Air conditioner control method and related device

Abstract

An air conditioner control method and a related device. The method comprises: acquiring a fault type of an air conditioner; and when the fault type is not a compressor hardware fault, acquiring from a preset database target operation parameters matched with the operation state, and, according to the target operation parameters, controlling the air conditioner to operate.

Description

Air conditioning control method and related device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 30, 2023, with application number 202311638446.2 and invention name “A method for controlling air conditioning and related devices”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to an air conditioning control method and related devices. Background Art

[0003] As the temperature control center of a vehicle's passenger compartment, air conditioning provides cooling and heating functions throughout the vehicle, enhancing passenger comfort. With widespread adoption and rapid technological advancement, the importance of stable and reliable air conditioning system design is growing.

[0004] Air conditioning operation requires collecting signals from multiple sensors in the vehicle, determining the operating mode based on an algorithm, and outputting execution parameters. If one or more of the collected signals is abnormal, the compressor is usually shut down, meaning the cooling / heating functions fail. For some air conditioning systems equipped with positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor heaters, if there is a problem with the collected data and the system is in heating mode, the compressor will stop and the PTC will be activated to maintain the system's heating function.

[0005] Current air conditioning systems generally shut down in the event of any failure. This approach cannot provide continuous cooling and heating functions, and thus cannot meet user needs.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide an air conditioning control method and related devices.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an air conditioning control method, including: obtaining the fault type of the air conditioner; when the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware fault, obtaining target operating parameters matching the operating status from a preset database; and controlling the operation of the air conditioner according to the target operating parameters.

[0009] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the present application, if the air conditioner's fault type is not a compressor hardware failure, target operating parameters matching the operating state are retrieved from a preset database, allowing the air conditioner to continue operating according to the target operating parameters. Therefore, implementing this embodiment of the present application avoids shutting down the air conditioner in the event of any fault, thereby meeting the user's cooling and heating needs as much as possible.

[0010] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the preset database includes multiple groups of operating parameters matching multiple operating states.

[0011] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the multiple groups of operating parameters are obtained through training based on sample data, and the sample data includes multiple groups of sample operating parameters under the multiple operating states.

[0012] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, when the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware failure, obtaining target operating parameters that match the operating status from a preset database includes: inputting data representing the operating status into the preset database to obtain the target operating parameters, the data representing the operating status includes non-abnormal signals among signals collected by multiple sensors, and the target operating parameters include any one or more of the compressor speed, the compressor valve opening, and the circulating air volume.

[0013] It can be seen that in the embodiment of the present application, by adding a database, even if the fault type is not a compressor hardware fault, the target operating parameters can still be obtained, and the air conditioner can be adjusted according to the target operating parameters to achieve the purpose of cooling or heating, meet user needs, and improve user experience.

[0014] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the signals collected by the multiple sensors also include abnormal signals, and obtaining the fault type of the air conditioner includes: when the abnormal signal includes at least one of the current signal, voltage signal, and chip temperature of the compressor, determining that the fault type of the air conditioner is a compressor hardware failure; when the abnormal signal does not include any one of the current signal, voltage signal, and chip temperature of the compressor, determining that the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware failure.

[0015] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the non-compressor hardware fault includes a suction and exhaust system fault of the compressor, wherein, when the abnormal signal includes the suction and exhaust pressure and / or suction and exhaust temperature of the compressor, the abnormal signal indicates a suction and exhaust system fault of the compressor.

[0016] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: when the fault type of the air conditioner is a compressor hardware failure, stopping the compressor; performing different ventilation operations on the air conditioner based on the working mode of the compressor before the compressor stops working, wherein the working mode of the compressor includes a cooling mode and a heating mode.

[0017] As can be seen, in the embodiment of this application, if the fault type is a compressor hardware failure, the compressor is stopped for safety reasons. When the air conditioner loses its cooling / heating function, differentiated ventilation operations are performed based on the current operating mode. Therefore, implementing this embodiment of the application can improve user comfort to a certain extent when the air conditioner's cooling / heating function fails, providing a better user experience.

[0018] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: displaying fault information on a dashboard of the vehicle.

[0019] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, after the air conditioner identifies a fault and performs the corresponding logical determination processing, the specific type of system fault is also displayed on the instrument panel, prompting the user to promptly perform maintenance. Therefore, the implementation of this embodiment of the application, by subdividing the fault type and displaying the specific fault type information on the instrument panel, is conducive to improving maintenance efficiency, accelerating the maintenance process, and saving time for fault handling.

[0020] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a controller, including an acquisition module and a control module, wherein the acquisition module is used to: obtain the fault type of the air conditioner; when the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware failure, obtain target operating parameters matching the operating status from a preset database; the control module is used to: control the operation of the air conditioner according to the target operating parameters.

[0021] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the preset database includes multiple groups of operating parameters matching multiple operating states.

