Control method of air conditioner and air conditioner

Abstract

This invention provides a control method for an air conditioner and an air conditioner in general. The air conditioner includes a fan wall. The control method includes: determining whether a fan in an on-state needs to be loaded or unloaded; acquiring the actual airflow of the fan wall and determining the number of fans that need to be turned on based on the actual airflow; turning the fans on or off according to the determined number of fans that need to be turned on, so that the number of fans in the fan wall that are on matches the number of fans that need to be turned on; and simultaneously adjusting the rotational speed of the fans in the on-state to meet the loading or unloading requirements. This achieves high-efficiency operation of a single fan and maximizes the overall energy saving of the air conditioning unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to a control method for an air conditioner and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] In existing air conditioning units, variable frequency brushless DC fans are used as the air supply fans, with at least two variable frequency brushless DC fans installed in parallel on a fan wall. Indoor temperature sensors detect the indoor temperature, and the frequency of the variable frequency brushless DC fans is adjusted based on the difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature, thereby regulating the overall air supply volume of the air conditioning unit to achieve a constant indoor temperature and energy savings. However, during the adjustment process, while the operating power of the air conditioning unit decreases, the efficiency of individual fans also decreases. Individual fans operate outside their high-efficiency points, resulting in poor overall energy-saving performance and failing to meet the expected energy-saving requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above problems, this invention is proposed to provide a control method and an air conditioner that overcome or at least partially solve the above problems. It solves the problem of a single fan operating at a non-high-efficiency point when the unit's operating power decreases in traditional air conditioning units, thereby maximizing the reduction of overall energy consumption of the air conditioning unit.

[0004] Specifically, the present invention provides a control method for an air conditioner, the air conditioner including a fan wall, the fan wall including multiple fans. The control method includes a load increase / decrease procedure:

[0005] Load or unload the currently running fans;

[0006] Obtain the actual air volume of the fan wall;

[0007] The number of fans that need to be turned on for the fan wall is determined based on the actual air output, thus obtaining the number of fans;

[0008] The number of newly turned-on fans or the number of fans turned off is equal to the number of fans in total.

[0009] Control the parameters of the fan whose operating state has been redefined;

[0010] For fans that have been re-established to be in an active state, continue to apply loads or reduce loads.

[0011] Optionally, the control method includes:

[0012] Obtain the air intake temperature of the indoor unit of the air conditioner;

[0013] Based on the inlet air temperature and the target temperature, determine whether the fan wall needs to be loaded or unloaded, and run the loading / unloading procedure.

[0014] Optionally, determining the number of fans that need to be turned on for the fan wall based on the actual air volume includes:

[0015] The number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall is determined based on the actual air volume and whether loading or unloading has been completed; or, the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall is determined solely based on the actual air volume.

[0016] Optionally, determining the number of fans that need to be turned on for the fan wall based on the actual air volume includes:

[0017] Based on the actual air volume Q k The rated total air volume Q of the fan wall max Calculate the fan start-up demand rate E f E f =Q k / Q max ;

[0018] According to the wind turbine start-up demand rate E f Calculate the number of fans that need to be turned on based on the total number of fans, and obtain the number of fans N, where N=E. f *The total number of the fans, N value rounded up.

[0019] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0020] When a new fan is started, it should be operated at its maximum speed, rated speed, or preset speed.

[0021] Optionally, the parameters controlling the fan's redefined start-up state include:

[0022] Control the parameters of the fans whose operating states have been redefined so that each fan operates at its rated speed; or,

[0023] The parameters of the fans in the redefined on-state are controlled so that the actual air volume of the fan wall is equal to the last actual air volume before the number of fans was changed.

[0024] Optionally, determining whether the fan wall needs to be loaded or unloaded based on the inlet air temperature and the target temperature includes:

[0025] In cooling mode, if the inlet air temperature is greater than or equal to the target temperature plus the start-stop hysteresis, and this condition persists for a first preset duration, then loading is required; or...

[0026] In cooling mode, if the inlet air temperature is less than the target temperature plus the start-stop hysteresis, and this continues for a first preset duration, it is determined that load reduction is necessary; or...

