SOLVING AND OVERCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES TO DEVELOP PRODUCTS SOUGHT AFTER BY CUSTOMERS

Developing a high-performance air-conditioner in its 4th year since conception
Arriving αt an optimal solution after trial and error

Since joining the company in 2010, Nunome has devoted himself entirely to designing residential air-conditioners. He is currently developing a high-performance air-conditioner (flagship model) for the Japanese market.

"We came up with the idea in 2019, and we've spent a lot of time designing it for a residential air-conditioner. We began with the concept of designing a high-performance air-conditioner, but we engaged in repeated trial and error to realize the level of energy efficiency we'd been struggling to attain."

Developing an air-conditioner not only requires listening to the demands of customers, but also the opinions of those involved in sales, quality assurance, manufacturing and a variety of other departments.

"If there is a request for an energy-efficient, compact air-conditioner, making it small may make it difficult to manufacture, raise the cost of components, or make it too expensive for the price. So, our job is to balance out not only its energy-efficiency and added functions, but also its ease of manufacturing, availability of components, cost and so on."

Listening to those with knowledge and experience,
and avoiding becoming too self-satisfied in work

Nunome says he places importance on listening to what others have to say when taking on new
challenges. He has been doing this in designing the flagship model he is currently working on.

"Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems is a company with history, experience and technology. There are many people in my department, as well as other departments, with much more knowledge and experience than me. So, listening to what they say is important in creating better products. I strive to avoid becoming too self-satisfied in my work by listening to the opinions of many people who may have done something differently in the past or know of some recent ideas."

"I had a lot of trouble designing the heat exchanger and fan for the flagship model I'm currently working on, but I listened to the views of all kinds of people and communicated closely and repeatedly with those involved to find solutions."

Aiming to design better air-conditioners that capture the attention of general users

Nunome has experience in designing residential air-conditioners for overseas markets, but this flagship model is his first domestic residential air-conditioner. He says he is looking forward to seeing how customers react after it is launched, but he is also a little anxious.
"It makes me happy when I hear that the air-conditioners I designed for overseas markets are extremely popular. Residential air-conditioners are products that are most familiar to our customers, so designing them well will raise awareness among them for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries air-conditioners. I want to complete this flagship model first, then continue designing good room air-conditioners that will capture the attention of general users."