[0022] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the multiple groups of operating parameters are obtained through training based on sample data, and the sample data includes multiple groups of sample operating parameters under the multiple operating states.

[0023] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the acquisition module is used to: input the data representing the operating status into the preset database to obtain the target operating parameters, the data representing the operating status include non-abnormal signals in the signals collected by multiple sensors, and the target operating parameters include the speed of the compressor, the valve opening of the compressor, and any one or more of the circulating air volume.

[0024] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the acquisition module is used to: when the abnormal signal includes at least one of the current signal, voltage signal, and chip temperature of the compressor, determine that the fault type of the air conditioner is a compressor hardware failure; when the abnormal signal does not include any one of the current signal, voltage signal, and chip temperature of the compressor, determine that the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware failure.

[0025] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the non-compressor hardware fault includes a suction and exhaust system fault of the compressor, wherein, when the abnormal signal includes the suction and exhaust pressure and / or suction and exhaust temperature of the compressor, the abnormal signal indicates a suction and exhaust system fault of the compressor.

[0026] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, when the fault type of the air conditioner is a compressor hardware failure, the compressor is stopped; based on the working mode of the compressor before the compressor stops working, the air conditioner performs different ventilation operations, and the working mode of the compressor includes a cooling mode and a heating mode.

[0027] Based on the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the fault information is displayed on a dashboard of the vehicle.

[0028] Each functional module in the second aspect is used to implement the method described in the first aspect and the possible implementation methods of the first aspect.

[0029] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory to implement the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a non-volatile readable storage medium, comprising program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by a controller, the controller executes the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0031] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising program instructions. When the computer program product is executed by a controller, the controller is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. The computer program product may be a software installation package. When the method provided in any possible design of the first aspect is required, the computer program product may be downloaded and executed on the controller to perform the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0032] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides an air-conditioning system, comprising a compressor and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0033] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a vehicle, comprising a controller, which is used to implement the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or, comprising an air-conditioning system, which is used to implement the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology will be described below.

[0035] FIG1 is a flow chart of an air conditioning control method provided by the present application;

[0036] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of fault type classification of an air conditioning control method provided by the present application;

[0037] FIG3 is a flowchart of a process in the event of a compressor hardware failure provided by the present application;

[0038] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a controller provided by the present application;

[0039] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of another controller provided by the present application;

[0040] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle provided in this application.

[0041] Explanation of reference numerals: 400 - controller, 410 - acquisition module, 420 - control module; 500 - controller, 510 - processor, 520 - communication interface, 530 - memory, 540 - bus; 600 - vehicle, 610 - air conditioner, 620 - controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following describes the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0043] It should be noted that the terms used in the embodiments of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The singular forms "a," "the," and "the" used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0044] It should be noted that when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprise" and "include" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a system, product, or device comprising a series of units / components is not limited to the listed units / components but may optionally include units / components not listed, or other units / components inherent to the product or device.

[0045] It will also be understood that the term “if” may be interpreted as “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting” or “in the event of” depending on the context.

[0046] Before introducing the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are first introduced.

[0047] Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor heater: It is a temperature-sensitive semiconductor resistor. When the temperature exceeds a certain level (Curie temperature), its resistance value increases stepwise as the temperature rises. When current passes through the PTC, a thermal effect is generated, thereby achieving the purpose of heating.

[0048] The present application provides an air conditioning control method. Referring to FIG1 , FIG1 is a flow chart of an air conditioning control method provided by the present application. The method includes but is not limited to the following description.

[0049] S101: A controller receives signals collected by various sensors on a vehicle.

[0050] A variety of sensors are arranged in the vehicle, including sensors for collecting signals on the compressor hardware, such as current sensors, voltage sensors and chip temperature sensors. The current sensor can be used to measure the current passing through the compressor to monitor the load condition of the motor; the voltage sensor is used to detect whether the power supply voltage is stable; the chip temperature sensor can be used to monitor the temperature of the compressor chip to prevent overheating or overcooling. The various sensors also include sensors for collecting the suction and exhaust temperatures and pressures of the compressor, which can be used to monitor the suction and exhaust temperatures in real time. The various sensors also include sensors for collecting the air outlet temperature of the air conditioner, the evaporator temperature, and the water side temperature of the plate heat exchanger. The various sensors may also include other sensors, which are not limited in this application. For example, other sensors may be in-vehicle and out-vehicle temperature sensors. The in-vehicle temperature sensor is used to collect the temperature inside the vehicle, and the out-vehicle temperature sensor is used to collect the ambient temperature.

[0051] After the various sensors collect signals, they send the collected signals to the controller, and the controller receives the signals collected by the various sensors on the vehicle.

[0052] S102: The controller determines abnormal signals among the signals collected by the various sensors.

[0053] The signals collected by various sensors include both abnormal and normal signals. The controller identifies the signal values ​​collected by the sensors and determines whether the signal values ​​are abnormal. Abnormal signal values ​​include: the collected signal value is outside the normal range and no valid signal data is collected.

