Communication system for air conditioner, and air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
The metal housing of air conditioners interferes with radio waves, hindering communication with the communication unit, which is a challenge for establishing reliable wireless communication for remote monitoring and control.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a communication conversion unit within the housing to convert electric signals into digital signals for wire transmission, using a cable connected to an antenna unit for wireless communication with a base station, employing low power wide area (LPWA) methods like SIGFOX and alternate mark inversion (AMI) to overcome noise interference and power consumption issues, and allowing easy installation with magnetic adsorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a communication unit is disposed inside the metal housing of the outdoor unit, then wireless communication can be established, but the metal housing hinders radio waves and prevents reliable communication
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna unit is extracted from inside the metal housing and disposed outside the housing. The communication conversion unit remains inside to convert electric signals to digital signals, which are then transmitted through a cable to the antenna unit outside, where wireless communication is established without interference from the metal housing.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable acts as an intermediary to transmit digital signals from the communication conversion unit inside the housing to the antenna unit outside the housing, bypassing the radio wave blocking effect of the metal housing while maintaining signal integrity.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for remote monitoring and control, then operational flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication technology, which uses optimized communication parameters and protocols to achieve long-range wireless communication with significantly reduced power consumption compared to conventional wireless communication methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If the communication unit is placed inside the housing, then installation is simplified, but surge noise from the metal housing interferes with communication signals
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna unit is extracted from inside the housing to a location outside where it is not exposed to surge noise from the metal housing, while the communication conversion unit remains inside to perform signal conversion before transmission to the antenna unit through a cable.
4Reliability
If a cable connection is used to transmit signals outside the housing, then communication reliability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable serves multiple functions: it transmits digital signals from the communication conversion unit to the antenna unit, and also provides power supply to the antenna unit, eliminating the need for separate power wiring and simplifying the overall installation.
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 reliable, long-range, low-power, and cost-effective wireless communication between the air conditioner and base station, reducing noise interference and simplifying installation, even with metal-housed air conditioners, by using LPWA methods and AMI, and eliminating the need for dedicated power supplies.
Implementation Method 1
a communication conversion unit accommodated in the housing and configured to acquire a required electric signal from the control board and to convert the electric signal into a digital signal for wire transmission
Implementation Method 2
communication between the antenna unit and the base station is established by a low power wide area (LPWA) communication method
Implementation Method 3
a cable having a first end connected to the communication conversion unit, the cable being drawn out of the housing to outside
Implementation Method 4
allowing easy installation with magnetic adsorption
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a communication system for an air conditioner including a housing and a control board accommodated in the housing. The communication system includes: a communication conversion unit accommodated in the housing and configured to acquire a required electric signal from the control board and to convert the electric signal into a digital signal for wire transmission; a cable having a first end connected to the communication conversion unit, the cable being drawn out of the housing to outside; and an antenna unit connected to a second end of the cable located outside the housing, the antenna unit being configured to establish wireless communication with a base station.