Air conditioning system, controller, control method, and program

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems face challenges in reducing temperature deviations within a space, particularly due to uneven temperature distribution between upper and lower areas, leading to discomfort and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning system comprising a first indoor unit for blowing temperature-controlled air from the ceiling, a floor temperature sensor to measure the floor surface temperature, and a second indoor unit for blowing air from under the floor, with a control unit that adjusts the operation of the second unit based on the floor temperature sensor's readings to maintain uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only ceiling blowing indoor units are used for air conditioning, then the system structure is simple, but temperature deviation between upper and lower parts of the space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidtemperature deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioning system is segmented into two independent units: a ceiling blowing indoor unit for upper air supply and a floor blowing indoor unit for lower air supply. Each unit independently controls temperature in its respective zone, eliminating temperature deviation between upper and lower parts of the space while maintaining relatively simple system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from single-point (ceiling) air supply to multi-point air supply by adding floor-level air supply. This vertical dimension expansion enables simultaneous temperature control at different heights, resolving the temperature deviation problem without significantly complicating the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If floor blowing indoor unit is added to reduce temperature deviation, then temperature uniformity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides air conditioning control into two independent segments: ceiling-level and floor-level units. Each segment operates autonomously with its own control logic, achieving temperature uniformity through coordinated operation while keeping individual unit complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature sensors in both ceiling and floor units provide feedback to their respective controllers. The floor blowing unit's controller uses temperature feedback to adjust air supply, enabling automatic temperature uniformity maintenance without requiring complex centralized control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If floor temperature sensor is used to control floor blowing unit, then temperature control precision improves, but measurement and control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor temperature measurementVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The floor blowing indoor unit performs self-control by using its own integrated floor temperature sensor to directly adjust its air supply. This self-service approach achieves precise temperature control based on actual floor conditions without requiring external measurement systems or complex centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The floor temperature sensor provides real-time temperature feedback to the floor blowing unit's controller, which automatically adjusts air supply parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism achieves precise temperature control while keeping the control system relatively simple and localized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The system effectively reduces temperature deviations by coordinating the operation of ceiling and floor blowing units, enhancing comfort and reducing energy consumption by ensuring a consistent temperature across the space.

Implementation Method 1

a floor temperature sensor that outputs a signal that corresponds to a floor temperature as a temperature of a floor surface under the first indoor unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a first indoor unit that blows temperature-controlled air from an upper part of a space to the inside of the space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a second indoor unit that blows temperature-controlled air from under a floor of the space to the inside of the space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4435336A1Air conditioning system, controller, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 TOSHIBA CARRIER CORP
  • EP4435336A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4435336A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4435336A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air conditioning system of an embodiment includes a first indoor unit, a floor temperature sensor, a second indoor unit, and a control unit. The first indoor unit blows temperature-controlled air from an upper part of a space to the inside of the space. The floor temperature sensor outputs a signal. The signal corresponds to a floor temperature as a temperature of a floor surface under the first indoor unit. The second indoor unit blows temperature-controlled air from under a floor of the space to the inside of the space. The control unit controls an operation of the second indoor unit based on the floor temperature obtained by using the floor temperature sensor.