Method for determining the power and / or thermal capacity of an air conditioning device and air conditioning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining the power and / or thermal capacity of an air-conditioning device (10a; 10b), in particular a residential air-conditioning system or heat pump, wherein, in at least one method step (14a; 14b), at least one power and / or one thermal capacity is ascertained at at least one operating point of regular operation of the air-conditioning device (10a; 10b). The invention proposes that the power and / or thermal capacity determination in the at least one method step (14a; 14b) be ascertained without using a power measuring device.

Description

[0001] R.412777

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] Method and air conditioning device

[0005] State of the art

[0006] A method for determining the power and / or thermal capacity of an air conditioning device, in particular a residential air conditioning system or heat pump, has already been proposed, wherein in at least one method step at least one operating point of a normal operation of the air conditioning device at least a power and / or a thermal capacity is determined.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a method for determining the power and / or thermal capacity of an air conditioning device, in particular a residential air conditioning system or heat pump, wherein in at least one method step at least one operating point of a normal operation of the air conditioning device at least one power and / or one thermal capacity is determined.

[0009] It is proposed that the determination of power and / or thermal capacity be carried out without a power measuring device.

[0010] The inventive design of the method for determining the power and / or thermal capacity of an air conditioning device advantageously allows for a low-cost design, since costs for the power measuring device, in particular, can be saved. R.412777

[0011] - 2 -

[0012] Advantageously, an operation with high efficiency and / or low costs can be provided, since in particular at least the power and / or the thermal capacity are already known in advance through the process and thus a high, especially energy-efficient, control quality can be achieved.

[0013] Preferably, the air conditioning device is designed as a building air conditioning system, in particular a residential air conditioning system or a heat pump. Preferably, the air conditioning device is integrated into a building. Preferably, the building has at least one interior space which is temperature-controlled by the air conditioning device, at least during normal operation. Preferably, the air conditioning device forms an air conditioning system with at least the building and / or its surroundings. For example, the temperature control rate depends on the capacity of the air conditioning device and / or the size of the interior space and / or the specific heat capacity of the building and / or the ambient conditions of the building, or the like. Additionally, the temperature control rate is also influenced by specific installations within the building, such as pipe length or routing, and / or the like.Alternatively, the air conditioning system could also be designed as a vehicle air conditioning system. The term "temperature rate" refers specifically to how quickly a room can be brought to a target temperature and / or what power is required to maintain a constant temperature. The term "capacity" refers specifically to the heat capacity of the air conditioning system being heated. The temperature rate can be determined based on the capacity.

[0014] Preferably, the air conditioning device comprises at least one indoor unit and one outdoor unit. Preferably, the indoor unit is arranged in the interior space. Preferably, the outdoor unit is arranged in the environment. Preferably, the indoor unit is fluidically connected to the outdoor unit. Preferably, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are fluidically integrated into a refrigerant circuit. Preferably, the air conditioning device comprises at least one refrigerant. Preferably, the air conditioning device comprises R.412777

[0015] - 3 - at least one compressor. Preferably, the refrigerant is circulated by the compressor in the refrigerant circuit. The air conditioning device has at least one expansion valve by means of which the pressure in the refrigerant and / or the temperature of the refrigerant is regulated. Preferably, the indoor unit has at least one heat exchanger, in particular a condenser or evaporator, by means of which thermal energy is transferred between the refrigerant and the environment along a temperature gradient. Preferably, the indoor unit has at least one heat exchanger, in particular a condenser or evaporator, by means of which thermal energy is transferred between the refrigerant and the interior space along a temperature gradient. Preferably, the air conditioning device does not have a power meter.A "temperature gradient" is understood to mean, in particular, a temperature difference between two components and / or fluids, whereby heat energy is transferred from the component and / or fluid with the higher temperature to the component and / or fluid with the lower temperature.

