Air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners experience unnecessary pressure equalization delays when switching operation modes or starting after a compressor stop, leading to prolonged startup times and user discomfort due to sudden refrigerant pressure changes causing noise and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner employs pressure equalizing units that adjust refrigerant pressure based on the duration of compressor stoppage, skipping unnecessary equalization when the compressor has been stopped for an extended period, thereby reducing startup time and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If pressure equalization is performed before every mode switch or startup, then refrigerant pressure stability is improved, but startup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant pressure stabilityVSAvoidstartup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs pressure equalization in advance before mode switching or startup by opening the electromagnetic valve to allow refrigerant to flow between the heat exchanger and gas pipe, equalizing pressures beforehand so that when the mode switch occurs, no sudden pressure changes or noise occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts whether to perform pressure equalization based on the compressor stop duration. When the compressor has been stopped for a long time (exceeding threshold T1), the system skips pressure equalization since pressures have naturally equalized, thereby reducing startup time while avoiding unnecessary delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If pressure equalization is performed before mode switching, then refrigerant flow noise is reduced, but operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant flow noiseVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Pressure equalization is performed in advance before mode switching by controlling the electromagnetic valve to allow refrigerant flow between components, ensuring pressures are equalized before the actual mode change occurs, thus preventing sudden refrigerant flow and noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs pressure equalization periodically or conditionally based on compressor operation state rather than continuously. The electromagnetic valve is opened only when needed (after compressor stoppage exceeding T1 or before mode switching), avoiding unnecessary operations that would reduce operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Stress or pressure

If electromagnetic valve remains open for pressure equalization, then pressure difference is reduced, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure differenceVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic valve is opened periodically or conditionally only when pressure equalization is needed (after compressor stoppage or before mode switching), rather than remaining continuously open. This reduces energy loss from unnecessary refrigerant circulation while still achieving pressure equalization when required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The valve is opened in advance for a limited duration to equalize pressures before mode switching or startup, then closed immediately after equalization is achieved, minimizing the time the valve remains open and thus reducing energy loss while still achieving the pressure balancing objective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures faster startup times and reduced noise by optimizing pressure adjustments based on compressor stop duration, enhancing user comfort and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a high pressure side bypass pipe connected parallel to the high pressure side indoor switch valve and having a high pressure side electromagnetic valve built therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic valve actuation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

the high pressure side bypass pipe connected parallel to the high pressure side indoor switch valve... Thus, the high pressure gas pipe side and indoor heat exchanger side of the high pressure side indoor switch valve are made to communicate with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization through fluid communication: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2634510B1Air conditioner

Publication Date: 2020.10.14 FUJITSU GENERAL LTD

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AI summary

An air conditioner 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, when all compressors 21a - 21c have been stopping for a given time or more, starts an air conditioning operation without performing pressure equalizing control in switch units 6a - 6d with starting the operation of the air conditioner 1. Also, when the stopping time of all compressors 21a - 21c is less than the given time, the air conditioner 1 performs the pressure equalizing control by controlling switch units 6a - 6d with starting the operation of the air conditioner 1. In this case, when the stopping time reaches the given time during execution of the pressure equalizing processing control, the pressure equalizing processing control being executed is stopped and the air conditioning operation is started.