Air Conditioner Lighting Unit for Multi-Function Information Display

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners lack the ability to implement various functions through lighting, with existing lighting primarily limited to indicating the unit's operation status, and do not effectively utilize lighting to enhance user experience or expand functionality.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner with a setting unit for selecting functions to be embodied with lighting, a storing unit for illumination pattern information, and a control unit that connects the selected function to the appropriate illumination pattern, driving the lighting unit to display patterns associated with the chosen function, including active, therapy, mood, and object description lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the display means uses LCD or LED panel with letters, then information can be displayed, but the user must come closer to the indoor unit to grasp details and the function is limited to display only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay capabilityVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional LCD/LED panel display (mechanical/optical system requiring physical proximity) with a lighting-based information display system that uses light emission patterns, colors, and sequences to convey operational status and information, allowing users to view details from a distance without requiring physical closeness to the indoor unit

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

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting apparatus is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides aesthetic illumination, indicates operational status, displays information through patterns and colors, and enhances user interaction. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate display components, resolving the limitation of single-function display systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If the lighting function is limited to notifying operation status, then the air conditioner can indicate its state, but other ways of utilization are not adequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational status indicationVSAvoidfunctionality expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting apparatus is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides aesthetic illumination, indicates operational status, displays information through patterns and colors, and enhances user interaction. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate display components, resolving the limitation of single-function display systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes variations in lighting parameters (color temperature, brightness, emission patterns, sequences) to convey different types of information and provide different functions. By changing these parameters dynamically, the lighting apparatus can adapt to various operational modes and provide diverse functionalities beyond simple status indication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the air conditioner to provide a more versatile and user-friendly experience by using lighting to convey operational information, enhance ambiance, and promote comfort through customizable illumination patterns, expanding its functionality beyond basic temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

a lighting unit (70) to be lit according to a predetermined illumination pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2884195B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2884195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2884195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2884195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a setting unit for setting a predetermined function to be embodied with lighting, a storing unit for storing at least one illumination pattern information, a control unit for connecting the function inputted with the setting unit to an illumination pattern stored in the storing unit, and a lighting unit to be lighted according to the illumination pattern information connected by the control unit.