[0027] In heating mode, if the inlet air temperature is greater than or equal to the target temperature plus the start-stop hysteresis, and this condition persists for the second preset duration, it is determined that load reduction is necessary; or...

[0028] In heating mode, if the air intake temperature is less than the target temperature plus the start-stop hysteresis, and this continues for the second preset duration, it is determined that loading is required.

[0029] Optionally, loading or unloading a fan that is in the on state includes:

[0030] During load reduction, the speed of the currently running fan is reduced according to the first preset value;

[0031] During loading, the speed of the currently active fan is increased according to the second preset value.

[0032] Optionally, for a fan currently in operation, during load reduction, the actual airflow of the fan wall is obtained when the fan speed reaches its minimum; during load loading, the actual airflow of the fan wall is obtained when the fan speed reaches its maximum; or...

[0033] For the currently active fans, the actual air output of the fan wall is obtained in real time.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention also provides an air conditioner, including a processor and a memory storing program instructions, wherein the processor is configured to execute any of the above-described air conditioner control methods when executing the program instructions.

[0035] This invention discloses a control method for an air conditioner, which determines whether a fan in an on-state needs to be loaded or unloaded. The actual airflow of the fan wall is obtained, and the number of fans that need to be activated in the fan wall is determined based on this actual airflow. Fans are then activated or deactivated according to the determined number of fans required to be activated in the fan wall, ensuring that the number of fans in the fan wall currently in an on-state matches the number of fans required to be activated in the fan wall. This achieves high-efficiency operation of individual fans and maximizes overall energy savings for the air conditioning unit.

[0036] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the invention in detail by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or portions. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the load addition / reduction process in the control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a load reduction process in an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a flowchart loaded in the control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a system diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The following reference Figures 1 to 5 This invention describes a control method for an air conditioner and an air conditioner according to embodiments of the present invention. In this description, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature, that is, include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. When a feature "includes or contains" one or more of the features it encompasses, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and may be further included.

[0044] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "install," "connect," "link," "fix," and "couple" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art should be able to understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0045] Furthermore, in the description of this embodiment, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or it can include contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. That is, in the description of this embodiment, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," or "below" of the second feature can mean the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0046] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0047] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the load addition / reduction process in the control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, and refer to Figures 2 to 5 This invention provides a control method for an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a fan wall, which comprises multiple fans. The control method includes a load on / off procedure:

[0048] Step S1: Load or unload the wind turbines that are currently in operation.

[0049] Step S2: Obtain the actual air volume of the fan wall.

[0050] Step S3: Determine the number of fans that need to be turned on for the fan wall based on the actual air volume, and obtain the number of fans.

[0051] Step S4: Turn on or turn off the fan so that the number of fans in the on state is the number of fans.

[0052] Step S5: Control the parameters of the fan in the redefined start-up state.

[0053] Step S6: Continue loading or unloading the wind turbines whose operating status has been redefined.

[0054] In other words, the operation of an air conditioner includes: determining whether the fans in the on-state need to be loaded or unloaded; obtaining the actual airflow of the fan wall and determining the number of fans that need to be turned on based on the actual airflow; turning the fans on or off according to the determined number of fans that need to be turned on, so that the number of fans in the fan wall that are on matches the number of fans that need to be turned on, thus achieving high-efficiency operation of individual fans and maximizing the overall energy saving of the air conditioning unit.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control method further includes: acquiring the inlet air temperature of the indoor unit of the air conditioner; determining whether the fan wall needs to be loaded or unloaded based on the inlet air temperature and the target temperature; and running a load loading / unloading program.

[0056] In this embodiment, the air inlet temperature of the air conditioner is measured, and the deviation between the air inlet temperature and the target temperature is compared. Finally, the fan wall operation load or unload is determined based on the deviation between the air inlet temperature and the target temperature. The air inlet temperature measurement is simple and convenient.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present invention, in cooling mode, determining whether the fan wall needs to be loaded or unloaded based on the inlet air temperature and the target temperature includes: if the inlet air temperature is ≥ the target temperature + start-stop hysteresis, and this condition persists for a first preset duration, loading is determined to be required. If the inlet air temperature is < the target temperature + start-stop hysteresis, and this condition persists for a first preset duration, unloading is determined to be required. The first preset duration can be any value, but is preferably 3 minutes for ease of control.