[0016] Preferably, the air conditioning device has at least one sensor. This sensor could be a temperature sensor, speed sensor, pressure sensor, or another sensor that would be useful to a person skilled in the art. The sensor is located in the vicinity of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, the compressor, and / or the expansion valve. In particular, the vicinity of the associated heat exchanger, compressor, or expansion valve is defined by all points that are less than 50 cm away from the associated heat exchanger, compressor, or expansion valve, preferably 30 cm, advantageously 15 cm, and more preferably 5 cm. Preferably, the air conditioning device has at least one control unit. Preferably, the power and / or thermal capacity of the air conditioning device is determined by the control unit.A "control and / or regulating unit" shall be understood to mean, in particular, a unit with at least one control electronics unit. A "control electronics unit" shall be understood to mean, in particular, a unit with a processor unit and a memory unit, as well as an operating program stored in the memory unit. R.412777.

[0017] - 4 -

[0018] Preferably, in this process step, at least the power and / or thermal capacity of the air conditioning device is determined, particularly by the control unit. Preferably, at least the power and / or thermal capacity is determined indirectly, and in particular not measured. It is conceivable that the power and / or thermal capacity is estimated. It is conceivable that further parameters, such as efficiency, power consumption, pressure, enthalpy, and / or other parameters that appear relevant to a person skilled in the art, are determined. Preferably, the power and / or thermal capacity is not measured. "Free from a power meter" is understood to mean, in particular, that no power and / or capacity measurement is carried out to determine the power and / or thermal capacity. In particular, the air conditioning device does not have a power meter.

[0019] Furthermore, it is proposed that at least the power and / or the thermal capacity be simulated. Advantageously, this allows for low component complexity, as additional sensors and / or at least one power meter can be omitted. Preferably, at least the power and / or the thermal capacity is determined by means of a numerical simulation, in particular a flow simulation. Preferably, at least the power and / or the thermal capacity is calculated by a solver, in particular a numerical one. Preferably, at least the power and / or the thermal capacity is approximated by the simulation. Alternatively or additionally, at least the power and / or thermal capacity could be determined via a mathematical calculation.For example, several output parameters could be determined using the simulation, which could then be combined to calculate the power and / or thermal capacity using at least one calculation operation.

[0020] Furthermore, it is proposed that for a simulation of the performance and / or thermal capacity, a complete system model is formed from at least one, preferably at least four, component models, which are simulated sequentially. Advantageously, high precision can be provided, since in particular the component models are simulated sequentially. R.412777

[0021] - 5 - are, whereby simulation results are taken into account in the simulation of the at least one subsequent component model. Preferably, the at least four component models are designed as at least one component model of the compressor, one component model of the expansion valve, one component model of the condenser, and one component model of the evaporator. It is conceivable that further component models are taken into account. Preferably, the component models are simulated sequentially, with simulation results being transferred to the subsequent component model. In particular, the component models are simulated in a sequence along a refrigerant flow direction.Preferably, the component models of the two heat exchangers, in particular evaporator and condenser, are simulated using an EPS-NTU (Number of Transfer Units) method, a finite element method, a method taking into account a moving boundary theory, or another method that appears useful to the person skilled in the art.

[0022] Furthermore, it is proposed that sensor measurement data from the air conditioning device, particularly as boundary conditions, be considered when simulating the performance and / or thermal capacity. Advantageously, this approach offers low complexity, as the simulation is simplified by including the sensor measurement data, especially as boundary conditions. It also advantageously ensures high operational reliability, as the low complexity prevents the simulation from being prone to errors, such as a simulation failure due to insufficient convergence. Preferably, the sensor measurement data are read from the control unit. Alternatively, the sensor measurement data could be taken directly from the at least one sensor. Preferably, the sensor measurement data are incorporated as boundary conditions in the component models.A "boundary condition" is understood to be, in particular, a quantity that can restrict a mathematical problem of the simulation, thereby simplifying and / or accelerating the convergence of the solver.

