Air conditioner and operation method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face challenges in systematically managing and limiting power consumption while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment, as users struggle to monitor and restrict operation times effectively, leading to inefficient energy use and increased electricity bills.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system with a controller that calculates and adjusts power usage based on a database, using exponential smoothing methods to estimate power requirements for specific time periods, and adjusts compressor operation using a correction algorithm to maintain a comfortable environment while reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the air conditioner automatically stops operation or maintains minimum capacity when accumulated power quantity approaches the target value, then power consumption is limited, but comfortable indoor environment cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates the expected power quantity for the entire period in advance using historical data and exponential smoothing methods. This allows the system to proactively adjust operation before the power limit is reached, rather than reactively stopping when the limit is approached, thus maintaining comfort while ensuring power constraints are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The control criterion for the compressor is dynamically corrected based on the difference between expected power quantity and target power quantity. The correction value adjusts the target frequency dynamically, allowing the system to optimize between power consumption and comfort in real-time rather than using fixed stop/maintain rules.
2Loss of information
If the user repeatedly checks the watt-hour meter to monitor power quantity, then power usage can be tracked, but it is inconvenient and difficult to systematically manage power quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioner system automatically performs power quantity calculation, monitoring, and management without requiring user intervention. The controller accumulates power consumption data, calculates expected power quantities, and adjusts operation autonomously, transforming the system from a passive monitoring tool to an active self-managing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual power consumption, compares it with the target power quantity, and uses this feedback to correct the control criterion and adjust future operation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures systematic power management without requiring manual user checks or interventions.
3Ease of operation
If the air conditioner operates without dynamic adjustment to meet power targets, then comfortable indoor environment is maintained, but power quantity exceeds target value
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates the expected power quantity for the entire period in advance using historical data and exponential smoothing methods. This allows the system to proactively adjust operation before the power limit is reached, rather than reactively stopping when the limit is approached, thus maintaining comfort while ensuring power constraints are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The control criterion for the compressor is dynamically corrected based on the difference between expected power quantity and target power quantity. The correction value adjusts the target frequency dynamically, allowing the system to optimize between power consumption and comfort in real-time rather than using fixed stop/maintain rules.
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
The system effectively limits power usage below target values while ensuring a comfortable indoor environment by accurately calculating and managing power consumption, updating target values based on usage history, and adjusting compressor control criteria in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
calculates an expected power quantity, which corresponds to power quantity expected to be used by the air conditioner for at least a part of the entire period, based on the database
Implementation Method 2
a compressor for compressing refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor unit having therein a compressor for compressing refrigerant; at least one indoor unit
Implementation Method 4
As the refrigerant expands and is vaporized in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit, ambient temperature decreases
Implementation Method 5
high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit from the compressor of the outdoor unit, and air heated by energy, which is released as the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is liquefied in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes: an outdoor unit having therein a compressor for compressing refrigerant; at least one indoor unit; a storage configured to store a database on a power quantity used by the air conditioner; and a controller. The controller is configured to: based on the database, calculate an estimated power quantity expected to be used by the air conditioner for at least a part of an entire period, based on a preset maximum power quantity for the entire period and the calculated estimated power quantity, determine a target power quantity for a specific unit time, which is expected to be used by the air conditioner for the specific unit time of the entire period; control the compressor for the specific unit time based on the target power quantity; and in response to arrival of a point in time to update the target power quantity, add, to the database, the power quantity used by the air conditioner for the specific unit time.