Air Conditioner Mode Switching Based on Outdoor Temperature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners lack an efficient method to determine the duration required for mode changes (between heating and cooling) based on outdoor temperature, leading to inefficient energy usage and increased load on the system due to rapid temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system that includes a compressor, outdoor and indoor heat exchangers, a four-way valve, and a controller that measures outdoor and indoor temperatures to determine the duration for mode changes, adjusting the mode from heating to cooling or vice versa based on predefined reference temperatures and outdoor temperature ranges, allowing for reduced duration changes as outdoor temperatures vary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the air conditioner uses a fixed predetermined basic duration for mode changes, then the control logic is simple, but the energy consumption increases and system load increases due to rapid temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mode change duration variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the duration based on outdoor temperature measurements, extending the duration when outdoor temperature is low and reducing it when outdoor temperature is high, thereby optimizing energy consumption while adapting to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of mode change duration based on outdoor temperature. By measuring outdoor temperature and adjusting the duration parameter accordingly, the system reduces energy loss during mode transitions without requiring complex control logic, as the adjustment is based on a simple temperature threshold
2Speed
If the air conditioner changes mode rapidly without considering outdoor temperature, then the response speed is fast, but the indoor temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the outdoor temperature before executing a mode change and pre-calculating the appropriate duration based on the outdoor temperature conditions. This preliminary assessment allows the system to maintain fast response while ensuring indoor temperature stability by selecting an appropriate duration before the mode change occurs
3Stability of the object's composition
If the air conditioner uses a longer duration for mode changes, then the indoor temperature stability is maintained, but the productivity decreases due to delayed response to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to adjust the mode change duration based on outdoor temperature conditions. When outdoor temperature is high, the duration is reduced for faster response; when outdoor temperature is low, the duration is extended for better temperature stability. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both productivity and temperature stability
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 enables the air conditioner to efficiently manage mode changes by adjusting duration based on outdoor temperature, reducing energy consumption and load on the system, and maintaining set indoor temperatures despite rapid outdoor temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between outdoor air and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
an indoor heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a four-way valve configured to guide the refrigerant compressed in the compressor to either the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger according to a cooling mode or a heating mode
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an air conditioner and control method of determining duration to be maintained at a reference temperature of a mode change based on an outdoor temperature. The air conditioner includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a four-way valve configured to guide refrigerant compressed in the compressor to either the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger according to a cooling mode or a heating mode, and a controller configured to determine duration corresponding to a measured outdoor temperature, change the heating mode to the cooling mode when the measured indoor temperature is maintained at a first reference indoor temperature or greater for the determined duration, and change the cooling mode to the heating mode when a measured indoor temperature is maintained at a second reference indoor temperature or less for the determined duration.