Lighting Control via Air-Conditioner Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems that integrate air-conditioning and lighting controls often increase the size of the control panel, compromising usability and interior design harmony, while adding detection logic and sensing elements increase costs and processing loads.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control device that utilizes the temperature sensing means of an air-conditioning apparatus to determine the switching condition for the lighting apparatus based on a preset tolerance range around a criterion temperature set on the basis of a person's body temperature, without requiring additional sensing elements or logic, using infrared temperature sensors and a specific view angle configuration to prevent erroneous determinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the switch for the lighting apparatus is integrated with the control panel, then the usability is enhanced and the number of parts on the wall is reduced, but the size of the control panel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lighting control function from a separate physical switch and integrates it into the existing air-conditioning control panel interface. The temperature sensing means and determination logic are embedded within the air-conditioning control system, allowing lighting control to be performed through the same panel without expanding its physical dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-conditioning control panel is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the air-conditioning apparatus and the lighting apparatus. The determination means uses the existing temperature sensing capabilities of the air-conditioning system to detect both air-conditioning needs and lighting switching conditions, making the control panel a universal control interface for multiple devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional sensing elements and detection logic are added, then the lighting control function is enhanced, but the cost and processing loads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing means originally designed for air-conditioning control is repurposed to also detect lighting switching conditions. The determination means evaluates temperature data against multiple criteria (preset temperature range for air-conditioning, criterion temperature for lighting) without requiring separate sensing hardware, thereby enhancing functionality while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-conditioning control system serves itself by using its existing temperature sensing and processing capabilities to also control the lighting apparatus. The determination logic leverages the already-acquired temperature data to make lighting control decisions, eliminating the need for separate detection systems and reducing overall system complexity.
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
Enhances usability and harmonization with interior design without significantly increasing costs or loads, allowing seamless integration of lighting control into air-conditioning control panels, reducing the need for new components and logic, and minimizing erroneous switching operations.
Implementation Method 1
temperature sensing means provided in the air-conditioning apparatus and senses temperature of the room
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control device controls a turn-on state and a turn-off state of a lighting apparatus in a room where an air-conditioning apparatus is provided. In the lighting control device, a temperature sensing section is provided in the air-conditioning apparatus and senses temperature of the room to allow the air-conditioning apparatus to perform air-conditioning control such that the sensed temperature of the room lies within a preset temperature range. A temperature acquisition section acquires the sensed temperature. A determination section determines that a switching condition for switching the lighting apparatus has been met, when the acquired sensed temperature coincides, within a preset tolerance range, with a criterion temperature which is set separately from the preset temperature range on the basis of a body temperature of a person. A switching section switches the lighting apparatus between the turn-on state and the turn-off state, when determined that the switching condition has been met.