Air Conditioner Output Suppression Release Under Network Disconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In air conditioning systems where an information terminal controls an air conditioner, the output-suppressed control state cannot be released from the terminal when communication between the management device and the air conditioner is disconnected, leading to operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

A method that includes a confirmation step to check for disconnection between the control device and the management device, allowing the release of the output-suppressed control state without management device intervention when disconnected, and prohibiting such release when communication is intact, enabling the air conditioner to be controlled via an information terminal even during disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the management device prohibits transmission of release commands when communication is not disconnected, then control security is improved, but user operability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol securityVSAvoiduser operability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the control permission state based on communication status. When communication between the management device and control device is disconnected, the system automatically transitions from a prohibited state to an allowed state for release commands, enabling users to operate the air conditioner without management device intervention. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system secure when communication is available while remaining operable when communication fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the system allows release commands without management device intervention when disconnected, then user operability is improved, but control security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser operabilityVSAvoidcontrol security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device acts as an intermediary that receives and executes release commands from information terminals even when the management device is disconnected. The control device independently determines whether to permit release based on the disconnection status, serving as a mediator between the user's release request and the actual state change. This intermediary function enables continued operability while maintaining appropriate security controls through the control device's autonomous decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If communication disconnection is detected, then system reliability is improved, but control flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control permission mechanism dynamically adapts to communication status changes. When disconnection is detected, the system automatically permits release commands from information terminals without management device intervention, thereby maintaining control flexibility under varying conditions. This dynamic response ensures the system remains reliable by detecting disconnection while simultaneously preserving adaptability by adjusting control permissions based on the operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4083529B1Method for cancelling output suppression control state, program, and air conditioner system
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4083529B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4083529B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4083529B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of releasing an output-suppressed control state in an air conditioning system that includes a control device configured to control one or more air conditioners, and a management device configured to be connected to the control device via a network to transmit, to the control device, a command to control output suppression of an air conditioner from among the one or more air conditioners to cause the air conditioner to be in the output-suppressed control state, includes a confirmation step of confirming whether communication between the control device and the management device is disconnected; and a transmission control step of, in a case where the communication between the control device and the management device is not disconnected, prohibiting transmission of a command to release the output-suppressed control state to the control device without intervention of the management device, and in a case where the communication between the control device and the management device is disconnected, allowing transmission of the command to release the output-suppressed control state to the control device without intervention of the management device.