Case Study: Window control electronics
Cost effective, inobtrusive, automated window control electronics for your BMS.
Challenge: The EM has provided building management system (BMS) control electronics (for windows) for multiple companies. The essence of need in all cases was:
- Minimisation of manufacturing cost.
- Minimisation of electronics – size.
- Optimisation of motor control
- Implementation of communications protocols (wireless and hard-wired.
- Ability to scale the product.
- Meeting standards – particularly building and fire safety regulations.
The challenge was to provide all these in balance, noting that some are a trade-off with other items.
Solution: Not all clients had the same needs and hence solutions, but some factors were common:
- Precise motor control. This involved PID control of current because current draw was used to determine arriving at an end stop.
- MODBUS, CANBUS and other communication protocols.
- More and more, Wireless comms is demanded, and this can be 4G, 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. These all fit in with the ever growing IoT network – some work cited here required this.
- Manufacturing cost always features as a major demand. Selling systems and maintaining mark up demands tight control of costs. Take a look at our (Manufacturing Cost – Viability page).
Skills: Motor control. Brushless dc (BLDC) and stepper motors particularly. Electronic drives for the same
- Product design. Shoe horn fits of electronics into small spaces.
- Integration with building management systems (BMS) protocols.
- Knowledge of regulations and standards
- Manufacturing cost minimisation tools.
Journey: The journeys varied for different clients, but there were common factors. Apart from algorithms for automated stopping – no sensors required – and understanding transfer functions for electric motors, the technology involved is tried and tested. It is just a question of turning the handle.
The demanding part of these developments is minimising production costs whilst not compromising the product’s performance.
Feel free to contact us if you have questions about this article or anything else.