Control substrate and indoor unit of air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing indoor air conditioner equipment requires increased workload when switching between power-receiving methods, as the relay terminal block needs to be exchanged between dedicated configurations for separate and external power-receiving methods.

Innovation Solution

A control substrate with integrated power-supply and communication circuits, along with first and second terminal blocks and switches, allows for seamless switching between power-receiving methods without the need for exchanging terminal blocks, ensuring proper connection and preventing high-voltage currents from reaching communication circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated relay terminal blocks are used for separate power-receiving method and external power-receiving method, then the power supply configuration is reliable, but the workload increases when switching between power-receiving methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply configurationVSAvoidworkload when switching power-receiving methods
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The relay terminal block is designed to support both separate power-receiving method and external power-receiving method using the same physical component. The terminal block includes multiple terminals that can be configured for different power supply modes through switching mechanisms, eliminating the need to exchange terminal blocks when changing power-receiving methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay terminal block incorporates switching mechanisms that allow dynamic reconfiguration of terminal connections based on the selected power-receiving method. The switching element can change the connection state between terminals to adapt to different power supply configurations without requiring physical replacement of the terminal block.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If relay terminal block exchange is required when switching power-receiving methods, then the power supply configuration is optimized for each method, but the installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply configurationVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single relay terminal block design serves multiple power supply configurations. The terminal block includes terminals arranged to support both separate power-receiving method (with terminals for external power source connection) and external power-receiving method (with terminals for crossover line connection), reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay terminal block is segmented into functional regions with terminals grouped by their intended connections. This segmentation allows installers to configure the appropriate connections for each power-receiving method without needing to understand the entire terminal block structure, simplifying the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3783272B1Control substrate and indoor unit of air conditioner
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3783272B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3783272B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3783272B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A control substrate (110) includes a substrate (109), a power-supply circuit (111), a communication circuit (112), a first terminal block (113) that includes a first wiring connector (113a), a second wiring connector (113b), and a third wiring connector (113c), a second terminal block (114) that includes a fourth wiring connector (114a) and a fifth wiring connector (114b), a first pattern (119), a second pattern (120), a third pattern (121), a fourth pattern (122), a fifth pattern (123), a sixth pattern (124), a first switch (117) that is provided in the third pattern (121) and is capable of switching connection and disconnection between the second wiring connector (113b) and the communication circuit (112), and a second switch (118) that is provided in the fifth pattern (123) and is capable of switching connection and disconnection between the fourth wiring connector (114a) and the communication circuit (112).