HVAC Fault Diagnosis Interface Using Causal Parameter Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC control systems require operators to navigate through multiple screens of dense information to diagnose and remediate faults, making it inefficient to detect and address anomalies in HVAC system operations.
Innovation Solution
A building management system that includes a communications interface connected to HVAC devices, a device identifier to identify these devices, a fault detector to identify fault conditions, and a user interface generator to create a data-driven user interface displaying relevant system parameters and allowing operators to modify these parameters directly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If current HVAC control systems display dense information across multiple screens, then operators can access comprehensive system data, but operators require excessive time to navigate and diagnose faults
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the comprehensive system data into organized groups and categories (e.g., fault-related parameters, operational parameters, system components) and presents them in a structured hierarchical format. This allows operators to access comprehensive information while navigating through logically organized sections rather than dense unstructured data across multiple screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting faults, identifying relevant parameters, and pre-organizing the displayed information based on the detected fault condition. When a fault is detected, the system proactively retrieves and displays only the parameters relevant to that specific fault, eliminating the need for operators to manually search through all system parameters.
2Loss of time
If the system displays all system parameters on a single interface, then operators can quickly access relevant information, but the interface becomes overly complex and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into multiple organized sections or tabs (e.g., fault detection, parameter display, control functions, historical data) rather than presenting all information in a single dense view. Each section contains specific subsets of parameters relevant to that function, reducing cognitive load while maintaining comprehensive accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional flat display to a multi-dimensional hierarchical structure where parameters are organized by category, importance, and relationship to the detected fault. This allows operators to navigate through layers of information (e.g., general system status → specific fault area → detailed parameters) rather than searching across a flat complex interface.
3Measurement precision
If the system provides detailed fault information, then operators can accurately diagnose issues, but the information presentation becomes dense and hard to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail in different interface areas. Critical fault information is highlighted with prominent visual indicators and concise descriptions, while detailed technical parameters are organized in structured tables or expandable sections. This allows operators to quickly grasp the essential fault nature while accessing detailed information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color coding and visual indicators to differentiate between various fault severity levels, parameter types, and system states. Critical faults are highlighted with醒目的 colors, while normal operational parameters are displayed in neutral tones. This visual differentiation helps operators quickly interpret the significance of displayed information without being overwhelmed by text density.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system (BMS) operates a plurality of HVAC devices to affect a physical state or condition and detects a fault condition at a second HVAC device affected by the physical state or condition and having causal relationships with the plurality of HVAC devices such that faulty operation of one or more of the plurality of HVAC devices causes a detectable effect at the second HVAC device. The BMS identifies, based on the fault condition, a predetermined set of system parameters corresponding to the fault condition and comprising a plurality of system parameters of the plurality of HVAC devices that are potential causes of the fault condition. The BMS retrieves operating data for the predetermined set of system parameters and transmits a signal to display a user interface comprising the operating data on a display screen.