Smart Actuator with Web Server for Reprogrammable HVAC Control Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional actuators in HVAC systems and refrigerated cabinets lack the ability to implement automatic corrective actions for fault conditions and have inflexible control logic, making it difficult to update or access data, leading to installation errors and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

An actuator system with a control chip that hosts a web server, enabling wireless communication and reprogrammable control logic, allowing for real-time monitoring, fault detection, and corrective actions, as well as access to a dashboard for visualization and control via a personal computing device or cloud-based resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional actuators are used with fixed control logic, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate due to inability to update control logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol logic reprogrammabilityVSAvoidactuator system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control chip is designed to perform multiple functions: it executes control logic, hosts a web server, and provides wireless communication capabilities. This multi-functionality allows the actuator to be both simple in hardware design and highly adaptable through software reprogramming, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control logic transitions from being static and fixed to dynamic and reprogrammable. The ability to update control logic remotely via wireless communication allows the actuator to adapt to changing requirements without physical modifications, maintaining simplicity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If conventional actuators without web server are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and data accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access and control capabilityVSAvoidactuator system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The web server acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the user's computing device. It provides a familiar web-based interface for accessing actuator data and controlling operations, making the system easy to operate without requiring specialized knowledge of the underlying complex hardware and communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical interfaces (buttons, displays, wired connections) with wireless web-based interfaces. This substitution allows users to access and control actuators remotely through standard web browsers, significantly improving ease of operation while the complexity is encapsulated within the actuator's electronic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If actuators with fault detection capability are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection and corrective action capabilityVSAvoidactuator system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator implements continuous monitoring of its operational parameters and fault conditions, with results fed back to the control logic. This feedback mechanism enables automatic detection and corrective actions for faults, improving reliability while the web server provides a interface for monitoring these feedback signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator is designed to automatically detect faults and implement corrective actions without external intervention. This self-service capability improves reliability by immediately responding to fault conditions, while the complexity of the monitoring and correction systems is managed through integrated control logic on the control chip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If firmware updates are made difficult in conventional actuators, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware update capabilityVSAvoidfirmware management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control chip is pre-configured with the capability to receive and execute firmware updates remotely. This preliminary preparation allows for easy future updates without requiring complex update management infrastructure, enabling adaptability while keeping firmware management simple through the web server interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4199476A1Reprogrammable smart actuator or refrigerated cabinet with web server

Publication Date: 2023.06.21 JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HLDG LLP

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AI summary

An actuator includes a motor, a drive member coupled to the motor and structured to transfer movement from the motor to an external mechanism, and a control chip configured to host a web server, connect with a wireless communication network and provide access to the web server via the wireless communication network, and control the motor using reprogrammable control logic. The reprogrammable control logic is adjustable by a user via the web server and the wireless communication network.