Air Conditioner Common Interlock Circuit for Multiple Safety Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning systems face increased installation complexity due to the need to release interlocks for multiple safety devices when they are not used, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential loss of components.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus with a connecting portion, circuit configuration portion, and control unit that allows for the formation of a first circuit without requiring separate interlocks for each safety device, using a first member to enable simultaneous release of interlocks for multiple safety devices, thereby simplifying installation and reducing the risk of component loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If interlock is used for each safety device, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple interlock functions into a single common interlock circuit that can simultaneously control multiple safety devices (refrigerant detector, alarm device, isolation valve, ventilation device). Instead of implementing separate interlock circuits for each safety device, the invention uses one unified circuit with contact points that can short-circuit the interlock function for all devices at once, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The common interlock circuit is designed to serve multiple safety devices simultaneously. The circuit configuration portion includes contact points that can short-circuit the interlock function for any combination of safety devices, making the interlock mechanism universal and adaptable to different operational requirements without increasing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If interlock is used for each safety device, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to increased installation work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple interlock release operations into a single action. The common interlock circuit includes contact points that can simultaneously short-circuit the interlock function for multiple safety devices, allowing installation personnel to release all interlocks at once rather than individually releasing each one, significantly improving ease of operation during installation and maintenance.
3Reliability
If multiple safety devices are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple safety devices into a unified common interlock circuit. Instead of having separate control circuits for each safety device, the invention uses a single circuit configuration portion that can manage refrigerant detector, alarm device, isolation valve, and ventilation device simultaneously, reducing the overall complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple safety devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus (1) includes a refrigerant circuit (6), and includes a connecting portion (85), a circuit configuration portion (97), a first member (110), and a control unit (22). To the connecting portion: a first electric wire (91) connected to a first device (80) of a plurality of safety devices including at least two types of a refrigerant detector, an alarm device, an isolation valve, and a ventilation device; and a second electric wire (92) connected to a second device (90) of a type different from the first device of the plurality of safety devices are connected. The circuit configuration portion forms an interlock circuit (98) together with the first electric wire and the second electric wire connected to the connecting portion. The first member enables formation of a first circuit (99) including at least part of the circuit configuration portion without going through the first electric wire and the second electric wire. The control unit prohibits an operation of the air conditioning apparatus when no current flows through either the interlock circuit or the first circuit.