Operation Status Display for Air Conditioners Using Past-Present-Future LEDs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners fail to notify users promptly of the need for setting changes in heat pump type air-conditioning and hot water supply systems, leading to inefficiencies in energy saving and comfort management due to complex operational procedures and unfamiliarity with setting methods.

Innovation Solution

An operation state display device that acquires and displays past, present, and future operation states using lighted LEDs and a touch display, allowing users to easily identify necessary setting changes through intuitive screen transitions and historical data analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional air conditioners display only present operation state or abnormal state, then the display function is simple, but users cannot notice the situation requiring setting change at early stage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuture operation plan informationVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into three distinct LED indicators representing past, present, and future operation states. Each LED can be independently controlled to show different colors corresponding to different operation modes, allowing users to view temporal operation information without complicating the overall display structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a temporal dimension to the display by showing past, present, and future operation states simultaneously through separate LEDs. This transforms the conventional single-state display into a multi-temporal display system, enabling users to notice setting change needs at early stage by comparing future planned operations with current settings

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

2Ease of operation

If conventional air conditioners require confirming information through multiple screens of past operation history and future operation plan, then comprehensive information is provided, but too many operational procedures prevent quick setting change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting change operationVSAvoidtime for setting change
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential future operation plan information and presents it directly through the future operation state LED indicator, eliminating the need for users to navigate through multiple screens of detailed operation history and plans. This extraction of key information allows quick setting change while still providing comprehensive temporal context

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary display of future operation states through dedicated LEDs before users need to make setting changes. By showing the future operation plan in advance through simplified visual indicators, users can proactively adjust settings without undergoing complex multi-screen confirmation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 users to notice and implement setting changes quickly and easily, improving energy saving and comfort management by providing clear, intuitive feedback on operation states and plans.

Implementation Method 1

an operation state display portion that is lighted at fixed positions in lighting colors indicating past, present, and future operation states

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2966373B1Air conditioner and operational status display device
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2966373B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2966373B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2966373B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In an operation state display device 10, a past operation state display portion 11 is lighted in a lighting color indicating a past operation state in an air conditioning and hot water supply system, a present operation state display portion 12 is lighted in the lighting color indicating a present operation state, and a future operation state display portion 13 is lighted in the lighting color indicating a future operation state. A screen display portion 17 displays an operation history display screen in pressing of a past input operation portion 14, a present setting content display screen in pressing of a present input operation portion 15, and an operation plan display screen in pressing of a future input operation portion 16.