Control device, heat exchange system, and recording medium recording program

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning systems face challenges in efficiently transferring and updating setting information after replacing the outdoor control board, leading to time-consuming manual input and potential erroneous settings due to unknown previous states.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a controller and communicator system, utilizing a first and second storage medium for synchronization processing, allows setting information to be transferred and updated from external equipment, ensuring consistent and accurate operation control post-replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If setting information is manually input to a new outdoor control board after replacement, then the board can be operated, but it takes time and effort and may cause erroneous settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of setting information inputVSAvoidtime for setting information input

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a detachable storage medium to store setting information that can be copied to the outdoor control board. When the board is replaced, the storage medium is attached to the new board and the setting information is automatically transferred, eliminating manual input requirements and reducing both time and potential for errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The setting information is saved in a detachable storage medium before the outdoor control board is replaced. This preliminary action ensures that when replacement occurs, the information is already prepared and can be automatically transferred without requiring manual re-entry, thus saving time and preventing errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If setting information is saved in a detachable storage medium before board replacement, then the state before replacement can be recovered, but the setting information cannot be updated after replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery of setting informationVSAvoidability to update setting information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable storage medium serves multiple functions: it stores setting information for recovery after replacement and also allows for updates of setting information. The medium can be used both to preserve historical settings and to incorporate new settings, making the system both reliable and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes a communicator that receives setting information from external equipment and updates the storage medium. This feedback mechanism allows the setting information to be updated after board replacement while maintaining the ability to recover original settings, thus achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the outdoor control board is replaced, then the abnormality is resolved, but the setting information is lost and must be re-entered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation of heat exchange systemVSAvoidsetting information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The setting information is copied to a detachable storage medium that can be transferred to the new outdoor control board. This copying process prevents information loss during board replacement, ensuring that the new board immediately has access to all necessary settings while the system operates reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable storage medium acts as an intermediary between the old and new outdoor control boards. It preserves the setting information from the old board and transfers it to the new board, preventing information loss and ensuring continuous reliable operation of the heat exchange system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12540745B2Control device, heat exchange system, and recording medium recording program

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 HITACHI JOHNSON CONTROLS AIR CONDITIONING INC

AI summary

A controller includes a first storage storing setting information used for operation control of a heat exchange system that exchanges heat between fluid and a heat medium. The controller executes operation control using the setting information. A communicator includes a second storage medium storing setting information used for the operation control, the communicator communicates with external equipment, the controller and the communicator are mounted on an identical outdoor unit, an identical indoor unit, or an identical central control panel. The controller and the communicator execute synchronization processing between the setting information stored in the first storage and the setting information stored in the second storage, and in a case where the setting information stored in the second storage has been changed in response to a request from the external equipment, the communicator transmits the changed setting information to the controller in the synchronization processing.