Cloud based building automation systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC control systems face inefficiencies due to unique building conditions and changing environmental factors, requiring tedious and time-consuming onsite modifications of control algorithms to maintain optimal energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based control system with onsite and offsite components, allowing remote monitoring and updating of control algorithms using wireless communication, enabling the service provider to efficiently modify and optimize HVAC operations across multiple buildings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control algorithms are modified onsite to optimize HVAC efficiency for unique building conditions, then the system adapts to specific building characteristics, but the modification process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the HVAC control system in the cloud, allowing algorithm modifications to be tested and developed remotely. This virtual replica enables extensive customization and testing without requiring repeated onsite visits, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing modification time.
Solution Approach 2:
A cloud-based intermediary platform is introduced between the HVAC system and the control algorithm developer. This intermediary enables remote access, simulation, and modification of control algorithms, eliminating the need for direct onsite intervention and significantly reducing the time required for algorithm optimization.
2Reliability
If control algorithms are extensively monitored onsite to ensure effectiveness, then the system reliability is improved, but the monitoring process requires extended periods and substantial time investment
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops that continuously monitor HVAC performance and algorithm effectiveness in real-time. This automated feedback mechanism provides continuous reliability assurance without requiring extended manual monitoring periods, as the system self-evaluates and reports on algorithm performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Control algorithms are extensively tested and validated in the cloud environment before being deployed to the actual HVAC system. This preliminary action ensures algorithm effectiveness is verified in advance, reducing or eliminating the need for extended onsite monitoring periods while maintaining high reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If control algorithms are customized for each unique building, then energy efficiency is optimized, but the implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based platform provides a universal interface and toolset that can be applied across multiple buildings with different characteristics. This universal platform handles building-specific customizations through standardized processes, maintaining optimized energy efficiency while reducing implementation complexity through reuse of proven algorithms and templates.
Solution Approach 2:
Successfully developed and tested control algorithms can be copied and adapted to similar buildings through the cloud platform. This copying approach maintains energy efficiency optimization for each building while significantly reducing implementation complexity by avoiding redundant development work.
4Adaptability or versatility
If control algorithms are updated frequently to adapt to changing conditions, then the system remains optimized, but the update process becomes more tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based system maintains a virtual copy of the control algorithms that can be updated and tested independently of the running HVAC system. This allows frequent updates to be made in the cloud environment and deployed remotely, maintaining adaptability to changing conditions while making the update process easier by eliminating the need for repeated onsite interventions.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A control system for operating the HVAC systems within a building to control the environmental conditions within a building having an onsite component networked to a remote offsite component. The onsite component monitors the conditions within the building and operates the HVAC systems, while the offsite component can be used by the system provider to communicate updates to the onsite component and monitor the effectiveness of the control algorithms used to operate the HVAC systems. The invention includes the method of providing tailored HVAC related controls, reports, notices and diagnostic services to a client under various subscription plans.