Air conditioning system

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems face difficulties in implementing LAN settings, especially when the adapter is installed at a height different from other household devices, making it challenging to connect the air conditioner to a wireless LAN.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning system incorporates a remote controller that can be used to set up LAN connections, with display and sound units for notification, and an adapter attached inside the air conditioner, allowing LAN settings to be implemented regardless of the adapter's location, and reducing the need for physical access to the adapter's buttons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the adapter is installed at a height different from other household devices, then the air conditioner can be connected to the network, but it becomes difficult to access the adapter buttons for LAN settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation location flexibilityVSAvoidLAN settings accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile terminal as an intermediary device to perform LAN settings on the adapter. Instead of directly operating the adapter buttons which are hard to reach, the user operates the mobile terminal which then communicates with the adapter to configure LAN settings. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by making settings accessible through a different interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing operation on the physically inaccessible adapter with a wireless communication-based configuration method. The mobile terminal sends configuration commands wirelessly to the adapter, eliminating the need for physical access to the adapter's button interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a common wireless LAN adapter is used, then network connection is enabled, but settings must be entered at the adapter's physical location which may be difficult to access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidsettings configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal serves as an intermediary that simplifies the configuration process. Instead of dealing with complex physical settings at the adapter location, the user interacts with a user-friendly interface on the mobile terminal which handles the complex configuration commands automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual interface on the mobile terminal that replicates the adapter's configuration functions. This copied interface allows users to perform settings without physically accessing the original adapter, making the configuration process as simple as operating a smartphone application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If the adapter is attached inside the air conditioner, then installation labor is reduced, but physical access to buttons for settings becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsettings accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent completely replaces the mechanical button-pressing interface with a wireless communication interface. Since the adapter is enclosed inside the air conditioner, physical access is impossible. The solution uses wireless signals from the mobile terminal to transmit configuration commands through the air conditioner's internal components to the adapter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal acts as an external intermediary that communicates with the internally-mounted adapter through wireless signals. This allows configuration of the enclosed adapter without any physical access to its buttons, resolving the contradiction between easy installation and settings accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3088810B1Air conditioning system
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3088810B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3088810B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3088810B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an air conditioning system in which LAN settings can be easily implemented regardless of where adapters are installed. An air conditioner (10a, 10b) has a remote controller (15a, 15b) for transmitting operation information to an indoor unit (11a, 11b). The air conditioner (10a, 10b) can be operated by the remote controller (15a, 15b). An adapter (20a, 20b) is attached to the air conditioner (10a, 10b) in order to connect the air conditioner (10a, 10b) to a LAN (35) and transmit information obtained from the air conditioner (10a, 10b) through the LAN (35). The air conditioner (10a, 10b) is configured so that settings pertaining to the LAN (35) can be implemented in the adapter (20a, 20b) using the remote controller (15a, 15b).