Air conditioning system and communication method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning systems with data collectors for managing multiple air conditioners incur high installation costs due to the need for devices with high processing capacity and wireless communication capabilities, limiting the number of connectable air conditioners and requiring multiple management apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning system that integrates wireless terminals connected to wired transmission lines, allowing the air conditioning management apparatus to communicate via both wired and wireless transmission lines, reducing the need for direct wired connections and multiple management apparatuses, and utilizing wireless terminals with limited functionality for interconversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data collectors with high processing capacity and wireless communication capabilities are used to manage multiple air conditioners, then the management functionality is improved, but the installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement functionalityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the management architecture into two segments: air conditioners connected via dedicated communication lines to local management apparatuses, and multiple management apparatuses connected via wireless communication to a central management apparatus. This segmentation allows each component to have simpler, more cost-effective specifications while maintaining overall management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary layer between local management apparatuses and the central management apparatus. This intermediary enables cost-effective wireless connectivity without requiring each data collector to have both high processing capacity and wireless communication capabilities, thus reducing installation costs while maintaining management functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple dedicated communication lines are used to connect more air conditioners, then the number of connectable air conditioners is improved, but the device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of connectable air conditionersVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the management apparatus universal by enabling it to communicate both via dedicated communication lines (wired) and via wireless communication networks. This multi-functionality allows a single management apparatus to handle multiple air conditioners through different communication channels, eliminating the need for multiple separate management apparatuses and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/wired dedicated communication line system with a wireless communication system for the backhaul connection between management apparatuses and the central management apparatus. This substitution reduces the physical infrastructure complexity while maintaining the ability to connect and manage a large number of air conditioners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3643981B1Air conditioning system and communication method

Publication Date: 2026.03.25 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

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AI summary

A wireless terminal (4) performs communication setting processing in response to connection processing from an air conditioning management apparatus (3) (step S12). The air conditioning management apparatus (3) sends, to a wireless terminal 4, a wireless communication electronic message in which an air conditioning communication electronic message is packaged (step S13). Upon receipt of the wireless communication electronic message, the wireless terminal (4) converts the content of the communication (step S14). Upon receipt of the air conditioning communication electronic message, an air conditioner (2) executes a request command described in the air conditioning communication electronic message (step S15). Upon receipt of the air conditioning communication electronic message, the wireless terminal (4) converts the content of the communication (step S16). Upon receipt of the wireless communication electronic message, the air conditioning management apparatus (3) performs response reception processing (step S17).