Wireless Bus Device Enable Path for Furniture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical device arrangements for furniture lack simplicity and flexibility in connecting and controlling additional devices, especially in safety-critical environments like nursing homes and hospitals, and do not adequately address energy efficiency and safety standards.

Innovation Solution

An electrical device arrangement with a bus device featuring wirelessly configured control paths, enable paths, and bus subscribers that include operating units with memory for control parameters and controllers, allowing automatic recognition and communication between subscribers, and enabling energy-saving modes through the use of an additional enable path for network clearing and sleep mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless control paths are implemented in the bus device, then flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but reliability and safety may deteriorate due to potential signal interference and security concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connecting and controlling devicesVSAvoidsafety in critical environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an enable path as an intermediary control mechanism between the control paths and the bus subscribers. This enable path acts as a safety gatekeeper that can selectively activate or deactivate communication with individual bus subscribers, thereby maintaining wireless flexibility while adding a layer of controlled reliability for safety-critical applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different operational states by controlling the enable path signals. Bus subscribers can be dynamically enabled or disabled based on safety requirements, allowing the system to adapt its reliability level in real-time while maintaining ease of operation through wireless control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control paths and power paths are added to the bus device, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for connecting additional devicesVSAvoidnumber of control paths and power paths

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enable path serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a safety control mechanism, an energy-saving switch, and a communication gate. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single path structure supports multiple operational modes and control objectives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bus device architecture segments control functions into separate control paths and power paths, each independently manageable through the enable path. This segmentation allows individual paths to be enabled or disabled based on specific application needs, providing flexibility while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through modular control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If the enable path is used for network clearing and sleep mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but control responsiveness may deteriorate during transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption of bus subscribersVSAvoidtransition time during sleep mode activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The enable path implements periodic or event-driven activation patterns where bus subscribers are switched to sleep mode during idle periods and activated only when control commands are needed. This periodic action significantly reduces average energy consumption while maintaining system responsiveness by pre-configuring rapid wake-up capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration and address recognition while bus subscribers are in active state, storing this information for later use. When entering sleep mode, this pre-stored information allows for rapid reactivation without full re-initialization, reducing the time loss during transitions while maintaining energy savings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10551805B2Electrical device arrangement, in particular for an item of furniture, with a bus device and bus subscribers, and a method for controlling such electrical device arrangement

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 DEWERTOKIN TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

An electrical device arrangement, in particular for an item of furniture, includes a bus device having wirelessly configured control paths, and bus subscribers connected to the bus device, wherein at least one of the bus subscribers is an operating unit comprising a memory for storing control parameters and a control program and at least one of the bus subscriber is a controller of a furniture drive. A method for controlling such an electrical device arrangement, in particular for an item of furniture, having a bus device and bus subscribers is also disclosed.