Air conditioning system control method and apparatus, air conditioning system, and storage medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems experience user experience degradation and reduced benefits when an outdoor unit fails, as they typically stop operating until maintenance is completed, leading to inefficiencies and prolonged downtime.
Innovation Solution
A control method and apparatus for air conditioning systems that determine failure and type information of a malfunctioning outdoor unit, employing various control strategies to manage multiple outdoor units, including photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic types, to maintain system operation and maximize benefits during failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air conditioning system stops operating when an outdoor unit fails, then system reliability is maintained, but productivity and user experience deteriorate due to prolonged downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects outdoor unit failures and switches to alternative operating modes without requiring immediate human intervention. The control unit monitors the status of each outdoor unit and autonomously redistributes cooling loads to remaining functional units, enabling the system to serve itself during failure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operating configuration based on real-time failure conditions. When an outdoor unit fails, the control unit recalculates and redistributes cooling demands across available units, allowing the system to adapt its structure and operation continuously rather than remaining static.
2Productivity
If the air conditioning system continues operating with a failed outdoor unit, then productivity is maintained, but system complexity increases due to control strategy management
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into modular components that can independently manage different outdoor units. Each outdoor unit operates as a semi-independent module with its own control logic, allowing the central controller to manage failures by isolating and redistributing loads from specific failed units rather than managing the entire system as a monolithic complex entity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes control strategies and load distribution algorithms that are activated automatically upon failure detection. Rather than creating complex control logic in real-time when a failure occurs, the system has predetermined switching patterns and load allocation methods ready to be deployed immediately, reducing the perceived complexity during failure events.
3Loss of energy
If photovoltaic outdoor units are utilized during failures, then energy benefits are maximized, but measurement precision is required to assess illumination conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors illumination conditions around photovoltaic outdoor units and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust operation decisions. Illumination sensors provide real-time data about sunlight availability, and the control unit uses this feedback to determine whether photovoltaic units can effectively contribute to meeting cooling demands, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing environmental conditions.
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
Improves user experience and maximizes system benefits by dynamically adjusting the operation of multiple outdoor units based on failure and type information, reducing reliance on immediate shutdown and enhancing energy utilization from photovoltaic units.
Implementation Method 1
controlling an inversion module in the first outdoor unit to convert received light energy into electric energy
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system control method and apparatus, an air conditioning system, and a storage medium. The method comprises: when determining that a first outdoor unit in an operating state among a plurality of outdoor units fails, determining failure information corresponding to the first outdoor unit and type information corresponding to the first outdoor unit; according to the failure information and the type information, determining a control strategy corresponding to the first outdoor unit; and controlling the plurality of outdoor units according to the control strategy. Thus, according to the present disclosure, when it is determined that a failed first outdoor unit is present in the air conditioning system, instead of directly controlling the first outdoor unit to stop operating, different control strategies are implemented for a plurality of outdoor units according to failure information and type information of the first outdoor unit, thereby improving the user experience, and maximizing the benefits during the failure of the first outdoor unit.