Air conditioner and method for controlling an air conditioner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner technologies face challenges in effectively delivering air flow to users in indoor spaces with ceiling-mounted units, as the height of the unit can be inappropriate, leading to either ineffective air distribution or discomfort due to direct air flow, and obstacles within the space can block air flow, making it difficult to maintain user comfort.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner system includes an imaging device to capture images of the indoor space, determine if objects are people or obstacles, and adjust the air flow direction and volume using a discharge vane driven by an actuator, based on calculated ceiling height and user position, ensuring optimal air distribution by avoiding obstacles and targeting the user effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ceiling-mounted indoor unit is installed at a high mounting height, then the device can be installed in spaces with high ceilings, but the discharged air flow is not appropriately delivered to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge vane is made movable to dynamically adjust the air flow direction. The controller receives imaging data about the user's position and ceiling height, then actuates the discharge vane to orient the air flow toward the user, resolving the contradiction between high mounting height installation capability and effective air delivery.
2Productivity
If the ceiling-mounted indoor unit is installed at a low mounting height, then the air flow is easily delivered to the user, but the discharged air flow is directly delivered to the user causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge vane dynamically adjusts its angle based on imaging data about user position and ceiling height. This allows the system to optimize air flow direction to deliver air effectively while avoiding direct flow onto the user, resolving the contradiction between delivery efficiency and comfort.
3Device complexity
If the air flow direction is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the discharged air flow is blocked by obstacles such as walls or furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge vane is controlled to dynamically adjust its orientation based on imaging data that detects obstacles and user position. This dynamic adjustment allows the air flow to navigate around obstacles and reach the user, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and effective air delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses imaging devices to detect the indoor environment, user position, and obstacles, then feeds this information back to the controller which adjusts the discharge vane accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions and deliver air flow effectively despite obstacles.
4Measurement precision
If image processing is used to identify user position and adjust air flow, then air delivery accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to imaging and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device captures images of the indoor space, and the controller processes these images to determine user position and ceiling height. This feedback loop enables precise air flow direction control based on detected position, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The method may include acquiring a top view image for an indoor space using an imaging device and calculating a height of a ceiling in which an indoor device may be mounted; determining whether an image is a human body or an obstacle, with respect to at least one image included in the to view image; and performing control of the indoor device to allow air flow to avoid an obstacle and be discharged toward a human body by controlling driving of an indoor fan or one or more discharge vane provided in the indoor device.