Intermediary Data Collector for Facility Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems primarily collect operation data necessary for managing facility equipment, neglecting the collection of useful data beyond this scope.

Innovation Solution

A data-collecting apparatus that relays communication between a management apparatus and facility equipment, collecting surplus data based on a distinct collection condition separate from the management apparatus's collection, utilizing a communication unit to connect with both the management apparatus and facility equipment, and transmitting this surplus data to a data-utilizing apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the management apparatus collects operation data from facility equipment, then the facility equipment can be managed effectively, but useful operation data beyond management needs is not collected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuseful operation dataVSAvoiddata collection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a data-collecting apparatus as an intermediary device between the management apparatus and facility equipment. This intermediary collects surplus operation data that the management apparatus does not need, thereby preventing information loss without requiring the management apparatus itself to become more complex. The data-collecting apparatus acts as a dedicated mediator that handles the additional data collection function separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data collection function into two separate components: the management apparatus that collects data necessary for facility management, and the data-collecting apparatus that collects surplus operation data. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its specific function, preventing the management apparatus from becoming overly complex while ensuring comprehensive data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If the management apparatus collects all operation data, then comprehensive data is available, but the load on the management apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation dataVSAvoidmanagement apparatus load
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the surplus data collection function from the management apparatus and assigns it to a separate data-collecting apparatus. The management apparatus continues to collect only the data necessary for facility management, while the data-collecting apparatus extracts and collects the surplus operation data. This extraction reduces the load on the management apparatus while ensuring comprehensive data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If a separate data collection system is implemented, then surplus data can be collected, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurplus operation dataVSAvoidcommunication system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data-collecting apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data collection device for surplus operation data and as a communication relay between the management apparatus and facility equipment. By making the data-collecting apparatus universal in its functions, the patent minimizes the need for additional dedicated devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while still achieving comprehensive data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4236344B1Data collection device
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4236344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4236344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4236344B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is a problem that useful operation data except part of the operation data collected from facility equipment by a management apparatus is not collected. A data-collecting apparatus (10) collects operation data (23) from at least one piece of facility equipment. The data-collecting apparatus (10) includes a communication unit (11, 11a, 11b) and a data-collecting unit (12). The communication unit (11, 11a, 11b) is connected to a network that connects a management apparatus and the facility equipment. The data-collecting unit (12) collects, with the communication unit (11, 11b), the operation data (23) from the facility equipment on the basis of a second collection condition (C2), which is different from a first collection condition at a time when the management apparatus collects operation data (22) from the facility equipment.