[0054] The controller has pre-built algorithms for determining whether different signal values ​​are abnormal, including: presetting reasonable parameter ranges for different signals in the controller. If the collected data exceeds this range, it will be regarded as abnormal data; some thresholds may be set in the controller to determine whether the data is abnormal. According to the threshold setting, if the collected data exceeds or falls below the threshold, it will be regarded as abnormal. For example, if the pressure collected by the pressure sensor exceeds the set maximum value or falls below the set minimum value, it will be judged as abnormal; the controller may set a threshold for the duration of abnormal data for different signals. If the duration of abnormal data exceeds a certain threshold, it will be regarded as abnormal. For example, if the indoor temperature sensor is broken, the indoor temperature sensor cannot collect the indoor temperature for a long time. The duration exceeds the threshold set by the air-conditioning controller, then the indoor temperature signal value will be regarded as abnormal. This application does not make any specific restrictions on the algorithm for determining whether the collected signal value is abnormal.

[0055] S103: Determine whether the fault type is a compressor hardware fault.

[0056] When the controller evaluates the signal values ​​collected by various sensors and detects an abnormality in one or more of the signal values, it identifies the fault type indicated by the signal. Referring to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram illustrating the classification of fault types in an air conditioning control method provided by this application, fault types include: air conditioning compressor hardware faults; air conditioning non-compressor hardware faults; non-compressor hardware faults include faults in the compressor's intake and exhaust system; and body-related faults. An air conditioning compressor hardware fault refers to a hardware failure associated with the compressor. In the event of a compressor hardware fault, the compressor cannot function properly, i.e., it cannot provide cooling or heating functions. The compressor's intake and exhaust system affects compressor performance. When the compressor's intake and exhaust system is functioning properly, the compressor's cooling or heating functions are effective. When the compressor's intake and exhaust system is abnormal or faulty, the compressor's cooling or heating functions are poor. Compressor intake and exhaust system faults include faults that occur during the compressor's intake and exhaust of refrigerant. Body-related faults include faults in one or more of the various sensors, as well as faults in components or equipment used to determine the comfort level of the vehicle interior and regulate the air conditioning system. This application does not provide specific limitations on the classification of fault types.

[0057] In the controller, an algorithm for identifying the type of fault is pre-set, and the algorithm includes: in the controller, different signals are classified. Signals indicating compressor hardware faults include compressor current peak, bus current, bus voltage, and chip temperature signals. These signals reflect the hardware performance status of the compressor. Signals indicating compressor intake and exhaust system faults include compressor intake and exhaust pressure, intake and exhaust temperature signals. Such signals mainly reflect the performance of the compressor after the system is running. Signals indicating vehicle body-related faults include vehicle interior and exterior temperatures, vehicle interior ambient humidity, face and foot air outlet temperature, evaporator temperature, plate heat exchanger water side temperature, etc. Such signals reflect the vehicle interior environment and vehicle status, and can be used to judge the comfort level of the vehicle interior environment and adjust the air conditioning function.

[0058] When at least one abnormal signal belongs to the category of signals indicating compressor hardware failure, it is determined that there is a compressor hardware failure.

[0059] S104: When the fault type is a non-compressor hardware fault, obtain target operating parameters that match the operating state from a preset database.

[0060] If the air conditioner fault type is a non-compressor hardware fault, target operating parameters matching the operating state are obtained from a preset database. The preset database includes multiple sets of operating parameters matching multiple operating states, and the multiple sets of operating parameters are trained based on sample data, including multiple sets of sample operating parameters under multiple operating states.

[0061] When the abnormal signal does not include any one of the current signal, voltage signal, and chip temperature, and the abnormal signal does not include multiple types of the current signal, voltage signal, and chip temperature, it is determined that the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware fault.

[0062] If the air conditioner fault type is non-compressor hardware failure, target operating parameters matching the operating status are retrieved from a preset database. The target operating parameters refer to the parameters required for the air conditioner to operate to meet user needs. Non-compressor hardware failures may include abnormal signals indicating a compressor intake and exhaust system fault or a vehicle body-related fault.

[0063] The database can be trained using a neural network model. First, samples are collected. Data samples can be obtained from various sensor data collected from air conditioners in different operating environments. Alternatively, user operating habits data can be added to the data samples. The neural network model's labels are the target operating parameters corresponding to the data collected from various sensors in different operating environments, or the target operating parameters corresponding to the user's operating habits data. To facilitate the training and use of the neural network model, the data collected from various sensors in different operating environments are preprocessed, such as normalization. Second, the dataset is divided into a training set, a validation set, and a test set, with the proportions set to 70%, 15%, and 15%, respectively. The training set is used to train the parameters of the neural network model, the validation set is used to adjust hyperparameters and evaluate model performance, and the test set is used to ultimately evaluate the model's generalization ability. This application does not impose any restrictions on the proportions of the training, validation, and test sets. Next, the model is constructed. The input layer, hidden layer, and output layer are designed according to the requirements, and the number of nodes and activation function for each layer are determined. The activation function can be ReLU or Sigmoid. This application does not specifically limit the type of activation function. Taking into account the complexity of the problem, the number of hidden layers can be increased to improve the learning ability and expression ability of the model. Finally, the model is trained and optimized, and the training set is used to iteratively train the model, and the weights and biases of the model are updated through the back propagation algorithm. A suitable optimization algorithm and loss function are selected, and hyperparameters such as learning rate and regularization parameter are adjusted according to the results of the validation set. Using a neural network model to train and obtain a database is only one embodiment of this application.

