Air conditioning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning devices with multiple indoor units performing thermo-OFF operations independently lead to rapid fluctuations in drawn-in air temperature due to reduced refrigerant circulation, destabilizing the temperature of the air conditioning system.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning device with an outdoor apparatus and indoor units equipped with controllers, thermistors, and a learning device that uses inference devices to predict and stabilize indoor unit operations through learned models, adjusting compressor frequency and expansion valve settings based on past temperature data and future predictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each indoor unit performs thermo-OFF operation autonomously, then each indoor unit can maintain its temperature independently, but the circulation volume of refrigerant rapidly decreases causing temperature fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor controller predicts future thermo-OFF operations of indoor units before they occur, using past operation patterns and current temperature data. This allows the system to take preliminary actions to maintain refrigerant circulation and prevent temperature fluctuations before the actual thermo-OFF operations cause instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operation states of indoor units and uses this feedback to update predictions and adjust outdoor unit operations. The outdoor controller learns from past thermo-OFF patterns and adjusts refrigerant circulation in real-time to maintain temperature stability while allowing autonomous indoor unit operation.
2Reliability
If refrigerant circulation volume is reduced for thermo-OFF operation, then high and low pressure of compressor remain within operating range, but drawn-in air temperature becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor controller predicts which indoor units will perform thermo-OFF operations and when, allowing it to maintain adequate refrigerant circulation in advance. This predictive approach ensures compressor pressure remains stable while preventing drawn-in air temperature fluctuations by maintaining sufficient refrigerant flow before thermo-OFF operations begin.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant circulation parameters based on predicted thermo-OFF operations. By changing circulation volume in response to predictions rather than reacting to actual thermo-OFF events, the system maintains both compressor pressure within operating ranges and drawn-in air temperature stability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An indoor unit (20a, 20b) includes a controller (6a, 6b), an indoor heat exchanger (3a, 3b), an electronic expansion valve (4a, 4b), an intake thermistor (7a, 7b) that detects a drawn-in air temperature, and a discharge thermistor (8a, 8b) that detects a discharged air temperature, and performs a thermo-OFF operation when a temperature detected by the discharge thermistor (8a, 8b) reaches a reference value. An air conditioning device includes a first inference device (32) to infer, from a factor, whether any of a plurality of indoor units (20a, 20b) performs a thermo-OFF operation during a future period of time, the factor including a set temperature, temperatures detected by a plurality of intake thermistors (7a, 7b), and temperatures detected by a plurality of discharge thermistors (8a, 8b) during a past period of time.