Air Conditioner Terminal Control for Flexible Multi-Unit Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner control systems are inconvenient for managing and controlling multiple units, as they require a central control device for grouping and zoning, with limited control range and complex menu navigation, making remote and rapid operation of air conditioner units difficult.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized air conditioner system with a terminal that allows arbitrary grouping and remote control of units irrespective of their installation positions and connection states, enabling simultaneous operation of multiple units using a single control command and supporting different control commands based on unit types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central control device is used to manage multiple air conditioner units, then the units can be controlled in a grouped or zoned manner, but the control range is limited and the menu structure becomes complex making operation inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality by allowing each air conditioner unit to operate as an independent controllable entity. Instead of requiring all units to be managed through a single central control device with complex grouping mechanisms, the system divides control authority across individual units, enabling flexible selection of any subset of units for simultaneous control without hierarchical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device is designed with universal control capability that can simultaneously control multiple different types of air conditioner units (indoor units, outdoor units, ventilation units, heat pumps) regardless of their installation positions or connection states. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for unit-specific control protocols and complex zoning configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If units are grouped or divided into zones by the central control device, then integrated management is achieved, but formation and change of groups or zones can only be performed by the central control device which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service control where the terminal device can independently select and control any air conditioner units without requiring central control device intervention for group formation or modification. Users can freely add, remove, or modify the set of controlled units at any time through simple terminal operations, eliminating the restrictive centralized group management approach.
3Ease of operation
If multiple air conditioner units are controlled through a terminal with complex menu navigation, then remote control is possible, but the control process becomes troublesome and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device stores control settings for multiple air conditioner units in advance. When control is needed, the terminal can directly apply previously stored control commands to the selected units without requiring users to navigate through complex menus or reconfigure control parameters, significantly reducing control time and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control interface for multiple different types of air conditioner units into a single unified terminal operation. Instead of requiring separate control procedures for indoor units, outdoor units, ventilation units, and heat pumps, the terminal provides a unified control mechanism that simultaneously manages all selected units through a single operation, eliminating repetitive menu navigation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The air conditioner includes a plurality of units and a plurality of air conditioner sites including a plurality of units. Control setting having at least one unit as a control device is created irrespective of an installation position and a connection state of each unit such that the control setting is immediately applied or application of the control setting is released through simple manipulation, thereby easily and rapidly monitoring and controlling operation of the air conditioner in a remote fashion.