Air Conditioner Dirt Detection Using Time-Series Temperature Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems inaccurately detect air filter or heat exchanger dirt due to temporary environmental changes, causing false alarms when temperature differences exceed predetermined thresholds.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning apparatus that determines dirt levels based on time-series data of temperature differences between suction air and cooled/heated air temperatures, using a set temperature zone and determination period to accurately assess dirt presence regardless of environmental changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If temperature difference threshold method is used to detect dirt, then detection simplicity is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to false alarms from environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by accumulating temperature difference data over a predetermined period before making a dirt detection determination. This preliminary data collection phase allows the system to distinguish between temporary environmental fluctuations and genuine dirt accumulation, preventing false alarms while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring temperature differences over time and comparing accumulated data against predetermined thresholds. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to environmental changes while maintaining accurate dirt detection, resolving the contradiction between simple detection methods and accurate measurement.
2Speed
If single temperature difference comparison is used, then response speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to temporary environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data accumulation over a predetermined time period before making final determinations. This approach maintains reliability by filtering out temporary environmental changes while preserving relatively fast response times through efficient data processing and predetermined threshold comparisons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of temperature differences throughout the predetermined period, ensuring that useful detection action continues uninterrupted. This continuous observation enables reliable dirt detection while maintaining responsive performance through real-time data collection and analysis.
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 approach prevents false detections of dirt caused by temporary environmental changes, allowing for accurate assessment of air filter or heat exchanger cleanliness and optimizing maintenance schedules by determining the degree of dirt and controlling operating capacity to maximize system uptime.
Implementation Method 1
indoor heat exchange unit that causes heat exchange to be performed between indoor air and refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An air-conditioning apparatus includes: a suction-air temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of air that is sucked into a heat exchange unit or the temperature of space to be subjected to heat exchange as a suction air temperature; a cooled/heated-air temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of air blown from the heat exchange unit or the temperature of the heat exchange unit as a cooled/heated air temperature; and a control device that acquires data on a temperature difference between the suction air temperature detected by the suction-air temperature detection unit and the cooled/heated air temperature detected by the cooled/heated-air temperature detection unit at different times as time-series data, and determines whether the heat exchange unit is dirty or not based on the time-series data regarding the temperature difference.