Air conditioner

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air-conditioning apparatuses require a new program to be created for each new model, limiting the ease of increasing the number of models and complicating maintenance and management.

Innovation Solution

An air-conditioning apparatus with a controller that stores device information and reads control parameters and programs from an external storage device, allowing for flexible control of various devices based on their types, enabling easy expansion of model varieties without needing a new overall program.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single program is used to control all devices in the air-conditioning apparatus, then the control system is simple, but the number of models cannot be easily increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidnumber of models

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control program is divided into device-specific segments, where each device (compressor, fan, etc.) has its own control program and parameters stored separately in the storage unit. The controller reads and executes only the relevant device control programs based on device information, allowing independent configuration of each device type without requiring a complete program rewrite for new models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed with universal functionality to read and execute control programs for multiple different device types from a common storage unit. By using device information to identify and load appropriate control programs, the same controller hardware can support various models and device configurations, making the system adaptable to different air-conditioning apparatus models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a new program is created for each new model of air-conditioning apparatus, then the control is precise for each model, but the number of models cannot be easily increased and maintenance becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidease of increasing models

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control program is segmented into device-specific modules stored in the storage unit, with each device type (compressor, fan, valve) having its own control parameters and logic. This allows precise control for each device while avoiding the need to create entirely new programs for new models - only the specific device program segments need to be added or modified.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Control programs and parameters for various devices are pre-stored in the storage unit during manufacturing. When a new model is introduced, the corresponding device control programs are already available in the storage unit, eliminating the need for program creation at the time of model deployment and simplifying both manufacturing and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If control programs and parameters are stored internally in the controller, then the system is self-contained, but updating and expanding models requires modifying the controller itself

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem self-containmentVSAvoidease of model expansion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control programs and parameters are extracted from the controller's internal memory and stored in a separate storage unit (such as a removable storage device or external memory). This allows the controller to remain stable and self-contained for execution, while the storage unit can be easily updated, replaced, or expanded to support new models without modifying the controller hardware or firmware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage unit acts as an intermediary between the controller and the device control programs. The controller reads control programs from the storage unit based on device information, allowing the system to expand to new models by simply adding or updating programs in the storage unit without touching the controller itself, thus maintaining controller stability while enabling model expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3540322B1Air conditioner

Publication Date: 2022.11.23 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

An air-conditioning apparatus includes a plurality of devices including at least a compressor, and a controller which stores device information indicating the kinds of the devices. The controller includes: a program organizer which reads out a control parameter and a control program for a device which is indicated by kind by the device information, from an external storage device which stores control parameters and control programs for the devices; and a refrigeration cycle control unit which controls the device in accordance with the control program read out by the program organizer.