Air conditioner and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face challenges in efficiently controlling indoor space temperature due to high power consumption and inefficient heat exchange, particularly when introducing outside air, which may not be at the desired temperature, leading to suboptimal energy efficiency and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner employs a ventilator with multiple heat exchangers and a refrigerant system that includes a compressor, outdoor and indoor heat exchangers, and a controller that adjusts damper operations based on outdoor and indoor temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and a circulation mode to optimize heat exchange and reduce power consumption by circulating indoor air when outdoor temperatures are low.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling coil is used to control the temperature of outside air, then the temperature can be adjusted, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the existing ventilation system by integrating a cooling coil into the outdoor air intake path. The cooling coil utilizes the refrigerant circulation system already present in the air conditioner, allowing temperature control of outside air without requiring a separate heating/cooling device. This integration enables the system to cool outside air while maintaining overall system efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If outside air is introduced for ventilation, then fresh air is supplied, but temperature control becomes difficult when outdoor temperature is extreme
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling coil acts as an intermediary device between the outside air and the indoor space. It mediates the temperature of the outside air by heat exchange with the refrigerant, allowing the system to supply fresh air at a controlled, comfortable temperature even when outdoor conditions are extreme. The refrigerant serves as the thermal mediator in this heat exchange process.
3Productivity
If multiple heat exchangers are added to the ventilator, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling coil is designed to serve multiple functions within the ventilation system. It not only cools the outside air during heating mode but also contributes to the overall heat exchange efficiency during cooling mode. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same component structure serves different operational requirements.
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 solution allows for efficient temperature control of indoor air without auxiliary heat sources, increasing refrigeration system efficiency and maintaining proper indoor air temperature even in ultra-low outdoor conditions by utilizing the refrigerant system's compressor driving mechanism and heat exchanger configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a main heat exchanger disposed in the supply passage and heat exchanging between flowing air and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
heat exchanging between indoor air, discharged to the outside, and outside air supplied to the indoor space
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger. A ventilator is connected to the outdoor unit by a plurality of refrigerant pipes. The ventilator includes a case having a supply passage, through which the outside air flows into the indoor space, a discharge passage through which the indoor air is discharged to the outside, a partition wall disposed in the case and separating the supply passage and the discharge passage, a main heat exchanger disposed in the supply passage, an outside air inlet damper, an indoor air outlet damper, a circulation hole damper, an outdoor temperature sensor, and a controller, configured to control operations of the dampers.