Hierarchical Air Conditioner Control Without Separate Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner control systems are inefficient in managing multiple air conditioners simultaneously without separate control devices, leading to high costs and operational challenges, especially in large-scale spaces or under high load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical control system where main and sub-controlling air conditioners manage groups of air conditioners, determining control authority based on user input and predefined settings, allowing for efficient operation and adaptation within the system without the need for separate control devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple air conditioners are controlled without separate control devices, then cost is reduced, but control efficiency and reliability deteriorate under high load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple air conditioners that each possess control capabilities. Instead of using a single centralized controller, the system divides control functions across multiple units, where each air conditioner can act as a controller for others in the network. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through distribution while avoiding the need for expensive separate control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Air conditioners are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as controlled devices and as control devices simultaneously. Each air conditioner unit can function as a controller for other air conditioners in the network, eliminating the need for dedicated separate control devices. This universal design reduces overall system cost while maintaining control capabilities through the air conditioners themselves.
2Productivity
If a hierarchical control structure is implemented among air conditioners, then control efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is organized into hierarchical segments with main controlling air conditioners and sub-controlling air conditioners. This segmentation allows control tasks to be divided and distributed across different levels of the hierarchy, improving control efficiency for large numbers of air conditioners while managing complexity through structured organization rather than requiring all units to handle all control decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
Sub-controlling air conditioners act as intermediaries between main controlling air conditioners and controlled air conditioners. This intermediary role distributes control traffic and decision-making, improving overall control efficiency by preventing any single air conditioner from becoming a bottleneck, while the hierarchical structure manages complexity by organizing interactions through defined roles.
3Ease of operation
If air conditioners determine control hierarchy autonomously, then ease of operation is improved, but control precision and authority determination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Air conditioners automatically determine their own roles and control hierarchies through autonomous decision-making based on their operational states and network conditions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual configuration, greatly improving ease of operation. The system automatically resolves control authority questions through predefined algorithms that consider factors like operational status, capacity, and network position.
Solution Approach 2:
The control hierarchy determination process uses feedback from operational states and network conditions to dynamically assign and adjust control roles. Air conditioners continuously exchange information about their status and capabilities, allowing the system to automatically determine appropriate control authorities based on real-time conditions, thus managing the complexity of authority determination through structured feedback mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, an air conditioner controlling system, and an air conditioner controlling method. The air conditioner controlling system includes one or more controlled air conditioners, a main controlling air conditioner having control authority over, from among the one or more controlled air conditioners, one or more controlled air conditioners that belong to an upper rank group corresponding to the main controlling air conditioner, and a sub-controlling air conditioner having control authority over, from among the one or more controlled air conditioners, one or more controlled air conditioners that belong to a first lower rank group.