Auxiliary HVAC Controller for Main Controller Data Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems face issues during replacement or failure of the main system controller, where unit-specific information is lost, leading to error codes and improper operation due to missing model information, requiring manual intervention and delaying system startup.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary controller is introduced to store a copy of the main controller application information, allowing the system to query and retrieve this data during initialization, eliminating the need for external hardware and ensuring proper feature sets are loaded automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If main controller application information is stored only on the main system controller, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to information loss during controller replacement or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the main controller application information and stores it on an auxiliary controller. This copy mechanism ensures that when the main controller is replaced or fails, the application information can be retrieved from the auxiliary controller, thereby maintaining system reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary controller is pre-loaded with main controller application information during system manufacturing or initialization. This preliminary action ensures that the backup information is ready and available before any controller replacement or failure occurs, eliminating the need for manual reprogramming and ensuring immediate system recovery.
2Loss of time
If manual intervention is required to load model information during controller replacement, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to manual configuration steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality where the auxiliary controller automatically provides the main controller application information to the new main controller without requiring manual intervention. The new main controller queries the auxiliary controller and automatically loads the necessary application information, eliminating manual configuration steps and reducing system startup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the new main controller queries the auxiliary controller to determine if application information is available, and the auxiliary controller responds by providing the stored information. This automated feedback loop ensures rapid system recovery without manual intervention while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If model specific information is tailored for each HVAC system, then adaptability is improved, but loss of information increases when the main controller is replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the controller system into a main controller that handles adaptability and feature sets, and an auxiliary controller that stores backup application information. This segmentation allows the main controller to be replaced with a different model that has different features, while the auxiliary controller preserves the original system's specific configuration information, ensuring both adaptability and information retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary controller acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between controller replacement and information retention. It stores the original system's application information and provides it to the new main controller, allowing the system to adapt to different controller models while preserving the original configuration and model-specific information.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an auxiliary controller of a HVAC system, a method of manufacturing a HVAC system, a method of starting a HVAC system and a HVAC system. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes: (1) a main system controller having a main non-volatile memory and configured to direct operation of the HVAC system and store main controller application information associated therewith on the main non-volatile memory (2) an auxiliary controller having (2A) an interface coupled to the main system controller and configured to communicate therewith, (2B) a processor, coupled to the interface and configured to direct the operation of a component of the HVAC system and (2C) an auxiliary non-volatile memory configured to receive a copy of the main controller application information via the interface and store the main controller application information thereon.