Air-conditioner and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner systems face challenges in establishing efficient and accurate wireless communication between units, requiring manual setup and being prone to errors, which leads to prolonged initial connection times and potential malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner system employs a method where outdoor units transmit an address setting signal to indoor units via a wireless communication method, determining connected units through response signals, searching for new channels, and allocating unique channels to groups to prevent interference and malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired communication is used between control device and indoor/outdoor units, then communication reliability is improved, but initial communication setup time increases and manual configuration is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-identification and self-registration between indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor unit transmits its identification information to the indoor unit, which automatically registers the outdoor unit's address and refrigerant connection status without requiring manual technician configuration, thereby reducing initial setup time while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit transmits its identification information and address in advance during the initial connection phase. The indoor unit receives and stores this information before actual operation begins, allowing communication to be established immediately when power is supplied, eliminating the need for manual pre-configuration
2Loss of time
If wireless communication is used between control device and indoor/outdoor units, then initial setup time is reduced, but communication stability and accuracy deteriorate due to manual configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs identification, address allocation, and registration between indoor and outdoor units through wireless communication. The outdoor unit broadcasts its identification information, the indoor unit automatically receives and processes this information, and both units establish stable communication connections without requiring manual technician intervention, thereby maintaining communication stability while reducing setup time
3Ease of operation
If manual wireless communication setting is performed, then communication can be established, but time consumption increases and error-prone operations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs wireless communication setup through self-identification and self-registration processes. The outdoor unit transmits its identification information wirelessly, the indoor unit automatically receives and registers this information, and both units establish communication parameters without requiring manual technician configuration, eliminating both time consumption and human error
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor unit transmits a response signal to the outdoor unit after receiving identification information, confirming successful reception and registration. This feedback mechanism ensures automatic verification of communication establishment, eliminating the need for manual testing and configuration verification
4Device complexity
If multiple units communicate on the same channel, then device complexity is reduced, but signal interference increases causing malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the communication spectrum into multiple frequency channels and assigns different channels to different groups of indoor and outdoor units. This segmentation of communication resources allows multiple units to operate simultaneously without signal interference, while the automatic channel allocation mechanism keeps the system complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces frequency channel as an additional dimension for resource allocation. Instead of all units communicating on a single channel, units are distributed across multiple frequency channels, adding a dimensional layer to the communication architecture that eliminates interference while maintaining system simplicity through automated management
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner and a control method thereof, the air conditioner where a plurality of units is connected wirelessly to receive and transmit data with each other, and the control method in which an address is set in a wireless communication method using an initially set basic channel, a group is set in response to a response signal, and communication is performed with an indoor unit belonging into the same group through a new channel. Accordingly, the plurality of units in the air conditioner is able to receive and transmit data with each other wirelessly, and a group is set with respect to multiple units so that the multiple units are able to communicate with each other directly. In addition, because a group is able to be easily set with respected to units connected via a pipe by setting a channel, it is possible to reduce a time for setting wireless communication and make the communication setting accurate. The present disclosure allows units to communicate using a different channel according to which group each unit belongs to, thereby preventing intervention between groups and malfunction of units.