Intelligent steel

The challenge of the project was the integration of a newly developed steel-based sensor solution.

Key points of the integration:

* Interface to the tfs board (tfs intelligent) via proprietary RS485 connection

* Temperature control of the tfs board (tfs heating) via resistance sensor

* Data exchange with external visualization via Loxone web services

The Loxone Miniserver takes over the central control function in the sample case. The data supplied by the tfs board (tfs intelligent) is evaluated and integrated into the program logic. At the same time, the heating function of the tfs board (tfs heating) is controlled and monitored to ensure that there is no overheating and that the heating is only released when a cup is placed on the heated surface. The open interface architecture of the Loxone Miniserver made it possible to integrate these functions, despite the completely new approach of tfs. As a further feature, the temperature of the heating surface is visualized by a surrounding LED strip, whereby the conversion of the temperature to the corresponding color information is also realized by the Loxone Miniserver.

Loxone web services were used to interactively connect the external visualization - imaginatively created with design elements by the advertising agency Conquest and implemented in an inspiring way using 3D visualization by Responsive Spaces - with the Loxone Miniserver. This means that it can be operated both via the visualization running on a tablet computer and via the Loxone app. In order to be able to shut down the system in a controlled manner, an additional release switch is installed, which can be used to safely unlock and remove the tfs board even in the event of a software problem.

When used on the move, the sample case is powered by batteries or can also be connected to the power grid for longer periods of operation.