Air-conditioner control device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning control systems face challenges in minimizing rapid increases in energy consumption after adjustment periods, leading to undesirable power supply fluctuations and potential penalties from power companies.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning control apparatus that executes adjustment control during the adjustment time period to minimize energy consumption and prevent rapid increases by prioritizing sensible heat control and ventilation minimizing strategies, using a combination of sensors and a control system to manage temperature and humidity effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If capability limit control is applied to minimize energy consumption during adjustment period, then energy consumption is reduced, but rapid increase in energy consumption occurs after adjustment period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidenergy consumption stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling or heating of the indoor space before the adjustment period begins. By pre-adjusting the indoor temperature to be closer to the setpoint, the air conditioner can operate at lower capacity during the adjustment period while still maintaining comfort, and avoids the need for rapid high-power operation afterward. This is achieved by receiving advance notification of the adjustment period timing and executing pre-cooling/heating operations during the notification period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system accumulates cooling or heating capacity before the adjustment period by operating at higher capacity during the notification period. This creates a thermal buffer in the indoor space that cushions against temperature deviations during the adjustment period, allowing the system to reduce power consumption without causing excessive temperature changes that would require rapid compensation afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Use of energy by moving object

If air conditioner capability is limited during adjustment period, then energy consumption is minimized, but indoor environment degradation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidindoor temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-adjusts the indoor temperature before the adjustment period by cooling or heating the space in advance when notification is received. This preliminary action brings the indoor temperature closer to the desired setpoint, creating a thermal buffer that maintains indoor comfort during the subsequent adjustment period even when the air conditioner operates at reduced capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If ventilation is increased to prevent environmental load accumulation, then energy consumption increases during adjustment period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor environment qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary ventilation or air exchange before the adjustment period begins, pre-freshening the indoor air quality. By doing so, the system can reduce or minimize ventilation operations during the adjustment period itself, thereby reducing energy consumption while still maintaining acceptable indoor environment quality through the previously established air quality buffer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2806226B1Air-conditioner control device
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2806226B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2806226B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2806226B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an air conditioning control apparatus that can minimize rapid increases in a consumed energy amount after the consumed energy amount has been adjusted. An air conditioning control apparatus for adjusting the amount of energy consumed by air conditioners installed in a property comprises an adjustment control part and a meter value acquisition part. The adjustment control part executes adjustment control in a predetermined adjustment time period. The meter value acquisition part acquires a measurement of the amount of energy consumed by the air conditioners. The adjustment control is a control for controlling the air conditioners so that the amount of energy consumed by the air conditioners is minimized and rapid increases in the amount of energy consumed by the air conditioners are minimized after the adjustment time period.