Distributed HVAC Bus Control for Precise Zone Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems lack advanced control and data acquisition techniques, leading to limitations in flexibility, installation ease, user operation, energy efficiency, diagnostic capabilities, and maintenance, resulting in suboptimal temperature and humidity control.
Innovation Solution
A networked HVAC system with multiple components communicating via a data bus, allowing for identity, capability, status, and operational data sharing, enabling advanced control and configuration, improved installation and operation, and enhanced diagnostic capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional HVAC systems are used with basic thermostat control, then the system structure is simple, but the temperature and humidity control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC system is divided into multiple independent subnets, each with its own controller and data bus. This segmentation allows precise control in each zone while maintaining overall system manageability, resolving the contradiction between control precision and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical control architecture with multiple levels (individual devices, subnets, and overall system), adding a dimensional layer to the control structure. This enables precise temperature and humidity control in each dimension while keeping each level's complexity manageable
2Adaptability or versatility
If a networked HVAC system with multiple subnets is implemented, then the flexibility and adaptability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent subnets that can be configured and managed separately. Each subnet operates autonomously with its own controller and data bus, allowing flexible adaptation to different building layouts and requirements without overwhelming system-wide complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces across all subnets. This universality allows different subnets to be interconnected and managed through a common framework, enhancing system flexibility while reducing the complexity of integrating multiple diverse systems
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If advanced communication protocols are used among HVAC components, then the diagnostic capabilities improve, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces subnet controllers as intermediary devices that manage communication between individual HVAC components and the central system. These intermediaries handle complex diagnostic data collection and processing, enabling advanced diagnostic capabilities while shielding end users from the underlying complexity through simplified interfaces
4Loss of energy
If multiple subnets are coupled via a data bus, then the energy efficiency improves through coordinated control, but the reliability decreases due to potential bus failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the HVAC network into multiple independent subnets with separate data buses. This segmentation allows coordinated energy management across subnets while isolating potential bus failures to individual subnets, preventing single-point failures from cascading system-wide and thus improving reliability while maintaining energy efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC data processing and communication network includes a subnet controller and at least one demand unit. A bus interface device associated with the demand unit is configured to receive a demand message from the subnet controller over the network. The bus interface device controls an operation of said demand unit in response to said demand message.