Environment control system, and air conditioner or air conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environment control systems, if one device malfunctions and fails to communicate via a serial communication bus, it causes communication failures for all connected devices, preventing the control unit from controlling electronic equipment, such as air conditioners, from continuing operations.
Innovation Solution
An environment control system with a control unit and a serial communication bus that includes sub communication lines with switching units to disconnect malfunctioning devices, allowing normal devices to continue operating by identifying and isolating the failed device through sequential opening and closing of switching units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If devices are connected in a daisy-chain configuration via a serial communication bus, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but a malfunction in one device causes communication failure for all devices
Solution Approach 1:
The communication bus is segmented into multiple independent communication lines, each connecting the control unit to a specific device or group of devices. This segmentation isolates communication paths so that a malfunction in one device does not affect other devices, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
Switching units are introduced as intermediary components between the control unit and devices. These switching units can selectively connect or disconnect communication paths, enabling the system to maintain simple daisy-chain wiring while adding the functionality to isolate failures and ensure reliable communication.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single serial communication bus is used to connect all devices, then the wiring is minimal and installation is easy, but the system cannot continue operation when a device malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The communication topology is made dynamic through switching units that can change connection states based on device status. When a device malfunctions, the switching unit isolates it, allowing the system to dynamically reconfigure and continue operation with remaining devices, thus maintaining productivity while keeping installation simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the connection parameter (connected/disconnected) of devices dynamically through switching units. This allows the system to transition from a static daisy-chain configuration to a flexible topology where malfunctioning devices can be isolated, ensuring operational continuity without complicating installation.
3Extent of automation
If the control unit communicates with all devices simultaneously, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but a single failure causes complete system control loss
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is segmented across multiple independent communication lines. Each line monitors a specific device or group, allowing the control unit to maintain comprehensive monitoring capability while isolating failures to individual segments, thus preventing complete system control loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit receives status information from each device through dedicated communication lines. This feedback enables the control unit to identify malfunctioning devices and switch them out of the communication network, maintaining reliable system control while preserving automated monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An environment control system includes: a control unit; a serial communication bus including a main communication line having a first end connected to the control unit and first to Nth (N: an integer of 2 or more) sub communication lines branched off from a second end of the main communication line; devices connected to the first to Nth sub communication lines; and switching units disposed on all the first to Nth sub communication lines and configured to connect and disconnect the devices to and from the control unit. Each of the first to Nth sub communication lines is connected to one or more of the devices.