Remote Controller Temperature Sensor Mounting for Accurate Air Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning remote controllers face challenges in accurately measuring atmospheric temperature due to the temperature sensor's limited insertion depth, leading to inaccurate positioning and decreased measurement accuracy, and manual adjustments are necessary to correct the sensor's position, which complicates assembly and can result in variability and reduced accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The air-conditioning remote controller design includes a temperature sensor with a covered wire inserted through a hole in the printed board and engaged with a cut in a partition portion, allowing the temperature detection portion to be stably fixed near the inner case surface without manual adjustment, reducing variability and avoiding contact with the upper case.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the intermediate portion of the temperature sensor is inserted deeper into the cut to bring the temperature detection portion closer to the atmosphere, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the temperature detection portion comes into contact with the case and is influenced by the case temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidcase temperature interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The partition portion is divided into an upper partition portion and a lower partition portion with a gap between them, creating a segmented structure that allows the temperature detection portion to be positioned in the gap where it can access atmospheric temperature without contacting the case walls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensor is positioned to extend in the thickness direction of the case, utilizing the vertical dimension to place the detection portion in the gap between partition portions rather than having it contact the horizontal case surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the intermediate portion of the temperature sensor is pressed into the cut during manufacture to increase insertion depth, then the temperature detection portion is brought closer to the atmosphere, but additional manual operations are required and the sensor may bend backward

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower partition portion is pre-formed with a protrusion that engages with the temperature sensor's intermediate portion, and the upper partition portion is pre-formed with a corresponding cut, so that when assembled, the sensor is automatically positioned and fixed at the correct depth without requiring manual pressing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The partition portion structure itself provides the fixing function through the protrusion-cut engagement mechanism, eliminating the need for external manual pressing tools or operations to secure the temperature sensor in place

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the temperature sensor is fixed with high insertion depth to improve measurement accuracy, then the detection portion is closer to the atmosphere, but the position variability increases due to manual adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatmospheric temperature measurementVSAvoidsensor position consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion of the lower partition portion acts as an intermediary fixing element that mechanically engages with the temperature sensor, providing a precise and consistent stopping point that eliminates position variability caused by manual adjustment differences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cut in the upper partition portion and protrusion in the lower partition portion are pre-configured to match the optimal insertion depth, so that during assembly the sensor naturally reaches the correct position without requiring operator judgment or adjustment, ensuring consistent positioning across all units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design stabilizes the temperature detection portion near the atmosphere to be measured, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and reducing variability, thus enhancing measurement accuracy by preventing contact with the upper case and maintaining accurate temperature detection.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor (3) arranged within the case (1a, 1b) and having a covered wire (3a), a soldered portion (8) provided at an end of the covered wire (3a), and a temperature detection portion (3b) provided at another end of the covered wire (3a)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2796800B1Remote control device for air conditioning
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2796800B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)
  • EP2796800B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2796800B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

A printed board 2 arranged within an upper case 1 a and having a hole 5, a partition portion 6 arranged within the upper case 1 a so as to be substantially orthogonal to the printed board 2 and provided with a cut 7, and a temperature sensor 3 arranged within the upper case 1 a and having a covered wire 3a, a soldered portion 8 provided at an end of the covered wire 3a, and a temperature detection portion 3b provided at another end of the covered wire 3a, are provided. The temperature sensor 3 is fixed such that the soldered portion 8 is soldered to a surface of the printed board 2, the covered wire 3a is inserted through the hole 5 and engaged with the cut 7 to be fixed, and the temperature detection portion 3b is located near an inner surface of the upper case 1 a.