Human Detection Control for Air Conditioner Standby Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human detection sensors in air conditioners are limited to controlling internal devices only during operation and cannot control external devices when the air conditioner is stopped, reducing user convenience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a human detection sensor in the indoor unit of an air conditioner with a controller that allows selection between linkage and non-linkage modes, enabling control of external devices during both operation and standby states, and reducing power consumption by maintaining power to the sensor and controller while shutting off the outdoor unit during standby.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the human detection sensor is stopped when the air conditioner is stopped, then power consumption is reduced, but the sensor cannot control external devices during standby state
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two operational states: full operation mode where both the air conditioner and human detection sensor function, and standby mode where only the human detection sensor remains active. This segmentation allows the sensor to maintain external device control capability while the air conditioner is stopped, resolving the contradiction between power reduction and control versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The human detection sensor's operational state is made dynamic rather than static. Instead of being permanently stopped when the air conditioner stops, the sensor dynamically transitions to a low-power standby state where it remains capable of detecting humans and controlling external devices, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing overall power consumption.
2Ease of operation
If the human detection sensor operates continuously to control external devices during standby, then user convenience is enhanced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The human detection sensor operates periodically rather than continuously during standby state. It activates only when needed to detect human presence and control external devices, then enters a lower power state. This periodic operation maintains user convenience while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the air conditioner stops completely, then power consumption is reduced, but the sensor cannot detect humans for external device control
Solution Approach 1:
The human detection sensor is extracted from the air conditioner system as a separate, independently powered component. This allows the sensor to remain operational during air conditioner standby state, maintaining reliable human detection capability for external device control while the air conditioner consumes minimal power.
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 on/off control of external devices during both operation and standby states, enhancing user convenience and reducing power consumption by allowing continuous control with the human detection sensor, even when the air conditioner is stopped.
Implementation Method 1
a human detection sensor (26) that is located in the indoor unit (20) and is configured to detect presence of a human
Data Source
AI summary
In an air conditioner (1), one of a linkage mode or a non-linkage mode is selected by a user as a control mode of an external device. In the air conditioner (1), when the linkage mode is selected, on/off control of the external device by using a human detection sensor (26) is permitted during operation, whereas on/off control of the external device by using the human detection sensor (26) is inhibited during suspension of operation. In the air conditioner (1), when the non-linkage mode is selected, on/off control of the external device by using the human detection sensor (26) is always permitted, irrespective of whether the air conditioner (1) is in operation or not.