VRF/VRV Gateway Integration for Remote BMS Monitoring via Mobile App
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building management systems (BMS) lack an effective solution for remote monitoring and control of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) and volume (VRV) systems, leading to challenges in seamless integration with other building systems and increased maintenance costs due to the absence of out-of-the-box remote monitoring and control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application is used to configure Modbus protocol devices and integrate VRF/VRV systems with a gateway, enabling remote monitoring, control, and diagnosis through a seamless interoperability with BMS, utilizing a gateway with Ethernet and RS485 ports, and a mobile app that maps physical to logical gateways, automatically configuring Modbus channels and establishing point sharing between systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VRF/VRV systems use proprietary control systems, then the systems can be controlled effectively at the site, but remote monitoring and control become difficult and integration with BMS is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between the VRF/VRV system and the BMS. The gateway translates proprietary control protocols into standard communication protocols, enabling remote monitoring and control while maintaining the original system's control effectiveness. The gateway acts as a bridge that converts control commands and status information between different protocol formats.
2Reliability
If VRF/VRV systems use proprietary control systems, then the systems can operate independently, but integration with overall BMS lacks seamless interoperability
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols simultaneously. It can interface with various VRF/VRV system proprietary protocols while also communicating with BMS using standard protocols like Modbus, BACnet, or MQTT. This universal capability enables the system to maintain independence while achieving seamless integration with overall building management infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If remote monitoring and control is implemented without a gateway, then system complexity is reduced, but integration capability and remote access functionality are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the VRF/VRV control units, the gateway device, and the BMS. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its own complexity level while the gateway handles the integration logic. The gateway is a standalone device that can be configured independently, allowing remote monitoring capabilities to be added without complicating the core VRF/VRV system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system having an enabling remote monitoring, control and diagnosis of variable refrigerant flow or volume systems, with other systems of a building/overall BMS with a mobile application (app) so that buildings can have seamless interoperability. In the present disclosure or solution, VRF systems along with mechanical equipment, controllers, sensors, actuators may be offered by OEMs. A mobile app may be used to configure the gateway, Modbus or other protocol devices and all or any IDUs and ODUs of the VRF/VRV systems, to enable extended remote monitoring, control and diagnosis.