Setting of addresses in an air-conditioning system

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Solution Overview

Problem

In air-conditioning systems with multiple refrigerant pipe systems, automatically setting unique addresses for indoor units connected to multiple outdoor units is challenging, leading to potential manual errors and difficulties in billing and troubleshooting, especially when manufacturers of indoor and control devices differ.

Innovation Solution

The air-conditioning system employs an address setting method where indoor-unit local controllers set addresses including specification information, preventing manual errors and ensuring unique identification through a communication medium, even when manufacturers differ, by integrating address setting with device authentication processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual address setting is used for indoor units connected to multiple outdoor units, then address setting can be performed, but artificial mistakes may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress setting capabilityVSAvoidaddress setting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic address setting without requiring manual intervention. The control device automatically determines addresses for indoor units by receiving specification information from each indoor unit and generating unique addresses based on this information, eliminating the need for manual address input and associated errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control device receives specification information from each indoor unit through the communication medium and uses this feedback to automatically determine appropriate addresses. This closed-loop process ensures that addresses are assigned based on actual device specifications and connection configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If automatic address setting is performed using fixed communication order, then address setting is automated, but addresses may change when power source is turned off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress setting automationVSAvoidaddress stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Addresses are determined based on specification information that is inherently tied to each indoor unit's identity and connection configuration. This preliminary establishment of addresses using unique device characteristics ensures that addresses remain stable across power cycles, as the addressing logic is based on permanent device properties rather than transient communication states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If addresses are fixed using physical switches, then addresses remain stable, but manual operation is required and manufacturers may differ

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress stabilityVSAvoidaddress setting convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch-based address setting system with an electronic automatic addressing system. The control device automatically determines addresses by receiving specification information through the communication medium, eliminating the need for physical DIP switches or manual mechanical operations while maintaining address stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate specification information communication is implemented, then manufacturer differences are accommodated, but communication load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturer compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The specification information communication channel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both the basis for automatic address determination and conveys device identification information. This multi-functional approach accommodates different manufacturers and device types without requiring separate dedicated communication channels, thereby avoiding additional communication load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3139543B1Setting of addresses in an air-conditioning system

Publication Date: 2022.03.23 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

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AI summary

An air-conditioning system (1) includes a plurality of outdoor units (B), a plurality of indoor units (A), and a control device (3) which are connected to one another via a common bus (5), and transmits and receives various kinds of information. In addition, an address setting unit of an indoor-unit local controller (52) reads indoor-unit specification information that is a value indicating the specification of the indoor units (A) from a unit attribute memory area of a gateway (53), and sets the address for the indoor units (A) so as to contain air-conditioner specification information. This enables the air-conditioning system (1) to uniquely determine the address for each of the plurality of indoor units (A).