Temperature adjustment system, temperature adjustment method, system controller, and program

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for adjusting air temperatures in homes across different rooms, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, often lead to significant temperature differences, causing heat shock and increased power consumption due to the need for multiple air conditioners to operate simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A temperature adjustment system comprising a system controller, temperature sensors, a suction fan, and discharge fans that communicate via a home network to adjust air temperature differences between rooms by transferring air-conditioned air from one room to another, primarily using the bedroom as a source, based on anticipated user movement times to minimize power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If multiple air conditioners are operated in hallway and bathroom to reduce temperature difference, then temperature uniformity is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature difference between roomsVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a duct system as an intermediary to transfer air-conditioned air from the bedroom to the hallway and bathroom. This mediator enables temperature adjustment in multiple rooms without operating separate air conditioners, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining temperature uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bedroom air conditioner serves multiple functions: it cools/heats the bedroom itself and simultaneously supplies conditioned air to the hallway and bathroom through the duct system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air conditioners in other rooms, reducing overall power consumption

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

2Use of energy by moving object

If air conditioners are operated only when needed, then power consumption is reduced, but temperature adjustment responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtemperature adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature adjustment before the user actually moves to a room. By detecting that a user is about to move to the bathroom or hallway, the system activates the duct system in advance to adjust the temperature, ensuring comfort upon arrival while minimizing operation time and power consumption

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

Effectively reduces air temperature differences between rooms, preventing heat shock while minimizing power consumption by utilizing the air-conditioned air from the bedroom to balance temperatures without operating additional air conditioning units in hallways or bathrooms.

Implementation Method 1

a suction fan for sucking air-conditioned air from the bedroom into a duct, and a discharge fan for discharging the air-conditioned air taken from the bedroom via the duct into the hallway or bathroom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2719963B1Temperature adjustment system, temperature adjustment method, system controller, and program
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2719963B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2719963B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2719963B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The first temperature measurer (11) measures an first air temperature in a first place and transmits a measurement result to a system controller (10). The second temperature measurer (13, 15) measures an second air temperature in a second place and transmits a measurement result to the system controller (10). The sucker (12) sucks air from the first place into a duct installed in the building. The discharger (14, 16) discharges the air taken from the first place via the duct into the second place. The system controller (10) determines whether it is necessary to adjust an air temperature difference between the first and second places based on the first air temperature and the second air temperature. If the system controller (10) determines that the adjustment is necessary, the system controller (10) orders the sucker (12) and discharger (14, 16) to start operation.