Control device, system and control method therefor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning systems require all control programs to operate with the same version, making it difficult to integrate new control specifications, and are prone to uncontrollable states due to unstable communication environments.

Innovation Solution

A control device that dynamically adjusts the control ratio between local and remote units based on communication quality, using multiple control modes and monitoring communication quality to ensure continuous stable control, even in unstable environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If control is performed via network communication between control device and apparatus, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to communication instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between remote control mode (via network) and local control mode (via local controlling unit) based on communication quality. When communication is stable, remote control is used for ease of operation. When communication deteriorates, the system automatically transitions to local control to maintain reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If control ratio is fixed between local controlling unit and control device, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control ratio between local controlling unit and control device is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts the control ratio based on communication quality, automatically switching between different control modes. This dynamic adjustment enables adaptability to different communication environments without requiring complex manual configuration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If all control programs use the same version, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent control programs with different versions running in parallel. Each control program can handle different control specifications independently. The system selects appropriate control programs based on communication quality and control requirements, enabling both adaptability to new specifications and reliability through proven versions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3193510B1Control device, system and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3193510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3193510B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3193510B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An air conditioning system (1) includes an outdoor device (10) including an outdoor device controlling unit (13), which is a local controlling unit, and a control device (3) that can control the outdoor device (10) via a communication line (6). Cooperation between the outdoor device controlling unit (13) and the control device (3) can achieve control of the outdoor device (10), and the control ratio between the outdoor device controlling unit (13) and the control device (3) is dynamically changed in accordance with the communication quality of the communication line 6. Accordingly, in a system in which apparatus control is performed via a communication line, an influence on the control of a reduction in communication quality or interruption can be reduced.