Central Air Conditioning Damper-Sensor Association Self-Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning control systems require construction workers to manually associate temperature sensors with damper opening/closing mechanisms in multiple zones, leading to prolonged checking times and potential errors, as they verify the correctness of these associations and wait for room temperatures to reach target values.

Innovation Solution

A central air conditioning system with temperature sensors in each target space, dampers to control airflow, and a controller that sets a target temperature for one space, controls the damper, and determines the correctness of the association between the damper and temperature sensor after a predetermined time by assessing whether the detected temperature approaches the target temperature, outputting results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a construction worker manually checks the association between temperature sensors and dampers in each air conditioning zone, then the correctness of the association can be verified, but the checking work takes a long time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidchecking time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-verification by automatically controlling the damper and monitoring the temperature sensor readings to determine if the association is correct, eliminating the need for manual checking by construction workers while maintaining verification accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller receives feedback from temperature sensors and automatically determines association correctness based on whether the detected temperature approaches the target temperature, providing automated verification that reduces checking time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a construction worker checks whether the operation is as expected for each association, then the correctness can be confirmed, but the checking work becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassociation correctnessVSAvoidchecking procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller automatically performs the verification process by controlling the damper and evaluating temperature sensor readings, eliminating the need for construction workers to perform complex manual checking procedures while ensuring association correctness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical checking process is replaced with an automated electronic control system that uses temperature readings and control algorithms to verify associations, simplifying the procedure while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the checking work waits for room temperature to reach target value, then accurate verification is possible, but the time from start of operation to completion is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidoperation duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors temperature changes and determines when the target temperature is approached, eliminating the need for manual waiting and checking while maintaining measurement precision for accurate verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors temperature sensor readings during the damper operation, enabling immediate determination of association correctness as soon as the target temperature is approached, rather than waiting for a predetermined time period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution automates the verification process, reducing the time required for checking associations and allowing workers to quickly identify and correct any errors, thereby preventing prolonged checking times.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor provided in each of a plurality of target spaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of dampers each of which controls a volume of air flowing into a different one of the plurality of the target spaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow control:

Data Source

PatentUS20240044536A1Central air conditioning system and checking method

Publication Date: 2024.02.08 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A controller of a central air conditioning system controls a damper provided for a first target space according to a target temperature. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed since control of the damper provided for the first target space was started according to the target temperature, the controller determines: an association between the controlled damper and the temperature sensor that has detected the changed temperature is correct when a changed temperature detected by a temperature sensor approaches the target temperature in the first target space; and the association between the controlled damper and the temperature sensor that has detected the changed temperature is incorrect when a temperature detected by the temperature sensor does not approach the target temperature in the first target space. Then, the controller outputs a result of determination.