Indoor Unit Setting Validation for Multi-Air Conditioner Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-air conditioner systems, indoor units often receive invalid setting information due to the operating state of the outdoor unit, leading to incorrect air conditioning modes, which can result in uncomfortable temperatures in unoccupied rooms, affecting guest satisfaction in accommodations like hotels.
Innovation Solution
An indoor unit and control terminal apparatus system that determines the validity of setting information based on the outdoor unit's operating cycle, allowing for correct air conditioning operations by validating the received settings and adjusting them according to whether the outdoor unit is in cooling or heating mode, and includes features like hot water circulating pumps or heat rays for flexible operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a multi-air conditioner system uses one outdoor unit to serve multiple indoor units, then the area occupied by the outdoor unit is reduced, but the indoor units must operate in the same cycle mode which limits flexibility and can lead to invalid setting information being applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function by introducing a control terminal apparatus that separately manages each indoor unit's settings. This allows the outdoor unit to serve multiple indoor units while each indoor unit can independently select its operation mode (cooling, heating, dehumidification) based on its specific requirements, resolving the contradiction between shared outdoor unit usage and operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The control terminal apparatus acts as an intermediary between the outdoor unit and multiple indoor units. It receives setting information from each indoor unit, validates it against the outdoor unit's current operating state, and transmits valid settings. This intermediary function enables flexible individual control while maintaining system coordination, solving the contradiction between centralized outdoor unit usage and decentralized operational flexibility
2Device complexity
If the control terminal apparatus transmits all received setting information to indoor units, then the control function is simplified, but invalid setting information may be applied causing incorrect air conditioning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control terminal apparatus implements a feedback mechanism by receiving the outdoor unit's operating state information, comparing it with the received setting information from indoor units, and selectively transmitting only valid settings. This feedback loop ensures that only compatible settings are applied, maintaining high reliability while keeping the control apparatus relatively simple through automated validation logic
3Ease of operation
If an indoor unit operates in a mode that conflicts with the outdoor unit's current cycle, then the indoor unit can respond to user preferences, but the operation becomes invalid and may cause errors or incorrect air conditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The control terminal apparatus performs preliminary validation of setting information before transmission to the indoor unit. It checks whether the user's preferred operation mode is compatible with the outdoor unit's current cycle state, and only transmits settings that are guaranteed to be valid. This preliminary action prevents invalid operations while still allowing users to express their preferences, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and operational reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit of an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units and one outdoor unit connected to the plurality of indoor units to be operated as a cooling cycle or a heating cycle is provided. The indoor unit includes: a communicator receiving setting information for performing air conditioning in a room from a control terminal apparatus; and a controller determining whether the received setting information is valid setting information applicable to the indoor unit depending on whether the air conditioner is operated as the cooling cycle or the heating cycle and setting the setting information in the indoor unit depending on the determination result.