HVAC Room Controller Coordination for Movable Wall Layout Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building automation systems require re-programming and re-configuration when room layouts change, leading to inefficiencies and discomfort due to simultaneous heating and cooling in zones with independent HVAC controllers.
Innovation Solution
An automatic master-slave system where controllers detect layout changes, self-configure, and learn from each other, with one controller acting as a master and others as slaves to coordinate temperature control, eliminating the need for explicit re-programming and ensuring energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent HVAC controllers are used in each room, then each room can be controlled independently, but simultaneous heating and cooling may occur in the same space leading to energy inefficiency and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent HVAC controllers into a coordinated master-slave system. When rooms are combined (partitions removed), controllers automatically form a master-slave relationship where the master controller coordinates heating and cooling operations across all slave controllers, preventing simultaneous heating and cooling in the same space while maintaining independent control capability when rooms are separated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the control architecture based on physical layout changes. Controllers can transition between independent operation mode and coordinated master-slave mode automatically detecting partition status and room configuration changes, optimizing energy efficiency while preserving independent control when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual re-programming is performed when layout changes, then the system can adapt to new configurations, but the process is time-consuming and requires intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC control system performs self-configuration and self-adaptation when layout changes occur. Controllers automatically detect partition status changes, identify new room configurations, and re-establish master-slave relationships without manual intervention, eliminating the time-consuming manual re-programming process while maintaining full adaptability to layout changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors physical layout conditions through sensors and controller communications, using this feedback to automatically adjust control architecture. When partition status changes are detected, the system receives feedback about the new configuration and automatically re-configures itself, enabling real-time adaptation without manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If controllers work independently in combined spaces, then each controller maintains its control logic, but temperature coordination and comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The master controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates temperature control across multiple slave controllers. It receives temperature data from all zones, determines optimal heating and cooling requirements for the combined space, and distributes coordinated control commands to slave controllers, ensuring temperature reliability while maintaining simple local operation at each controller.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic master slave system and approach for coordinated control of a parameter, for example, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning condition, in an area of multiple spaces controlled by room controllers. Changing a layout of a zone/area in a building such as moving, adding or removing a door, increasing or splitting size of a room through movable walls, or by permanently removing partitions, changing offices to a conference room or vice versa, may occur. A size of a room may be altered within minutes, according to customer demand. For instance, rooms may be converted into a single room by removing partitions. The controllers that were controlling temperatures of the rooms independently earlier, may convert automatically into a master-slave configuration and now work together to control a larger room. If the large room is split into multiple rooms, the controllers may automatically revert to their previous configuration.