Air-conditioning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing air conditioning apparatus requires burdensome manual adjustments to the setting table whenever there is a partial change in the schedule, necessitating a return to the original schedule after the change, which is inconvenient and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning apparatus with a temporary storage unit that allows for easy changes to target time slots without altering the primary setting table, using a turning-on/off timer that can prioritize operation information for temporary changes, enabling flexible scheduling without returning to the original schedule.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the setting table is changed each time the schedule is partially changed, then the schedule can be adjusted to match the new plan, but the changing work becomes burdensome and requires returning to the original schedule

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveschedule adjustabilityVSAvoidschedule changing workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the schedule management into two independent segments: the setting table (for original schedules) and the temporary storage unit (for temporary changes). This segmentation allows users to make temporary schedule adjustments without modifying the original setting table, eliminating the burden of returning to the original schedule after temporary changes. The control unit selectively executes either the setting table or the temporary storage unit based on timing conditions, enabling flexible schedule management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual reset or manual start/stop is required when schedule changes occur, then the schedule can be adjusted, but the operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveschedule flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically determines whether to execute the setting table or the temporary storage unit based on timing conditions, without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the schedule switching by comparing the current time with the temporary change period, automatically selecting the appropriate schedule source. This eliminates the need for manual reset operations or manual start/stop actions, reducing control complexity while maintaining schedule flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the setting table is modified for temporary changes, then the schedule can be adjusted temporarily, but additional work is required to restore the original schedule

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporary schedule adjustment capabilityVSAvoidtime for schedule management operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-establishes a temporary storage unit dedicated to storing temporary schedule changes with defined start and end times. When a temporary change is needed, users simply input the new schedule parameters into the temporary storage unit without modifying the original setting table. The control unit automatically activates the temporary schedule during its valid period and automatically reverts to the original setting table afterward, eliminating the time-consuming process of manual schedule restoration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3279577B1Air-conditioning device
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3279577B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3279577B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3279577B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air conditioning apparatus 1 including a storage unit 12 that stores therein a setting table 11 in which a schedule of an air conditioning operation for one week is set, and a control unit 13 that executes operation control according to the schedule in the setting table 11, the air conditioning apparatus 1 including a remote controller 14 that sets operation information 15 of a target time slot as a part of one week, and a temporary storage unit 16 that temporarily stores therein the set operation information 15 of the target time slot, wherein the control unit 13 executes operation control based on the operation information 15 of the target time slot stored in the temporary storage unit 16 in priority to the schedule in the setting table 11.