Air Conditioner Cooling and Thermal Storage Mode Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioners have poor energy storage efficiency and struggle to meet diverse user requirements due to their limited operation modes and energy storage methods.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner employs a first medium circulating system with serially connected heat exchanging units and throttling units, allowing for simultaneous room cooling and energy storage, using a second heat exchanging unit to efficiently store energy with a lower evaporation temperature, and includes control methods for various operation modes to enhance user flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the air conditioner operates in energy storage mode only, then the energy storage apparatus can store energy, but the use continuity is poor and different user requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage efficiencyVSAvoidoperation mode diversity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated system. The first medium circulating system can simultaneously execute room cooling and energy storage operations, or switch between different operation modes (energy storage mode, weak cooling mode, strong cooling mode) to meet diverse user requirements while maintaining high energy storage efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the air conditioner cools the room first using the energy storage material, then stores energy, but this sequential approach reduces use continuity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling method diversityVSAvoiduse continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous useful action by allowing simultaneous operation of room cooling and energy storage processes. The first medium circulating system can continuously cool the room through the first heat exchanging unit while continuously storing energy through the second heat exchanging unit, eliminating idle time and ensuring uninterrupted service

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If a single heat exchanging unit is used, then the structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency and energy storage efficiency cannot be optimized simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidheat exchanging unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanging function is segmented into multiple independent units with specialized roles. The first heat exchanging unit is dedicated to room cooling, while the second heat exchanging unit is dedicated to energy storage. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall cooling efficiency and energy storage efficiency without requiring an overly complex integrated structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration improves energy storage efficiency, diversifies cooling methods, and enriches operation modes, ensuring better continuity and user satisfaction by synchronizing cooling and energy storage processes.

Implementation Method 1

the first heat exchanging unit and the fifth heat exchanging unit are used to exchange heat with an environment respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the first medium releases a part of carried cold energy into the environment through the first heat exchanging unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCold energy release: Heat Sink

Implementation Method 3

the second heat exchanging unit exchanges heat with the energy storage material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

the first medium is further cooled by the second throttling unit and provides the carried cold energy with much lower temperature to the energy storage material through the second heat exchanging unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 5

the first medium does work through a compressor, the first heat exchanging unit and the first throttling unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottling: Joule-Thomson Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4001786B1Air conditioner and control method therefor, operation control apparatus and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 GUANGDONG MIDEA WHITE HOME APPLIANCE TECH INNOVATION CENT CO LTD
  • EP4001786B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4001786B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4001786B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are an air conditioner and a control method therefor, an operation control apparatus and a storage medium. The air conditioner comprises: a first medium circulation system comprising a first heat exchange unit, a second heat exchange unit, a fifth heat exchange unit, a first throttling unit and a second throttling unit, wherein the first heat exchange unit is connected in series between the first throttling unit and the second throttling unit, the second throttling unit is connected in series between the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit, the first throttling unit is connected in series between the fifth heat exchange unit and the first heat exchange unit, and the first heat exchange unit and the fifth heat exchange unit are used for respectively exchanging heat with an environment; and an energy storage apparatus, which is provided with an energy storage material, wherein the second heat exchange unit exchanges heat with the energy storage material. The air conditioner provided by the present solution realizes that methods for cooling an environment are more diversified, such that usage functions and operation modes of a product are more plentiful; and realizes the operation mode of synchronously cooling a room and storing energy in an energy storage material, such that the usage continuity is better, and a usage requirement of a user can be satisfied even more.