Air Conditioner Remote Menu Prioritization for Fault Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Remote control units for air conditioning apparatuses become increasingly complex and difficult to use as functions are added, despite efforts to reduce switch numbers and improve operability.
Innovation Solution
A remote control unit with a display unit, cursor-moving means, confirmation means, and a controller that prioritizes selected items, provides fault response information, and simplifies menu navigation through predetermined inputs, allowing users to quickly access necessary information without manual searching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If functions are added to the remote control unit, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control unit uses a single menu selection confirm switch that serves multiple functions: selecting menu items, confirming selections, and navigating through different modes. This multi-functional switch replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated switches, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal display panel uses a dot matrix configuration where display specifics are not fixed but can be dynamically changed. The display method can be freely varied to show different information formats (text, icons, numerical values) depending on the selected function, allowing the interface to adapt to different operational modes without adding physical components
2Adaptability or versatility
If functions are added to the remote control unit, then the functionality is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
When a fault notification signal or filter maintenance request signal is received, the system automatically positions the corresponding item at the top of the menu before the user even looks at the display. This preliminary positioning of relevant information spares the user from having to search through the menu, making fault response and maintenance operations immediately accessible
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual menu searching with an automatic information delivery mechanism. Instead of requiring the user to mechanically navigate through menu items using cursor buttons, the system electronically positions the relevant information at the top of the display, substituting automated information retrieval for manual navigation
3Device complexity
If the menu displays all items in a fixed order, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased searching time
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically positions the item corresponding to the received signal (fault notification or filter maintenance request) at the top of the menu before display. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for users to search through the menu, reducing searching time while maintaining a simple fixed menu structure
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall menu structure remains simple and fixed, the positioning of specific items is dynamically adjusted based on the received signal type. The relevant item is placed at a privileged position (top of the menu) while other items maintain their standard positions, creating local optimization without global complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A remote control unit of an air conditioning apparatus includes a display unit, a cursor-moving member, a confirmation member, and a controller. The display unit displays a menu and a cursor that indicates an item among a plurality of items inside the menu and is moved by the cursor-moving member when operated by a user. The confirmation member is configured to decide that the item is to be executed. The controller controls the display unit in response to the cursor-moving member or confirmation member being operated. The controller positions an item corresponding to a predetermined input at the top of the menu upon receiving the predetermined input.