Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners can malfunction due to noise entering the controller when the optional signal receiving unit is not attached, causing erroneous operation between start and stop states.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design with a controller that includes a first terminal for wireless signal input, a second terminal for switch signal input, and a processor that disables the second terminal until a valid wireless signal is received, using nonvolatile memory to store the enabled or disabled state and switch the second terminal's function based on stored data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the optional signal receiving unit is not attached to the air-conditioner main-body, then the device complexity is reduced and installation labor is decreased, but noise enters the controller through the input terminal causing malfunctions and erroneous operations
Solution Approach 1:
The processor disables the second terminal in advance before any noise interference can occur. This preliminary disabling prevents noise from causing malfunctions, and the terminal is only enabled after a valid wireless signal is received, ensuring reliability without requiring the optional component to be physically attached
2Ease of operation
If the push button switch is configured to reverse the operational state, then ease of operation is improved for lost remote controller scenarios, but noise from the normal contact switch causes erroneous switching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The second terminal dynamically changes its state between disabled and enabled based on whether a valid wireless signal has been received. This dynamic configuration allows the push button switch to function properly when needed while preventing noise-induced erroneous operations when the optional component is not attached
3Ease of operation
If the second terminal remains enabled continuously, then ease of operation is improved for push button functionality, but noise causes malfunctions when the optional component is not attached
Solution Approach 1:
The processor disables the second terminal in advance before noise can cause harm, and only enables it after confirming a valid wireless signal is received. This preliminary disabling action prevents noise interference while maintaining operational ease when the optional component is properly attached
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] The invention provides an air conditioner that can prevent a malfunction due to noise when an optional component is not attached to its air-conditioner main-body. [Means for solving Problem] An air conditioner (1) includes a controller (8) connectable to an option component (10) equipped with a switch (12) used for operation of an air-conditioner main-body (2) and a receiver (11) configured to receive a wireless signal (R) transmitted from a remote control device (6) used to operate the air-conditioner main-body (2), wherein the controller (8) includes: a first terminal (21) to which a signal from the receiver (11) is inputted; a second terminal (22) to which a signal from the switch (12) is inputted; and a processer (13) configured to disable input to the second terminal (22) until the signal from the receiver (11) is inputted to the first terminal (21), and configured to enable input to the second terminal (22) after the signal from the receiver (11) is inputted to the first terminal (21).