Remote control device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In remote control devices for air-conditioning and similar apparatuses, users face inefficiencies in setting and confirming operation states, as they need to press buttons tentatively to understand the range of settings available, leading to low efficiency in both setting and confirmation operations.

Innovation Solution

A remote control device with an operation unit and a display unit that shows the range of temperature settings and operation modes, allowing users to switch and set states without unnecessary button presses, by displaying the set temperature range and operation mode options directly on the screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the user operates buttons to set operation state without prior information display, then the device can be operated with simple display structure, but the setting operation efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary tentative button presses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting operation efficiencyVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit displays the range of temperature that can be set in association with operation modes before the user performs setting operations. This preliminary display of available settings allows users to understand the full range of options without having to press buttons tentatively, thereby improving setting operation efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit provides visual feedback showing the range of temperature settings available for each operation mode. This feedback mechanism informs users of the possible setting ranges in advance, eliminating the need for trial-and-error button presses and improving operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the user operates the air-conditioning apparatus to confirm operation state range, then the remote control can maintain simple structure, but the confirmation operation efficiency deteriorates due to required apparatus operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfirmation operation efficiencyVSAvoidconfirmation operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control device's display unit creates a visual copy or representation of the available operation states and temperature ranges. Instead of requiring users to operate the air-conditioning apparatus to see available settings, the remote control displays this information directly, allowing confirmation without apparatus operation and significantly improving confirmation operation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If buttons are provided for each setting function, then the operation unit can be comprehensive, but the number of button presses increases leading to lower setting efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting operation speedVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit displays the range of temperature that can be switched and set by the operation unit in association with operation modes before the user performs setting operations. This preliminary information provision allows users to understand the full range of options without having to press buttons tentatively, thereby improving setting operation efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3056831B1Remote control device
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3056831B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3056831B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3056831B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A remote control device 1 according to the present invention includes an operation unit 2 for switching and setting an operation state of an apparatus performing at least one of a heating operation and a cooling operation, a display unit 3 that displays a screen on which an operation at the operation unit 2 is reflected, and a controller 4 that controls a display operation of the display unit 3. The controller 4 causes the display unit 3 to display at least one of a type and a range of an operation state that is able to be switched and set by the operation unit 2.