[0058] In this embodiment, the start-stop hysteresis of the air conditioner is preset, the air inlet temperature of the air conditioner is obtained, and the relationship between the air inlet temperature, the target temperature, and the start-stop hysteresis is determined. Based on this relationship, the air conditioner's operation is adjusted for load or load reduction. The conditions for loading or reducing the air conditioner's load are straightforward.

[0059] Of course, in some embodiments of the present invention, in heating mode, determining whether the fan wall needs to be loaded or unloaded based on the inlet air temperature and the target temperature includes: running the load increase / decrease procedure when the inlet air temperature is ≥ target temperature + start-stop hysteresis and continues for a second preset duration; and running the load increase / decrease procedure when the inlet air temperature is < target temperature + start-stop hysteresis and continues for a second preset duration. The second preset duration can be any value, and may not be equal to or different from the first preset duration. For ease of control, 3 minutes is preferred.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present invention, the loading or unloading of the fan wall is determined based on the deviation between the inlet air temperature and the target temperature. Specifically, during cooling, when loading occurs, the loading / unloading procedure is exited if the inlet air temperature is less than the target temperature and this deviation persists for a third preset duration. During cooling and unloading, the loading / unloading procedure is exited if the inlet air temperature is greater than or equal to the target temperature and this deviation persists for a fourth preset duration. During heating and unloading, the loading / unloading procedure is exited if the inlet air temperature is less than the target temperature and this deviation persists for a fifth preset duration. During heating, when loading occurs, the loading / unloading procedure is exited if the inlet air temperature is greater than or equal to the target temperature and this deviation persists for a sixth preset duration.

[0061] In this embodiment, the intake air temperature is obtained, and the deviation between the intake air temperature and the target temperature is compared. The temperature deviation is used to control the air conditioner to exit the load adjustment program. The intake air temperature is easy to obtain, making it convenient to control the air conditioner to exit the load adjustment program.

[0062] Furthermore, at any point in the loading / unloading procedure, particularly in steps S5 and S6, the loading / unloading procedure exits whenever the conditions for the wind turbine wall to complete loading or unloading are met.

[0063] In some embodiments of the present invention, determining the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall based on the actual air volume includes: determining the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall based on the actual air volume. The actual air volume is simple and easy to measure. In this embodiment, the fans in the fan wall are allowed to operate at their maximum speed, which is greater than the rated speed.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present invention, determining the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall based on the actual air volume includes: determining the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall based on the actual air volume and whether the fan wall has completed loading or unloading. In this embodiment, the fans are not allowed to adjust to their maximum speed. If the fan operates at its rated speed, the actual air volume cannot be increased. If the fan operates at its rated speed and loading or unloading is completed, the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall is no longer adjusted. If the fan operates at its rated speed but loading or unloading is not completed, the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall is adjusted according to the loading or unloading requirements.

[0065] In some embodiments of the present invention, determining the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall based on the actual air volume includes: based on the actual air volume Q k The rated total air volume Q of the fan wall max Calculate the fan start-up demand rate E f E f =Q k / Q max According to the wind turbine start-up demand rate E f Calculate the number of fans N that need to be turned on based on the total number of fans. The number of fans N that need to be turned on is N = Ef *The total number of wind turbines, with N rounded up. That is, when the calculated N value is 5.1, it is rounded up to 6, instead of being rounded to the nearest 5.

[0066] In this embodiment, the rated total air volume Q of the fan wall is... max The total number of fans is related to the factory settings of the air conditioner and is a fixed value for the same air conditioner. Actual air volume Q k It is simple to measure and the number of fans N to be turned on is easy to calculate. It should be noted that the rated total air volume Q of the fan wall is... max It is the product of the total number of fans in the fan wall and the rated air volume of each fan. The rated air volume of a single fan is the air volume corresponding to its rated speed. The air volume of a single fan is positively correlated with its speed, and in actual operation, the maximum speed of each fan is greater than its rated speed, and the minimum speed is less than its rated speed.

