Air-conditioning system including a master and slave configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems lack reliability in cooperative operation among multiple air conditioners, as they are prone to failure due to communication issues and single-point vulnerabilities in command generation and execution, leading to potential disruptions in maintaining set temperature and humidity levels.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning system employs a network of external control devices that can dynamically switch roles between master and sub control devices, ensuring continuous operation even if one device fails, through a wireless communication system that allows for adaptive command generation and distribution across multiple air conditioners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single master control device is used to generate and distribute commands to multiple air conditioners, then the system structure is simplified and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the system is prone to failure due to single-point vulnerabilities in command generation and communication issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between master and sub control devices based on operational status. Any external control device can become the master control device if the current master fails, creating a dynamic role assignment that enhances reliability while maintaining simplified operation through automatic failover
Solution Approach 2:
Sub control devices are pre-configured with the capability to generate and distribute commands, ready to take over master control functions immediately upon detecting master device failure, eliminating service interruption and maintaining system reliability
2Reliability
If redundant communication cables are added to improve reliability of command transmission, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of manufacture worsen due to increased system configuration complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Each external control device is designed with universal functionality to serve both as master control device and sub control device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated redundant communication paths, as any device can assume master role and communicate with all air conditioners through the existing wireless network
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication network acts as an intermediary that enables any external control device to communicate with any air conditioner without requiring direct dedicated physical connections. This intermediary communication infrastructure supports the role-switching mechanism without adding physical complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Internal control devices (41A to 41D) included respectively in air conditioners (10A to 10D) in an air conditioning system (1) are communicably connected one by one correspondingly to external control devices (42A to 42D). Each of the external control devices (42A to 42D) is configured to execute command generating operation of generating an operation command to a corresponding one of the air conditioners (10A to 10D). The external control devices (42A to 42D) constitute an external control system (50). In the external control system (50), one of the external control devices (42A) functions as a master control device configured to execute the command generating operation whereas remaining ones of the external control devices (42A to 42D) other than the external control device (42A) functioning as the master control device function as sub control devices configured not to execute the command generating operation.