AHU Air Mixing Control for Heat-Efficient Indoor Climate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in heating and cooling while also lacking effective control over indoor air circulation and external air integration, particularly in environments without windows or with limited ventilation.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system that includes an air handling unit (AHU) controlled by a controller, which manages the circulation and temperature of indoor and outdoor air, using a heat source from an outdoor unit to perform heat exchanges and optimize air supply, with an interface unit for monitoring and controlling the AHU's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air conditioning system controls indoor temperature by discharging cool or hot air, then indoor temperature control is achieved, but heat efficiency and energy consumption are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air conditioning system with a ventilation system into an integrated apparatus. The air handling unit (AHU) performs both temperature control and ventilation functions by managing mixed air from multiple sources (return air, outdoor air, exhaust air) through a unified system, thereby improving heat efficiency while maintaining indoor temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The air handling unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it controls indoor temperature by conditioning air, ventilates the indoor space by introducing outdoor air, and manages air circulation through return and exhaust paths. This multi-functional design reduces energy consumption by optimizing air utilization across all functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If air conditioning system is combined with ventilation system, then indoor environment comfort is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air conditioning system and ventilation system into a single integrated air handling unit. By combining temperature control mechanisms, ventilation pathways, and air circulation components into one unified system, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the adaptability to control both temperature and air quality for improved indoor environment comfort.
3Loss of energy
If air circulation and external air introduction are controlled, then heat efficiency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor indoor temperature, air quality, and system operation status. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the mixing ratios of return air, outdoor air, and exhaust air, as well as the operation of heating/cooling coils and fans, thereby optimizing heat efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated control architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system improves heat efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and enhances indoor comfort by effectively controlling indoor temperatures through precise management of air circulation and heat exchange, while also simplifying the management and monitoring of the air conditioning system.
Implementation Method 1
when a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit through the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, the refrigerant is expanded by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit and evaporated, an temperature of surrounding air drops
Implementation Method 2
the fan of the indoor unit is rotated, and thus cold air is discharged to the interior of a room
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant is expanded by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit and evaporated, an temperature of surrounding air drops
Implementation Method 4
when a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an air conditioning system. The conditioning system includes an air handling unit (AHU) configured to control outdoor air that is externally supplied, exhaust air that is outdoors discharged, and return air that is circulated indoors and supplied again, control the outdoor air or mixed air of the return air and the outdoor air at a set temperature, and supply cool/warm supply air indoors, at least one outdoor unit configured to supply a heat source for a heat exchange to the AHU, a controller configured to receive operating state data of the AHU and control an operation of the AHU through communication with the outdoor unit, and an interface unit connected to the controller and configured to output a control menu of the AHU, send data received through the control menu to the controller, and output a monitoring screen for the operating state of the AHU and the outdoor unit.