combined with efficient low-power wireless communication. This allows sensors to operate autonomously without external power wiring, reducing installation complexity while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8131399B2Building control system with building level network and room network using different wireless communication schemes

Publication Date: 2012.03.06 OLLNOVA TECH LTD

AI summary

A controller arrangement for a building system includes a sensor module, an actuator module, and a controller. The sensor module comprises a wireless communication device and a microelectromechanical sensor device operable to generate a process value and a wireless communication device. The actuator module comprises an actuation element and a wireless communication device. The controller is operable to obtain the process value from the sensor module and provide a control output to the actuator module, the controller further operable to communicate with at least one of the sensor module and the actuator module using a wireless communication device. The controller is also connected to receive a set point value, and is operable to generate the control output based on the process value and the set point value.