[0064] The database can also be implemented in an ordinary way, and two database tables are established, namely the parameter table and the user habit table. The parameter table is used to store the parameter data of the air conditioner under different working environments. The parameter data includes the normal signal values ​​collected by various sensors when the air conditioner is working in different working environments and their corresponding target operating parameters. The user habit table is used to store the operating habit data of the user in his daily life and his corresponding target operating parameters. The update of database data can be done in a regular update manner or in a real-time update manner. Regular update means updating the database regularly, replacing and supplementing it according to the new data, and ensuring that the data in the database can reflect the current situation. Real-time update means that during operation, the data in the database can be dynamically updated according to the data collected in real time to maintain the accuracy and practicality of the database. This application does not make any specific restrictions on the method of making the database.

[0065] If the air conditioner's fault type is not a compressor hardware failure, the system calls a pre-set database and inputs non-abnormal signal values ​​from the current sensors. These non-abnormal signal values ​​represent the operating status. The system then matches the database with data similar to the current air conditioner's operating environment, and outputs the target operating parameters. These target operating parameters include compressor speed, compressor valve opening, recirculation air volume, and recirculation ratio. By adjusting the compressor speed, the refrigerant flow rate and compression ratio in the circulation can be controlled, thereby affecting the cooling or heating performance of the entire system. Different speeds correspond to different cooling / heating capacity levels, and the optimal speed can be selected based on the indoor temperature and user needs. The air conditioner's valve controls the refrigerant flow rate and direction. Adjusting the valve opening changes the ratio of refrigerant flow into and out of the room and outdoors, thereby adjusting the cooling / heating performance. A larger valve opening generally corresponds to a higher cooling capacity, while a smaller valve opening corresponds to a lower cooling capacity. The valve opening can also be used to fine-tune the refrigerant flow rate to accommodate varying indoor temperature fluctuations and user needs. Recirculation air volume refers to the air volume of the air conditioner's supply and return air. Adjusting the recirculation air volume can change the indoor air flow rate and temperature distribution, thereby affecting indoor comfort. A higher recirculation air volume can speed up indoor air flow, making the temperature more uniform throughout the room; a lower recirculation air volume can reduce indoor air flow, suitable for maintaining a stable temperature in specific areas. The recirculation ratio refers to the proportion of refrigerant in the air conditioner in circulation, indicating the degree of refrigerant recovery and reuse in the cycle. A higher recirculation ratio means more refrigerant recovery and reuse, thereby improving energy efficiency and performance.

[0066] In one embodiment, the controller may acquire signals including: an interior temperature of 25°C, an exterior temperature of 30°C, cooling mode, and normal compressor current, voltage, and chip temperature signals. If an abnormal channel temperature signal occurs, the target operating parameters derived from the system's conventional logic may be inaccurate. In severe cases, this may cause the compressor to shut down, rendering the air conditioner's cooling function ineffective and impacting the user experience. In this case, the controller may access the air conditioner's built-in database, input normal signals collected by various sensors, such as an interior temperature of 25°C, an exterior temperature of 30°C, and cooling mode, and match the database with data similar to the current operating environment. The controller then outputs target operating parameters such as a compressor speed of 2000 rpm, a circulating air volume of 50 CFM, and a valve opening of 150 steps. This ensures that the air conditioner maintains normal operation while maintaining a certain degree of cooling capacity even when an abnormal channel temperature signal occurs. RPM stands for "revolutions per minute," and CFM stands for "cubic feet per minute."

[0067] In another embodiment, the controller can obtain signals including: the interior temperature is 22°C, the exterior temperature is 28°C, the operating mode is cooling mode, the air conditioner is on for 15 minutes, and the compressor current, voltage, and chip temperature signals are normal. If the air outlet temperature signal is abnormal, the controller cannot obtain the actual air outlet temperature. In this case, the compressor is determined to be operating normally and a data matching and screening is performed from the system's built-in database to find the data that most closely matches the interior and exterior temperature, operating mode, air conditioner on time, and the vehicle owner's operating habits. The controller then outputs target operating parameters, for example: compressor speed of 1200 rpm, circulating air volume of 400 CFM, and valve opening of 100 steps. The database allows the air conditioner's performance to vary with the number of valid signals. Specifically, when the multiple sensors collect more valid signals, the target operating parameters obtained through matching in the database will more closely match the current situation, resulting in better air conditioner performance. When the multiple sensors collect fewer valid signals, the controller will have difficulty determining the accuracy of the target operating parameters. In this case, prioritizing the stability and safety of the air conditioner, the compressor is set to operate at a relatively low constant speed. This results in a relatively low performance of the air conditioner. While this may not fully meet system requirements, it can still maintain normal operation under abnormal conditions while still preserving some cooling / heating capacity. The low constant speed is generally within the range of approximately 20% of the maximum speed that the compressor can provide. This application does not impose any specific restrictions on this low constant speed.

