Containerized BMS Engines for Field Controller Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building management systems (BMS) rely on expensive hardware engines for communication with field equipment controllers, which are difficult to replace and cause significant downtime and high replacement costs, and establishing communication with IP-based field equipment controllers is challenging.
Innovation Solution
Implementing software-based containerized engines as intermediators to monitor and control field equipment controllers, allowing for easy addition or removal without heavy replacement costs and providing hardware-agnostic solutions with additional computing power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware engines are used for communication between server and field equipment controllers, then communication reliability is maintained, but replacement cost and downtime increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware engines (mechanical/physical system) with software-based containerized engines (virtualized system). This substitution allows the communication function to be maintained while enabling easy deployment, replacement, and management through software containers, eliminating the need for expensive hardware replacements and reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of engine functionality through containerized software instances. Multiple containerized engines can run simultaneously on the same hardware platform, providing redundancy and enabling seamless replacement without physical hardware constraints. The containerized approach allows rapid copying and deployment of engine instances.
2Stability of the object's composition
If hardware engines are used for communication, then system stability is ensured, but cost and complexity of replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical hardware engines with virtualized containerized software engines. This substitution maintains system stability through consistent software behavior while dramatically simplifying the replacement process. Containerized engines can be deployed, stopped, and replaced through software operations without physical disassembly, cable reconfiguration, or hardware compatibility issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The containerized engine architecture provides universal functionality across different hardware platforms. The same containerized engine image can run on various server configurations, eliminating hardware-specific complexity. This universality allows standardized replacement procedures regardless of underlying hardware differences.
3Reliability
If conventional hardware engines are used, then communication control is maintained, but adaptability to different field equipment controllers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements containerized engines that can be configured to communicate with various types of field equipment controllers through standardized interfaces. The containerized architecture allows flexible adaptation to different communication protocols and device types while maintaining reliable control functions. This universality enables a single platform to support multiple controller types and protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The containerized engine provides dynamic adaptability to different field equipment controllers. Containers can be configured, updated, and scaled dynamically based on communication requirements. The software-based approach allows real-time adaptation to different device protocols and communication patterns without hardware reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a building management system (BMS) comprising one or more field equipment controllers, and at least one containerized engine configured within a server to control the one or more field equipment controllers.