Indoor Unit Packet Scheduling for Lower Air Conditioner Bus Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased communication load between indoor and outdoor units in multi-type air conditioners, caused by connecting a central controller to the indoor unit, leads to communication delays and potential failures due to high occupancy rates in the communication line.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner employs periodic communication by the indoor unit, transmitting periodic packets to both the outdoor unit and the central controller at predetermined periods, and rearranges these packets to decrease the communication load by splitting data and adjusting transmission periods, thereby reducing the overall load on the communication line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a central controller is connected to the indoor unit through a communication line, then control flexibility and communication speed are improved, but communication load between the outdoor unit and indoor unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication packets are segmented into multiple types (first type packets for essential control data, second type packets for additional data). The indoor unit selectively transmits only first type packets to the outdoor unit, while maintaining separate communication channels with both the outdoor unit and central controller. This segmentation reduces the communication load on the outdoor-indoor link while preserving control flexibility.
2Reliability
If periodic communication transmits all necessary data packets, then communication reliability is improved, but communication line occupancy rate increases causing delays and failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates essential control data from additional data within periodic packets. Only essential data (first type packets) are transmitted to the outdoor unit through the shared communication line, while additional data are handled through direct communication with the central controller. This extraction maintains communication reliability for critical functions while improving overall communication efficiency by reducing line occupancy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the indoor unit transmits periodic packets to both outdoor unit and central controller, then system functionality is improved, but communication load on the outdoor-indoor link increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication data into two categories: first type packets containing essential control information transmitted to the outdoor unit, and second type packets containing additional information transmitted to the central controller. This segmentation enables the system to maintain full functionality while reducing the communication load on the outdoor-indoor link by offloading non-critical data transmission.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~3
AI summary
An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit; an indoor unit; and a central controller connected to the indoor unit through a communication line. The indoor unit performs periodic communication for transmitting a plurality of periodic packets to at least one of the outdoor unit and the central controller at predetermined periods, and changes and transmits the plurality of periodic packets so as to decrease load of the periodic communication.