Air conditioner and indoor unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioners with black light-receiving windows experience communication failures due to noise from fluorescent lamps, as they have high infrared transmittance, which reduces the effective communication distance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a combination of a black light-receiving window with high infrared transmittance and a white light-receiving window made of transparent resin with a white pigment, positioned between the black window and the light-receiving element, to maintain communication distance while reducing fluorescent lamp noise interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If a black light-receiving window with high infrared transmittance is used, then the communication distance is maintained, but noise from fluorescent lamps enters the window causing communication failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication distanceVSAvoidfluorescent lamp noise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light-receiving window is segmented into two distinct layers: a black light-receiving window layer with high infrared transmittance for maintaining communication distance, and a white light-receiving window layer with low transmittance in the visible spectrum for blocking fluorescent lamp noise. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light-receiving window structure are assigned different optical properties: the black window layer provides high infrared transmittance while the white window layer provides noise blocking. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by having each part optimized for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a white light-receiving window is used, then fluorescent lamp noise is blocked, but the communication distance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluorescent lamp noise blockingVSAvoidcommunication distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The light-receiving window is segmented into two distinct layers: a black light-receiving window layer with high infrared transmittance for maintaining communication distance, and a white light-receiving window layer with low transmittance in the visible spectrum for blocking fluorescent lamp noise. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light-receiving window uses a composite structure combining black and white window materials with different optical properties. The black layer (e.g., black acrylic resin) provides infrared transparency while the white layer (e.g., white resin) provides noise blocking, creating a composite solution that achieves both goals simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Shape

If a black light-receiving window is used for design suitability, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but noise interference from fluorescent lamps increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidfluorescent lamp noise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light-receiving window is segmented into two distinct layers: a black light-receiving window layer with high infrared transmittance for maintaining communication distance, and a white light-receiving window layer with low transmittance in the visible spectrum for blocking fluorescent lamp noise. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light-receiving window structure are assigned different optical properties: the black window layer provides high infrared transmittance while the white window layer provides noise blocking. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by having each part optimized for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration maintains a stable communication distance for infrared signals even when the air conditioner is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp, enhancing reception performance without compromising design aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a first light-receiving window to allow the infrared signal to pass through the first light-receiving window, the first light-receiving window having transmittance equal to or greater than a first value in a first wavelength range that is an infrared wavelength range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared transmittance: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a second light-receiving window disposed between the first light-receiving window and the light-receiving element and having transmittance equal to or greater than a second value in the first wavelength range, the second value being smaller than the first value, and the second light-receiving window being made by a transparent resin with a white pigment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption by pigment: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3431892B1Air conditioner and indoor unit
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3431892B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3431892B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3431892B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes: a remote controller that transmits an infrared signal containing operation instruction information; and an air-conditioner main body. The air-conditioner main body includes a black window (4), a light-receiving element (3), and a white window (5). The black window (4) allows the infrared signal to pass therethrough and has transmittance equal to or greater than a first value in a first wavelength range that is an infrared wavelength range. The light-receiving element (3) receives the infrared signal. The white window (5) is disposed between the black window (4) and the light-receiving element (3) and has transmittance equal to or greater than a second value in the first wavelength range, the second value being smaller than the first value. A ratio of transmittance of the white window (5) in a second wavelength range to the transmittance of the white window (5) in the first wavelength range is smaller than a ratio of transmittance of the black window (4) in the second wavelength range to the transmittance of the black window (4) in the first wavelength range, the second wavelength being a range of wavelengths shorter than the wavelengths in the first wavelength range.