RF Air Conditioner Pairing Control for Multi-Unit Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems with multiple units and remote controllers face challenges in distinguishing and operating individual units, especially when using RF remote controllers, leading to unintended operation of units and difficulty in recognizing the operational state of target units.
Innovation Solution
The system introduces a pairing-setting unit that registers air conditioner bodies as either main machines or sub machines, allowing remote controllers to operate all registered units, with main machines performing full functions and sub machines limited to prevent confusion and ensure correct operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pairing setting is performed to limit the air conditioner operated by the remote controller, then unintended operation of other units is prevented, but the ability to operate multiple units with one remote controller is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control relationship into two distinct modes: own-room control mode where the remote controller operates only the paired air conditioner unit, and other-room control mode where the remote controller can operate multiple registered air conditioner units. This segmentation allows the system to provide different levels of control flexibility based on user needs while maintaining reliability in each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between control modes. The remote controller can transition between own-room control mode and other-room control mode based on user selection. In other-room control mode, the system dynamically displays operational states of multiple registered units and allows selective operation, providing adaptability while maintaining clear feedback about which unit is being controlled.
2Ease of operation
If all air conditioning units can be operated with one remote controller, then convenience is improved, but it becomes hard to identify the target air conditioning unit for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that display the operational state of each registered air conditioner unit before operation. When in other-room control mode, the remote controller displays current status information (such as running state, temperature settings) of each registered unit, allowing the user to identify the target unit clearly before initiating control. This feedback prevents erroneous operation by ensuring the user knows which unit will be affected.
3Ease of operation
If RF remote controllers are used to enable wireless operation, then ease of operation is improved, but signals may reach unintended air conditioning units causing erroneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary pairing registration before operation. During the pairing process, the remote controller and air conditioner units establish identification relationships in advance. When in other-room control mode, the system uses these pre-established pairings to display and select target units, ensuring that even though RF signals can reach multiple units, only the selected and identified unit will be operated, preventing erroneous control.
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioning system (10) includes: a plurality of air conditioner bodies (12A) to (12C) that perform air-conditioning operation; a plurality of remote controllers (14A) to (14C) that operate each of the air conditioner bodies (12A) to (12C); and pairing-setting unit. The pairing-setting unit has a main machine registration function and a sub machine registration function. A mode of operating the main machine with the remote controller is defined as a main-machine operation mode, while a mode of operating the sub machine with the remote controller is defined as a sub-machine operation mode. When the main-machine operation mode is switched to the sub-machine operation mode, the remote controller acquires operation information of all the registered sub machines.