Residual value calculation system for air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Estimating the remaining life of an air conditioner accurately is challenging due to variations in usage environments and conditions, making it difficult to determine the residual value, especially when air conditioners are rented or sold used.

Innovation Solution

A residual value calculation system that considers the installation environments of indoor and outdoor units, including environment information, contribution rates, and durability data, using machine learning to optimize correction coefficients for accurate residual value calculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If residual value is calculated based on simple usage time only, then calculation is simple, but accuracy is low due to environmental variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidual value estimation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the air conditioner system into indoor unit and outdoor unit, calculating residual value for each separately based on their respective environment information. This segmentation allows detailed environmental factors to be considered without overwhelming complexity, as each unit's degradation can be evaluated independently and then aggregated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces multiple environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, dust concentration, etc.) and usage parameters (operation time, load rate) to transform the simple time-based residual value calculation into a multi-parameter model. This parameter expansion significantly improves accuracy while the modular calculation approach keeps the system manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If detailed environment information is collected for both indoor and outdoor units, then calculation accuracy improves, but data collection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental factor measurement accuracyVSAvoidenvironmental information collection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by having the air conditioner units automatically collect their own environment information through built-in sensors. The indoor unit monitors indoor environmental parameters while the outdoor unit monitors outdoor parameters, eliminating the need for manual data collection and reducing measurement complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The management device serves multiple functions: it manages air conditioner operations, collects environment information from both units, calculates residual values, and provides maintenance recommendations. This multi-functionality consolidates the data collection and processing infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity despite the detailed environmental monitoring required.

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

3Measurement precision

If residual value calculation considers multiple components and their contribution rates, then accuracy improves, but calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent-level residual value accuracyVSAvoidmulti-component calculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the residual value calculation from a single aggregate value into a multi-component model with contribution rates. Each component (indoor unit, outdoor unit, and their sub-components) is assigned a contribution rate reflecting its importance to overall system value. This parameter expansion enables precise component-level evaluation while the weighted aggregation method keeps calculations systematic and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4040063B1Residual value calculation system for air conditioner
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4040063B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4040063B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4040063B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A residual value calculation system includes a calculating unit (23) that calculates a residual value after use over a set period based on first environment information of an indoor unit and second environment information of an outdoor unit. The residual value includes at least one of an initial estimation residual value or an actual estimation residual value that is based on actual use. An assistance system includes a processor. When predicting deviation from an initial estimation residual value of an air conditioner (2) after use over a set period, the processor executes at least one of outputting deviation information or a signal related to deviation to a predetermined device, or changing a control setting variable of the air conditioner (2) to minimize deviation after use over the set period based on the deviation information.