Sleep-Mode Air Conditioner Control With User-Defined Temperature Curves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners lack the ability for users to customize the temperature curve during sleep mode, leading to discomfort for many individuals, as the existing sleep function is not adaptable to personal preferences and geographical environments.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner system that allows users to set a user-defined temperature curve using a remote controller, enabling personalized temperature adjustments over time, with data stored in the air conditioner's MCU control chip and transmitted via infrared signals for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed sleep mode temperature curve is implemented based on mass data statistics, then the air conditioner can provide automatic temperature adjustment during sleep, but it cannot adapt to individual user preferences and geographical environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to user preferencesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-provides multiple typical temperature curve patterns (e.g., gradual increase, step increase, gradual decrease, step decrease) that users can select in advance. This allows users to choose their preferred pattern before sleep begins, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments while still providing personalized temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different temperature curve patterns based on user selection and automatically adjusts the temperature according to the selected pattern during sleep. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to respond to individual user preferences while maintaining operational simplicity through automated execution of the selected pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the sleep mode automatically adjusts temperature according to pre-set patterns, then the operation is simplified, but the user cannot customize the temperature curve according to personal habits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of temperature controlVSAvoidcustomization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Users pre-select their preferred temperature curve pattern (gradual increase, step increase, gradual decrease, or step decrease) before entering sleep mode. The system then automatically executes the selected pattern without requiring further user intervention, combining ease of operation with customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Once the user selects a temperature curve pattern, the system autonomously executes the temperature adjustment according to the selected pattern throughout the sleep period. The air conditioner independently manages the temperature control process, eliminating the need for continuous user input while maintaining personalized temperature profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the air conditioner functions only as a cold source or hot source in sleep mode, then the system operation is simplified, but it cannot provide comprehensive comfort according to human physiological changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation complexityVSAvoiddiscomfort from temperature changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the temperature parameter dynamically during sleep mode based on the selected curve pattern, transitioning from static temperature control to dynamic temperature adjustment. This allows the air conditioner to adapt to human physiological changes during sleep while maintaining simplified system operation through automated pattern execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables users to create a comfortable sleeping environment by allowing flexible temperature adjustments according to personal habits, enhancing comfort and personalization, as users can set temperature curves tailored to their specific needs.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting the data of the user-defined curve respectively to a memory chip, a display unit and an infrared transmitting unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2144014B1Air conditioner with operation according to a user-defined curve and the control method thereof
Publication Date: 2012.08.15 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP2144014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2144014B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2144014B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An air conditioner operating according to a user-defined curve, said air conditioner comprises a main unit, said main unit comprising: a receiving unit of user-defined curve for receiving the data of the user-defined curve set by the user, the user-defined curve defines air conditioner temperatures demanded by the user as a function of time; and a control unit connected to the receiving unit of user-defined curve for controlling air conditioner temperature at different times according to the user-defined curve. The user sets the user-defined curve by use of the keyboard on the remote controller; the data of the user-defined curve are stored in the memory chip of remote controller; the data of the user-defined curve are transmitted to the infrared signal receiving unit of the main unit; and the air conditioner is controlled to operate accordingly by the MCU control chip according to the user-defined curve.