Capacitive Condensate Level Control for Air Conditioner Drain Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners with water level sensing devices that directly contact condensed water are prone to malfunction due to foreign matter attachment, leading to inefficient drainage and increased noise and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive water level sensing device is installed outside the condensed water storage part, using electrode pads to sense capacitance without direct contact, allowing for accurate level detection and optimized drainage pump operation based on current condensed water generation rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a water level sensing device directly contacts condensed water, then the device can sense the water level, but foreign matter attaches to the float causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the float and the magnetic sensor. The float contains a magnet that generates a magnetic field detectable by the magnetic sensor, allowing the sensor to detect the float's position without direct contact. This intermediary approach enables the sensing device to measure water level while remaining isolated from condensed water and foreign matter, thus maintaining both measurement precision and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical contact-based sensing system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. Instead of relying on physical contact between the sensor and the float, the system uses magnetic field interaction to detect the float's position. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contact, preventing foreign matter attachment and improving reliability while maintaining accurate water level detection
2Device complexity
If the magnetic sensor senses only when float reaches predetermined height, then the control logic is simple, but condensed water cannot be discharged if it does not reach the height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the drainage pump based on real-time water level detection. The magnetic sensor continuously monitors the float's position, and the controller dynamically adjusts the pump's operation accordingly. When the float reaches a certain height indicating sufficient condensed water accumulation, the controller activates the pump to discharge the water. This dynamic approach optimizes drainage efficiency by ensuring the pump operates only when necessary, while the control logic remains relatively simple through straightforward conditional control
3Reliability
If the drainage pump operates continuously to ensure drainage, then condensed water is always discharged, but noise and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the drainage pump triggered by water level conditions. The magnetic sensor detects when the float reaches a predetermined height, signaling that sufficient condensed water has accumulated. The controller then activates the pump for periodic discharge operations rather than continuous operation. This periodic action maintains drainage effectiveness by ensuring water is discharged when accumulated, while significantly reducing power consumption and noise by keeping the pump idle during periods when no drainage is needed
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
Prevents malfunctions from foreign matter, reduces noise and power consumption by optimizing drainage pump operation based on real-time condensed water levels and generation rates, ensuring effective and efficient drainage.
Implementation Method 1
sensing the capacitance of condensed water to sense a level of the condensed water
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an air conditioner includes a step of sensing the capacitance of condensed water through a plurality of electrode pads to sense the level of condensed water stored in a condensed water storage part during cooling, a step of sensing an increase in the level of condensed water and calculating an amount of condensed water that is generated per unit time based on the sensed increase in the level of condensed water, a step of comparing the sensed level of the condensed water with a drainage level stored in a memory, and a step of operating a drainage pump based on the sensed level of condensed water or the calculated amount of condensed water that is generated per unit time.