Controller and control method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner controllers face challenges in achieving energy savings during precooling/preheating operations due to the trade-off between suppressing air conditioning performance to increase the coefficient of performance (COP) and the resulting longer operation times that increase power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A controller that calculates and minimizes the power consumption amount by determining the optimal performance suppression rate for the air conditioner, taking into account various performance suppression rates and their impact on both energy savings and increased power consumption due to longer operation times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the air conditioning performance is suppressed to increase the coefficient of performance, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the operation time increases and the power consumption amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates power consumption amounts for multiple different performance suppression rates (different parameter values) and selects the optimal rate that minimizes total power consumption. This involves changing the performance suppression parameter to find the optimal balance between coefficient of performance and operation time
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the performance suppression rate based on real-time calculations of power consumption amounts. Rather than using a fixed suppression rate, the controller adapts the parameter to minimize total energy usage, making the system responsive to varying thermal loads and environmental conditions
2Speed
If the air conditioning performance is made larger to reduce operation time, then the precooling/preheating speed is improved, but the coefficient of performance is not increased and energy saving is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The controller evaluates multiple performance suppression rates (different parameter values) and selects the optimal one that achieves the desired balance between precooling/preheating speed and energy efficiency. By calculating power consumption for each rate, the system identifies the parameter value that provides sufficient speed while maximizing the coefficient of performance
3Loss of energy
If the operation time is extended to suppress air conditioning performance, then the coefficient of performance is increased, but the heat load handling time increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates and compares power consumption amounts across multiple performance suppression rates, selecting the rate that optimizes the balance between coefficient of performance and operation duration. This parameter optimization ensures that the air conditioner operates at the most energy-efficient point rather than simply extending operation time
Data Source
AI summary
A controller comprises: a communication unit configured to communicate with an air conditioner; and a control unit configured to control the air conditioner via the communication unit. The control unit has an activation mode in which the air conditioner is activated before a set time so as to cause a temperature of an indoor space to reach a set temperature at the set time. In the activation mode, for each of a plurality of performance suppression rates indicating a degree of suppression of air conditioning performance of the air conditioner, the control unit calculates a power consumption amount of the air conditioner required from the activation of the air conditioner until the temperature of the indoor space reaches the set temperature, and the control unit controls the air conditioner based on the performance suppression rate minimizing the power consumption amount in the plurality of performance suppression rates.