[0068] S105: When the fault type of the air conditioner is a compressor hardware fault, the compressor stops working, and different ventilation operations are performed according to different working modes.

[0069] Refer to Figure 3, which is a processing flow chart provided by this application in the event of a compressor hardware failure. The compressor is the core component of the air-conditioning system, used to circulate refrigerant and provide cooling / heating functions. When the compressor hardware fails, it may cause it to fail to operate normally, damage other related components, and even affect the overall performance and working effect of the air conditioner. Therefore, the compressor will stop working. When the compressor stops working, the cooling / heating function will fail. In order to minimize user discomfort as much as possible, the vehicle needs to be ventilated. Different ventilation operations are required in different working modes to give the user a better experience. Among them, the working mode includes cooling mode and heating mode.

[0070] After the compressor stops, there are several ways to determine the air conditioner's operating mode. These include comparing the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. If the indoor temperature is higher than the outdoor temperature, the air conditioner is in cooling mode; if it is lower than the outdoor temperature, the air conditioner is in heating mode. Air conditioner systems typically have settings for the circulating air volume in cooling and heating modes. After the compressor stops, the system can determine the current operating mode by reading or detecting the value of the circulating air volume setting parameter. If the circulating air volume setting parameter is a higher value, the air conditioner is in cooling mode; if it is a lower value, the air conditioner is in heating mode. The air conditioner may have a status history function that records the system's operating status and mode. After the compressor stops, the system can determine the most recent operating mode by reading the history. The controller can infer the current operating mode based on the most recent operating status. For example, if the most recent operating status was heating mode, the current mode can be determined to be heating mode. Some advanced air conditioners may offer a user-set override feature. After the compressor stops, the system can determine the current operating mode by reading the user-set parameters. If the user has previously set a priority operating mode (cooling or heating), the user setting will prevail. The specific operating mode determination method will vary depending on the design of the air-conditioning system. In actual applications, the current air-conditioning operating mode can be determined based on the specific air-conditioning system and a variety of determination methods can be combined to provide accurate operating status feedback and user experience. This application does not make any specific restrictions on the determination of the air-conditioning operating mode.

[0071] In heating mode, the air conditioner can generate heat using both the compressor and the PTC. The PTC is typically used for auxiliary heating. During the rapid heating phase, the air conditioner needs to quickly raise the cabin temperature. In this phase, the compressor and PTC work together to rapidly heat the cabin. The compressor releases heat by compressing the circulating refrigerant, while the PTC quickly provides additional heat through its own heating, quickly raising the cabin temperature to the set point. For example, when the user starts the vehicle and sets a higher interior temperature (e.g., 25°C), the air conditioner enters heating mode. The compressor begins operating, releasing heat, while the PTC also activates, rapidly providing additional heat to the cabin through its own heating. In this way, the compressor and PTC work together to rapidly raise the cabin temperature, improving passenger comfort. Once the cabin reaches the set temperature, the system enters the temperature maintenance phase. During this phase, to improve the air conditioner's energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption, the PTC gradually decreases to off, leaving only the compressor for heating. Since the cabin temperature remains comfortable, the PTC no longer needs to provide additional heating capacity, thereby reducing power consumption and energy consumption. For example, when the passenger compartment temperature reaches a set point (e.g., 25°C), the system enters the temperature maintenance phase. During this phase, the PTC gradually reduces the heating level, eventually shutting off. The air conditioner relies solely on the compressor, circulating refrigerant to provide the required heating and maintain a comfortable cabin temperature. This improves system energy efficiency while reducing PTC energy consumption. If the compressor fails for some reason, the PTC restarts to meet the air conditioner's heating needs.

[0072] In cooling mode, the air conditioner only cools through the compressor. When the compressor cannot start due to certain elements, the system loses its cooling function.

