Relay device and multi-split air-conditioning control systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-connection air conditioning systems, the limited length of communication buses restricts effective communication between outdoor and indoor units, leading to network congestion and instability when indoor units act as relays.
Innovation Solution
A relay device with a communication module that operates in master-slave communication mode, featuring first and second communication units for receiving and sending control signals and response signals, and a competitive signal transmission method to manage data transmission, along with a verification and buffer module to ensure correct data exchange, allowing for extended communication distances through a cascade path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If indoor units act as relays to extend communication distance, then communication range is improved, but network congestion and transmission instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication network into multiple isolation segments using relay devices. Each relay device creates separate communication paths, dividing the network into isolated segments that prevent congestion from propagating throughout the entire system. This allows extended communication distance while maintaining stability through segmentation of the communication bus.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device acts as an intermediary between indoor units and the outdoor unit. It receives control signals from the outdoor unit, processes them locally, and forwards only necessary signals to connected indoor units. This intermediary function prevents signal flooding and reduces network congestion while extending communication reach.
2Productivity
If relay indoor unit transmits multiple data simultaneously, then communication efficiency is improved, but network congestion and transmission failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device implements periodic signal transmission with defined time slots for different communication tasks. Control signals and response signals are transmitted in separate periodic cycles, preventing simultaneous transmission conflicts. This periodic action maintains communication efficiency while ensuring reliable transmission by avoiding signal collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device performs preliminary processing of control signals before forwarding them to indoor units. It pre-filters and pre-processes signals to determine which ones need to be transmitted, reducing the volume of simultaneous transmissions. This preliminary action prevents network congestion by avoiding unnecessary signal propagation.
3Area of stationary object
If communication bus length is increased to cover complex spatial structures, then spatial coverage is improved, but signal attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device serves as an intermediary that receives strong signals from the outdoor unit and regenerates them for further transmission to distant indoor units. This intermediary function compensates for signal attenuation by re-amplifying and re-transmitting signals, enabling coverage of large spatial areas without excessive signal loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path is segmented into multiple shorter segments by introducing relay devices at strategic locations. Instead of one long communication bus suffering from cumulative attenuation, the signal travels through multiple shorter segments, each with acceptable attenuation levels. This segmentation enables coverage of complex spatial structures while maintaining signal quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay device and a multi-split control system that achieve reliable communication between an outdoor air conditioning unit and multiple indoor units under the condition that the length of a communication bus is limited. The system expands the communication distance by a cascade path formed by a plurality of relay devices. The cascade path transmits control signals sent by a master control device/a specific slave control device (i.e. a slave control device communicating with the master control device or certain relay device) to corresponding slave control devices one by one, and the corresponding slave control devices transmit the signals to the master control device/specific slave control device according to a response signal fed back by the control signal, where the relay devices may respectively communicate with a source node device and a destination node device on the basis of the master-slave type communication mode.