An air conditioner with air purification function and the control method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioners with integrated air purification filters face issues such as increased airflow resistance, reduced heating/cooling efficiency, and shortened filter life due to filters being used even when pollution levels are below acceptable thresholds.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner with sensors that detect pollution levels and a movement mechanism to automatically position additional filters on the air suction duct when needed, ensuring efficient airflow and extending filter life by only activating filters when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If additional filters are placed along the suction line to improve air purification, then air quality improvement capability is enhanced, but airflow resistance increases and heating/cooling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair qualityVSAvoidheating/cooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the filter position adjustable rather than fixed. The filter can be moved between a retracted position (during heating/cooling operation) and an extended position (during air purification mode). This dynamic positioning allows the system to optimize airflow during heating/cooling while enabling effective filtration during purification mode, thus resolving the contradiction between air quality improvement and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If filters are continuously exposed to airflow to maintain purification readiness, then air purification capability is maintained, but filter life decreases due to unnecessary exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair purification capabilityVSAvoidfilter life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be retracted when air purification is not needed and extended when purification mode is activated. This ensures the filter is only exposed to airflow when actually required for purification, maintaining purification readiness while significantly extending filter life by minimizing unnecessary exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for air purification by pre-positioning the filter in the extended state when pollution levels are detected or purification mode is selected. This preliminary action ensures the filter is ready for immediate operation without requiring continuous exposure, thus maintaining purification capability while conserving filter life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances air quality by selectively positioning filters based on pollution levels, maintaining efficient heating/cooling performance and prolonging filter life by minimizing unnecessary filter exposure to airflow.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor which is disposed in the indoor unit and which detects the pollution level in the environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

one or more than one additional filter which enables particles or gases increasing the pollution level in the environment to be retained

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4703650A1An air conditioner with air purification function and the control method thereof
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 ARCELIK AS
  • EP4703650A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703650A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703650A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an air conditioner (1) comprising an outdoor unit; an indoor unit (2); at least one sensor which is disposed in the indoor unit (2) and which detects the pollution level in the environment; at least one fan which is disposed in the indoor unit; an air suction duct (3); one or more than one additional filter (4) which enables particles or gases increasing the pollution level in the environment to be retained; and a movement mechanism (5) which enables the additional filter (4) to be moved towards the air suction duct (3) when the ambient pollution level detected by the sensor exceeds a value determined by the manufacturer.