Adaptive Air-Conditioner Control for Distance-Based Energy Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning control systems face challenges in balancing energy conservation and user comfort when a user is away, as they may unnecessarily stop or start the air conditioner based on distance thresholds, leading to discomfort and excessive energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning control apparatus that uses a portable terminal to detect the user's distance from the building, adjusting the setback value and controlling the air conditioner's energy consumption based on this distance to optimize energy savings while maintaining comfort levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the air conditioner is controlled to stop when the user is away based on distance threshold, then energy consumption is reduced, but user comfort deteriorates when the user returns quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the control parameters (distance threshold, time threshold, temperature adjustment magnitude) variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts these parameters based on real-time conditions such as the user's current distance, the rate of distance change, and environmental temperature, allowing the air conditioner to respond appropriately to different scenarios and avoid unnecessary stoppages that would compromise comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including user distance, distance change rate, current temperature, and operational state, using this feedback to make intelligent control decisions. This feedback mechanism prevents premature shutdown by detecting when the user is still approaching and ensures appropriate pre-cooling or pre-heating by anticipating the user's return, thus resolving the contradiction between energy saving and comfort
2Loss of energy
If the air conditioner is controlled based on short distance thresholds, then energy is saved when user is away, but the air conditioner repeatedly starts and stops causing needless energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting the user's return based on current distance and distance change rate, initiating temperature adjustment before the user actually returns. This prevents frequent on/off cycling by maintaining appropriate temperatures in advance, thereby improving operational stability while still achieving energy savings during extended absence periods
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on real-time conditions, using variable thresholds and adaptive control strategies to prevent frequent cycling. The system modifies its behavior based on the specific situation, maintaining stability by avoiding premature shutdowns while still achieving energy efficiency
3Loss of energy
If the air conditioner stops when user is away for short time, then energy consumption is reduced, but user experiences discomfort upon returning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature adjustment based on predicted user return time calculated from distance and distance change rate. By pre-cooling or pre-heating the space before the user returns, the system eliminates discomfort upon return while only consuming energy during necessary periods, thus resolving the contradiction between energy saving and comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from distance sensors and environmental sensors to make intelligent decisions about when to maintain or adjust temperature. This feedback mechanism ensures comfort is maintained during short absences while energy is saved during longer periods, dynamically optimizing the balance between the two objectives
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning control apparatus includes an away detector, a position acquisition unit, a distance acquisition unit, an instrument control unit, and a learning storage unit. The away detector detects that a user is away from a building. The position acquisition unit acquires position information of a portable terminal carried by the user. The distance acquisition unit uses the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit to acquire distance information indicating how far the portable terminal is from the building when the away detector has detected that the user is away from the building. The instrument control unit controls an air conditioner installed in the building based on the distance information acquired by the distance acquisition unit so that the air conditioner consumes less energy.