[0073] Ventilation involves introducing outside air into the vehicle interior to replace the air inside, creating a circulating ventilation effect. This effectively removes odors, moisture, and waste products like carbon dioxide, maintaining fresh air inside the vehicle. The ventilation function of an air conditioner is achieved through the coordinated operation of a blower, air inlet, and outlet. The blower, driven by an electric motor, generates airflow through a rotating impeller and is typically located at the base or top of the dashboard. The air inlet is the entrance to the ventilation system, where it draws in outside air and filters it through a filter to ensure air quality inside the vehicle. It is typically located in the engine compartment at the front of the vehicle. The air outlet is the outlet for exhaust gases from the ventilation system. The direction and speed of the air can be adjusted by controlling the blower's direction and speed. It is typically located in the center of the dashboard or under each seat. Different ventilation modes for cooling and heating are designed to meet comfort requirements in different operating modes.

[0074] When the compressor stops and the air conditioner determines that the current operating mode is cooling, considering the typically hot environment, the air conditioner performs ventilation with a medium air volume and medium recirculation ratio. Medium air volume and medium recirculation ratio promote air flow within the cabin, allowing for better integration of the interior air with the circulating air, improving overall cabin air quality. They also enhance heat transfer and removal, removing some of the heat from the cabin, thereby lowering the cabin temperature and improving cooling effectiveness. High air volume and full recirculation are not used because, while they can quickly lower the cabin temperature, they may introduce a large amount of outside air, resulting in energy waste. Low air volume and a small recirculation ratio are not used because low air volume cannot meet the cabin air flow requirements and such operation reduces the likelihood of the user feeling cool in hot environments. In another example, on a hot summer day, a vehicle is parked outdoors in direct sunlight, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The air conditioner's compressor stops and the vehicle is now in cooling mode. According to the air conditioner's ventilation strategy, medium air volume and medium recirculation are performed, with the supply air volume set to 50% and the recirculation ratio set to 50%. This mode of operation can ensure the fluidity of the air in the cabin, reducing the temperature inside the car while ensuring the air quality in the car.

[0075] When the compressor stops working and the air conditioner determines that the current working mode is heating mode, if the air conditioner is not equipped with PTC, the heating function of the air conditioner will be invalid. Considering that the current environment is usually in a relatively cold state, the air conditioner performs a ventilation operation with low air volume and small circulation ratio. By adopting low air volume operation, a large amount of cold air can be reduced from directly entering the cabin, avoiding discomfort and coldness to the passengers, and the small circulation ratio can also maintain a certain air permeability in the passenger compartment. The reason for not adopting a large air volume and full-open circulation is that this operation method will introduce a large amount of outdoor air and accelerate the flow of indoor air, which may cause strong cold wind to blow towards the passengers, affecting the passengers' comfort. The reason for not adopting a medium air volume and medium circulation ratio is that the medium air volume may still be large, which can easily send more cold air into the cabin.

[0076] In another example, on a cold winter day, a vehicle is parked outdoors in a subzero ambient temperature, while the indoor temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. The air conditioner's compressor stops, and the vehicle is now in heating mode. The air conditioner's ventilation strategy then uses a low air volume and low recirculation ratio, setting the air supply volume to 30% and the recirculation ratio to 20%. This reduces the feeling of coldness in the passenger compartment and improves passenger comfort.

[0077] When the compressor stops working and the air conditioner determines that the current working mode is heating mode, if the air conditioner is equipped with PTC and the PTC can be used normally, then heating can be performed through PTC, and the target operating parameters, such as the PTC gear, are output according to the normal logic of the air conditioner, thereby realizing the heating function; if the air conditioner is equipped with PTC and the PTC cannot be used normally, then the heating function of the air conditioner will fail. Considering that the current environment is usually in a relatively cold state, the air conditioner performs ventilation operations with small air volume and small circulation ratio. Among them, normal logic refers to the use of specific control algorithms to analyze and decide the values ​​of output parameters after the controller receives normal signals from various sensors. Commonly used control algorithms include PID control algorithms and fuzzy logic control algorithms. Regarding the control algorithm, no specific limitation is made without application.

[0078] In another embodiment, the controller uses a fuzzy logic control algorithm to analyze data such as an indoor temperature of 26 degrees Celsius (from an indoor temperature sensor), an outdoor temperature of 32 degrees Celsius (from an outdoor temperature sensor), a humidity of 60% (from a humidity sensor), and a pressure of 3 bar (from a pressure sensor). Based on the values ​​returned by the indoor temperature sensor, the fuzzy logic control algorithm determines the need for cooling. Based on the values ​​returned by the outdoor temperature and humidity sensors, the fuzzy logic control algorithm calculates the appropriate air volume and recirculation ratio. Based on the value returned by the pressure sensor, the fuzzy logic control algorithm adjusts the valve opening. Ultimately, the fuzzy logic control algorithm calculates the target operating parameters: PTC activation position 2, air volume 300 CFM, compressor speed 4500 rpm, recirculation ratio 60%, and valve opening 420 steps.

[0079] S106: Control the air conditioner operation according to the target operation parameters.

[0080] The air conditioner is configured according to the target operating parameters so that it can operate and thus meet the user's comfort needs.

[0081] S107. Display fault information on the instrument panel.

