Air Conditioner Message Bridging for Lower-Cost Group Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems face high installation costs due to the need for high-functionality data collectors with wireless and wired communication capabilities for managing air conditioner groups, which are costly and require multiple devices for large-scale installations.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system that includes an air conditioner connected to a wired transmission line, a wireless terminal for interconversion between wired and wireless messages, and an air conditioning management apparatus that communicates with the wireless terminal, eliminating the need for direct wired connections and reducing the number of management apparatuses required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data collectors with high functionality (processor, memory, wireless and wired communication devices) are used to manage air conditioner groups, then the management capability is improved, but the installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the management function into two parts: the air conditioning management apparatus maintains high functionality for comprehensive management, while the wireless terminal performs only simple message conversion between wired and wireless formats. This segmentation allows the wireless terminal to be low-cost while the management apparatus retains full management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless terminal acts as an intermediary device that converts messages between wired and wireless formats without requiring high processing capabilities. By positioning this simple conversion function at the terminal rather than requiring all management devices to have full functionality, the system reduces overall installation costs while maintaining management capability at the central apparatus.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple dedicated communication lines are used to connect more than 50-64 air conditioners, then the system can accommodate large-scale installations, but the number of management apparatuses and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning management apparatus is designed to universally manage multiple air conditioner groups connected through different communication lines. By making the management apparatus multi-functional capable of handling numerous groups through a single interface, the system avoids the need for separate management apparatuses for each communication line, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses message copying and conversion where the wireless terminal receives wired messages, converts them to wireless format, and transmits them to the management apparatus. This copying mechanism allows the same management apparatus to handle multiple communication lines without requiring direct complex connections to each air conditioner, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless terminal performs communication setting processing in response to connection processing from an air conditioning management apparatus. The air conditioning management apparatus sends, to a wireless terminal, a wireless communication electronic message in which an air conditioning communication electronic message is packaged. Upon receipt of the wireless communication electronic message, the wireless terminal converts the content of the communication. Upon receipt of the air conditioning communication electronic message, an air conditioner executes a request command described in the air conditioning communication electronic message. Upon receipt of the air conditioning communication electronic message, the wireless terminal converts the content of the communication. Upon receipt of the wireless communication electronic message, the air conditioning management apparatus performs response reception processing.