Air Conditioner Remote Control Relay for Multi-Device Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In environments with multiple air conditioning devices, changing settings across multiple units from an external wireless communication device is burdensome and time-consuming, as each device requires separate operation signals.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning device remote control apparatus with a transmission unit, wireless communication unit, and main control unit that detects and transmits operation signals to associated devices, allowing settings to be changed in multiple devices with a single operation by identifying and communicating with other remote control apparatuses emitting radio waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If operation signals are transmitted to each air conditioning device separately, then each device can be controlled individually, but the operation becomes extremely burdensome and time-consuming when multiple devices need to be changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidtime for setting changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple remote control apparatuses into a single functional unit by enabling them to detect and relay operation signals to each other. When one remote control receives an operation signal, it automatically forwards the signal to other detected remote controls, combining their functions into a coordinated system that controls multiple air conditioning devices simultaneously with a single user operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces remote control apparatuses as intermediary devices that relay operation signals between the external wireless communication device and other remote controls. These intermediaries detect the presence of other remote controls and automatically transmit signals through them, eliminating the need for the user to manually operate each device and significantly reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple remote control apparatuses are installed for multiple air conditioning devices, then each device can be controlled, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to control multiple devicesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables remote control apparatuses to perform self-service by automatically detecting the presence of other remote controls and autonomously relaying operation signals to them. This self-organizing capability eliminates the need for complex centralized control systems or manual configuration, allowing the system to adapt to multiple devices while maintaining simplicity through automated peer-to-peer communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3608030B1Air-conditioner remote control device and air conditioning system
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3608030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3608030B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3608030B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An air conditioning device remote control apparatus is provided with a transmission unit that transmits an operation signal to an associated air conditioning device, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external wireless communication device or another remote control apparatus, and a main control unit that controls the transmission unit and the wireless communication unit. In a case in which the wireless communication unit receives an operation signal from the external wireless communication device or the another remote control apparatus, the main control unit transmits, via the transmission unit, the operation signal to the associated air conditioning device, and performs, via the wireless communication unit, detection of another remote control apparatus emitting radio waves. In a case in which the wireless communication unit detects another remote control apparatus emitting radio waves, the main control unit transmits, via the wireless communication unit, the operation signal to the another remote control apparatus emitting radio waves.