HVAC Controller Dynamic Web Interface for Equipment Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monitoring and control interfaces for HVAC equipment are difficult to generate and customize, often requiring specialized software and being inflexible for different HVAC devices.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic web interface system for HVAC equipment that includes a controller with control logic, an equipment model, and a web server to generate a web portal dynamically, using Common Gateway Interface scripts and a communication interface to transmit data to client devices, allowing for customization and adaptation to various HVAC devices without hardcoding data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional monitoring and control interfaces are generated by a computer system receiving data points from HVAC equipment, then the interface can present data points to users, but the interface requires specialized software to be installed on the user device and is difficult to generate and customize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a web server as an intermediary component that generates web-based interfaces using standard HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This web server acts as a mediator between the HVAC equipment data and the user's web browser, eliminating the need for specialized client software while maintaining data presentation capabilities. The web server dynamically generates web pages that can be viewed on any device with a web browser.
2Adaptability or versatility
If web interfaces are used for HVAC equipment, then specialized software installation is not required, but the interfaces are difficult to generate and customize to particular HVAC devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic interface generation where the web server automatically creates customized web pages based on the specific HVAC device type and configuration. The system dynamically selects and presents relevant data points, controls, and interface elements based on the connected equipment, allowing the same web server to adapt to different HVAC devices without manual customization or hardcoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes interface parameters dynamically based on the HVAC device being monitored. The web server adjusts which data points are displayed, what controls are available, and how the interface is structured based on device-specific parameters, enabling customization without requiring separate interface designs for each device type.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional interfaces are used, then data presentation is possible, but customization to different HVAC devices requires changes to the interface software
Solution Approach 1:
The web server implements self-service interface generation by automatically creating customized web interfaces based on the HVAC device it is connected to. The system retrieves device information and data point definitions from the equipment itself or configuration files, then autonomously generates the appropriate web page structure, controls, and data presentation without requiring manual intervention or pre-programming for each device type.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for a rooftop air handling unit includes control logic configured to generate a control signal for the HVAC device using values for one or more variables monitored by the controller. The controller includes an equipment model that links specific instances of data objects to the variables used by the control logic and a view definition that identifies one or more of the data objects. The controller includes a web server configured to dynamically generate a web portal that includes one or more of the data objects identified by the view definition. The controller includes a communications interface that provides the web portal to a client device.