Multi-Filter Air Conditioner Service Control by Dust Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners lack the ability to determine and announce the optimum service time for multiple filters arranged in the airflow direction, leading to potential inefficiencies in air purification.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system equipped with a dust amount sensor that measures dust of different particle sizes and a controller that outputs service signals for each filter based on accumulated dust values, along with an alarm device to prompt for maintenance, ensuring each filter is serviced optimally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional single filter service announcement system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of dust accumulation for each filter is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dust measurement function into multiple independent dust amount sensors, with each sensor dedicated to monitoring a specific filter. This segmentation enables precise measurement of dust accumulation for each filter individually, resolving the technical contradiction by improving measurement precision through system division rather than using a single complex sensor.
2Reliability
If filters are serviced based on uniform time intervals, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of air purification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where dust amount sensors continuously monitor dust accumulation on each filter and provide real-time data to the controller. The controller compares the measured dust amounts with predetermined thresholds and automatically generates service announcements when maintenance is needed. This feedback-based approach ensures filters are serviced based on actual contamination levels rather than fixed schedules, improving air purification reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
3Measurement precision
If multiple dust amount sensors are installed for each filter, then the measurement precision for each filter is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by installing one dust amount sensor for each filter in the multiple-layer filtration system. Each sensor independently measures dust accumulation on its corresponding filter, providing precise individual measurements without requiring complex multi-sensor arrays. This one-to-one mapping approach achieves high measurement precision while keeping the device complexity manageable through modular, straightforward system architecture.
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
Enables independent calculation of the optimum service time for each filter, preventing unnecessary servicing and maintaining the quality of indoor air by announcing the correct service time based on dust accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
measure the amount of dust within the first particle size range based on a pattern of light scattered by the dust within the first particle size range, and measure the amount of dust within the second particle size range based on a pattern of light scattered by the dust within the second particle size range
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner including a first filter; a second filter located downstream of the first filter; a dust amount sensor located upstream of the first filter and having a hole through which dust passes, the dust amount sensor configured to transmit, per unit of time, each of a first total, which is an amount of dust in a first size range, and a second total, which is an amount of dust in a second size range smaller than the first size range, of the dust passing through the hole; and a controller configured to output a service signal for the first filter if the accumulated value of the first total transmitted from the dust amount sensor exceeds a first set value, and output a service signal for the second filter if the accumulated value of the second total transmitted from the dust amount sensor exceeds a second set value.