Occupancy Sensor Control in Air Conditioners During Standby
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human detection sensors in air conditioners are limited to controlling indoor devices only during operation, failing to provide convenience by controlling external devices when the air conditioner is stopped.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a controller in the air conditioner's indoor unit that allows linkage or non-linkage modes for controlling external devices using human detection sensors, enabling control during both operation and standby states, and reducing power consumption by transitioning to a standby state with power supplied only to the indoor unit's components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the air conditioner stops operation to reduce power consumption, then power saving is achieved, but the human detection sensor cannot control external devices during standby state
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent circuits: one circuit supplies power to the outdoor unit and most components during operation, while another dedicated circuit supplies power specifically to the human detection sensor and control unit during standby state. This segmentation allows the sensor to remain operational without requiring full system power, resolving the contradiction between power saving and control capability.
2Loss of energy
If the human detection sensor is stopped with the air conditioner to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but external device control functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by maintaining power supply to the human detection sensor and control unit even during standby state, before any external device control is needed. This ensures the sensor is already active and ready to detect human presence and control external devices immediately when required, without needing to wake up the entire air conditioner system.
3Reliability
If the air conditioner operates continuously to maintain sensor functionality, then external device control is available, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining full system operation, the patent applies local quality by providing power supply only to the specific components needed for sensor functionality (the human detection sensor and control unit) while keeping the rest of the air conditioner system in a low-power state. This localized power supply approach maintains sensor availability without the energy cost of continuous full-system operation.
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 reduced standby power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a human detection sensor (26) that is located in the indoor unit (20) and detects presence of a human, or a person, in a room
Data Source
AI summary
In an air conditioner, 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, when the linkage mode is selected, on/off control of the external device by using a human detection sensor is permitted during operation, whereas on/off control of the external device by using the human detection sensor is inhibited during suspension of operation. In the air conditioner, when the non-linkage mode is selected, on/off control of the external device by using the human detection sensor is always permitted, irrespective of whether the air conditioner is in operation or not.