Air conditioning system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-type air conditioning systems often include non-optimized control parameters, leading to decreased heating and cooling capacity and increased power consumption, as they are standardized across various installation scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The system employs sensors and short-distance wireless devices to detect and transmit operational data, allowing for real-time optimization of control parameters based on individual unit conditions, including positional relationships and abnormality detection, thereby adjusting settings such as target superheat degrees and fan speeds to enhance performance and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard set values of control parameters are used to enhance versatility, then the system can be installed in various situations, but the heating and cooling capacity decreases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation versatilityVSAvoidheating and cooling capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control parameters are changed dynamically based on detected sensor information about refrigerant state and device conditions. The air conditioning control device adjusts control parameters in real-time according to the actual installation situation, transforming from static standard values to dynamic optimized values that adapt to specific conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameters of the air conditioning control based on detected sensor information. By modifying parameters such as target superheat degree and other control settings according to actual installation conditions, the system optimizes heating and cooling capacity while reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If sensor information is transmitted directly to the control device, then real-time optimization is achieved, but data communication volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol optimization speedVSAvoiddata communication volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The abnormality detection unit extracts only the essential abnormality signals from the sensor information, separating critical data from raw sensor data. This allows the system to transmit only the necessary abnormality signals to the air conditioning control device, reducing communication volume while maintaining optimization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The abnormality detection unit acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the air conditioning control device. It processes sensor information and generates abnormality signals that convey essential information about device state, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted while preserving the ability to optimize control parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3425297B1Air conditioning system
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3425297B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425297B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425297B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to save energy and improve heating and cooling capacity, this air conditioning system comprises one outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit connected by common refrigerant piping. This air conditioning system is provided with at least one sensor which detects information relating to the state of the refrigerant or to the state of a device or a valve provided in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit, an RFID tag (5) which is connected to the at least one sensor and which receives sensor information from the connected sensors, and an air conditioning control device (6) which is provided so as to be capable of communicating with the RFID tag (5) and which receives sensor information or information relating to the sensor information from the RFID tag (5). The air conditioning control device (6) is provided with a control parameter update unit (61) which updates control parameters of the air conditioning control on the basis of the sensor information or the information relating to the sensor information.