Air conditioner and control method thereof
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners face challenges in reducing power consumption and improving operation efficiency due to the need for high refrigerant pressure, which increases power consumption and decreases efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner and its control method involve controlling the pressure or temperature of the refrigerant based on various operation conditions, including installation environment, optimal compression ratio, outdoor temperature, and default values, to set a target pressure or temperature and adjust the outdoor fan's operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant pressure is increased to ensure normal operation, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the refrigerant pressure control adaptive rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the target refrigerant pressure based on multiple operating conditions including outdoor temperature, fan speed, and accumulation amount. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain minimum reliability requirements while optimizing pressure levels to reduce power consumption under different operating scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter adaptively based on operating conditions. Instead of maintaining a constant high pressure, the system adjusts the target refrigerant pressure parameter according to outdoor temperature, fan speed, and accumulation amount. This parameter change approach allows the system to achieve the minimum required pressure for reliability while avoiding excessive pressure that would increase power consumption.
2Reliability
If refrigerant pressure is increased to ensure normal operation, then reliability is improved, but operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant pressure based on real-time operating conditions rather than maintaining a fixed high pressure. The controller continuously monitors outdoor temperature, fan speed, and accumulation amount to determine the optimal target pressure, enabling the system to maintain reliability while maximizing operation efficiency under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting the target refrigerant pressure according to multiple operating parameters. The system changes the pressure parameter adaptively based on outdoor temperature, fan speed, and accumulation amount, allowing it to achieve the minimum pressure required for reliable operation while avoiding excessive pressure that would reduce operation efficiency.
3Stress or pressure
If fan speed is increased to cool the refrigerant, then refrigerant pressure is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the accumulation amount of refrigerant in the accumulator and using this information to adjust fan speed. The controller receives feedback on refrigerant accumulation and adjusts the outdoor fan speed accordingly to maintain target refrigerant pressure while minimizing power consumption. This feedback mechanism prevents both excessive pressure buildup and unnecessary fan operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by adjusting fan speed to the minimum level necessary to achieve the target refrigerant pressure. Instead of continuously running the fan at high speed, the controller modulates fan speed to provide just enough cooling to maintain the desired pressure level, thereby reducing overall power consumption while still achieving pressure reduction when needed.
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 effectively reduces power consumption and enhances operation efficiency by optimizing refrigerant pressure and temperature control in response to different operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an outdoor heat exchanger for changing the high pressure refrigerant gas to a refrigerant fluid
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor fan module installed near the outdoor heat exchanger for performing blowing
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant to discharge a high pressure refrigerant gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An air conditioner and control method for reducing power consumption by controlling pressure or temperature of a refrigerant. The air conditioner includes a compressor compressing a refrigerant and discharging a high pressure refrigerant gas; an outdoor heat exchanger in which the high pressure refrigerant gas is changed to a refrigerant fluid; an outdoor fan to blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger; a decompressor decompressing the refrigerant fluid into a low pressure state; an indoor heat exchanger changing the decompressed low pressure refrigerant fluid to a refrigerant gas; and a controller configured to control pressure or temperature of the refrigerant based on an operation condition including at least two of a first condition determined based on an installation environment, a second condition determined based on an optimal compression ratio of the compressor, a third condition determined based on outdoor temperature, and a fourth condition set as a default value.