Air conditioner controlling method and apparatus and air conditioner having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face challenges in operating effectively at low outdoor temperatures, leading to inefficiencies in refrigerant distribution and control, particularly in scenarios with high indoor heat sources, where the existing methods for judging refrigerant sufficiency are inaccurate and costly, and the system struggles to adapt to the large temperature differences between indoor and outdoor conditions.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner controlling method that adjusts the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve based on state signals from the indoor refrigerating unit, determining the evaporator state and acquiring state signals to dynamically manage refrigerant flow, thereby improving control reliability and distributing refrigerant effectively between indoor and outdoor units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve of the outdoor unit is increased to allow more refrigerant to flow to indoor units, then the refrigerant supply to indoor units improves, but the outdoor unit experiences refrigerant deficiency and reduced heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the superheat degree of the refrigerant at the outlet of the indoor refrigerating unit and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve. When superheat degree increases (indicating refrigerant deficiency in indoor units), the valve opening is increased to supply more refrigerant. When superheat degree decreases (indicating refrigerant excess), the valve opening is reduced to prevent outdoor unit refrigerant deficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic expansion valve opening degree is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time operating conditions rather than being fixed. The control system continuously modifies the valve opening according to the superheat degree measurements, allowing the system to adapt to changing temperature conditions and refrigerant distribution requirements.
2Reliability
If the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve of the outdoor unit is decreased to retain refrigerant in the outdoor unit, then the outdoor unit heat exchange efficiency improves, but the indoor units experience refrigerant deficiency and potential frosting
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses superheat degree measurements from indoor units as feedback to determine when to increase refrigerant supply. When the superheat degree exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating refrigerant deficiency in indoor units, the system responds by increasing the electronic expansion valve opening to restore proper refrigerant distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the opening degree parameter of the electronic expansion valve based on the superheat degree parameter of the refrigerant. By monitoring superheat degree and adjusting valve opening accordingly, the system optimizes refrigerant distribution between outdoor and indoor units under varying temperature conditions.
3Reliability
If conventional refrigeration mode is used at low outdoor temperatures, then the system operates within its designed temperature range, but the system becomes disabled and cannot provide cooling when outdoor temperature is below 0°C
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a condenser in conventional refrigeration mode and as an evaporator in low-temperature hybrid mode. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide cooling across a broader temperature range, including temperatures below 0°C, by switching between different operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between conventional refrigeration mode and low-temperature hybrid mode based on outdoor temperature conditions. When outdoor temperature drops below the conventional operating range, the system transitions to hybrid mode with the outdoor heat exchanger operating as an evaporator, enabling continuous cooling operation across varying temperature conditions.
4Measurement precision
If air temperature sensors are installed to accurately judge refrigerant sufficiency, then the accuracy of refrigerant state judgment improves, but the product cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the superheat degree of the refrigerant as an intermediary parameter to indirectly assess refrigerant sufficiency in indoor units. Instead of directly measuring refrigerant quantity or installing multiple air temperature sensors, the system measures the temperature difference between the refrigerant outlet and the evaporating temperature, which reflects the refrigerant distribution state without requiring additional expensive sensing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the need for complex mechanical sensing systems (such as multiple air temperature sensors or direct refrigerant quantity sensors) with a thermal measurement approach based on superheat degree. This substitution uses existing temperature sensors to measure refrigerant temperature and calculates superheat degree through thermodynamic relationships, avoiding the need for additional expensive measurement devices.
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 enhances the reliability of control, broadens the operational range, and optimally distributes refrigerant under low-temperature conditions, reducing costs and resource usage while adapting to varying refrigerant demands.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration mode of a conventional air conditioner generally runs under the outdoor temperature ranging from 7° C. to 43° C., but is disabled when the outdoor temperature is in a range of −25° C. to 0° C. or lower
Implementation Method 2
the judging method using the temperature in the middle part of the heat exchanger fails
Implementation Method 3
when an opening degree of an electronic expansion valve of the outdoor unit is larger, the amount of the refrigerant flowing to the indoor refrigerating units will be less
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an air conditioner controlling method and apparatus, as well as an air conditioner having the same. The method includes: determining that an outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner runs in an evaporator state; acquiring a state signal of a refrigerant of an indoor refrigerating unit; and adjusting an opening degree of an electronic expansion valve of an outdoor unit according to the state signal of the indoor refrigerating unit. This method may adjust the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve of the outdoor unit according to the state signal of the indoor refrigerating unit when the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner runs in the evaporator state, thereby effectively improving the reliability of control, broadening the reliable operation range of the system, and reasonably distributing the refrigerant between the indoor refrigerating unit and the outdoor unit under a low temperature working condition.