Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant leak detection sensors in air conditioners experience deterioration in detection performance due to the end of their service life, leading to inaccurate leak detection and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system that includes a refrigerant-leak detection sensor with an energization-time measuring unit to notify the user of the need for replacement before detection performance deteriorates, using a remote controller to display a message for timely sensor replacement, ensuring continuous detection performance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a refrigerant-leak detection sensor is used to detect refrigerant leaks, then leak detection capability is provided, but detection performance deteriorates over time due to sensor aging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by measuring the energization time of the detection sensor and notifying users to replace the sensor before its detection performance actually deteriorates. This preventive approach ensures the sensor is replaced during its reliable operation period, avoiding the contradiction between extending sensor service life and maintaining detection reliability.
2Productivity
If the detection sensor operates continuously for extended periods, then operational continuity is maintained, but detection accuracy decreases due to performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring the energization time of the detection sensor and providing notifications to users. This feedback mechanism allows the system to track sensor usage and prompt replacement before detection accuracy deteriorates, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and measurement precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An indoor unit (3) includes an indoor-unit control unit (35) that controls the operation of the indoor unit (3). A remote controller (4) includes a remote-controller control unit (45) that controls the operation of the remote controller (4) and a display unit (41) that displays various kinds of information in the remote controller (4). When determining that necessity of replacement of a refrigerant-leak detection sensor (32) is detected, the indoor-unit control unit (35) performs control for transmitting, to the remote controller (4), replacement period notification information for instructing notification of the necessity of the replacement of the refrigerant-leak detection sensor (32). The remote-controller control unit (45) performs, based on the replacement period notification information, control for displaying, on the display unit (41), a message for notifying the necessity of the replacement of the refrigerant-leak detection sensor (32).