Air conditioning device and control method thereof
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning devices do not effectively purify indoor air before a user enters a house, exposing them to pollutants like fine dust until the purification process is completed.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning device equipped with an air purifier, sensors to measure air pollution levels, and a communicator that communicates with an external server to activate the purifier only when the user enters a predetermined region, based on measured pollution levels exceeding threshold values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the air purifier is activated continuously to ensure clean air, then the air quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by activating the air purifier before the user arrives home. The server receives location information from the mobile terminal, determines when the user is approaching, and pre-activates the air purifier to clean the air in advance, so that when the user enters, the air is already clean without needing continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the user's location through the mobile terminal and adjusting the air purifier operation accordingly. When the user is detected to be approaching home, the system activates the purifier; when the user is away or air quality is already good, the system stops or reduces operation, creating a closed-loop control that responds to real-time conditions
2Use of energy by moving object
If the air purifier is activated only when needed based on user location, then energy consumption is reduced, but air quality may deteriorate before user arrival
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the time required for air purification based on current air quality conditions and activates the air purifier in advance of the user's arrival. This preliminary activation ensures that the purification process completes before the user enters, guaranteeing clean air without requiring continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the activation timing of the air purifier based on real-time air quality measurements and predicted user arrival time. When air quality is poor, activation occurs earlier; when air quality is already acceptable, activation is delayed or skipped, creating a flexible, adaptive operation schedule
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to measure pollution levels, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement function by using multiple specialized sensors, each optimized for detecting specific types of pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, CO, CO2, NO2, SO2, O3). Each sensor targets a particular pollutant category, and the system integrates their individual measurements to provide comprehensive air quality assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions: it processes data from various sensor types, compares readings against threshold values for different pollutants, determines overall air quality status, and controls the air purifier operation. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single intelligent control unit rather than requiring separate systems for each function
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioning device includes an air purifier, a sensor, a communicator, and a processor. The sensor is configured to measure an air pollution level. The communicator comprises circuitry and configured to communicate with a server. The processor is configured to activate the sensor in a state where the air purifier is not driven, in response to receiving a first signal requesting an air pollution level state information from the server based on a location of a mobile terminal, transmit a second signal indicating that the air conditioning device needs to be driven to the server based on the air pollution level measured by the sensor, and drive the air purifier in response to a driving instruction received from the server.