Wireless Mesh HVAC Control to Reduce Centralized Load and Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC control systems face complexity in wiring, high computational loads for routers and central controllers, and reliability issues due to centralized data transmission and control, especially in medium to large-scale buildings.
Innovation Solution
A building HVAC control system utilizing a wireless mesh network with sensing nodes, control nodes, and router nodes that communicate directly, allowing for decentralized data transmission and control command generation, reducing reliance on servers and simplifying wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard wiring is used to connect sensors, central controller, and HVAC devices, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and wiring complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard wiring system with a wireless communication system. Sensors, controllers, and HVAC devices communicate via wireless signals instead of physical wire connections, eliminating the complex wiring infrastructure while maintaining system reliability through redundant wireless communication paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the centralized control system into distributed wireless mesh nodes. Each node (sensor, controller, HVAC device) operates semi-independently in the wireless network, allowing local decision-making and reducing the complexity burden on any single component while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Device complexity
If centralized control architecture is used with a central controller, then system control is simplified, but computational load on the central controller increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control architecture into multiple distributed wireless mesh nodes. Each node performs local processing and control decisions, segmenting the computational load away from a single central controller. This distribution improves reliability since individual node failures do not collapse the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where wireless mesh nodes can adapt their roles and functions based on real-time conditions. Nodes can dynamically route data, perform local control, or coordinate with other nodes, providing flexibility that enhances reliability while maintaining manageable control complexity.
3Device complexity
If centralized data transmission through a central controller is used, then data management is simplified, but data transmission load on the central controller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data transmission into distributed peer-to-peer communications among wireless mesh nodes. Each node processes and manages its own data locally, transmitting only necessary information to neighboring nodes. This segmentation reduces the computational load on any single node while maintaining simplified data management through standardized communication protocols.
4Device complexity
If a central controller is used for HVAC control, then control strategy implementation is simplified, but the system becomes vulnerable to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements control strategy segmentation by distributing control functions across multiple wireless mesh nodes. Each node can independently execute control strategies for its associated sensors and HVAC devices, eliminating the single point of failure vulnerability while maintaining controlled implementation through coordinated node operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary layer between sensors and HVAC devices. This intermediary enables distributed control nodes to coordinate and implement control strategies without requiring a physical central controller, reducing vulnerability while maintaining strategic control implementation.
Data Source
AI summary
A building HVAC control system is provided, including at least one wireless mesh network. The wireless mesh network includes a plurality of wireless mesh nodes, the wireless mesh nodes include: at least one sensing node, configured to communicate with sensors installed in a building and obtain measured environment data collected by the sensors; at least one control node, configured to communicate with HVAC equipment, and send control commands to the HVAC equipment; at least one router node, configured to transmit data between the wireless mesh nodes, and transmit data between the wireless mesh nodes and the router. The wireless mesh nodes can perform device-to-device communications by transmitting and receiving wireless signals through the mesh without passing through the server, thereby enabling efficient, multi-node control loops that add no additional computational load to the server while increasing the safety of data transmission and the overall reliability of the HVAC control system.