Portable Detection Unit for Position-Adaptive Air Conditioning Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conditioning apparatuses fail to dynamically regulate environmental conditions according to a user's position and requirements, leading to suboptimal comfort and high energy consumption, as they often require active user intervention and are not versatile in adapting to changing user locations within a room.

Innovation Solution

A portable air conditioning apparatus with a remote detection unit that can be carried by the user to detect environmental parameters and communicate with a control unit to adjust airflow characteristics, such as temperature, humidity, and flow rate, ensuring optimal comfort levels wherever the user is located, while also incorporating a spatial detection device to determine the optimal operating range and provide feedback to the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed conditioning apparatus is installed to emit conditioned air toward a determinate zone, then the apparatus structure is simple and easy to install, but it cannot adapt when the user moves away from the determinate zone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to user positionVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is segmented from the main conditioning apparatus into a separate portable detection unit that can be carried by the user. This allows the apparatus to adapt to user position without requiring the entire conditioning system to be mobile or complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A portable detection unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the fixed conditioning apparatus. This intermediary carries sensors that detect environmental parameters and transmits data to the control unit, enabling the apparatus to respond to user position dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a portable detection unit is added to detect user position and transmit data to the control unit, then the adaptability to user position is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility in regulationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable detection unit is designed to be universally applicable with multiple detection functions (temperature, humidity, air quality) that can serve various user needs. The control unit processes this data to provide comprehensive environmental regulation, making the system versatile without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Extent of automation

If the conditioning apparatus requires active user intervention to choose optimal environmental conditions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the automation level and energy efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of environmental regulationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic feedback control where sensors continuously monitor environmental parameters, the control unit processes this data against target values, and the conditioning apparatus automatically adjusts its operation. This closed-loop feedback system achieves high automation while keeping the control logic manageable through clear target-value comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The conditioning apparatus serves itself by automatically detecting environmental conditions through integrated or portable sensors and regulating its own operation to maintain target parameters. The system autonomously adjusts cooling, heating, or ventilation without requiring user intervention, achieving self-service operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the conditioning apparatus continuously monitors and adjusts environmental parameters to maintain target values, then the user comfort is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs environmental monitoring and adjustment in periodic cycles rather than continuous operation. The control unit regularly compares detected parameters with target values and activates conditioning only when deviations are detected, maintaining comfort reliability while reducing energy consumption through intermittent operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4010637B1Conditioning apparatus and method to regulate it
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 DE LONGHI APPLIANCES SRL
  • EP4010637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4010637B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4010637B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method to regulate a conditioning apparatus (10) comprising a conditioning body (13) inside which conditioning means (16) are disposed, suitable to modify the state of a flow of air (W) to cause a determinate effect in an internal environment (11), wherein the method provides to receive an indication of target environmental parameters to be reached in the internal environment (11), detect the actual parameters in the environment (11), and regulate the functioning of the conditioning means (16) by means of a control and command unit (26).