Air Conditioner Noise-Adaptive Control for Quiet Night Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners fail to effectively reduce noise levels during operation, especially at night, as their low noise modes primarily adjust the outdoor unit fan speed without considering ambient noise or operation mode, leading to limited noise reduction and discomfort for users.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system equipped with a noise sensor that measures ambient noise and distinguishes between ambient and operational noise, allowing the control part to set a target noise level and adjust the compressor and outdoor unit fan settings to ensure the air conditioner's noise does not exceed environmental regulatory values, regardless of time or operation mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the outdoor unit fan speed is decreased to reduce noise, then noise level is reduced, but cooling/heating efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of fan speed based on real-time noise measurements from a noise sensor. The control part continuously monitors ambient noise levels and dynamically modifies the outdoor unit fan speed to maintain optimal balance between noise reduction and cooling/heating efficiency, rather than using a fixed low-speed setting
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the outdoor unit fan based on detected noise levels. When ambient noise is high, the fan operates at higher speeds to maintain efficiency; when ambient noise is low, the fan speed is reduced to minimize noise output, thus adapting the parameter (fan speed) to environmental conditions
2Reliability
If the fan runs continuously to maintain cooling/heating, then temperature control is maintained, but noise is generated regardless of surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a noise sensor that provides continuous feedback to the control part about ambient noise levels. The control part processes this feedback and adjusts fan operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that balances temperature control requirements with noise reduction based on real-time environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The fan operation transitions from static continuous running to dynamic operation where speed and runtime are continuously adjusted based on real-time noise level measurements, allowing the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions while maintaining temperature control
3Ease of operation
If low noise operation is implemented based only on peak temperature, then operation simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects ambient noise levels using an integrated noise sensor and autonomously adjusts its operation without requiring user input or manual configuration. The control part processes noise data and independently determines optimal fan speed settings, enabling the system to adapt to different environments while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The noise sensor and control system enable the air conditioner to perform multiple functions: temperature control, noise measurement, environmental assessment, and adaptive operation adjustment. This multi-functionality allows the single device to adapt to various environmental conditions (different noise levels, locations, times) without requiring separate control systems
Data Source
AI summary
An conditioner including a compressor that compresses refrigerant, an outdoor unit fan that blows out the air heat-exchanged by an outdoor heat exchanger, a noise sensor that measures noise, a data part that saves noise data measured by the noise sensor, a control part that performs a low noise operation by distinguishing between ambient noise and noise made by the air conditioner based on noise measurements from the noise sensor, wherein the control part sets a target noise level according to the ambient noise, changes the operational settings of the compressor and outdoor unit fan, and controls the operation to ensure that the noise from the air conditioner does not exceed an environmental noise regulatory value.