Air conditioning system and program update method for air conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning system maintenance methods require substantial time and effort for updating control programs across numerous units, particularly due to high communication data amounts and difficulty in identifying which units need updates.
Innovation Solution
The system generates and transmits differential data between the update program and the control program, reducing communication data and allowing for easier updates by comparing program versions and attributes to determine specific update targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If control programs are updated by directly accessing each unit, then update accuracy is ensured, but maintenance time increases substantially and operator burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary device that manages and coordinates program updates across multiple air conditioning units. Instead of directly accessing each unit individually, the operator interfaces with the controller which then automatically distributes and manages the update process across all connected units, significantly reducing maintenance time while ensuring accurate updates through automated verification procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic self-updating of control programs in air conditioning units. The controller automatically transfers program data to target units, monitors update status, and manages the entire update process without requiring manual intervention at each unit, allowing the system to service itself and eliminating the need for operators to physically access each unit
2Area of stationary object
If indoor units are installed in ceiling spaces for space efficiency, then installation compactness is improved, but accessibility for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as a remote intermediary that enables maintenance operations without requiring physical access to ceiling-installed units. Operators can initiate and monitor program updates through the controller interface, eliminating the need to open panels and access control substrates in hard-to-reach ceiling spaces while maintaining full control over the update process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical access to unit components with automated electronic communication and control. Instead of physically opening panels and manually updating control substrates, the system uses wireless or wired communication protocols to transfer program data electronically to the target units, substituting mechanical maintenance operations with automated digital processes
3Manufacturing precision
If all control programs are updated regardless of type, then completeness of update is ensured, but communication traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements selective updating where only specific air conditioning units requiring program updates are targeted, rather than universally updating all units. The controller identifies which units need updates based on their type and current program version, applying updates only where necessary. This partial action approach ensures that updates are complete for the relevant units while avoiding unnecessary communication traffic with units that do not require updates
Data Source
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AI summary
An air-conditioning system includes one or more pieces of equipment involved in air-conditioning, and a controller connected to the equipment and configured to update a control program of the equipment, the controller including an input unit configured to receive an update program for updating the control program of the equipment from an outside, a storage unit configured to store the control program of the equipment, a comparison unit configured to compare the update program with the control program, a data generation unit configured to generate differential data between the update program and the control program, an update setting unit configured to set an update target device of the control program among the one or more pieces of the equipment based on a comparison result, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the differential data to the update target device.