Air-conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-conditioning systems require on-site service for program updates, which is time-consuming and challenging, especially for remote installations, due to the need for power shutdown and physical access, and is weather-dependent.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning system with a distribution device connected via a network to update the control program remotely, allowing for firmware updates without physical presence, using a network server and distribution device to manage and distribute updates efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-site service is used for program updates, then the program can be updated, but the work time is long and the service is weather-dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical on-site update process with a communication-based remote update system. The outdoor unit includes a communication interface that connects to a server via network, allowing firmware updates to be transmitted electronically without requiring physical presence at the installation site. This substitution eliminates the need for service personnel to travel to the site and perform manual updates, significantly reducing work time and eliminating weather dependency.
2Reliability
If on-site service is used for program updates, then the program can be updated, but physical access and power shutdown are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical access and manual power shutdown with automated communication-based updates. The system allows firmware updates to be initiated and executed remotely through network communication, eliminating the need for service personnel to physically access the device and manually shut off power. The outdoor unit automatically receives and installs updates through its communication interface.
3Reliability
If service personnel travel to remote sites, then the program can be updated, but the travel time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the update capability from the physical presence of service personnel and embeds it in the outdoor unit itself through the communication interface. The outdoor unit can receive and process firmware updates autonomously via network connection, eliminating the need for service personnel to travel to the site. This extraction of the update function from human operators to the device itself resolves the travel time issue.
4Reliability
If sheet metal removal is required for updates, then the program can be updated, but the work complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of sheet metal removal with a communication-based update process. The outdoor unit includes a communication interface that is accessible without disassembling the housing, allowing firmware updates to be transmitted through existing communication ports. This eliminates the need to remove sheet metal or open the housing, significantly simplifying the update process and reducing work complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning system includes: an air-conditioning device; and a distribution device to distribute an update program to the air-conditioning device, the distribution device being connected to the air-conditioning device via a first network. Preferably, the distribution device is configured to receive distribution of the update program from a network server connected to the distribution device via a second network. The distribution device is configured to perform protocol conversion between a communication method of the first network and a communication method of the second network.