Air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner indoor system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The main board in existing air-conditioning apparatus indoor units becomes larger due to the need for multiple connection terminals to accommodate additional functions and expansion units, particularly when a microcomputer is used for controlling these units.
Innovation Solution
An indoor unit with a main board connected to expansion units via an expansion board, which includes terminals compatible with the main board's standards, allowing for centralized control without the need for additional terminals on the main board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection terminals are added to the main board to accommodate additional functions and expansion units, then the control capability and adaptability are improved, but the main board size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into a main board and separate drive boards. Each drive board handles specific additional functions (humidification, ionization, air blowing), while the main board maintains a compact size with minimal terminals. This segmentation allows functional expansion without increasing main board size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces drive boards as intermediary components between the main board and expansion units. The drive boards receive control signals from the main board and directly control the expansion units, eliminating the need for multiple direct connection terminals on the main board.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the main board is made larger to include multiple connection terminals, then more expansion units can be connected, but the air passage and installation flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control architecture into main board + drive boards, the patent enables connection to multiple expansion units through distributed terminals on drive boards rather than requiring a larger main board, thus preserving air passage dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the terminal distribution from a two-dimensional expansion on the main board to a hierarchical structure where drive boards provide additional connection dimensions, allowing multiple expansion units to connect without increasing main board footprint.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a main body including a main board that is provided with a control terminal compatible with a plurality of expansion units. The main board is connected to an expansion board provided with at least one expansion terminal that is a connection terminal compliant with the same standard as the control terminal, and is connected to at least one of the plurality of expansion units via the expansion board.