Controller for an air conditioning apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioner controllers require manual input of product information, leading to potential errors and high development costs due to individually designed screens for different types of air conditioners, making it inconvenient and time-consuming to switch between different air conditioner types.

Innovation Solution

A controller with a communication device that automatically identifies and displays product information from connected air conditioners, maintaining a constant layout for information display regions, allowing for seamless switching between air conditioner types without user input and reducing the need for multiple program designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual input of product information is required, then the controller can display information corresponding to the product information, but the user experiences inconvenience and potential errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of product information displayVSAvoidconvenience of product information input
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner transmits its own product information (model number, serial number, etc.) automatically to the controller through communication protocols. The controller receives and stores this information without requiring manual user input, thereby eliminating input errors while maintaining accurate product information display

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the air conditioner provides its own identification information to the controller, which then uses this information to retrieve and display the appropriate product-specific screen and operational parameters, ensuring accuracy without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If screens are individually designed for different air conditioner types, then each air conditioner type can be displayed correctly, but the development cost increases and screen switching takes longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of air conditioner type displayVSAvoidcomplexity of program design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller uses a single universal program that can handle multiple air conditioner types. Based on the automatically received product information, the system dynamically selects and displays the appropriate screen template or configuration, eliminating the need for separate individually designed programs for each air conditioner type while maintaining type-specific accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes display parameters and screen configurations dynamically based on the received product information. Instead of having fixed separate programs, the controller adjusts screen parameters, layout, and operational ranges according to the specific air conditioner model connected, achieving type-specific accuracy with a single adaptable program

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If product information is manually input, then the controller can store the information, but time is lost during input and errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct information storageVSAvoidtime for product information input
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner automatically transmits its product information including model number, serial number, and other identification data to the controller upon connection. This self-service information transmission eliminates the time-consuming manual input process while ensuring complete and accurate information storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The product information is prepared and made available for transmission in advance within the air conditioner's memory or firmware. When connected to the controller, this information is automatically sent without requiring user gathering or input, thereby eliminating input time while maintaining complete information storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3007018B1Controller for an air conditioning apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3007018B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3007018B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3007018B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller for an air conditioner according to one aspect includes a communication device configured to communicate with the air conditioner, and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device, wherein, once the communication device is communicatively connected to the air conditioner, the output device receives product information of the air condition from the air conditioner and displays the management screen corresponding to the product information received.