Air conditioner and method of controlling an air conditioner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners fail to adequately address user comfort and energy efficiency, particularly in buildings with poor thermal insulation, as they do not effectively compensate for temperature differences caused by heating and cooling, leading to discomfort and inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system that adjusts the set indoor temperature based on the building's thermal insulation performance and outdoor temperature, using a controller to shift the target temperature higher during heating and lower during cooling when insulation is poor, and employing stepwise adjustments within specific temperature ranges to maintain comfort and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the set temperature is shifted to a higher temperature during heating operation to compensate for heat loss in buildings with poor thermal insulation, then user comfort near floor, walls and windows is improved, but the actual indoor temperature may become too high in buildings with very good thermal insulation, leading to user discomfort and unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the temperature compensation strategy based on the building's thermal insulation performance. Buildings with poor thermal insulation receive a higher temperature shift (e.g., +2°C) to compensate for heat loss, while buildings with excellent thermal insulation receive a lower or zero temperature shift. This localized adjustment ensures that each building receives the appropriate compensation for its specific insulation characteristics, avoiding over-heating in well-insulated buildings and under-heating in poorly insulated ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the set temperature based on the thermal insulation performance parameter. The controller modifies the temperature setpoint by adding a compensation value that varies according to the insulation level (poor, average, good, excellent). This parameter-based adjustment allows the system to adapt to different building characteristics, optimizing both comfort and energy consumption for each insulation scenario.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed temperature shift is applied to compensate for heat loss, then compensation is provided for buildings with poor thermal insulation, but the compensation is insufficient for buildings with very poor insulation and excessive for buildings with good insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the temperature compensation value dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously monitors the building's thermal insulation performance and adjusts the temperature shift accordingly. When insulation performance degrades, the compensation increases; when insulation is excellent, the compensation decreases or becomes zero. This dynamic adjustment ensures the system remains adaptive and reliable across varying insulation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the thermal insulation performance information to continuously adjust the temperature setpoint. The controller receives feedback about the building's insulation characteristics and modifies the heating operation accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that the temperature compensation is always appropriate for the actual insulation performance, maintaining temperature control accuracy across different building types.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the set temperature is increased during heating operation to compensate for heat loss, then user comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing targeted temperature compensation only where needed - in buildings with poor thermal insulation. By identifying the insulation performance level, the system applies a higher temperature shift only to those buildings that require it, while maintaining normal temperature setpoints in well-insulated buildings. This localized approach eliminates draught feelings in poorly insulated buildings without unnecessarily increasing energy consumption in well-insulated ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting the temperature setpoint parameter based on the thermal insulation performance. The controller changes the temperature parameter dynamically, applying a compensation value that is proportional to the insulation deficiency. This parameter-based control optimizes the balance between comfort improvement and energy consumption by applying the minimum necessary temperature increase to achieve comfort in each specific building.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air conditioner 1 which controls operation by adjusting or changing a set indoor temperature of the air conditioner in accordance with a thermal insulation performance of the building in which the air conditioner is installed and an outdoor air temperature, wherein an amount of adjusting or changing the set indoor temperature is set to be different within a pre-set temperature range around 0°C outdoor air temperature than outside the pre-set temperature range. The present invention further relates to a computer-implemented method of controlling an air conditioner and a controller 30 of an air conditioner 1.