Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners with electrostatic atomizing devices face issues such as complex construction, ozone generation, and reduced device life due to inadequate humidity and temperature detection, leading to inefficient operation and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with an electrostatic atomizing device that includes suction temperature and humidity detecting means, allowing operation only within a defined permission region to prevent noise and ozone generation, ensuring simple construction, extended device life, and energy savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cooling surface temperature detecting means is added to detect Peltier element temperature, then electrostatic atomizing control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Peltier element drive power source utilizes its own discharge current as a feedback signal to control the cooling surface temperature, eliminating the need for separate temperature detecting means. The control means adjusts the drive power source output based on discharge current variations, which naturally reflect temperature changes, achieving self-service temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical temperature detection system (temperature sensor) with an electrical measurement system (discharge current measurement). By measuring the electrical discharge current instead of physical temperature, the system achieves temperature control without additional temperature detecting hardware
2Measurement precision
If suction temperature detecting means and humidity detecting means are provided, then electrostatic atomizing control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control means uses discharge current from the Peltier element drive power source as a feedback signal to infer environmental conditions and control atomization, eliminating the need for separate suction temperature and humidity detecting means. The system self-regulates based on electrical characteristics that reflect environmental state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical environmental sensing systems (temperature and humidity sensors) with an electrical measurement approach. By monitoring discharge current characteristics, the system indirectly measures environmental parameters without requiring dedicated sensor hardware
3Device complexity
If electrostatic atomizing device operates without humidity detection, then device complexity is reduced, but abnormal sound generation and ozone production occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control means implements feedback control by monitoring discharge current from the Peltier element drive power source and adjusting operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect when environmental conditions are unsuitable for atomization and prevent harmful operations without requiring separate humidity sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical humidity sensing with electrical discharge current measurement. The discharge current characteristics provide information about environmental humidity conditions, allowing the system to prevent abnormal operation through electrical measurement rather than mechanical sensing
4Power
If Peltier elements operate at maximum power in low humidity conditions, then dew-point temperature is not reached, but ozone generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control means uses discharge current as feedback to monitor Peltier element operation and environmental conditions. When discharge current indicates that dew-point temperature cannot be reached even at maximum power, the control means reduces or stops operation to prevent ozone generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of Peltier element power output based on real-time discharge current measurements and environmental conditions. Rather than operating at fixed maximum power, the system continuously adjusts power levels to maintain optimal atomization conditions and prevent harmful byproducts
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The air conditioner effectively generates a desired electrostatic mist within the defined operation region, avoiding noise and ozone production, while prolonging the device's life and achieving energy savings by restricting operation based on detected temperature and humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic atomizing device includes Peltier elements
Implementation Method 2
a high voltage power source for applying a high voltage to a high voltage electrode
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An operation permission region of an electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is defined depending on the temperature and humidity of air sucked into an indoor unit. If a temperature detected by a suction temperature detecting means 92 and a humidity detected by a humidity detecting means 94 fall within the operation permission region, operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is permitted, while if any one of the temperature detected by the suction temperature detecting means 92 and the humidity detected by the humidity detecting means 94 is out of the operation permission region, the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 18, 18A is prohibited.