Multi-Unit Air Conditioner Control Using Single Reach-Position Input
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner control systems are inconvenient as they require multiple operations to adjust the wind direction of multiple air conditioners, lacking ease-of-use due to the need for individual adjustments for each unit.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that includes a storage unit for arrangement and function information, a display unit for a layout screen, and an input unit for specifying a reach position of wind from multiple air outlets, allowing a single operation to control the wind direction and volume of multiple air conditioners through a central management device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual adjustment for each air conditioner is performed, then precise control of each unit is achieved, but operation complexity increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple air conditioners into a single collective operation. By receiving one input specifying a reach position, the system simultaneously controls the wind direction of multiple air conditioners, converting multiple separate operations into a single unified operation that adjusts all selected units at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus provides universal control capability that can manage both single and multiple air conditioners through the same interface. The system identifies which air conditioners to control based on the input position and collectively adjusts their wind directions, making the control mechanism adaptable to different scenarios without requiring separate adjustment procedures.
2Productivity
If multiple operations are required to adjust multiple air conditioners, then individual control precision is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple adjustment operations into a single collective operation. When a user provides one input specifying a reach position, the system identifies all relevant air conditioners and adjusts their wind directions simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential adjustments and significantly reducing the time required to control multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of target air conditioners based on the input position before executing the control action. By pre-determining which air conditioners should be adjusted and then collectively controlling them in one operation, the system optimizes the adjustment process and minimizes the time required to achieve the desired wind direction for all units.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A control apparatus controls at least one of a wind direction and a wind volume of a plurality of air conditioners provided with air outlets. The control apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores arrangement information indicating an arrangement of each air conditioner and function information indicating a function of each air conditioner; a display unit that displays a layout screen including the arrangement information; and an input unit that receives an operation specifying a reach position of wind blown out from two or more of the air outlets in association with the layout screen. The control apparatus also includes a controller that controls at least one of the wind direction and the wind volume of two or more of the air outlets based on the information indicating the reach position received by the input unit, the arrangement information, and the function information.