Air Conditioner Human Body Sensing Using Radio Wave Antenna Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face issues with human body sensing methods that can violate privacy, have poor scalability, and require terminals, limiting effective energy consumption and comfort control.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner equipped with a human body sensing antenna unit featuring IR-UWB antenna arrays and a switch system that detects movement and presence of human bodies within a space, allowing for zone-specific sensing and reducing the need for motor-driven rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional PIR sensors are used to sense human bodies, then motion detection is achieved, but privacy violations occur and terminals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional PIR sensors with a radio wave-based antenna unit that detects human presence through body reflection without requiring visual or thermal monitoring, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while eliminating privacy concerns associated with camera-based or infrared sensing systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If motor-driven rotation is used to enable antenna unit to sense all directions, then full space coverage is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing space into multiple predetermined zones and uses multiple antenna arrays positioned at different locations to cover different zones simultaneously, eliminating the need for motor-driven rotation while achieving complete spatial coverage through static segmented sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single rotating antenna to multiple stationary antenna arrays distributed in three-dimensional space, using spatial segmentation to achieve omnidirectional sensing capability without mechanical movement
3Device complexity
If single antenna array is used, then device complexity is reduced, but sensing precision and coverage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing space into multiple zones and positions multiple antenna arrays to cover different zones, with each array providing precise detection for its designated area, thereby achieving high overall sensing precision through distributed segmentation rather than a single complex array
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 energy efficiency and comfort by accurately sensing human presence and movement, reducing energy consumption while maintaining privacy and scalability, and eliminating the need for motor-driven rotation, thus lowering manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna unit configured to sense (i) movement of human bodies within the space or (ii) presence of human bodies located in the space
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit. The air conditioner further includes an indoor unit located in a building and configured to distribute cool air to a space within the building. The air conditioner further includes an antenna unit configured to sense (i) movement of human bodies within the space or (ii) presence of human bodies located in the space and determine a number of human bodies based on the sensed presence, where the antenna unit includes a housing and a plurality of antenna arrays located on an outer surface of the housing.