Air-conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems face inefficiencies in power consumption reduction and user comfort due to inadequate refrigerant distribution based on the number of people in each room, leading to potential misoperation and varying conditioning effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning apparatus that dynamically controls refrigerant distribution to indoor units based on the number of people in each room, using a system with a compressor, four-way valve, electronic expansion valves, and human detection sensors to optimize refrigerant flow and temperature settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the temperature setting is automatically changed when people are absent to reduce air conditioning load, then power consumption is reduced, but refrigerant distribution is not optimized according to the number of people in each room, leading to inefficient compressor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by distributing refrigerant to different indoor units based on the specific number of people in each room. The control device calculates the degree of opening for electronic expansion valves in each indoor unit according to the detected number of people, ensuring that each room receives appropriate refrigerant quantity tailored to its occupancy level, thereby optimizing compressor efficiency while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the degree of opening of electronic expansion valves based on the number of people detected in each room. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize refrigerant distribution in real-time, matching refrigerant supply to actual cooling demands and improving compressor operation efficiency.
2Device complexity
If refrigerant is not distributed according to the number of people in each room, then system complexity is reduced, but the degree of effectiveness of conditioning differs even when temperature settings are the same, decreasing user comfortability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the air conditioning system to automatically detect the number of people in each room and autonomously adjust refrigerant distribution without requiring user intervention. The control device calculates optimal expansion valve openings based on occupancy data, allowing the system to self-optimize conditioning effectiveness and maintain user comfortability automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using human detection sensors to continuously monitor the number of people in each room and feeding this information back to the control device. The control device then adjusts the refrigerant distribution based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing occupancy conditions and maintains optimal comfort levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual temperature setting manipulation is required to reduce air conditioning load, then user control flexibility is maintained, but user usability is hampered by forgetting to manipulate or misoperating the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the air conditioning system to automatically detect when rooms are unoccupied and autonomously adjust temperature settings or stop operation in those rooms. This eliminates the need for users to manually manipulate switches or remember to adjust settings, preventing usability issues while maintaining control flexibility through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using human detection sensors to monitor occupancy status and automatically adjusting temperature settings based on this information. When sensors detect absence of people, the system feedbacks this information to the control device, which then automatically modifies operation to reduce load, eliminating manual intervention requirements while preserving user control options.
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 approach enables efficient power consumption reduction while enhancing user comfort by ensuring appropriate refrigerant distribution and automatic temperature adjustments, minimizing wasteful operations and maintaining usability.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic expansion valve for each room decompressing the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
human detection sensors to optimize refrigerant flow and temperature settings
Implementation Method 3
a compressor compressing and conveying refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
four-way valve, electronic expansion valves, and human detection sensors to optimize refrigerant flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Human detection devices 8 that detect the number of people in conditioned spaces supplied with conditioned air from the use side heat exchangers 12 and control means 9 and 50 that controls an amount of refrigerant supplied to the use side heat exchangers 12 by controlling opening degrees of the expansion devices 5 on the basis of detection results of the human detection devices 8.