[0023] Furthermore, it is proposed that when simulating the performance and / or thermal capacity, static data, for example design-related, of R.412777 should be used.

[0024] - 6 -

[0025] The air conditioning device is considered in at least one component model of the simulation. Advantageously, high precision can be achieved because, in particular, the static data, such as design-related data, gives the at least one component model a particularly high degree of precision, resulting in a particularly precise simulation outcome. Preferably, the component model includes the static data of the associated component. "Static data" is understood to mean, in particular, data that is at least essentially unchanging, such as geometric data, material data, substance data, and / or the like. "Design-related data" is understood to mean, in particular, specific data of the air conditioning device and / or the air conditioning system.

[0026] Furthermore, it is proposed that a simulation of the performance and / or thermal capacity be performed in an external control unit, particularly a cloud-based system. Advantageously, a low-cost design can be provided, since the calculations are performed via the external control unit, particularly a cloud-based system, thus eliminating the need for a high-performance control unit in the air conditioning device itself. Preferably, the sensor measurement data, operating conditions, and / or static data are transmitted to the external control unit. Preferably, the simulation results obtained by the external control unit are transmitted to the air conditioning device. In particular, the external control unit is configured as a cloud-based system.It is also conceivable that the external control and / or regulation unit is designed as a smartphone, a desktop computer or a comparable control and / or regulation unit.

[0027] Furthermore, it is proposed that at least the power and / or thermal capacity, preferably determined by simulation, be stored as a data set. Advantageously, high efficiency can be achieved, as previously calculated data can be saved, thus eliminating the need to simulate the same data multiple times. A low-cost design can also be advantageously provided, as a control unit with low computing power can be used, since the previously determined simulation results are not required.

[0028] - 7 - must be simulated again. Advantageously, a high control speed can be provided, since previously simulated data is stored, allowing for quick data retrieval. In particular, the data set is stored, preferably in tabular form. Preferably, the data set includes at least the sensor measurement data, the determined power, and / or the determined thermal capacity. It is conceivable that the data set includes further data, in particular environmental conditions, such as an assigned climate zone or the like, user profiles, such as time of day, season, and / or the like.

[0029] Furthermore, it is proposed that a data set with standard values ​​is pre-installed or that the data set is transmitted via an external control unit (40a), in particular a cloud, for example by the manufacturer and / or other users. Advantageously, high operational reliability can be provided, since in particular the power and / or thermal capacity can be determined from the data set. Advantageously, high precision can be provided, since in particular a large number of measurement results from a large number of measurements by different users can be taken into account. Advantageously, high control speed can be provided, since in particular the data can be read out quickly. Preferably, the data set includes value ranges for the sensor measurement data. Preferably, at least the power and / or thermal capacity are assigned to the value ranges of the sensor measurement data.For example, a temperature range of, in particular, 1°C, preferably 2°C, or alternatively a range of values ​​deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art, could be specified for the air inlet to the heat exchanger. Similarly, a speed range of, in particular, 5 Hz, preferably 1 Hz, or alternatively a range of values ​​deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art, could be specified for the compressor. Preferably, the performance and / or thermal capacity of the air conditioning device is determined during operation based on the data set. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the data set specifies initial conditions, which are replaced by simulation results during operation. In this way, the air conditioning device could be trained during operation. Preferably, the data set is pre-installed on the control unit. This is R.412777.

[0030] - 8 - but it is conceivable that the data set can be subsequently uploaded or updated. Preferably, the data set is stored locally on the storage unit of the control and / or regulation unit. Alternatively or additionally, the data set could be stored centrally on the external control and / or regulation unit and retrieved by the control and / or regulation unit of the air conditioning device. In the alternative embodiment, the data set could be updated in real time, whereby data from a large number of users could be collected and processed.

[0031] Additionally, it is proposed that at least the power and / or thermal capacity be determined from the data set, in particular read out. Advantageously, a high control speed can be provided, since the data can be read out particularly quickly. Preferably, the power and / or thermal capacity assigned to at least one value range is read out.

