Air conditioning control device and air conditioning control method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large open spaces with multiple air conditioning units, conditioned air often diffuses into adjacent areas where it is not needed, leading to inefficiency and increased energy consumption, and the use of air curtain generating devices to mitigate this is hindered by installation challenges and high costs.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning control device that designates a specific indoor unit to perform air conditioning within the target space and an adjacent unit to generate an air flow that inhibits conditioned air from diffusing, using thermo-off, mild cooling, or mild heating operations, with adjustable air blow-out directions to create an air curtain at the boundary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an air curtain generating device is introduced to separate the target space from other spaces, then air conditioning operational efficiency is improved, but installation space availability decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing indoor units serve dual purposes: they provide air conditioning to the target space while simultaneously generating air curtains to separate it from adjacent spaces. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate air curtain generating devices, resolving the contradiction by improving operational efficiency without adding installation complexity or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor units are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both air conditioning and air curtain generation. By controlling the air blowing direction of adjacent indoor units, the system uses these existing devices to create thermal boundaries, thereby achieving space separation without requiring additional specialized equipment.
2Loss of energy
If only the indoor unit arranged for the target space performs air conditioning operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but conditioned air diffuses into nearby spaces causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent indoor units perform preliminary anti-action by generating air curtains before conditioned air can diffuse into unwanted spaces. These air curtains create thermal boundaries that prevent the mixing of conditioned and unconditioned air, thereby maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring air conditioning effectiveness in the target space.
Solution Approach 2:
The air curtain acts as an intermediary barrier between the conditioned target space and unconditioned adjacent spaces. By controlling the air blowing direction of adjacent indoor units, the system creates this intermediary layer that prevents direct diffusion of conditioned air, thus resolving the contradiction between energy conservation and air conditioning effectiveness.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple indoor units are installed in a single large open space, then air conditioning coverage is improved, but energy waste increases when only a portion needs air conditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the large open space into a target space requiring air conditioning and adjacent spaces that do not. By controlling specific indoor units to operate in different modes (air conditioning vs. air curtain generation), the system achieves spatial segmentation without physical partitions, thereby providing targeted coverage while minimizing energy waste in areas that don't need conditioning.
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 solution enhances air conditioning efficiency and energy conservation by preventing conditioned air from spreading to unwanted areas, while allowing for manual or automatic unit specification and optimizing air flow direction to maintain comfort and reduce energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
The adjacent unit performs the air flow generating operation and thereby generates an air flow that inhibits conditioned air from diffusing from the air conditioning target space
Implementation Method 2
The air flow generating operation may be a mild cooling operation or a mild heating operation... generates an air flow of air mildly cooled or mildly heated
Data Source
AI summary
When air conditioning is needed only in the space of a portion of a single space having an indoor unit group installed, the air conditioning operational efficiency in the space of the portion is improved and energy conservation is facilitated. An air conditioning control device (1) includes an operating-unit specifying unit (11), an adjacent-unit specifying unit (12), and an adjacent-unit control unit (14), and collectively controls the operation of an indoor unit group. The operating-unit specifying unit (11) specifies an operating unit (30f to 30h, 30k to 30m, 30p to 30r) to perform an air conditioning operation, among indoor units (30a, 30b, ..., and 30y) included in the indoor unit group. The adjacent-unit specifying unit (12) specifies an adjacent unit (30a to 30c, 30i, 30n, 30s, and 30u to 30w) adjacent to the operating unit, among the indoor units (30a, 30b, ..., and 30y) included in the indoor unit group. The adjacent-unit control unit (14) causes the adjacent unit to perform an air flow generating operation. This air flow inhibits air conditioned by the air conditioning operation of the operating unit from diffusing from an air conditioning target space (M).