[0082] The controller has a pre-configured algorithm for identifying fault types. This algorithm has been described in S103. To keep this specification as concise as possible, it will not be further described here. After the fault type is identified, the fault information can be displayed on the instrument panel. This information can be displayed using text, icons, indicator lights, and other methods on the instrument panel. For example, the instrument panel display can display specific fault types such as "Compressor Hardware Fault" or "Compressor Intake and Exhaust System Fault," or use corresponding icons to indicate the fault type. In addition to displaying the specific fault type on the instrument panel, the controller can also alert the user through voice prompts or warning lights. For example, when a compressor hardware fault occurs, the instrument panel can issue a voice prompt informing the user that the compressor hardware needs to be inspected and repaired. Alternatively, a red warning light can be used to indicate an urgent fault that requires immediate attention. To help users better understand and resolve the fault, the instrument panel can also display a fault code and provide a reference to the corresponding user manual. The fault code is a concise and standardized representation. Users can consult the user manual based on the code to understand the specific cause of the fault and repair method. No specific restrictions are imposed on the method of displaying fault information.

[0083] This application maximizes the effectiveness of air conditioning cooling / heating functions and accelerates repair efficiency in the event of an air conditioning failure by refining the classification of fault types, integrating a database application into the system, and displaying the specific fault type on the instrument panel. If the compressor / PTC fails to start and the system loses cooling / heating function, differentiated operations are performed based on different operating modes to maximize passenger comfort.

[0084] The present application provides a controller. Referring to FIG4 , FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a controller 400 provided by the present application. The controller 400 may be the controller in the method embodiment of FIG1 . The controller 400 includes:

[0085] An acquisition module 410 is used to acquire a fault type of the air conditioner;

[0086] An acquisition module 410 is configured to acquire target operating parameters that match the operating state from a preset database when the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware fault;

[0087] The control module 420 is used to control the operation of the air conditioner according to the target operating parameters.

[0088] In a possible implementation, the preset database includes multiple groups of operating parameters matching multiple operating states.

[0089] In a possible implementation, the multiple sets of operating parameters are obtained through training based on sample data, where the sample data includes multiple sets of sample operating parameters under multiple operating states.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the acquisition module 410 is configured to:

[0091] The data representing the operating status is input into a preset database to obtain target operating parameters. The data representing the operating status includes non-abnormal signals among the signals collected by multiple sensors. The target operating parameters include any one or more of the compressor speed, the compressor valve opening, and the circulating air volume.

[0092] In a possible implementation, the acquisition module 410 is configured to:

[0093] When the abnormal signal includes at least one of a current signal, a voltage signal, and a chip temperature of the compressor, determining that the fault type of the air conditioner is a hardware fault of the compressor;

[0094] When the abnormal signal does not include any one of the current signal, the voltage signal, and the chip temperature of the compressor, it is determined that the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware fault.

[0095] In a possible implementation, the non-compressor hardware fault includes a compressor suction and exhaust system fault. When the abnormal signal includes the compressor suction and exhaust pressure and / or suction and exhaust temperature, the abnormal signal indicates the compressor suction and exhaust system fault.

[0096] In a possible implementation, when the fault type of the air conditioner is a hardware fault of the compressor, the compressor is stopped;

[0097] The air conditioner performs different ventilation operations according to the working mode of the compressor before the compressor stops working. The working mode of the compressor includes a cooling mode and a heating mode.

[0098] In a possible implementation, the fault information is displayed on a dashboard of the vehicle.

[0099] The various functional modules in FIG4 are used to implement the steps of the method embodiments of FIG1 to FIG3 . For details, please refer to the description of the relevant contents in the method embodiments of FIG1 to FIG3 . For the sake of brevity of the specification, they will not be repeated here.

[0100] The present application also provides a controller. See FIG5 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a controller 500 provided by the present application. The controller 500 is used to implement the method embodiments described in FIG1 to FIG3 . The controller 500 includes a processor 510, a communication interface 520, and a memory 530. The processor 510, the communication interface 520, and the memory 530 can be interconnected via an internal bus 540, or can communicate via other means such as wireless transmission.

[0101] Taking bus 540 as an example, bus 540 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. Bus 540 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, FIG5 shows only one thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0102] Processor 510 can be composed of at least one general-purpose processor, such as a CPU, or a combination of a CPU and a hardware chip. The hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. Processor 510 executes various types of digitally stored instructions, such as software or firmware programs stored in memory 530, which enables controller 500 to provide a wide variety of services.

[0103] The memory 530 is used to store program codes and is controlled by the processor 510 to execute the steps described in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3 above. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the embodiments shown above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0104] The memory 530 may include a volatile memory, such as a RAM; the memory 530 may also include a non-volatile memory, such as a ROM or a flash memory; the memory 530 may also include a combination of the above types.

