Air-conditioning management system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning management systems face challenges in managing newly introduced air conditioners, requiring significant development time and effort to create a corresponding management program, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning management system that utilizes a server apparatus to provide an air conditioner data model, enabling the use of an identical management program to manage new types of air conditioners by facilitating data conversion between the air conditioner and the server apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a new air conditioner is introduced to the system, then the system can manage more diverse air conditioner types, but the development work time and processes for creating a corresponding management program increases enormously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to manage new air conditioner typesVSAvoiddevelopment work time for management program
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by creating a standardized management program template that can be replicated and applied to different air conditioner types. Instead of developing unique management programs for each air conditioner model, the system uses a master template that can be copied and adapted, significantly reducing development time while maintaining the ability to manage diverse air conditioner types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by making the management program configurable through parameters rather than hard-coded. The management program template contains adjustable parameters that can be modified to accommodate different air conditioner types without requiring complete program redevelopment. This allows the same program structure to adapt to various models by changing specific parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a unique management program is developed for each air conditioner type, then the management can be tailored specifically to each device, but the development processes become enormously complex and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanagement effectiveness for specific air conditionerVSAvoidcomplexity of management program development
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single management program template that can serve multiple air conditioner types. This universal template incorporates generic management functions that work across different models, eliminating the need to create separate specialized programs for each air conditioner type while maintaining effective management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses segmentation by dividing the management program into modular components. The management program template is structured with separate functional modules that can be independently configured and combined based on the specific air conditioner type, reducing overall complexity while maintaining specialized management capabilities where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4067768B1Air-conditioning management system
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4067768B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4067768B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4067768B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

When a management program is prepared in accordance with information unique to an air conditioner, the existing management program may occasionally fail to achieve sufficient management when a new air conditioner is introduced to an air conditioning management system. An air conditioning management system (1) manages a plurality of air conditioners (10) as management targets. The air conditioning management system (1) includes a controller (60) and a server apparatus (40). The controller (60) is connected to the air conditioners (10). The controller (60) executes a management program (3) for management of the air conditioners (10). The server apparatus (40) is connected to the controller (60). The server apparatus (40) provides the controller (60) with an air conditioner data model (4). The air conditioner data model (4) is a collection of data on the air conditioners (10) to be referred to in the management program (3).