Air Conditioning System Power Feed Control for Multi-Tenant Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a power source for one or more indoor units in an air conditioning system is interrupted, connecting a high-power device can lead to insufficient power feed, causing malfunctions due to the power feed unit's limitations.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning system incorporates a refrigerant cycle, a power feed unit, and a controller that detects and manages high-power devices by either notifying the user or deactivating their functions, ensuring the system operates within the power feed unit's capacity, and maintains operation of other units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is fed from the power feed unit to the indoor unit for which the power source has been interrupted, then the air conditioning system can continue operation, but if a high-power device is connected to the indoor unit, power feed becomes insufficient and malfunctions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary detection of device power consumption requirements before allowing operation. By detecting the power consumption of connected devices in advance and comparing it with the power feed unit's capacity, the system prevents insufficient power feed situations before they occur, thereby maintaining reliability without exceeding power limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors the power consumption of connected devices and provides feedback to adjust system operation. When the power consumption exceeds the power feed unit's capacity, the controller issues warnings or deactivates functions to balance power demand with supply, preventing malfunctions while maintaining system continuity.
2Reliability
If the controller deactivates functions of connected devices to prevent power overload, then power feed insufficiency is avoided, but the usability and functionality of the device are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller provides advance warning to users about potential power overload conditions before deactivating functions. By notifying users in advance that connected devices may cause power insufficiency, the system gives users an opportunity to adjust device connections or settings, thereby maintaining functionality while preventing power-related malfunctions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely deactivating device functions, the controller applies partial action by selectively managing power allocation. The system maintains operation of critical air conditioning functions while limiting or deactivating only the specific device functions that would cause power overload, thereby preserving essential usability while ensuring power feed stability.
3Reliability
If the controller detects and manages high-power devices by notification or deactivation, then power feed insufficiency is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs automatic detection and management of high-power devices without requiring external intervention. The system self-monitors power consumption, automatically compares it with power feed capacity, and autonomously executes warning or deactivation actions, thereby maintaining power management stability while minimizing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the power management unit and the detection unit. By combining power distribution control with device power consumption detection and management capabilities in one controller, the system achieves reliable power management without adding separate complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an air conditioning system capable of detecting in advance a device that consumes more power than the power that can be fed by a power feed unit. An air conditioning system includes a refrigerant cycle, a power feed unit, and a controller. The refrigerant cycle includes an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units. In a case where a power source for at least one indoor unit of the plurality of indoor units has been interrupted, the power feed unit feeds power from an auxiliary power source to the indoor unit for which the power source has been interrupted. When a predetermined device has been connected to at least part of the plurality of indoor units and the power feed unit, the controller performs deactivation of at least one of functions of the device.