Multi-Channel Communication Network with Short-Circuit Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning systems are vulnerable to communication failures due to short circuits in the communication lines, which can render all connected devices inoperable.

Innovation Solution

A communication network system with multiple transmission channels and impedance components that prevent the propagation of short-circuit states between channels, ensuring uninterrupted communication and operation of connected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmission channels are connected to enable comprehensive device communication, then communication coverage is improved, but the risk of system-wide failure due to short circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidsystem failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication network is divided into multiple independent transmission channels (first transmission channel and second transmission channel), where each channel operates separately. The third device connects these channels but prevents short-circuit state propagation, ensuring that a failure in one channel does not affect the other channels. This segmentation approach maintains comprehensive communication coverage while reducing system-wide failure risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The third device serves as an intermediary between the first and second transmission channels. It electrically connects the channels to enable comprehensive communication, but simultaneously isolates short-circuit states through its internal design (using impedance components), preventing failure propagation while maintaining channel connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If transmission channels are electrically connected to enable device communication, then communication capability is improved, but the propagation of short-circuit states between channels increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidshort-circuit state propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The third device acts as an intermediary that electrically connects the first and second transmission channels to enable communication capability, while its internal impedance components prevent the propagation of short-circuit states between channels. This allows the system to maintain communication functionality without the harmful effect of failure propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The third device exhibits different electrical properties for different signal types: it allows normal communication signals to pass through while blocking short-circuit state propagation. This local quality differentiation enables the device to simultaneously provide communication capability and prevent harmful factor propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single communication line is used to connect all devices, then system complexity is reduced, but the impact of short circuits on the entire system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidshort-circuit impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single communication line, the system is divided into multiple transmission channels with independent pathways. The third device connects these segmented channels while preventing short-circuit propagation, thereby reducing the impact of short circuits on the entire system while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4280620B1Communication network system
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4280620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4280620B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4280620B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A communication network system (90) includes a first transmission channel (50), a second transmission channel (60), a first device (70), a second device (20), and a third device (10). The second transmission channel (60) is different from the first transmission channel (50). The first device (70) is connected to the first transmission channel (50) and is not connected to the second transmission channel (60). The second device (20) is connected to the second transmission channel (60) and is not connected to the first transmission channel (70). The third device (10) electrically connects the first transmission channel (50) and the second transmission channel (60). The third device (10) does not transmit a short-circuit state occurring in one of the first transmission channel (50) and the second transmission channel (60) to a transmission channel other than the one of the first transmission channel (50) and the second transmission channel (60), thereby enabling communication between devices connected to the transmission channel other than the one.