[0032] Additionally, an air conditioning device is proposed for carrying out the method described above. Advantageously, a low-cost design can be provided, as costs for the power meter, in particular, can be saved. Preferably, the air conditioning device includes at least one control unit. The control unit is configured as an internal and / or external control unit. It is conceivable that an existing air conditioning device could be retrofitted. For example, the overall system model of the simulation and / or the data set could be subsequently uploaded or provided via the external control unit.

[0033] The method and air conditioning device according to the invention are not to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the method and air conditioning device according to the invention can be used to achieve a functionality described herein by a number of R.412777 mentioned herein.

[0034] - 9 - individual elements, components and units, as well as process steps, may have a different number. Furthermore, values ​​within the specified limits of the value ranges stated in this disclosure shall also be considered disclosed and freely usable.

[0035] Preferably, an air conditioning device is understood to be a building air conditioning system or a heat pump. The air conditioning device can be designed as an air-to-air heat pump, an air-to-water heat pump, or a water-to-water heat pump. In particular, the terms air conditioning device, especially building air conditioning system, and heat pump, especially when the heat pump is an air-to-air heat pump, are used synonymously.

[0036] Air conditioning devices preferably include split, multi-split, duct or ductless units.

[0037] drawing

[0038] Further advantages become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate two exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0039] They show:

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an air conditioning device,

[0041] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for determining power and / or thermal capacity and

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a schematic flowchart of an alternative method for determining power and / or thermal capacity. R.412777

[0043] - 10 -

[0044] Description of the exemplary implementations

[0045] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an air conditioning device 10a. The air conditioning device 10a is configured as a building air conditioning system. Alternatively, the air conditioning device 10a could also be configured as a factory air conditioning system. Alternatively, the air conditioning device 10a could also be configured as a heat pump, in particular an air-to-air, air-to-water, or water-to-water heat pump. It is also conceivable that the air conditioning device 10a is configured as a vehicle air conditioning system or a comparable air conditioning system that would be suitable to a person skilled in the art. The air conditioning device 10a is integrated into a building 20a. The building 20a and the air conditioning device 10a form an air conditioning system. The building 20a has an interior space 22a. The interior space 22a is temperature-controlled by the air conditioning device 10a.Building 20a is temperature-controlled by air conditioning unit 10a. Air conditioning unit 10a has an indoor unit 24a. The indoor unit 24a is located inside building 20a. Air conditioning unit 10a has an outdoor unit 26a. The outdoor unit 26a is located in an area 28a outside building 20a. The indoor unit 24a and the outdoor unit 26a are fluidically connected. The indoor unit 24a and the outdoor unit 26a are fluidically connected to a refrigerant circuit 30a of air conditioning unit 10a. Air conditioning unit 10a contains a refrigerant. The refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant circuit 30a. Air conditioning unit 10a has a compressor 32a. The compressor 32a circulates the refrigerant. The indoor unit 24a has a heat exchanger 34a. The heat exchanger 34a of the indoor unit 24a is designed as a condenser.

[0046] The outdoor unit 26a has a heat exchanger 36a. The heat exchanger 36a of the outdoor unit 26a is designed as an evaporator. The heat exchanger 34a of the indoor unit 24a can alternatively or additionally also be designed as an evaporator. The heat exchanger 36a of the outdoor unit 26a can alternatively or additionally also be designed as a condenser. The air conditioning device 10a has an expansion valve 38a. The expansion valve 38a regulates the pressure in the refrigerant. R.412777

