Method for allocating wireless connections in a network of a room air and / or air conditioning plant

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assigning wireless connections in ventilation and air-conditioning systems are complex and time-consuming, especially when replacing components, requiring manual serial number updates and on-site user intervention.

Innovation Solution

Each component emits an allocation signal containing its device type and other relevant information, which is stored in the control unit's data memory, allowing for automatic identification and assignment based on device type, position, signal strength, and transmission time, enabling remote and simplified commissioning and replacement processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual assignment of serial numbers is used between components and control unit, then reliable identification is achieved, but the assignment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent identification reliabilityVSAvoidassignment process time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The component performs self-identification by automatically transmitting its serial number to the control unit via wireless communication. This eliminates the need for manual serial number entry and assignment, allowing the system to configure itself automatically while maintaining reliable identification through the transmitted serial number

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of writing and entering serial numbers is replaced by an automated electronic/wireless transmission system. The serial number is automatically sent from the component to the control unit through wireless communication, substituting the manual mechanical assignment process with an automated electronic system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual serial number update is performed when replacing components, then accurate component tracking is achieved, but the replacement process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent tracking accuracyVSAvoidcomponent replacement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

When a component is replaced, the new component automatically transmits its serial number to the control unit, enabling automatic updating of component information. This eliminates the need for manual serial number updates during replacement while maintaining accurate component tracking through the automatically transmitted serial number

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The serial number transmission capability is pre-configured in the component during manufacturing. When replacement occurs, the component is already prepared to automatically transmit its identification information, eliminating the need for post-installation manual configuration and enabling immediate accurate tracking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If on-site user intervention is required for assignment, then precise component configuration is achieved, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidassignment operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The component automatically transmits its serial number and identification information to the control unit without requiring user intervention. The system performs self-configuration by receiving and storing the transmitted serial number, achieving precise configuration automatically without manual input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Wireless communication serves as an intermediary between the component and control unit, automatically transferring identification information. This intermediary mechanism enables precise configuration data transfer without requiring direct user intervention, bridging the component and control system through automated wireless exchange

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3982051B1Method for allocating wireless connections in a network of a room air and / or air conditioning plant
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 TROX GMBH
  • EP3982051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3982051B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assigning wireless connections in a network of an air conditioning and/or ventilation system, wherein the air conditioning and/or ventilation system comprises a control unit 26, several components (1-8), and an air duct (9-12) through which a flowing medium flows, wherein the control unit (26) comprises a data storage device and a receiver, and each component (1-8) has a transmitter, and wherein the control unit (26) and the components (1-8) are interconnected via the wireless network. To provide a method that facilitates the assignment of wireless connections in a network of an air conditioning and/or ventilation system, each of the components (1-8) to be connected is to transmit an assignment signal (27), wherein the assignment signal (27) includes at least an indication of the device type of the respective component (1-8).- the data storage device contains at least the device type information for all components (1-8) to be interconnected in the network, preferably also the position of all components (1-8) to be interconnected in the network, and/or preferably also the transmit signal strength of the respective transmitter of all components (1-8) to be interconnected in the network relative to each other, and/or preferably also the transit time of each assignment signal (27) transmitted by all components (1-8) to be interconnected in the network, - the control unit (26) receives the respective assignment signal (27) transmitted by each component (1-8) and reads at least part of the information contained therein, in any case the device type, from each received assignment signal (27) and then the read-out information,e.g., compare at least the read-out device type with the information stored in the control unit (26), i.e., at least with the device type information, and - that the control unit (26) performs the relevant assignment if the information contained in the assignment signal (27), i.e., at least the device type, matches the information stored in the control unit (26), i.e., at least with the device type stored in the control unit (26), and enables unique identification, - wherein, in the event that the control unit (26) receives several identical pieces of information, i.e., at least several identical pieces of information of the device type, from different components (1-8),The control unit (26) makes an assignment taking into account, firstly, the position stored in the data memory, and secondly, the transmit signal strength stored in the data memory and the received signal strength of the assignment signal (27), and/or the transit time of an assignment signal (27) emitted by a component (1-8), provided that this allows for unambiguous identification.