[0067] In some embodiments of the present invention, when a new fan is started, it operates at its rated speed. Alternatively, when a new fan is started, it operates at a preset speed. In this embodiment, the speed of the newly started fan is preset for easy subsequent adjustment.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control method for the air conditioner further includes: when a new fan is turned on, the newly turned-on fan operates at its maximum speed. In this embodiment, the original fan is operating at its maximum speed, and the newly turned-on fan is also operating at its maximum speed, which means that the speed of the newly turned-on fan is the same as the speed of the original fan, facilitating synchronous speed adjustment.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present invention, controlling the parameters of the fans in the redefined start-up state includes controlling the parameters of the fans in the redefined start-up state so that the speed of each fan in operation is the rated speed. In this embodiment, each fan after the adjustment quantity is first brought to its rated speed, and then the loading and unloading are carried out to facilitate the loading and unloading operation. Of course, it should be noted that in this step, once the conditions for the fan wall to complete loading or unloading are met, the loading and unloading procedure can be exited. At this time, the speed of the fan may not have reached the rated speed, but it has been as close as possible to the rated speed, that is, the fan is operated as efficiently as possible under the existing conditions.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present invention, controlling the parameters of the re-determined operating state of the fans to ensure that the speed of each operating fan is at its rated speed includes: during unloaded operation, after the fan is shut down, the speed of the currently operating fan is increased to the rated speed according to a third preset value. During loaded operation, after a new fan is started and operates at its maximum speed, the speed of the currently operating fan is decreased to the rated speed according to a fourth preset value. During loaded operation, after a new fan is started and operates at a preset speed, the speed of the previously operating fan is decreased to the rated speed according to the fourth preset value. The third and fourth preset values ​​may be different, or they may be equal. The third and fourth preset values ​​can be any value, in revolutions per minute (rpm). Specifically, the value can be Y revolutions per minute or Y revolutions per 3 minutes, where Y can be a preset value or obtained by multiplying the rated speed of the fan by a fixed percentage.

[0071] In this embodiment, setting a third preset value and a fourth preset value facilitates control over the adjustment range of the fan speed during the load increase / decrease procedure.

[0072] In some embodiments of the present invention, the parameters for controlling the redefined start-up state of the fans include: controlling the parameters for controlling the redefined start-up state of the fans so that the actual air volume of the fan wall is equal to the last actual air volume before the number of fans was changed, so as to facilitate further load adjustment.

[0073] In some embodiments of the present invention, loading or unloading a fan in the on-state includes: during unloading, the fan speed is reduced by a first preset value; during loading, the fan speed is increased by a second preset value. The first and second preset values ​​may be unequal, or they may be equal. The first and second preset values ​​can be any values, expressed in revolutions per minute (rpm). Specifically, the values ​​can be Y revolutions per minute or Y revolutions per 3 minutes, where Y can be a preset value or obtained by multiplying the fan's rated speed by a fixed percentage.

[0074] In this embodiment, a first preset value is set to facilitate control of the speed adjustment range during loading, and a second preset value is set to facilitate control of the speed adjustment range during unloading.

[0075] In some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioner calculates the actual air volume by measuring the air outlet wind speed.

[0076] In some embodiments of the present invention, for a fan currently in the active state, during the unloading process, the actual airflow of the fan wall is obtained when the fan speed reaches its minimum; this can also be obtained through calculation. For a fan currently in the active state, during the loading process, the actual airflow of the fan wall is obtained when the fan speed reaches its maximum; this can also be obtained through calculation. In this case, multiple fans may be started or stopped simultaneously, for example, two fans may be started simultaneously, which is related to the rated speed, minimum speed, and maximum speed set for the fans.

[0077] In some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioner calculates the actual air volume by measuring the air outlet velocity. For a fan currently in operation, during load reduction, the actual air volume of the fan wall is obtained in real time when the fan speed does not reach its minimum but is sufficient to shut down one fan. For a fan currently in operation, during load reduction, the actual air volume of the fan wall is obtained in real time when the fan speed does not reach its maximum but is sufficient to start a new fan.

[0078] In some embodiments of the present invention, to prevent erroneous adjustments to the fan's start and stop, when it is determined that a new fan needs to be started or stopped, the start or stop is not performed immediately. Instead, a preset time is waited, and if it is determined within this preset time that a new fan needs to be started or stopped, then the fan is started or stopped. The preset time is 2 to 4 minutes, preferably 3 minutes.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, and in combination Figure 4 This invention also provides an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a fan wall, a processor, and a memory storing program instructions. The processor is configured to execute the control method of the air conditioner as described in any of the above embodiments when executing the program instructions. The fan wall includes a plurality of fans.

