System and method for defrosting/ de-icing an air-conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air-conditioner defrosting/de-icing technologies are inadequate, particularly when outdoor temperatures are low and humidity is high, leading to incomplete frost removal and impairment of the heating function, resulting in poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a 3D depth sensor to measure the outer diameters and distances of pipes and the air-conditioner outdoor unit casing, which controls the defrost/de-ice mode based on set thresholds, ensuring timely and effective defrosting/de-icing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If time-controlled defrost is used (15-30 minutes), then the defrost duration is fixed and simple to control, but the frost may not be completely removed and heating function is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional time-controlled or temperature-controlled defrost mechanisms with a 3D depth sensor-based detection system. The sensor optically measures the thickness of frost/ice on the heat exchanger surface in real-time, substituting mechanical timing or temperature sensing with optical measurement to achieve precise, adaptive defrost control that ensures complete frost removal while minimizing impact on heating function.
2Temperature
If temperature-controlled defrosting is used, then the air-conditioner works to de-ice when temperature and power are low, but the heating function is seriously affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the 3D depth sensor continuously monitors frost/ice thickness on the heat exchanger surface. The controller receives real-time thickness data and activates defrost mode only when the threshold is exceeded, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that triggers defrost based on actual frost conditions rather than fixed temperature or time parameters, thereby preserving heating function while ensuring effective defrosting.
3Device complexity
If traditional defrost control methods are used, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the user experience is poor due to incomplete defrost and heating impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a 3D depth sensor as an intermediary detection device between the environment and the defrost control system. This sensor acts as a mediator that accurately perceives frost/ice thickness conditions and translates them into actionable control signals, enabling intelligent defrost decision-making without requiring complex multi-sensor arrays or sophisticated algorithms, thus maintaining system simplicity while dramatically improving defrost reliability and user experience.
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
The system effectively prevents freezing and minimizes the impact on the air-conditioner's heating function, significantly improving user experience while being simple, cost-effective, and suitable for large-scale applications.
Implementation Method 1
a 3D depth sensor disposed inside an air-conditioner outdoor unit casing, for acquiring information regarding outer diameters of pipes of an outdoor heat exchanger, distances between the pipes, and distances between the respective pipes and an air-conditioner outdoor unit casing side plate
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for defrosting/de-icing an air-conditioner are provided, the system comprising: a 3D depth sensor disposed inside an air-conditioner outdoor unit casing, for acquiring information regarding outer diameters of pipes of an outdoor heat exchanger, distances between the pipes, and distances between the respective pipes and an air-conditioner outdoor unit casing side plate; and a controller connected to the 3D depth sensor, for receiving the information acquired by the 3D depth sensor and controlling the air conditioner to enter or exit a defrosting-deicing mode. The system and method for defrosting/de-icing an air-conditioner provided by the present disclosure can effectively and timely perform defrost/de-ice operation on the outdoor heat exchanger to prevent freezing; besides, it can prevent the impact on the air-conditioner's heating function to the utmost extent so as to significantly improve user experience.