Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners require separate components and settings for indoor-unit and outdoor-unit power receiving systems, leading to increased manufacturing and installation costs, as well as potential operational failures due to incorrect settings.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with an indoor unit and outdoor unit that automatically switches between indoor-unit and outdoor-unit power receiving systems using a communication circuit and power-supply control circuit, determining the system based on communication feasibility, eliminating the need for separate settings and components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate components and settings are provided for indoor-unit and outdoor-unit power receiving systems, then the air conditioner can support both power receiving configurations, but the device complexity and component cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control board is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both indoor-unit power receiving system and outdoor-unit power receiving system configurations. The same control board can detect communication line connections and automatically adapt to either power receiving mode, eliminating the need for separate control boards for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control board automatically detects whether the communication line is connected to the outdoor unit and self-configures the power receiving system accordingly. This self-detection and self-configuration capability eliminates the need for manual setting by installation technicians and automatic switching between power receiving modes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual setting is required during installation to configure power receiving system, then the air conditioner can be adapted to installation conditions, but the ease of operation and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control board automatically detects the connection status of the communication line to the outdoor unit and self-configures the power receiving system without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates the need for installation technicians to perform setting operations, reducing installation time and potential for errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The control board detects feedback signals from the communication line connection status to determine whether the outdoor unit is connected. Based on this feedback, the control board automatically switches between indoor-unit power receiving mode and outdoor-unit power receiving mode, enabling adaptive configuration without manual setting.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate control boards are prepared for each power receiving type, then the manufacturing precision and product quality are maintained, but the productivity and handling cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal control board design supports both indoor-unit power receiving system and outdoor-unit power receiving system configurations. This eliminates the need to manufacture separate control boards for each power receiving type, reducing manufacturing complexity and handling costs while maintaining product quality through consistent design standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The control board dynamically changes its operational parameters based on the detected communication line connection status. When the communication line is determined to be connected to the outdoor unit, the control board switches to outdoor-unit power receiving mode; otherwise, it operates in indoor-unit power receiving mode, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving configuration accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
When the indoor-unit-side control board (3) starts to receive power, it is determined whether communication from the outdoor-unit-side communication circuit (10) to the indoor-unit-side communication circuit (9) is performed normally. If the communication from the outdoor-unit-side communication circuit to the indoor-unit-side communication circuit is performed normally, it is determined that the air conditioner is operated under the outdoor-unit power receiving system and power-supply control is performed. If the communication from the outdoor-unit-side communication circuit to the indoor-unit-side communication circuit is not performed normally, it is determined that the air conditioner is operated under the indoor-unit power receiving system and power-supply control is performed.