[0047] - 11 -

[0048] The air conditioning device 10a has an internal control unit 12a. The internal control unit 12a controls and / or regulates the temperature of the interior space 22a. Furthermore, the internal control unit 12a determines the power and / or thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10a. Alternatively or additionally, the power and / or thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10a can be determined by an external control unit 40a. The external control unit 40a could be configured as a cloud. The external control unit 40a could be configured as a smartphone or a comparable external control unit 40a. The internal and / or external control unit 12a, 40a includes a simulation program. The simulation program includes a complete system model.The overall system, model I, has four component models. One of the component models represents the compressor 32a. One of the component models represents the expansion valve 38a. One of the component models represents the heat exchanger 34a of the indoor unit 24a. One of the component models represents the heat exchanger 36a of the outdoor unit 26a. It is conceivable that the overall system model has further component models. The component models are formed by a multitude of equations. The control unit 12a, 40a has a solver. The solver solves the equations of the component models. The component models have static data. The static data are designed as design-related data of the air conditioning device 10a. The static data can be expressed as geometric data. The static data can be expressed as material data. The static data can be expressed as material properties.The static data could be structured as further static data that would appear meaningful to the expert.

[0049] The simulation program includes, for example, for heat exchangers 34a and 36a, a mass flow rate of the coolant, a mass flow rate of an air stream, a temperature of the air stream, an enthalpy of the refrigerant, and / or other input parameters that appear relevant to a person skilled in the art. For expansion valve 38a, the simulation program includes, for example, a pressure drop of the refrigerant at the expansion valve 38a, an intake pressure of the refrigerant, an opening degree of the expansion valve 38a, and / or other parameters as specified in R.412777.

[0050] - 12 -

[0051] The input parameters that a person skilled in the art considers meaningful are, for example, compressor 32a and include a compressor speed, an intake pressure, a pressure change due to compressor 32a, a temperature change due to compressor 32a, and / or other input parameters that a person skilled in the art considers meaningful. The simulation program simulates, for example, an air temperature, a cooling capacity, a heating capacity, an enthalpy, a mass flow rate, a power consumption of compressor 32a, an electrical current of compressor 32a, and / or other output parameters that a person skilled in the art considers meaningful. The component model for the heat exchanger 34a, 36a includes, for example, the EPS-NTU model, a model of an air-side convection correlation, and / or other models that a person skilled in the art considers meaningful.The component model for the expansion valve 38a includes, for example, a model of an isenthalpic process, a conservation of momentum law, a conservation of mass law and / or other theories that appear meaningful to the person skilled in the art.

[0052] The air conditioning device 10a has four sensors 42a. The air conditioning device 10a could have more or fewer than four sensors 42a. The sensors 42a are designed as temperature sensors. One of the sensors 42a is located near the heat exchanger 34a. One of the sensors 42a is located near the heat exchanger 36a. One of the sensors 42a is located near the expansion valve 38a. One of the sensors 42a is located near the compressor 32a. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor 42a could be designed as a pressure sensor, a speed sensor, or a comparable sensor that would be suitable to a person skilled in the art.

[0053] Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of a procedure for determining the power and / or thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10a.

[0054] In process step 14a, the power output of the air conditioning device 10a is determined. Alternatively or additionally, in process step 14a, the thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10a is determined. The power output R.412777

[0055] - 13 - and / or a thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10a is determined during normal operation of the air conditioning device 10a. The power and / or thermal capacity determination is carried out in at least one process step 14a without the use of a power measuring device. The power of the air conditioning device 10a is determined by simulating its power consumption. The thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10a is determined by simulating its thermal capacity. The component models of the overall system model are simulated sequentially. The component models are simulated in a sequence arranged along the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant circuit 30a.

[0056] In a further process step 16a, sensor measurement data from the air conditioning device 10a are taken into account during the simulation of the performance and / or thermal capacity. The sensor measurement data are transmitted from the sensors 42a to the internal and / or external control unit 12a, 40a. The sensor measurement data are retrieved by the internal and / or external control unit 12a, 40a. Alternatively, the sensor measurement data could be accessed directly from the sensors 42a. The sensor measurement data are considered as boundary conditions in the component models.

