Air conditioner control method and apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing central air conditioners face challenges in accurately determining the pre-cooling or pre-heating time, leading to energy wastage and discomfort due to variations in cooling consumption and weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner control method and apparatus that determines whether the time interval to the start of work is within a maximum early start duration, and based on the preparatory demand load and startup combination load, calculates the optimal start moment for the air conditioner to ensure accurate pre-cooling or pre-heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air conditioner starts early to ensure comfortable indoor environment, then the indoor temperature requirement is met, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor temperature requirementVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the preparatory period based on real-time factors including outdoor temperature, indoor heat source conditions, and cooling consumption data from previous days. Instead of using a fixed half-hour or one-hour preparatory period, the control method calculates the optimal start time by evaluating current weather conditions and thermal load characteristics, enabling the air conditioner to adapt its operation schedule to actual environmental conditions and minimize energy consumption while ensuring comfort requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the air conditioner uses a fixed preparatory period of half an hour or one hour, then the system operation is simple, but the energy consumption increases due to unnecessary early operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control method implements a feedback mechanism that collects and analyzes cooling consumption data from previous days, outdoor temperature variations, and indoor heat source conditions. This feedback information is used to continuously optimize the preparatory period calculation, allowing the system to learn from historical performance and adjust future operation schedules accordingly. The feedback loop enables the system to identify patterns in thermal load and weather conditions, progressively improving energy efficiency while maintaining simple operation through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the air conditioner reduces the preparatory period to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but the indoor temperature requirement is not met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidindoor temperature requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of the optimal preparatory period by evaluating outdoor temperature forecasts, indoor heat source schedules, and historical cooling consumption patterns before determining the actual start time. This preliminary assessment allows the system to identify the minimum necessary operation duration required to achieve the desired indoor temperature, avoiding both excessive early operation and insufficient preparation time. The preliminary action phase computes the precise thermal load requirements and determines the optimal window for air conditioner operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If the air conditioner operation time is extended to maintain indoor temperature, then the temperature stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The control method dynamically changes key operational parameters including the preparatory period duration, operation timing, and load adjustment based on real-time environmental conditions. By varying these parameters according to outdoor temperature, indoor heat source activity, and historical performance data, the system optimizes the balance between temperature stability and energy consumption. The parameter changes enable the air conditioner to operate at optimal efficiency points while maintaining indoor comfort, avoiding continuous operation at fixed settings that would waste energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3992538B1Air conditioner control method and apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 SHANGHAI MEICON INTELLIGENT CONSTR CO LTD
  • EP3992538B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

An air conditioner control method and apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium. The air conditioner control method comprises the following steps: determining whether a time interval between the current moment and a preset moment at which work is started is less than or equal to the maximum early start duration; if the time interval is less than or equal to the maximum early start duration, acquiring a preliminary demand load corresponding to a central air-conditioner, and acquiring a startup combination load corresponding to the central air-conditioner; and on the basis of the startup combination load and the preliminary demand load, determining a start moment of a host to be started.