Air conditioning and ventilation system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning and ventilating systems do not effectively secure airflow volume when refrigerant leaks, potentially leading to oxygen deficiency or other inconveniences, as they lack a dedicated safety mechanism to prevent airflow volume shortages in such scenarios.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning and ventilating system with an airflow volume detection unit and a control unit that sets the air conditioning device to a stop state if the detected airflow volume falls below a predetermined value, along with optional features like fixed airflow volume control, alarm notifications, remote operation prohibition, and auxiliary fan activation to compensate for reduced airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the air conditioning device operates continuously to provide cooling/heating, then productivity is improved, but the risk of refrigerant accumulation increases when ventilation airflow volume is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling/heating operation continuityVSAvoidrefrigerant accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of ventilation airflow volume before refrigerant leakage can cause harm. The airflow volume detection unit continuously monitors ventilation performance, and the control unit proactively stops the compressor when insufficient airflow is detected, preventing refrigerant accumulation before it becomes a safety hazard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the airflow volume detection unit provides real-time information to the control unit, which then adjusts compressor operation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the air conditioning device operates safely by continuously monitoring ventilation effectiveness and responding to changes in airflow conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the ventilation device airflow volume is not monitored, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of refrigerant leakage prevention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidrefrigerant leakage safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow volume detection unit acts as an intermediary component that bridges the ventilation device and the control unit. It converts physical airflow parameters into detectable signals that the control unit can process, enabling reliable safety monitoring without requiring complex direct measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses existing components (ventilation device, control unit) and adds a detection unit that leverages the natural operation of these components. The control unit already manages compressor operation, and the detection unit simply provides airflow information that enables the existing control logic to make safety decisions, rather than requiring entirely new control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents airflow volume shortages during refrigerant leaks by ensuring the air conditioning system stops operation when airflow is insufficient, notifies users of potential faults, and compensates with auxiliary fans to maintain ventilation, thereby preventing refrigerant accumulation and ensuring safety.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger configured to generate conditioned air by heat exchange with a refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a ventilation device communicatively connected to the air conditioning device and including a supply air fan and/or an exhaust fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan: Fan

Data Source

PatentEP4040060B1Air conditioning and ventilation system
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4040060B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4040060B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4040060B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air conditioning and ventilating system S including: an air conditioning device 20 including a heat exchanger 22 configured to generate conditioned air by heat exchange with a refrigerant; a ventilation device 30 communicatively connected to the air conditioning device A and including a supply air fan 34 and/or an exhaust fan 35; an airflow volume detection unit 37, 38 configured to detect an airflow volume equivalent value of the ventilation device 30; and a control unit 36. On determination that the airflow volume equivalent value acquired from the airflow volume detection unit 37, 38 is equal to or less than a first predetermined value, the control unit 36 sets an operation of the air conditioning device A to a stop state.