Wireless Sensor with NFC Circuit for Remote HVAC Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuators in building automation systems face challenges in configuring and communicating, particularly in master-slave configurations, especially when access is restricted or unclear, and require physical access for tasks like commissioning and diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an actuator with a mechanical transducer, input data connection, feedback data connection, and processing circuit that uses a master-slave detection signal to select operating modes and facilitates bidirectional wireless communication, allowing configuration and data exchange without physical access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If physical access to actuators is required for configuration and commissioning, then configuration can be performed, but access becomes difficult when actuators are mounted in confined or sealed spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical access requirements with wireless communication capabilities. The actuator includes a wireless transceiver that enables configuration, commissioning, diagnostics, and data exchange without requiring physical access to the device or its circuit board. This substitution of mechanical access with wireless electromagnetic communication resolves the contradiction between configuration capability and physical accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical access to circuit board is required for programming and diagnostics, then device control can be established, but access becomes impossible when device is sealed or in confined space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for physical circuit board access with wireless communication functionality. The processing circuit and wireless transceiver enable programming, firmware installation, diagnostics, and configuration through wireless signals, eliminating the requirement to physically access the circuit board or internal components of the sealed device.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless transceiver serves multiple functions including configuration, commissioning, diagnostics, firmware updates, and data exchange, making the actuator adaptable to various operational needs without requiring different physical access methods or additional hardware interfaces.
3Extent of automation
If manual configuration of master-slave actuators is required, then control hierarchy can be established, but configuration becomes unclear when access is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic master-slave detection and configuration through wireless communication. The actuator automatically detects its role in the control hierarchy and configures itself without requiring manual intervention or physical access, thereby establishing the control hierarchy autonomously and clearly even when access is restricted.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system provides feedback mechanisms that allow the actuator to automatically determine its position in the control hierarchy and confirm its configuration status, making the master-slave relationship clear and verifiable without physical access to the device.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor in a building HVAC system includes a transducer configured to measure a variable in the building HVAC system and to generate a sensor reading indicating a value of the measured variable. The sensor includes a communications interface configured to provide the sensor reading to a control device in the building HVAC system and a near field communication (NFC) circuit separate from the communications interface. The NFC circuit is configured to facilitate bidirectional NFC data communications between the sensor and a mobile device. The sensor includes a processing circuit having a processor and memory. The processing circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the sensor to the mobile device via the NFC circuit, wirelessly receive data from the mobile device via the NFC circuit, and store the data received from the mobile device in the memory of the sensor.