Air conditioning control device to control air conditioner based on comfortable skin temperature range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning control devices do not adequately improve user comfort and often result in wasteful energy consumption, as they rely solely on setting values for room temperature without considering individual thermal sensations.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning control device that includes a control unit, skin temperature measurement unit, information acquisition unit, and determination unit to measure and analyze user skin temperature and thermal sensations, determining a comfortable temperature range and adjusting the air conditioner accordingly to enhance user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air conditioner is controlled based on room temperature setting value, then device complexity is reduced, but user comfort degree is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system acquires thermal sensation information from the user (hot/cold feedback) and uses it to dynamically adjust the comfortable skin temperature range. The control unit continuously monitors user thermal sensation and adjusts air conditioner operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves user comfort without requiring overly complex manual controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the comfortable skin temperature range based on measured skin temperature and acquired thermal sensation information, eliminating the need for users to manually set complex parameters. The air conditioner self-adjusts operation based on user feedback, providing comfortable temperatures automatically without requiring user expertise in thermal environment control.
2Ease of operation
If air conditioner is controlled based on room temperature setting value, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases wastefully
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thermal sensation information feedback to optimize energy consumption. When the user indicates satisfaction (neutral thermal sensation), the system reduces air conditioner operation. When the user indicates discomfort (hot or cold), the system adjusts operation to achieve comfortable skin temperature. This feedback-based control prevents wasteful energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The comfortable skin temperature range is dynamically adjusted based on measured skin temperature and thermal sensation information rather than using fixed temperature settings. The system adapts the target temperature range in real-time based on user physiological state and subjective sensation, optimizing energy consumption by avoiding over-cooling or over-heating while maintaining user comfort.
3Measurement precision
If standards such as PMV and SET are used for control, then theoretical accuracy is improved, but user satisfaction needs are not sufficiently met
Solution Approach 1:
The system focuses on measuring and controlling the specific parameter most relevant to user comfort - skin temperature at the user's body surface - rather than relying on general thermal environment standards. By measuring actual skin temperature and combining it with subjective thermal sensation, the system provides locally optimized comfort control that better meets individual user needs compared to population-based PMV/SET standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates direct user thermal sensation feedback (hot/cold/neutral) to validate and adjust the comfortable skin temperature range determination. This feedback loop ensures that the theoretically calculated comfortable range actually corresponds to user satisfaction, bridging the gap between measurement precision and real user satisfaction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device improves user satisfaction by dynamically adjusting the air conditioner based on individual comfortable skin temperature ranges, reducing energy waste and enhancing thermal comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the skin temperature measurement unit has an infrared thermography that analyzes an infrared ray emitted from the user
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning control device includes a control unit, a skin temperature measurement unit, an information acquisition unit, and a determination unit. The control unit controls an air conditioner that performs air conditioning of a room where a user is present. The skin temperature measurement unit measures a skin temperature of the user. The information acquisition unit acquires thermal sensation information of the user regarding the space where the user is present. The determination unit determines a comfortable skin temperature range in which the user feels comfortable, based on a skin temperature of the user obtained at the time of acquiring of the thermal sensation information. The control unit controls the air conditioner based on the comfortable skin temperature range determined by the determination unit.