Centralized Air Conditioner Feedback Control Across Multiple Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioner management systems lack a user interface that can reflect user feedback for optimal operation and energy saving, requiring direct user adjustment of set values and lacking centralized control for multiple air conditioners in different zones.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner management system with a user interface device that generates feedback data based on user opinions, transmitted to a central management device to calculate and set optimal operation values for air conditioners, using weights and learning algorithms to adjust settings based on user input and historical data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user interface that directly adjusts set values is provided, then user control flexibility is improved, but user satisfaction deteriorates due to arbitrary operation and energy waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control flexibilityVSAvoidenergy waste from arbitrary operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system collects feedback data from multiple users about their comfort levels and operational preferences, then uses this feedback to automatically adjust air conditioner settings. The feedback mechanism transforms arbitrary user inputs into structured data that informs centralized control decisions, reducing energy waste while maintaining user satisfaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized management device acts as an intermediary between users and air conditioner controls. Instead of users directly adjusting settings, their feedback is transmitted to the management device, which processes the information and sends optimized control commands back to the air conditioners, preventing arbitrary operation while preserving user preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If direct user adjustment of air conditioner set values is allowed, then individual user preferences are satisfied, but collective user satisfaction deteriorates due to conflicting operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual user preference satisfactionVSAvoidcollective user satisfaction consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges feedback from multiple users into a unified control strategy. By collecting and processing feedback data from all users in a zone, the centralized management device synthesizes a consensus-based control command that satisfies collective preferences rather than individual conflicting demands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized management device mediates between conflicting user preferences by processing all feedback data and determining optimal settings that balance individual needs with collective satisfaction, preventing one user's arbitrary adjustments from negatively impacting others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If centralized management control is implemented, then energy saving and optimal operation are improved, but user interface capability deteriorates due to lack of direct user interaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy saving through centralized controlVSAvoiduser interface interaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains user interaction through a feedback interface where users can express their comfort levels and preferences. This feedback mechanism provides users with a sense of control and involvement while the centralized management device processes the information to achieve energy-saving optimization, balancing automation with user engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple air conditioners in different zones are managed independently, then zone-specific control flexibility is improved, but system-wide optimization deteriorates due to lack of centralized coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezone-specific control flexibilityVSAvoidsystem-wide operational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized management device performs multiple functions: it collects feedback from various zones, processes the data according to different zone requirements, and sends optimized control commands to each air conditioner. This multi-functional approach maintains zone-specific flexibility while achieving system-wide optimization through unified management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9971365B2Air conditioner management system comprising a user interface device and a central management device and method for controlling air conditioner by the air conditioner management system

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An air conditioner management system and a method for controlling an air conditioner are disclosed. A user interface device provides a user interface to sense a user measure indicating a user opinion regarding operation of an air conditioner, generates feedback data associated with the sensed user measure, and transmits the generated feedback data. A central management device receives and stores the feedback data transmitted by the user interface device and calculates a set value to control the air conditioner based on the received feedback data and previously stored feedback data.