Air Conditioning Fan Control Using Temperature-Difference Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing air conditioning systems consume high energy due to all fans operating at constant maximum speed, resulting in inefficient energy usage.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning system fan control method that adjusts the number of fans running at high speed based on the temperature difference between actual and target indoor temperatures, controlling fans to operate at different speeds and turning off compressors accordingly to reduce energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all fans operate at constant maximum speed, then the total output air volume is maintained at maximum, but the energy consumption is relatively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal output air volumeVSAvoidenergy consumption of fans
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static constant-speed fan operation to dynamic variable-speed operation. The control device adjusts fan speeds based on real-time temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environments, allowing the system to adapt its cooling capacity to actual demand rather than operating at maximum capacity continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the operating speed parameter of the fans according to temperature conditions. When the temperature difference is small, fan speeds are reduced; when the temperature difference is large, fan speeds are increased. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes energy consumption while maintaining adequate cooling output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If fans operate at high speed to maintain maximum cooling capacity, then the cooling effect is sufficient, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor environments and using this information to adjust fan speeds. The control device receives temperature data, processes the temperature difference, and dynamically adjusts fan operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes both cooling effectiveness and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by operating fans at less than maximum speed when full cooling capacity is not required. Instead of always running all fans at high speed, the system selectively adjusts fan speeds and quantities based on actual cooling needs, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining sufficient cooling effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the total output air volume of fans is constantly maintained at maximum, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static maximum-capacity operation to dynamic capacity adjustment. The control device dynamically modifies the total output air volume by adjusting individual fan speeds based on temperature conditions, allowing the cooling capacity to match actual demand and reduce energy waste during periods when maximum capacity is not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the fan system by adjusting speed and quantity of operating fans based on temperature difference thresholds. This parameter modification allows the system to maintain adequate cooling capacity while reducing energy consumption by operating fewer fans at lower speeds when the cooling demand is reduced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2813776B1method and controller for an air conditioning system
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2813776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2813776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2813776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a precise air conditioning system fan control method and apparatus, and a precise air conditioning system. The method includes: obtaining an actual indoor temperature, and calculating a temperature difference between the actual temperature and a preset target temperature; comparing the temperature difference with threshold intervals to obtain a threshold interval where the temperature difference is located, where each threshold interval corresponds to a fan quantity value; obtaining a fan quantity value corresponding to the threshold interval where the temperature difference is located according to correspondence between the threshold intervals and fan quantity values; and controlling N fans among all the fans to run at a first speed, and controlling fans other than the N fans among all the fans to run at a second speed, where the first speed is higher than the second speed. The method provided in the present invention is capable of adjusting the number of fans running at a higher first speed according to a change of an actual ambient temperature, thereby reducing the total output air volume of fans during long-term running, and reducing the energy consumption of the fans.