Remote controller and air-conditioning apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air-conditioning apparatuses with wireless communication functions face usability issues as users need to manually switch between communicating with sensor tags and portable terminals, disrupting continuous data collection and control.

Innovation Solution

A remote controller with a wireless communication unit and mode switching unit that allows simultaneous communication with sensor tags and portable terminals, enabling continuous data collection and control without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the air-conditioning apparatus continuously communicates with the sensor tag to collect environmental information, then the measurement precision and reliability of environmental data are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot perform remote operations without manual switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental data collectionVSAvoidremote operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mode switching unit as an intermediary mechanism that automatically manages communication between the air-conditioning apparatus and different devices (sensor tag or portable terminal). This mediator handles the switching logic, allowing continuous environmental monitoring while enabling remote operations without requiring users to manually switch communication modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication mode of the air-conditioning apparatus is made dynamic through the mode switching unit, which can automatically transition between connected mode (for sensor tag communication) and remote operation mode (for portable terminal communication). This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the communication state based on operational needs rather than maintaining a fixed state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the remote controller switches communication connection from the sensor tag to the portable terminal, then the ease of operation for remote control is improved, but the loss of time occurs because users must wait for switching timing and continuous data collection is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control operationVSAvoidwaiting time and data collection interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mode switching unit performs preliminary actions by proactively managing communication mode transitions before users need to operate the system. It prepares the appropriate communication mode in advance and switches automatically when needed, eliminating the need for users to wait for specific timing or manually initiate switching, thus preventing both operation delays and data collection interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous useful action by designing the mode switching unit to maintain uninterrupted environmental data collection while enabling remote operations. The switching is performed in a way that minimizes or eliminates gaps in data collection, and the system can rapidly transition between modes to ensure both continuous monitoring and seamless remote control without significant time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the air-conditioning apparatus communicates with both sensor tags and portable terminals simultaneously, then the adaptability and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple communication interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-device communicationVSAvoidcommunication interface management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both sensor tag communication and portable terminal communication through a single interface. The mode switching unit manages this universal communication capability by routing interactions to the appropriate protocol or mode, allowing the system to communicate with different device types without requiring separate dedicated communication hardware for each, thus reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11339986B2Remote controller and air-conditioning apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A remote controller includes a wireless communication unit wirelessly communicating with a wireless device transmitting sensor information serving as an environmental index for an air-conditioning target space for an air-conditioning apparatus and wirelessly communicating with an information terminal transmitting user-set operation information of a user of the air-conditioning apparatus; an air-conditioning control unit transmitting the sensor information and the user-set operation information to a main body of the air-conditioning apparatus; and a mode switching unit switching between a client mode in which the sensor information is acquired from the wireless device and a server mode in which the user-set operation information is received from the information terminal and provides air-conditioning control information corresponding to the user-set operation information to the information terminal.