System and method for scheduling a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system in accordance with a programmable schedule
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems face challenges in seamless interoperability with other building management system components due to proprietary control systems, making it difficult to integrate them into overall building management systems.
Innovation Solution
A scheduling system for VRF systems that includes a controller with a schedule engine generating scheduled control point values, a gateway for communication, and an I/O interface, allowing for programmable scheduling and control of Outdoor Units (ODUs) and Indoor Units (IDUs), enabling integration with other building management systems through open protocols like Modbus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary control systems are used in VRF systems, then the system can be controlled effectively at a single site, but seamless interoperability with other building management system components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the proprietary VRF control system and the building management system. The gateway translates proprietary control signals into standard protocols like Modbus, enabling seamless interoperability while maintaining the original control effectiveness of the VRF system.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device serves multiple functions: it acts as a protocol translator, a communication bridge, and an integration interface. By supporting multiple protocols and communication methods, the gateway enables the proprietary VRF system to work universally with various building management systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gateway is introduced for communication between controller and I/O interface, then interoperability with building management systems is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway consolidates multiple translation and communication functions into a single device, preventing the need for multiple separate components. This intermediary approach adds minimal complexity while achieving maximum interoperability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway combines protocol translation, communication handling, and interface management into one integrated device. By merging these functions, the system avoids the complexity of multiple separate components while maintaining full interoperability capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A scheduling system includes a controller executing a schedule engine that is configured to generate one or more scheduled control point values for one or more ODUs and/or one or more IDUs of a VRF system in accordance with the programmable schedule. A gateway is configured to provide a first communication channel between the controller and an I/O interface of the VRF system. The controller is configured to communicate the one or more scheduled control point values to the I/O interface of the VRF system via the gateway. At least one controller of the VRF system receives the one or more scheduled control point values via the I/O interface of the VRF system and controls the at least one ODU and/or the at least one IDU in accordance with the one or more scheduled control point values.