Air Conditioner Load-Based Fan Speed Control for COP Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners lack accurate control over the rotational speed of the outdoor fan, which limits the optimization of performance and power consumption, and fail to accurately match indoor space loads, resulting in suboptimal cooling and heating efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system that measures indoor temperature and humidity to calculate sensible and latent heat loads, sets target refrigerant temperatures and air volumes based on these loads, and determines the optimal rotational speed of the outdoor fan to maximize the coefficient of performance (COP) by minimizing the change rate of total power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the outdoor fan is set at maximum rotational speed, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the power consumption increases and COP decreases in partial load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the outdoor fan rotational speed adjustable rather than fixed at maximum. The controller dynamically changes the fan speed based on operating conditions (full load vs. partial load), allowing the system to optimize between heat exchange efficiency and power consumption. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the fan to operate at different speeds: high speed for maximum heat exchange when needed, and lower speed to reduce power consumption when the compressor is running at partial capacity.
2Device complexity
If the target pressure is set fixed, then the control system is simple, but the cooling and heating efficiency cannot be optimized to match the actual load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the target pressure variable rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the target pressure based on the actual load conditions and operating state of the air conditioner. This allows the system to optimize cooling and heating efficiency by matching the target pressure to the current demand, while the overall control system remains relatively simple through rule-based adjustments rather than complex algorithms.
3Device complexity
If the outdoor fan rotational speed is not accurately controlled, then the control system is simple, but the COP cannot be maximized and total power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the outdoor fan rotational speed based on operating conditions. The controller monitors the system state and changes the fan speed parameter to optimize COP. In partial load conditions, the fan speed is reduced to minimize its power consumption contribution, while in full load conditions, the fan operates at higher speed to maintain efficient heat exchange. This resolves the contradiction by enabling accurate fan speed control through relatively simple conditional logic.
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 enhances the accuracy of indoor space load matching, increases cooling and heating efficiency, and maximizes the air conditioner's efficiency by optimizing the rotational speed of the outdoor fan, leading to improved COP and reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of the surrounding air decreases as the refrigerant expands and vaporizes in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit
Implementation Method 2
high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, and the air warmed by the energy, which is emitted when the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is liquefied in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner. The air conditioner of the present disclosure includes: an outdoor unit; at least one indoor unit configured to cool and heat an indoor space while repeating operation (Thermo-ON) and operation stop (Thermo-OFF); a sensor unit configured to measure a temperature and humidity of each indoor space where the at least one indoor unit is located; and a controller, wherein the controller calculates a sensible heat load and a latent heat load of each indoor space, based on a time when the operation stop occurs, a time when the operation starts again after the operation stop occurs, and temperature and humidity information of each indoor space, derives target sensible heat and target latent heat based on the calculated sensible heat load and latent heat load, and derives a target refrigerant temperature and an air volume of the at least one indoor unit based on the target sensible heat and the target latent heat. Accordingly, indoor sensible heat and latent heat loads can be accurately derived, and the operation efficiency of the air conditioner can be improved.