[0057] In a further process step 18a, static data of the air conditioning device 10a are taken into account in the component models during the simulation of the performance and / or the thermal capacity. The static data are read in when the air conditioning device 10a is commissioned. Alternatively, the static data could be retrieved or entered at intervals. These intervals could be maintenance intervals.

[0058] In a further process step 44a, the simulation of the power and / or thermal capacity is carried out in the external control unit 40a. The sensor measurement data are transmitted to the external control unit 40a. The simulation is carried out by the external control unit 40a. Simulation results are generated by the external control unit 40a. The simulation results are transmitted to the air conditioning device 10a. R.412777

[0059] - 14 - The power and / or thermal capacity determined by the simulation can be stored as a data set. The data set can be stored on the internal and / or external control unit 12a, 40a. The data set will be stored in tabular form.

[0060] In a further process step 46a, the power and / or thermal capacity is read from the data set. Alternatively, at least the power and / or thermal capacity is retrieved from the data set of the external control unit 40a. The power and / or thermal capacity is assigned to the sensor measurement data according to the table. The read-out data takes into account individual characteristics of the air conditioning system.

[0061] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions and drawings are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, whereby with regard to identically designated components, particularly those with the same reference numerals, reference may also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the other embodiments, especially Figures 1 and 2. To distinguish the embodiments, the letter "a" is appended to the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figures 1 and 2. In the embodiments of Figure 3, the letter "a" is replaced by the letter "b".

[0062] In at least one alternative process step 14b, the power output of an air conditioning device 10b is determined. In the alternative process step 14b, the thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10b is determined either alternatively or additionally. The power output of the air conditioning device 10b is determined by reading the power output of the air conditioning device 10a from a data set. The thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10b is determined by reading the thermal capacity of the air conditioning device 10b from the data set. The data set contains standard values. The standard values ​​were determined during development. The data set is pre-installed during commissioning. Alternatively or additionally, R.412777

[0063] - 15 - the data set can be downloaded or updated at intervals. Alternatively or additionally, the data set could be provided via an external control and / or regulation unit 40b. It is conceivable that the data set could be determined by the manufacturer and / or other users providing data.

[0064] In an alternative further process step 46b, the power and / or thermal capacity is read from the data set. Alternatively, the power and / or thermal capacity is retrieved from the data set from the remote control unit 40b. The power and / or thermal capacity is assigned to the sensor measurement data according to the table. It is conceivable that the data set is set with default values ​​as a starting value and is replaced by simulation results of the power and / or thermal capacity during operation.

Claims

R.412777 - 16 - Claims 1. Method for determining the power and / or thermal capacity of an air conditioning device (10a; 10b), in particular a residential air conditioning system or heat pump, wherein in at least one method step (14a; 14b) at least one operating point of a normal operation of the air conditioning device (10a; 10b) at least one power and / or thermal capacity is determined, characterized in that the power and / or thermal capacity determination in the at least one method step (14a; 14b) is carried out without a power measuring device.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the power and / or the thermal capacity are simulated.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for a simulation of the power and / or the thermal capacity a total system model I is formed from at least one, preferably at least four, component model(s), which are simulated one after the other.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a simulation of the performance and / or the thermal capacity, sensor measurement data of the air conditioning device (10a; 10b), in particular as boundary conditions, are taken into account.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a simulation of the performance and / or the thermal capacity, static, for example design-related, data of the air conditioning device (10a) are taken into account in at least one component model of the simulation. R.412777 - 17 - 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a simulation of the power and / or thermal capacity is carried out in an external control and / or regulation unit (40a), in particular a cloud.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the power and / or thermal capacity determined, preferably by a simulation, is stored as a data set.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a data set with standard values ​​is pre-installed or the data set is transmitted via an external control and / or regulation unit (40a), in particular cloud, for example by the manufacturer and / or by other users.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least the power and / or the thermal capacity are determined, in particular read out, from the data set.

10. Air conditioning device (10a; 10b) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

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