Air conditioning apparatus and method for controlling air conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently determining how each indoor unit is connected to a mode change device, leading to potential misconfiguration and reduced operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner is configured to operate all mode changers, with indoor units storing and comparing addresses to determine the valid mode changer by detecting operation patterns and temperature changes, allowing for automatic and precise connection determination without user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual configuration of mode changer connections is used, then installation flexibility is maintained, but configuration accuracy and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-detection of mode changer connections through temperature monitoring. Each indoor unit autonomously determines its connected mode changer by detecting temperature changes in the heat exchanger during sequential operation of mode changers, eliminating the need for manual configuration and ensuring accurate connection mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature feedback from the heat exchanger to determine connection status. By monitoring temperature changes during mode changer operation and comparing them against expected patterns, the system accurately identifies which mode changer is connected to each indoor unit, providing precise connection determination without manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If sequential operation of mode changers is used, then connection determination accuracy improves, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into distinct phases: first all mode changers operate together to establish baseline temperature changes, then mode changers operate individually to identify specific connections. This segmentation allows accurate determination of connection relationships while maintaining a structured, manageable control process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs temperature measurements during both collective operation of all mode changers and individual operation of each mode changer. This excessive measurement approach ensures that all possible connection scenarios are captured, providing comprehensive data for accurate connection determination while the control logic efficiently processes the information.
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit; a plurality of mode change devices connected to the outdoor unit, including at least one mode changer including a branch duct and a changing valve, and configured to receive a control signal from the outdoor unit to control an operation of the at least one mode changer; and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit or the plurality of mode change devices. The outdoor unit may be configured to determine an operation mode of the plurality of mode change devices to operate the plurality of mode change devices a plurality of times. Each of the plurality of indoor units may be configured to detect a temperature change of an indoor heat exchanger in response to the operation of the plurality of mode change devices, to determine the number of connected mode changers and a connectable mode changer candidate group based on the temperature change of the indoor heat exchanger, and to extract a valid mode changer from the determined mode changer candidate group and obtain branch duct connection information.