Active Climatic Beam Bus Control for Flexible Room Zoning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Managing multiple active climatic beams in air conditioning systems requires multiple independent controllers, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially in large rooms where reconfiguration of spaces is needed without moving or modifying the beams and controllers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication bus system that connects multiple controllers to multiple climatic beams, allowing for centralized control and reconfiguration by distributing inputs and outputs through a network connection unit, enabling independent control of each beam based on room-specific sensor information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple independent controllers are used to control multiple climatic beams, then each beam can be controlled independently, but the system complexity and difficulty of reconfiguration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent control of each climatic beamVSAvoidMultiple controllers required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple independent controllers into a single centralized controller that can manage multiple climatic beams. This single controller integrates the control functions that were previously distributed across multiple separate devices, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control each beam through software or control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized controller is designed with universal functionality to control multiple different climatic beams located in various zones. Instead of requiring specialized controllers for each beam, the single controller can adapt to control multiple beams through programmable interfaces and communication protocols, reducing the total number of controllers needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple controllers are installed for each climatic beam, then precise control is achieved, but reconfiguration of room layouts becomes difficult without moving equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRoom layout reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidEquipment relocation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical reconfiguration requirement with an electronic/software-based solution. The centralized controller uses programmable control logic and communication networks to adapt to different room layouts without requiring physical movement of controllers or beams. Control parameters and zoning can be reconfigured through software, enabling flexible adaptation to space changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable rather than static. The centralized controller can dynamically adjust control parameters, zoning configurations, and communication addresses to match changing room layouts. This dynamic reconfiguration capability allows the system to adapt to new spatial arrangements without physical reinstallation of equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If each climatic beam has an independent controller, then control precision is maintained, but system cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent control capabilityVSAvoidNumber of controllers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent controllers into a single centralized control unit that maintains the ability to independently control each climatic beam. The centralized controller uses separate control channels or communication protocols to manage each beam individually, preserving independent control capability while eliminating the need for multiple separate controller hardware units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2681495B1Control of active climatic beams
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 CARRIER CORP
  • EP2681495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2681495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2681495B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of operating a climatic beam air conditioning system includes operably connecting one or more controllers to two or more climatic beams in two or more locations. Inputs are communicated from the two or more locations to the one or more controllers. Each controller of the one or more controllers is operably connected to two or more climatic beams. Independent commands are communicated to each climatic beam of the two or more climatic beams from the one or more controllers to control operation of the two or more climatic beams based on the inputs communicated from the two or more locations.