Air conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional indirect air conditioning systems using water or brine as a heat medium face challenges in detecting leaks and abnormalities in the heat medium flow path, which can lead to worsening failures and spread of leakage, especially at locations without installed water leakage detection systems.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus equipped with a heat source device, a heat exchanger, a flow rate control valve, temperature sensors, and a failure determination unit that detects abnormalities in the heat medium flow path by monitoring temperature changes and flow rates, allowing for early detection of leaks or clogs and preventing their spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wire-shaped water leakage detection system is installed on the floor surface, then leakage detection capability is improved at that location, but leakage at other locations remains undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using temperature sensors that serve dual purposes: they monitor ambient temperature for air conditioning control and simultaneously detect heat medium leakage through temperature anomaly detection. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate detection systems for different locations and purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter to detect heat medium leakage. Instead of directly detecting leakage at specific locations, the system uses temperature changes in the ambient air near heat exchangers as an indirect indicator of leakage, enabling comprehensive monitoring without location-specific detectors.
2Reliability
If temperature sensors are installed at heat exchangers, then early detection of heat medium abnormalities is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensors installed at heat exchangers serve multiple functions: monitoring ambient temperature for air conditioning control, detecting heat medium leakage through temperature anomalies, and identifying system faults. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated detection devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the air conditioning control function with the leakage detection function by using the same temperature sensors for both purposes. The control unit integrates both air conditioning control and heat medium abnormality detection, eliminating the need for separate detection systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive leakage detection is implemented throughout the system, then detection coverage is improved, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves comprehensive detection coverage by making existing temperature sensors multi-functional. These sensors simultaneously perform air conditioning control and leakage detection across all heat exchanger locations, providing system-wide monitoring without additional detection infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing temperature monitoring infrastructure for self-diagnosis of leakage problems. The control unit analyzes temperature data that would normally be used for air conditioning control and automatically identifies leakage anomalies, eliminating the need for separate detection systems.
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 apparatus effectively detects and diagnoses issues in the heat medium flow path, preventing the worsening of failures and leakage, thereby maintaining system efficiency and comfort levels by isolating affected units and controlling the flow of the heat medium.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and air
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heat medium discharged from the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus uses a heat medium containing at least one of cold water and hot water. The air conditioning apparatus includes: a heat source device; a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and air; a flow rate control valve configured to control a flow rate at which the heat medium is supplied to the heat exchanger; a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heat medium discharged from the heat exchanger; and a failure determination unit configured to detect presence or absence of an abnormality in a flow path of the heat medium based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and a commanded degree of opening for the flow rate control valve.