Sensorless Temperature Control in Data Collection Enclosures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data collection apparatuses require the installation of a temperature sensor to control air temperature, which is inconvenient and may lead to erroneous operations due to heat permeation.

Innovation Solution

A data collection apparatus that estimates air temperature using operation and meteorological data without a temperature sensor, employing a management device to control ventilation and communication devices to adjust air temperature based on estimated values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a temperature sensor is installed in the data collection apparatus to control air temperature, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair temperature controlVSAvoidinterface installation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical temperature sensor installation with a virtual temperature estimation system. The estimation means calculates air temperature inside the apparatus by processing operation data from element devices and meteorological data from external sources, substituting the mechanical temperature sensing approach with an information-processing-based solution that avoids additional hardware installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a temperature sensor is installed in the data collection apparatus, then temperature monitoring is improved, but the risk of erroneous operation due to heat permeation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoringVSAvoidheat permeation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary estimation means that calculates temperature based on external meteorological data and internal operation data, rather than directly sensing temperature inside the apparatus. This intermediary approach avoids the harmful effect of heat permeation affecting a physical sensor while still providing accurate temperature information for control purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If operation data and meteorological data are processed to estimate air temperature, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor installationVSAvoidtemperature estimation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the estimated air temperature is continuously used by the temperature control means to adjust ventilation or cooling operations. This closed-loop feedback system continuously refines temperature control based on the estimation, compensating for any potential precision limitations and ensuring reliable temperature management without requiring direct physical sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3751380B1Data collecting device as well as associated data collecting system, control method and program
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3751380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3751380B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3751380B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A management device (100) estimates an air temperature inside a data collection apparatus (10) as an estimated air temperature, based on operation data received from an air conditioner (20) and meteorological data received from a server (30) via a communication device (110). When the estimated air temperature is higher than an operable temperature of the communication device (110), the management device (100) performs control to decrease the air temperature inside the data collection apparatus (10). When a ventilation-in-progress air temperature that is an air temperature inside the data collection apparatus (10) after performing running of the ventilation device (130) is higher than the operable temperature of the communication device (110), the management device (100) transmits to a breaker device (120) a command to stop the communication device (110), thereby decreasing the air temperature inside the data collection apparatus (10). When the ventilation-in-progress air temperature is lower than or equal to the operable temperature of the communication device (110), the management device (100) transmits to the breaker device (120) a command to run the ventilation device (130), thereby decreasing the air temperature inside the data collection apparatus (10).