Air processing device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air processing devices face challenges in accurately determining the state of filters and other components due to reliance on single image data, leading to potential inaccuracies in assessing clogging or abnormalities.

Innovation Solution

The air processing device employs a processing unit that analyzes changes in multiple image data to determine the state of components, such as the drain pump and humidifier, by measuring changes in water surface height or wet state of hygroscopic members over time, enhancing accuracy and reducing erroneous determinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If single image data is used to determine filter state, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination system complexityVSAvoidfilter state determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures multiple images of the filter at different positions before final determination. This preliminary action of acquiring multiple images at various locations (including magnified views of specific regions) enables more accurate assessment of filter clogging and breakage states, resolving the contradiction by investing additional imaging effort before the final determination step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple image data are used to determine component state, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detection accuracyVSAvoidimaging and processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determination process is segmented into distinct phases: first capturing an overview image of the entire tray, then selectively capturing magnified images of specific regions of interest (such as the discharge port area). This segmentation allows the system to focus processing resources on critical areas, improving detection accuracy without requiring complex simultaneous multi-point imaging systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from single-image two-dimensional analysis to multi-image three-dimensional temporal analysis by capturing images at different time points and magnification levels. This dimensional expansion enables the determination of water surface height changes and component state variations over time, significantly improving measurement precision for detecting abnormalities like clogged drain ports or malfunctioning pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of time

If single image data is used for determination, then processing time is reduced, but reliability of determination deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination processing timeVSAvoidstate determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic imaging at strategically selected time points rather than continuous imaging. Images are captured at specific intervals (e.g., before drain pump activation, during operation, and after completion) to track water surface height changes and component states. This periodic approach maintains determination reliability by capturing critical state transitions while minimizing total processing time compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3663662B1Air processing device
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3663662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3663662B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3663662B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The air processing device is provided with a processing unit (85) that determines the state of a predetermined part(s) (45, 66, 68) in a casing (20) on the basis of the change in a plurality of image data acquired by an imaging unit (70).