Chiller Embedded Communications Board for Direct Network Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chillers lack direct communication capabilities with external networks, requiring additional controllers and gateways to be installed, which is time-consuming and error-prone, and only allows limited data transfer between onboard control hardware and external computing systems.
Innovation Solution
A chiller design that includes a main control board and a communications board with multiple communication channels, enabling connectivity via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular connections, allowing for higher bandwidth communication and over-the-air updates, and capable of controlling external data sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional controllers and gateways are installed to enable connectivity, then communication capability between chiller and external networks is improved, but device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the communication board with the main control board into a single integrated unit. The communication board includes Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular communication channels, merging multiple communication functions into one component that is directly integrated with the control board, eliminating the need for separate gateways and controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication board is designed with multiple communication channels (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular) that can operate independently or together, providing universal communication capability across different network types. This multi-functional design allows the chiller to connect to various external networks without requiring additional specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional controllers and gateways are installed to enable connectivity, then communication capability between chiller and external networks is improved, but installation time and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication board is factory-integrated with the main control board, combining multiple communication functions into a single pre-assembled unit. This eliminates the need for technicians to install and configure multiple separate devices (gateways, controllers, cables) at the building site, significantly reducing installation time and potential configuration errors.
3Device complexity
If single communication channel is used between control board and communication board, then device complexity is reduced, but data transfer bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The communication board is divided into multiple independent communication channels (Ethernet channel, Wi-Fi channel, cellular channel), each capable of operating separately. This segmentation allows data to be transmitted through multiple parallel paths, increasing overall bandwidth and redundancy without requiring a single complex high-speed channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional communication approach to a multi-dimensional communication architecture by implementing multiple communication channels that operate in parallel. This dimensional expansion of the communication pathway enables higher aggregate data transfer rates while maintaining manageable complexity through modular channel design.
Data Source
AI summary
A chiller includes a housing, a main chiller control board positioned in the housing, a communications board positioned in the housing, a first communication channel between the main chiller control board and the communications board, and a second communication channel between the main chiller control board and the communications board. The second communications channel provides higher bandwidth communications than the first communication channel.