Control device, control method, program and recording medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning control methods in production factories are inefficient in maintaining constant temperature without wasting power, as they require complex data correlations and prior understanding of environmental and operational conditions, making it difficult to adapt to changing factory layouts and operational states.

Innovation Solution

A control device that divides air conditioners into two groups: one operating regardless of facility state and the other adjusting based on facility operational state, using power consumption thresholds to optimize cooling and heating operations, thereby reducing waste and maintaining constant temperature without detailed environmental data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a high-capability air conditioner is used to suppress temperature raise caused by heat radiation, then the temperature control capability is improved, but wasted power consumption increases when the production line stops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioners are divided into a first group and a second group. The first group operates regardless of facility state to maintain baseline temperature, while the second group operates based on facility operational state to handle additional cooling demands during heat-generating operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operational state of air conditioners in the second group is dynamically adjusted based on the operational state of the facility. When the facility operates and generates heat, these air conditioners activate; when the facility stops, they deactivate, preventing wasted energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the operational capability of air conditioners is set by changing preset temperature based on environmental data, then wasted power consumption is suppressed, but the system complexity increases due to need for environmental data collection and analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the temperature control function from a single complex system and distributes it across multiple simpler air conditioner units with different operational modes. This eliminates the need for complex environmental data analysis while achieving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Each air conditioner in the second group autonomously determines its operational state based on facility operational status without requiring complex centralized control or environmental data processing. The system self-regulates based on simple operational cues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If air conditioners are controlled based on facility operational state, then energy efficiency is improved, but the temperature stability may be compromised when facility state changes frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Air conditioners in the first group operate in advance and continuously to establish baseline temperature conditions before facility operations begin. This preliminary cooling ensures that when the facility starts generating heat, the temperature can be quickly stabilized without fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The first group of air conditioners provides uniform baseline cooling across the facility regardless of operational state, creating a homogeneous temperature foundation that stabilizes the overall environment while the second group provides variable cooling as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP2746688B1Control device, control method, program and recording medium
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 OMRON CORP
  • EP2746688B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2746688B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2746688B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A control device (50) is provided with a control unit (53) that divides a plurality of air conditioners (21 to 28) into a first group and second group, operates the air conditioners belonging to the first group regardless of the operational state of production lines (11 to 19), and controls the operation of the air conditioners belonging to the second group according to the operational state of the production lines (11 to 19).