[0080] In this embodiment, by adjusting the number of fans turned on in the fan wall and the rotation speed of the fans in the turned-on state, it is ultimately possible to achieve high-efficiency operation of a single fan while meeting the requirements of the air conditioner's operating parameters, and also to maximize the overall energy saving of the air conditioning unit.

[0081] Furthermore, the air conditioner also includes a pre-filter, an electronic purification filter, a two-stage cooling coil, a plate-type silencer section, an analog electric water flow regulating valve, a return air temperature sensor 30, a supply air temperature sensor 20, and a duct wind speed transmitter 40. The processor can be a PLC controller 10.

[0082] In this embodiment, the return air temperature sensor 30 is used to measure the return air temperature, and the supply air temperature sensor 20 is used to measure the supply air temperature. The duct velocity transmitter 40 is used to obtain the outlet air velocity, and the actual outlet air volume is calculated based on the outlet air velocity and the duct cross-sectional area.

[0083] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A control method for an air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes a fan wall, and the fan wall includes multiple fans; The control method includes a load loading / unloading procedure: Load or unload the currently running fans; Obtain the actual air volume of the fan wall; The number of fans that need to be turned on for the fan wall is determined based on the actual air output, thus obtaining the number of fans; The number of newly turned-on fans or the number of fans turned off is equal to the number of fans in total. Control the parameters of the fan whose operating state has been redefined; For fans that have been re-established to be in an open state, continue to apply load or reduce load. The parameters controlling the fan's redefined start-up state include: Control the parameters of the fans in the redefined start-up state so that the speed of each fan in operation is the rated speed; Loading or unloading a fan that is in operation includes: During load reduction, the speed of the currently running fan is reduced according to the first preset value; During loading, the currently active fan speed is increased according to the second preset value; The control method includes: Obtain the air intake temperature of the indoor unit of the air conditioner; Based on the inlet air temperature and the target temperature, determine whether the fan wall needs to be loaded or unloaded, and run the loading / unloading procedure.

2. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining the number of fans that need to be turned on for the fan wall based on the actual air output includes: The number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall is determined based on the actual air volume and whether loading or unloading has been completed; or, the number of fans that need to be turned on in the fan wall is determined solely based on the actual air volume.

3. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, Determining the number of fans that need to be turned on for the fan wall based on the actual air output includes: Based on the actual air volume Q k The rated total air volume Q of the fan wall max Calculate the fan start-up demand rate E f E f =Q k / Q max ; Based on the aforementioned wind turbine start-up demand rate E f Calculate the number of fans that need to be turned on based on the total number of fans, and obtain the number of fans N, where N=E. f *The total number of the fans, N value rounded up.

4. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: When a new fan is started, it should be operated at its maximum speed, rated speed, or preset speed.

5. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining whether the fan wall needs to be loaded or unloaded based on the inlet air temperature and target temperature includes: In cooling mode, if the inlet air temperature is greater than or equal to the target temperature plus the start-stop hysteresis, and this condition persists for a first preset duration, then loading is required; or... In cooling mode, if the inlet air temperature is less than the target temperature plus the start-stop hysteresis, and this continues for a first preset duration, it is determined that load reduction is necessary; or... In heating mode, if the inlet air temperature is greater than or equal to the target temperature plus the start-stop hysteresis, and this condition persists for the second preset duration, it is determined that load reduction is necessary; or... In heating mode, if the air intake temperature is less than the target temperature plus the start-stop hysteresis, and this continues for the second preset duration, it is determined that loading is required.

6. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, For a fan currently in operation, during load reduction, the actual airflow of the fan wall is obtained when the fan speed reaches its minimum; during load loading, the actual airflow of the fan wall is obtained when the fan speed reaches its maximum; or... For the currently active fans, the actual air output of the fan wall is obtained in real time.

7. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The device includes a fan wall, a processor, and a memory storing program instructions. The fan wall includes a plurality of fans, and the processor is configured to execute the control method of an air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 when executing the program instructions.

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