Acoustic Occupancy Detection for Central Air-Conditioning Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central-type air-conditioning systems face challenges in reducing energy consumption without compromising comfort and complexity in system configuration, particularly due to the need for human detecting sensors in each room, which can lead to erroneous determinations and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning control system using auxiliary controllers and a main controller that communicate to set operating modes based on sound wave reception strength from a portable apparatus, eliminating the need for human detecting sensors by utilizing sound waves that are easily obstructed by objects, allowing accurate determination of a person's presence in each area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If human detecting sensors are installed in each room to enable energy-saving operation, then energy consumption can be reduced, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sound waves as an intermediary to detect human presence. Instead of installing complex human detecting sensors in each room, the system utilizes sound waves emitted from portable devices (mobile phones, tablets) that people carry. The auxiliary controllers in each room receive these sound waves and determine human presence based on sound wave strength, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining energy-saving capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic human detecting sensor system with an acoustic field-based detection system. By substituting physical sensors with sound wave reception, the system achieves simpler configuration and lower cost while still enabling accurate detection of human presence for energy-saving operation
2Loss of energy
If human detecting sensors are installed in each room to detect occupancy, then energy-saving operation can be achieved, but erroneous determination occurs depending on person position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having each auxiliary controller in each room independently detect sound waves locally. The sound wave strength is evaluated at each specific location (room), and the operating mode is determined based on local detection results. This localized detection approach ensures accurate determination of human presence in each specific area, avoiding erroneous determination that occurs with centralized or poorly positioned sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sound wave strength and provides feedback to determine whether to switch between normal operating mode and energy-saving operating mode. When sound wave strength exceeds a threshold, the system switches to normal mode; when below the threshold, it switches to energy-saving mode. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures reliable and accurate detection of human presence, preventing erroneous determination
3Ease of operation
If human detecting sensors are installed in each room, then occupancy detection is enabled, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the auxiliary controllers multi-functional by having them perform both air-conditioning control functions and human presence detection functions. The same auxiliary controllers that regulate air-conditioning in each room also detect sound waves to determine occupancy. This universal use of existing components eliminates the need for separate human detecting sensors, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining occupancy detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sound waves from portable devices that people already carry and use daily. These portable devices serve the dual purpose of their original function and as a source of detection signals for occupancy detection. By utilizing resources people already have (their portable devices), the system achieves occupancy detection without requiring additional expensive sensors, thereby reducing overall system cost
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces energy consumption while maintaining comfort and simplifying system configuration by accurately determining occupancy through sound wave reception, thereby optimizing energy usage without the need for complex sensor systems.
Implementation Method 1
The sound wave receiving unit receives sound waves that are outputted from a portable apparatus that is capable of outputting sound waves
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning control system, which controls a central-type air-conditioning system, includes a plurality of auxiliary controllers respectively set in a plurality of areas and a main controller capable of communicating with each auxiliary controller. Each auxiliary controller includes a sound wave receiving unit, which receive sound waves that are outputted from a portable apparatus capable of outputting sound waves, and a sound wave strength information transmitting unit which transmits, to the main controller, sound wave strength information indicating sound wave reception strength. By the main controller, a first operating mode is set for at least a single area in which the auxiliary controller of a transmission source for specific sound wave strength information, which indicates a sound wave strength that is a predetermined threshold or higher is set, and a second operating mode is set for at least one of the remaining areas.