Refrigerant Charge Estimation Using Operating Data and Unknown Pipe Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air-conditioning apparatuses, manually charging refrigerant is time-consuming due to the difficulty in determining the required amount, especially when the pipe length is unknown, and existing methods do not facilitate efficient charging to achieve an adequate operating state.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant charge assisting device that calculates the additional refrigerant charge amount by inputting an initial charge, acquiring operation data, computing the internal volume of refrigerant extension pipes, and displaying the required additional amount to achieve a standard operating state, allowing for efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If manual refrigerant charging is performed without knowing the pipe length, then the worker can charge refrigerant, but the time required for charging work becomes extremely long
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors operation data (temperatures, pressures, power consumption) and provides real-time feedback on the current refrigerant charge status. The control unit compares actual operation data with standard values to determine whether the refrigerant charge is adequate, insufficient, or excessive, guiding the worker on how much more refrigerant to add.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual estimation method with an automated computational system that uses sensors and a control unit to calculate the refrigerant charge amount based on operation data. This substitutes the mechanical/manual process of charging with an intelligent control system that performs measurements and computations automatically.
2Reliability
If small amounts of refrigerant are charged in increments to avoid overcharging, then overcharging is prevented, but the charging work time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors operation data and provides real-time feedback on the current charge status, allowing the worker to charge larger amounts confidently without frequent small increments. The system tells the worker exactly how much refrigerant has been charged and how much more is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and displays the target refrigerant charge amount before the worker completes charging. This preliminary determination of the target value allows the worker to plan the charging process efficiently and avoid multiple small incremental charges.
3Productivity
If automatic refrigerant charge operation is used to achieve adequate charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-measurement of operation data and self-calculation of refrigerant charge amount using built-in sensors and a control unit. The apparatus charges itself by automatically determining when adequate charge has been achieved, reducing the need for external measurement tools and complex charging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the refrigerant charging process, measures operation data, calculates refrigerant charge amount, and provides guidance to the worker. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each task.
Data Source
AI summary
Operation data of a refrigerant circuit is acquired after an initial refrigerant charge amount of refrigerant is charged in the refrigerant circuit and operation of the refrigerant circuit is started, an internal volume of a high-pressure pipe 6 is computed from the obtained operation data and the initial refrigerant charge amount input in a input unit 112, a target refrigerant charge amount is computed from the computed internal volume of the high-pressure pipe 6 and a standard operating state acquired in advance, the standard operating state being operation data of the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant circuit is in a standard operating state that satisfies a preset condition, and an additional refrigerant charge amount is computed from the target refrigerant charge amount and the initial refrigerant charge amount.