Air-conditioner system and method for operating the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner systems face inefficiencies in detecting frosting of the outdoor heat exchanger, leading to unnecessary or delayed defrost operations, which reduces heating efficiency and causes user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system equipped with a camera module, sensing unit, and server-based defrost controller that uses image classification models and machine learning to accurately determine frosting and predict its timing, enabling precise defrost operations and frosting prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple threshold-based logic is used to detect frosting, then the detection method is simple, but the accuracy of detecting actual frosting is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/threshold-based detection system with an optical system (camera module) and image processing system. The camera captures images of the heat exchanger, and image processing algorithms analyze these images to detect frosting, substituting the simple threshold logic with visual-based detection that provides higher accuracy without requiring complex physical sensors.
2Device complexity
If defrost operation is performed based on fixed time intervals, then the control logic is simple, but the operation efficiency is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback-based control where the camera continuously monitors the heat exchanger surface, and the defrost operation is triggered only when actual frosting is detected through image analysis. This feedback mechanism replaces fixed time-interval control, ensuring that defrost operations are performed only when necessary, thereby maintaining high heating efficiency while using relatively simple control logic.
3Reliability
If defrost operation is performed frequently to ensure no frosting occurs, then the reliability of heating operation is high, but the loss of heating time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of frosting conditions through continuous image monitoring and analysis. By detecting frosting at its early stages or predicting its occurrence based on environmental conditions and heat exchanger surface characteristics, the system can perform targeted defrost operations only when and where needed, rather than performing frequent preventive defrost operations across the entire heat exchanger surface.
4Device complexity
If conventional temperature sensors are used to detect frosting, then the detection method is simple, but the ability to detect actual frosting phenomenon is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional temperature sensor-based detection with an optical imaging system. The camera module captures visual information of the heat exchanger surface, and image processing algorithms analyze features such as surface texture, reflectivity, and pattern recognition to detect frosting. This substitution provides more accurate detection of the actual frosting phenomenon rather than just temperature changes.
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 improves heating efficiency by reducing the frequency and duration of defrost operations, enhancing the accuracy of frosting detection, and minimizing user dissatisfaction by anticipating and preventing frosting.
Implementation Method 1
determine whether a frosting is occurred based on image data of an outdoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant compressed by the compressor of the outdoor unit is supplied to the heat exchanger of the indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe, and the refrigerant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant compressed by the compressor of the outdoor unit
Implementation Method 4
The air conditioner is separated into and controlled as an indoor unit composed of a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit composed of a compressor and a heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner system including: an air conditioner including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger which performs heat exchange using a refrigerant discharged from the compressor, a camera module which photographs the outdoor heat exchanger, a sensing unit which has a plurality of sensors, and a communication unit which transmits an image of the outdoor heat exchanger photographed by the camera module and sensing data detected by the sensing unit; and a server including a communication unit which receives the image of the outdoor heat exchanger photographed by the camera module and the sensing data detected by the sensing unit, and a defrost controller which determines whether the outdoor heat exchanger is frosted based on image data of the outdoor heat exchanger photographed by the camera module, and predicts a frosting timing based on the sensing data detected by the sensing unit.