Air conditioner and method of controlling air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners inadequately control humidity, leading to high relative humidity and potential humidification issues due to indirect humidity control that only removes sensible heat, not latent heat, and abrupt compressor frequency changes causing vibration and inefficient power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system that includes sensors for indoor temperature and humidity, a controller to calculate dew point temperature, and a compressor fuzzy table to adjust compressor frequency based on temperature differences and heat exchanger temperature changes, ensuring the indoor heat exchanger temperature remains below the dew point for effective dehumidification and optimal comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If indirect humidity control is used that only removes sensible heat, then cooling effect is achieved, but relative humidity remains high causing humidification issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from simple temperature-based control to dew point temperature-based control. By calculating dew point temperature from humidity sensor data and using it as the control target, the system directly addresses humidity control while maintaining temperature comfort, resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and humidity control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring indoor humidity through humidity sensors, calculating dew point temperature, and adjusting compressor frequency based on the difference between dew point temperature and heat exchanger temperature. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable humidity control while maintaining comfortable indoor conditions
2Reliability
If compressor frequency is abruptly changed for dehumidification, then humidity control response is improved, but vibration and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic compressor frequency control by calculating the frequency change amount based on the temperature difference between dew point temperature and heat exchanger temperature, and the rate of change of heat exchanger temperature. This dynamic adjustment allows the compressor frequency to change smoothly rather than abruptly, reducing vibration and energy loss while maintaining effective humidity control response
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic control adjustments by continuously monitoring temperature changes and humidity levels, then making incremental frequency adjustments at appropriate intervals. This periodic action pattern allows the system to maintain humidity control effectiveness while avoiding excessive or abrupt frequency changes that would increase power consumption and vibration
3Loss of energy
If compressor operates at minimum frequency without latent heat removal, then energy saving is achieved, but residual condensate evaporates causing humidification effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system prevents the humidification effect by implementing feedback control that monitors the heat exchanger temperature and compares it with the dew point temperature. When the heat exchanger temperature approaches the dew point temperature, the controller increases compressor frequency to maintain the temperature difference, ensuring continuous latent heat removal and preventing condensate evaporation, thus maintaining dehumidification effectiveness while optimizing energy consumption
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 allows for direct control of both temperature and humidity, maximizing dehumidification effects, preventing humidification during minimum compressor operation, and reducing frequency control vibrations, resulting in improved comfort and reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor configured to sense an indoor heat exchanger temperature
Implementation Method 2
The humidity control of the air conditioner is an indirect control, which removes only sensible heat and does not remove latent heat (humidity)
Implementation Method 3
a compressor; a controller configured to calculate a dew point temperature and control a frequency of the compressor
Implementation Method 4
The air conditioner performs cooling by using the characteristic of absorbing the surrounding heat when a liquid refrigerant vaporizes
Implementation Method 5
The air conditioner performs heating by using the characteristic of releasing heat when a gaseous refrigerant liquefies
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner of the disclosure includes a compressor; an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor configured to sense an indoor heat exchanger temperature; an indoor humidity sensor configured to sense indoor humidity; and a controller configured to calculate a dew point temperature using the humidity value detected by the indoor humidity sensor and an indoor set temperature, and control a frequency of the compressor based on the calculated dew point temperature and the indoor heat exchanger temperature.