Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners fail to effectively reduce the growth of fungi and bacteria in the indoor heat exchanger due to temperature limitations that prevent the compressor from overheating, leading to incomplete sterilization and odor issues.
Innovation Solution
Implement a dual-threshold protection control system that allows the indoor heat exchanger temperature to exceed a first threshold, triggering a reduction in compressor speed to prevent discharge pressure from exceeding the compressor's upper limit, ensuring the heat exchanger reaches a higher temperature for effective sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the indoor heat exchanger temperature is raised to 50°C or higher to reduce fungi and bacteria, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the compressor discharge pressure may exceed the upper limit value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the compressor rotation speed variable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts the compressor speed based on the indoor heat exchanger temperature to maintain it above 50°C for effective sterilization while preventing discharge pressure from exceeding safe limits. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing thermal conditions in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the compressor by adjusting its rotation speed according to the indoor heat exchanger temperature. By modifying this key parameter, the system achieves higher temperatures for better sterilization (above 50°C) while controlling the discharge pressure within acceptable ranges, thus resolving the contradiction between sterilization effectiveness and pressure safety.
2Stress or pressure
If the compressor rotation speed is reduced to prevent discharge pressure from exceeding limits, then the pressure safety is improved, but the heating efficiency and sterilization effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the control device continuously monitors the indoor heat exchanger temperature and adjusts the compressor rotation speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the temperature remains above 50°C for effective sterilization while automatically reducing compressor speed when discharge pressure approaches unsafe levels, thus maintaining both heating efficiency and pressure safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts compressor operation based on real-time temperature and pressure conditions. Rather than using a fixed low speed that would compromise heating efficiency, the compressor speed is continuously optimized to maintain effective sterilization temperatures while staying within safe pressure limits, achieving both goals simultaneously.
3Reliability
If the indoor heat exchanger temperature is maintained above 50°C for effective sterilization, then the fungi and bacteria reduction is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes energy consumption by dynamically changing the compressor rotation speed parameter based on the required temperature level. Instead of maintaining a constantly high speed that would waste energy, the system adjusts the speed to maintain the minimum effective temperature (above 50°C) needed for sterilization, reducing energy consumption while preserving sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous effective sterilization by maintaining the indoor heat exchanger temperature above 50°C throughout the operation. The continuous adjustment of compressor speed ensures that this temperature threshold is consistently met without unnecessary energy expenditure, achieving sustained sterilization effectiveness with optimized energy use.
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
Prevents compressor discharge pressure from exceeding limits while achieving significant reduction in fungi and bacteria by maintaining the indoor heat exchanger at temperatures above 55°C, ensuring thorough sterilization without shutting down the compressor prematurely.
Implementation Method 1
the indoor heat exchanger is heated to dry the inside of the indoor unit after the cooling operation... the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger is set to about 40°C, only the growth of fungus and bacteria is suppressed... it is considered to further heat the indoor heat exchanger to raise the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, for example, to set a target temperature of the indoor heat exchanger to 50°C or higher
Implementation Method 2
indoor heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator... the indoor heat exchange temperature exceeds this threshold temperature
Implementation Method 3
the conditioned air blown from the indoor unit has an unpleasant odor... the indoor heat exchanger is heated to dry the inside of the indoor unit
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3
AI summary
In the protection control in the indoor heat exchange heating operation, the compressor (21) is stopped when the indoor heat exchange temperature (Tc) is equal to or higher than the second threshold indoor heat exchange temperature (Tch2) higher than the first threshold indoor heat exchange temperature (Tch1) in the protection control in the heating operation. Alternatively, when the discharge temperature (Td) is equal to or higher than the first threshold discharge temperature (Tdh1) in the protection control in the heating operation, the compressor (21) is stopped. Alternatively, it is not performed in the protection control in the heating operation, and the compressor (21) is stopped to prevent the suction pressure of the compressor (21) from increasing when the outdoor heat exchange temperature (Te) is equal to or higher than the threshold outdoor heat exchange temperature (Teh). Accordingly, an air conditioner can be provided which prevents the discharge pressure of the compressor from exceeding the upper limit value of the use range when performing an operation to reduce the number of fungi and bacteria.