Air Conditioner Camera-Based Wind Control for Indoor Space Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioners fail to efficiently adjust indoor temperature and humidity, leading to slow temperature distribution, temperature deviations, excessive cooling/heating, and high power consumption due to lack of consideration for the structure and size of the indoor space.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner system that adjusts wind direction and volume based on indoor space information, obtained through a camera, to optimize air discharge and distribution, using a control unit to analyze indoor space images and control air direction and volume accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If air conditioner operates with basic fixed wind direction and air volume, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature distribution efficiency deteriorates and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature distribution efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary analysis of indoor space structure using camera images before air conditioning operation begins. This preliminary action captures spatial information about walls, ceiling, and floor to pre-determine optimal wind directions and air volumes, enabling efficient temperature distribution from the start without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing systems with optical camera-based measurement. Instead of using multiple physical sensors throughout the space to detect temperature distribution, the system uses camera images to analyze indoor space structure and calculate optimal air discharge parameters, substituting mechanical measurement with optical field-based analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If air conditioner uses fixed basic air volume and wind direction, then ease of operation is improved, but temperature adjustment speed deteriorates and temperature deviation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature adjustment speedVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary capture and analysis of indoor space structure before operation begins. The control unit uses camera images to identify walls, ceiling, and floor, then pre-calculates optimal wind directions and air volumes based on the captured spatial configuration, enabling fast temperature adjustment without requiring complex real-time control decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The air conditioner system performs self-configuration by automatically analyzing its own installation environment using the camera and control unit. The system independently determines optimal operational parameters based on captured indoor space images, eliminating the need for manual setup or complex user interaction while achieving fast temperature adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If air conditioner operates without considering indoor space structure, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates causing overcooling and overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control accuracyVSAvoidspace analysis system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera and control unit serve multiple functions: capturing indoor space structure, identifying walls and ceiling, calculating optimal wind directions, and determining air discharge volumes. This multi-functional approach achieves reliable temperature control without adding separate dedicated components for each function, maintaining system simplicity while improving temperature distribution accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical temperature sensing and adjustment systems with optical-based space analysis. Instead of using multiple temperature sensors and complex feedback mechanisms to achieve uniform temperature distribution, the system uses camera images to analyze space structure and pre-determine optimal air discharge parameters, achieving reliable temperature control through optical field analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Use of energy by moving object

If air conditioner uses basic fixed operational parameters, then power consumption is increased due to extended operation time, but device complexity remains low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250369643A1Air conditioner and method for controlling same based on indoor space image including relative positions of walls, ceiling, and floor

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Provided are an air conditioner and a control method thereof. The air conditioner may include a wind direction controller that changes the direction of air being discharged, an air volume controller that changes the amount of air being discharged, a camera that obtains an image of indoor space and provides an indoor space image, and a control unit that controls the wind direction controller and the air volume controller, wherein the control unit finds indoor space information based on the indoor space image, and controls at least one of the wind direction controller and the air volume controller based on the indoor space information.