Air conditioner and method for detecting incorrectly connected pipe in an air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in detecting incorrectly connected pipes, leading to increased stabilization time and error probability, especially when a large number of indoor units are connected to outdoor units.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a remote controller to transmit pipe address information to indoor units, which then communicate with an outdoor unit to determine pipe address allocations, allowing for serial or group pipe inspections based on the number of connected units, using temperature sensors to identify incorrectly connected pipes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If indoor units are inspected one by one sequentially, then detection accuracy is improved, but detection time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe connection detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection process into two segments: a rapid preliminary inspection phase that checks all indoor units simultaneously for obvious errors, followed by a detailed verification phase for units that fail the preliminary check. This segmentation allows most units to be screened quickly while maintaining accuracy for problematic connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous detection capability by operating multiple inspection channels in parallel rather than sequentially. Multiple indoor units are monitored simultaneously through continuous data acquisition from temperature sensors and communication modules, eliminating idle time between inspections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If indoor units are grouped using binary tree method, then total operation time is shortened, but refrigeration cycle stabilization time increases and detection accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection speedVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection methodology is made dynamic by adapting the detection strategy based on system conditions. The controller adjusts between comprehensive parallel inspection and targeted sequential verification modes depending on the number of indoor units, communication responses, and temperature variations, optimizing both speed and accuracy for each specific scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as inspection depth, sensor sampling frequency, and communication protocols based on the configuration of indoor units. When many units are connected, the system modifies detection thresholds and inspection sequences to balance rapid screening with accurate identification of connection errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If electronic expansion valves are all opened for pipe inspection, then system stability is obtained, but stabilization time period increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidstabilization time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary inspections using communication modules and basic parameter checks before conducting full refrigeration cycle stabilization tests. This preliminary action identifies obviously incorrect pipe connections early, allowing the system to avoid lengthy stabilization periods for units that will fail inspection anyway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection process skips units that pass preliminary checks by not subjecting them to full stabilization waiting periods. Units with normal communication responses and acceptable initial temperature readings are quickly cleared, while only suspicious units undergo extended monitoring, dramatically reducing overall inspection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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 approach reduces detection time and improves accuracy by allowing parallel detection of pipe connections and differentiating inspection methods based on the number of indoor units, thereby shortening the overall error detection period.

Implementation Method 1

using temperature sensors to identify incorrectly connected pipes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11644208B2Air conditioner and method for detecting incorrectly connected pipe in an air conditioner

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An air conditioner and a method for detecting an incorrectly connected pipe in an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may detect an incorrectly connected pipe by performing a serial pipe inspection when three or less indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit through pipes and performing a group pipe inspection when four or more indoor units are connected to the outdoor unit through the pipes. The structure may enable detecting the incorrectly connected pipe among pipes connecting the outdoor unit to the indoor units within a shorter time.