Control device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning control devices fail to effectively manage airflow direction and rate during both air-cooling and air-warming operations, leading to discomfort due to drafts and inefficient temperature distribution, especially in vertical directions within a space.

Innovation Solution

A control device that dynamically adjusts the swing patterns and time intervals of flaps in air conditioning apparatuses based on operation modes and indoor temperature conditions to optimize airflow direction and rate, ensuring comfort and efficient temperature distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the flap performs continuous downward blowing for 60 seconds, then the air conditioning efficiency is improved by resolving temperature distribution, but the user experiences discomfort due to draft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair conditioning efficiencyVSAvoiddraft discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements periodic swing action where the flap alternates between downward blowing and horizontal blowing positions at predetermined intervals. This periodic switching resolves temperature distribution issues while preventing continuous direct airflow to the user, thereby eliminating draft discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the flap position between two states (downward blowing and horizontal blowing) based on predetermined time intervals. This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize air conditioning efficiency while preventing harmful draft effects on the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the flap transitions quickly between horizontal and downward blowing (12 seconds), then the temperature distribution is resolved faster, but the air conditioning cannot reach the corners of the space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap transition speedVSAvoidair coverage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device uses periodic swing action with predetermined intervals to alternate between horizontal and downward blowing positions. This periodic operation allows air to reach corners of the space while still resolving vertical temperature distribution effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the airflow rate is increased when discharge temperature is high, then the air conditioning efficiency is improved, but the user experiences discomfort due to strong airflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair conditioning efficiencyVSAvoidstrong airflow discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device alternates the flap between downward blowing and horizontal blowing positions at predetermined intervals. This periodic switching allows high airflow rate operation to improve air conditioning efficiency while preventing continuous strong airflow from directly reaching the user and causing discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2484986B1Control device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2484986B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2484986B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2484986B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for controlling the swing action of an air conditioning apparatus and improving the level of comfort within a room. A control device (4) is a control device (4) for controlling a swing action for causing flaps (22a-22d) of an air conditioning apparatus (1) to swing up and down, the control device (4) comprising an operation mode determining section (41a), a swing pattern storage area (42), and a control command generator (41 e). The operation mode determining section (41a) determines at least an air-cooling operation mode and an air-warming operation mode, which are operation modes of the air conditioning apparatus (1). The swing pattern storage area (42) stores a plurality of swing patterns which are varieties of information pertaining to the swing action. The control command generator (41 e) generates a control command of the air conditioning apparatus (1) on the basis of the swing pattern that corresponds to the result determined by the operation mode determining section (41a) from among the plurality of swing patterns.