Multi-Fan Indoor Unit Pet Mode for Targeted Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems lack a specific mode to efficiently control the temperature in spaces where pets are located, often resulting in discomfort for pets and inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
An indoor air conditioning unit with a pet mode that includes a temperature sensor and a processor to set a specified temperature and drive the bottom fan among multiple fans, ensuring optimal temperature control for pet spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If all fans are driven to control temperature in pet spaces, then temperature control effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fan system into multiple independent fans (first fan, second fan, third fan) positioned at different heights. In pet mode, only the bottom fan (third fan) is operated to control temperature in lower pet spaces, while other fans remain inactive. This segmentation allows selective operation of individual fans based on spatial requirements, resolving the contradiction between temperature control effectiveness and energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a specific pet mode is added to address pet thermal comfort, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pet mode that repurposes the existing multi-fan indoor unit for a specific application (pet space temperature control). The same fan hardware and control system used for human occupancy are adapted to serve pet spaces by selectively operating the bottom fan when pet mode is activated. This multi-functionality approach improves adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Power
If multiple fans are operated simultaneously, then cooling capacity is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing cooling capacity specifically to the lower pet space region using the bottom fan, rather than distributing cooling throughout the entire space. The third fan positioned at the bottom of the indoor unit delivers cooled air directly to pet-level spaces, ensuring adequate cooling capacity for pets while avoiding energy waste from operating additional fans that would cool unnecessary upper spaces.
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
The pet mode provides a comfortable environment for pets by accurately controlling the temperature in their vicinity, while minimizing energy consumption by selectively driving only the bottom fan.
Implementation Method 1
drive a bottom fan among the plurality of fans, and control a temperature of a space where the indoor unit is located
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit is provided. The indoor unit includes: a plurality of fans, a temperature sensor and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to, based on an input for setting a mode of the indoor unit to a pet mode being received, set a mode of the indoor unit to the pet mode, and set a set temperature of the indoor unit to a specified temperature in the pet mode, drive a bottom fan among the plurality of fans, and control a temperature of a space where the indoor unit is located based on the set temperature and a temperature detected by the temperature sensor.