Air-conditioning system, air-conditioning controller, air conditioner, and air-conditioning control method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems face inefficiencies when preheating or precooling a space for use the next morning, particularly in offices, as they often operate during low outside temperatures, leading to increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning system employs a controller that operates in a first mode, where the air conditioner performs preheating or precooling at set times, and then stops when the target temperature is exceeded or dropped, allowing natural temperature adjustments to reach the desired temperature efficiently, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the air conditioner operates to reach the target temperature exactly at the time when the room is used next, then the indoor temperature reaches the target temperature, but the air conditioner needs to operate during low outside temperature periods which causes poor energy efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor temperatureVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner performs preheating or precooling operations in advance before the room is needed, stopping early when the temperature reaches a predetermined value. The remaining temperature adjustment is left to natural temperature changes, thereby achieving the target temperature at the appropriate time while improving energy efficiency by avoiding operation during inefficient low outside temperature periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the air conditioner operates longer to ensure target temperature is reached, then the temperature stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes natural temperature changes (heating from indoor equipment, occupants, or passive solar gain) to complete the temperature adjustment after the air conditioner stops early. This self-service approach maintains temperature stability while reducing energy consumption by avoiding extended air conditioner operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 approach allows for more energy-efficient operation by adjusting the target space temperature closer to the desired temperature before the air conditioner is turned off, enabling natural temperature stabilization and reducing energy usage.

Implementation Method 1

the air conditioner performs a preheating operation or a precooling operation... to increase or decrease the temperature of the target space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the temperature of the target space can be brought close to the target temperature by a natural temperature decrease or temperature rise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNatural convection: Free Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4170251B1Air-conditioning system, air-conditioning controller, air conditioner, and air-conditioning control method
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4170251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4170251B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4170251B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

An air conditioning system includes an air conditioner (11) and an air conditioning controller (50, 55), in which the air conditioning controller has, as a control mode, a first mode in which the air conditioner performs a preheating operation or a precooling operation at or after a first time (te) set in advance and at or before a second time (ts) at which the target space is used next, the first mode is a control mode of operating the air conditioner and stopping the air conditioner when the temperature of the target space increases to a preheating temperature (TH) higher than a target temperature (TM) of the target space at the second time (ts) or when the temperature of the target space decreases to a precooling temperature (TL) lower than the target temperature (TM), the preheating temperature (TH) is set such that the temperature of the target space becomes the target temperature (TM) or higher than the target temperature (TM) at a point of the second time (ts), and the precooling temperature (TL) is set such that the temperature of the target space becomes the target temperature (TM) or lower than the target temperature (TM) at the point of the second time (ts).