Controlling Device Operating Volume Limit Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control solutions that use operating volume upper and lower limit values in temperature controllers often lead to invalidation of limiting procedures due to the higher-level device overriding settings, causing loss of control purpose and lack of awareness for operators regarding changes in operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A controlling device with separate storage units for higher-level and user-set operating volume upper and lower limit values, along with selectors and processors to compare and apply the smaller or larger values as needed, and alarm units to notify operators of special situations, ensuring valid limiting procedures and operator awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the higher-level device sets operating volume limit values to control energy consumption, then energy management capability is improved, but the reliability of limiting procedures deteriorates due to settings being overridden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operating volume limit value settings into two distinct storage areas: one for higher-level device settings and another for lower-level device settings. This segmentation allows both levels to maintain their own limit values independently, preventing the higher-level device from overriding lower-level settings and thus maintaining the reliability of limiting procedures while preserving energy management capability.
2Extent of automation
If the higher-level device overrides operating volume limit values, then centralized control is improved, but loss of information occurs regarding original settings and control purpose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lower-level device's original operating volume limit value settings and stores them in a separate storage area that is protected from being overwritten by higher-level device settings. This extraction preserves the original settings information, preventing loss of information while allowing centralized control through the higher-level device's ability to set its own limits.
3Device complexity
If a single operating volume limit value is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when multiple control levels are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single operating volume limit value into multiple independent limit values stored in separate storage areas, one for each control level. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to multiple control levels with different requirements while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the use of standard storage and comparison mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A controlling device includes an operating volume upper limit value OH1 storage unit that stores an operating volume upper limit value OH1 set from a device on a higher-level side, an operating volume upper limit value OH2 storage unit that stores an operating volume upper limit value OH2 set by an operator, an upper limit value selector that compares the operating volume upper limit values OH1 and OH2, and using the smaller as an operating volume upper limit value OH to be used in an upper limit limiting procedure, a control calculator that calculates an operating volume MV, and an upper limit processor that performs the upper limit limiting procedure to control the operating volume MV, calculated by the control calculator, to a value that is no greater than the operating volume upper limit value OH used by the upper limit value selector.