[0105] The communication interface 520 can be a wired interface (such as an Ethernet interface), an internal interface (such as a high-speed serial computer expansion bus (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, PCIE) bus interface), a wired interface (such as an Ethernet interface) or a wireless interface (such as a cellular network interface or a wireless local area network interface) for communicating with other devices or modules.

[0106] The processor 510, communication interface 520, etc. in the controller 500 can implement the functions and / or various steps and methods implemented in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they are not described here in detail. The acquisition module 410 and control module 420 in the controller 400 can be located in the processor 510 in the controller 500.

[0107] It should be noted that FIG5 is only one possible implementation of the embodiment of the present application. In actual applications, the controller may also include more or fewer components, which is not limited here. For matters not shown or described in the embodiment of the present application, please refer to the relevant description in the embodiment of the method described above, and no further details will be given here.

[0108] The present application provides an air-conditioning system, including a compressor and a controller. The controller can be configured as controller 400 or controller 500. The controller is used to implement the method embodiments described in Figures 1 to 3.

[0109] This application provides a vehicle, as shown in FIG6 . Vehicle 600 includes a controller 620 and an air conditioner 610, which are connected via a bus. The bus may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Industrial Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, for example. The bus may be an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, or the like, and this application does not limit this. The controller may be configured as controller 400 or controller 500, and is used to implement the method embodiments described in FIG1 through FIG3 .

[0110] The present application also provides a non-volatile readable storage medium, including program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by a controller, the controller executes some or all of the steps described in the above-mentioned air conditioning control method embodiment.

[0111] The present application also provides a computer program product, including program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by a controller, the controller executes some or all of the steps described in the above-mentioned air conditioning control method embodiment.

[0112] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own focus. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0113] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product may include code. When the computer program product is read and executed by a computer, some or all of the steps of the method described in the above method embodiments can be implemented. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium, or a semiconductor medium.

[0114] The steps in the method of the embodiment of the present application can be adjusted in order, combined or deleted according to actual needs; the units in the device of the embodiment of the present application can be divided, combined or deleted according to actual needs.

[0115] The above is a detailed introduction to the embodiments of the present application. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core idea of ​​the present application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of ​​the present application, there may be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. An air conditioning control method, characterized in that: include: Get the fault type of the air conditioner; When the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware fault, obtaining a target operating parameter matching the operating state from a preset database; and The air conditioner operation is controlled according to the target operation parameter.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The preset database includes multiple groups of operating parameters matching multiple operating states.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The multiple groups of operating parameters are obtained through training based on sample data, and the sample data includes multiple groups of sample operating parameters under the multiple operating states.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that When the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware fault, obtaining a target operating parameter matching the operating state from a preset database includes: The target operating parameters are obtained from the preset database based on the data representing the operating status, wherein the data representing the operating status include non-abnormal signals among the signals collected by multiple sensors, and the target operating parameters include any one or more of the rotational speed of the compressor, the valve opening of the compressor, and the circulating air volume.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The signals collected by the multiple sensors also include abnormal signals, and the fault type of the air conditioner obtained includes: In a case where the abnormal signal includes at least one of a current signal, a voltage signal, and a chip temperature of the compressor, determining that the fault type of the air conditioner is a hardware fault of the compressor; and In a case where the abnormal signal does not include any one of the current signal, the voltage signal, and the chip temperature of the compressor, it is determined that the fault type of the air conditioner is the non-compressor hardware fault.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The non-compressor hardware fault includes a suction and exhaust system fault of the compressor, wherein, when the abnormal signal includes the suction and exhaust pressure and / or the suction and exhaust temperature of the compressor, the abnormal signal indicates the suction and exhaust system fault of the compressor.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the fault type of the air conditioner is a compressor hardware fault, stopping the compressor; and According to the working mode of the compressor before the compressor stops working, different ventilation operations are performed on the air conditioner, wherein the working mode of the compressor includes a cooling mode and a heating mode.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further includes: displaying fault information on a display device of the vehicle.

9. A controller (400), characterized in that: It includes an acquisition module (410) and a control module (420), wherein: The acquisition module (410) is used for: Get the fault type of the air conditioner; When the fault type of the air conditioner is a non-compressor hardware fault, obtaining a target operating parameter matching the operating state from a preset database; The control module (420) is used to: The air conditioner operation is controlled according to the target operation parameter.

10. A controller (500), characterized in that: The invention comprises a memory (530) and a processor (510), wherein the memory (530) is used to store instructions, and the processor (510) is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory (530) to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. An air conditioning system, characterized in that: A method of manufacturing a compressor comprising a compressor and a controller (400) as claimed in claim 9, or comprising the compressor and a controller (500) as claimed in claim 10.

12. A vehicle (600), characterized in that: The air conditioning system comprises the controller (400) according to claim 9 or the controller (500) according to claim 10 or the air conditioning system according to claim 11.

13. A non-volatile readable storage medium, characterized in that: The method comprises program instructions, which, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

14. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises program instructions, and when the computer program product is executed by the controller, the controller is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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