Centralized Air Conditioner Control for Heat Source Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face inefficiencies in controlling the operation capacity of outdoor units and the flow rate of heat source water, leading to suboptimal performance and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system that includes a central controller, a variable flow valve, and a variable flow valve control board, which allows for remote regulation of the outdoor units and heat source water flow rate through different communication protocols, enabling efficient operation capacity adjustment and improved reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air conditioners control outdoor units and heat source water flow rate using traditional control methods, then the system structure is simple, but the operation efficiency and reliability are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into a central controller for high-level decision making and a variable flow valve control board for execution-level control. The control board includes separate modules for receiving control signals, converting communication protocols, regulating valve opening degrees, and managing communication with outdoor units, dividing complex control functions into manageable segments that improve reliability while maintaining reasonable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A variable flow valve control board acts as an intermediary device between the central controller and the variable flow valve. This intermediary converts communication protocols between different devices, manages the regulation of heat source water flow rate, and coordinates control signals, thereby improving overall system reliability through dedicated protocol conversion and control mediation
2Productivity
If the flow rate of heat source water is not regulated efficiently, then the control system is simple, but the heat exchange performance and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The variable flow valve dynamically adjusts the opening degree based on real-time control signals from the control board, allowing the heat source water flow rate to be continuously optimized according to actual heat exchange requirements. This dynamic regulation improves heat exchange efficiency while the automated control minimizes operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control board receives control signals that imply feedback about system performance and adjusts the variable flow valve opening degree accordingly to optimize heat source water flow rate. This feedback-based regulation ensures efficient heat exchange while maintaining simple operation through automated adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If outdoor units operate at fixed capacity, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to varying load conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of outdoor unit operation capacity through the central controller and control board, allowing the air conditioner to adapt to varying load conditions. The variable flow valve dynamically regulates heat source water flow rate to match outdoor unit capacity adjustments, providing versatility while keeping control complexity manageable through automated coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The variable flow valve control board serves multiple functions: receiving control signals from the central controller, converting communication protocols between different devices, regulating the variable flow valve opening degree, and managing communication with outdoor units. This multi-functional design enhances adaptability while consolidating control complexity into a single universal control device
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 enhances the reliability and efficiency of air conditioner operation by allowing centralized control of outdoor units and heat source water flow, optimizing performance and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between heat source water and a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
condensing, expanding, and evaporating the refrigerant and absorbing surrounding heat when the refrigerant is vaporized and releasing the heat when the refrigerant is liquefied
Implementation Method 3
condensing, expanding, and evaporating the refrigerant and absorbing surrounding heat when the refrigerant is vaporized and releasing the heat when the refrigerant is liquefied
Implementation Method 4
a pump installed on the heat source water flow path
Implementation Method 5
a variable flow valve installed on the heat source water flow path and capable of regulating an opening degree
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a method of operating an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one indoor device, each having an indoor heat exchanger installed therein; at least one outdoor device connected to the at least one indoor device by a refrigerant flow path, and each having a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that provides heat exchange between a refrigerant and heat source water and an outdoor device controller installed therein; a heat source water flow path connected to each water-refrigerant heat exchanger; a pump installed on the heat source water flow path; a variable flow valve installed on the heat source water flow path; a central controller that controls the at least one outdoor device; and a variable flow valve control board that regulates an opening degree of the variable flow valve and a flow rate of heat source water. The variable flow valve control board may be connected to the outdoor device controller via a first communication line, connected to the central controller via a second communication line having a different communication method from that of the first communication line, and perform protocol conversion between the central controller and the outdoor device controller.