Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
In separation type air conditioners, the need for manual switching between different communication speeds for control information signals between the indoor and outdoor units complicates installation, increases the risk of setting errors, and raises product costs due to the requirement for manual changeover switches and associated circuits.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner incorporates a communication speed recognizing mechanism within the indoor unit's control device, which automatically identifies the communication speed of control information signals without the need for a manual changeover switch, using multiple communication means and a communication speed recognizing function to confirm the appropriate communication means for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual changeover switch is provided to select communication speed, then communication between indoor and outdoor units can be established, but installation work becomes complicated and setting errors are likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically detects the communication speed of control information signals from the outdoor unit and autonomously selects the appropriate communication means, eliminating the need for manual switch configuration by installation workers
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the communication parameter (communication speed) automatically by detecting the characteristics of incoming signals and adapting the communication means accordingly, rather than requiring manual parameter setting
2Adaptability or versatility
If a manual changeover switch and associated circuits are provided, then communication speed can be selected, but product costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple communication speeds and communication means (power line communication and carrier wave communication), eliminating the need for separate hardware switches and circuits for each communication mode
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the manual changeover switch and associated switching circuits from the system, retaining only the essential communication functionality while removing the costly and error-prone manual switching components
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication means are provided, then communication compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically selects and switches between different communication means (power line communication or carrier wave communication) based on the detected communication speed of incoming signals, rather than maintaining fixed parallel pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intelligent intermediary that automatically mediates between different communication protocols and speeds, translating and adapting signals without requiring manual intervention or complex parallel hardware pathways
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a new air conditioner which can recognize a communication speed of an input signal without providing a manual changeover switch. In the control device 12 of the indoor unit 11, a plurality of communication means 14a to 14c having different communication speeds; communication speed recognizing means 18 for recognizing whether or not a communication line 15 from an outdoor unit 10 is connected to any of the communication means, from the communication speed of the control information signal; and communication means confirmation means 18 for confirming the communication means that performs the following communication based on the recognized communication speed, are provided. According to this, it is possible to recognize the communication speed of an input signal without providing a manual changeover switch. Therefore, it is possible to solve at least one or more of the problems that the installation work is complicated, that a setting error of the changeover switch is likely to be generated, and that the product prices increase.