Compressor Frequency Control for User-Selected Air Conditioner Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioners lack the ability to dynamically adjust their cooling capacity based on user input, leading to inefficient energy consumption and varying cooling performance.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner system that includes a processor and memory configured to receive user input for selecting a cooling capacity, determine the corresponding compressor frequency, and control the compressor to perform a cooling operation based on the selected capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the air conditioner operates at maximum cooling capacity continuously, then the cooling performance is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner dynamically adjusts the compressor frequency based on user-selected cooling capacity levels. The system transitions from static maximum capacity operation to dynamic multi-level capacity control, allowing the compressor to operate at optimized frequencies (e.g., first frequency for maximum capacity, second frequency for reduced capacity) depending on actual cooling needs, thereby resolving the contradiction between cooling performance and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of the compressor by adjusting its frequency based on different cooling capacity selections. When full cooling capacity is not needed, the compressor operates at a reduced frequency, directly changing the operational parameter to match the actual cooling demand, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate cooling performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the air conditioner operates at reduced cooling capacity, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the cooling performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcooling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic control where the user can select from multiple cooling capacity levels. When the user selects a reduced cooling capacity level, the compressor automatically adjusts to an appropriate frequency, dynamically balancing energy consumption with sufficient cooling performance for the actual space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the air conditioner provides multiple cooling capacity options, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacity selectionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner control system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various cooling capacity selections through a unified interface. The processor executes different control algorithms based on user input, providing universal adaptability across multiple operating modes without requiring separate control systems for each capacity level, thus improving adaptability while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables the air conditioner to efficiently adjust its cooling speed and energy consumption according to user preferences, improving both performance and energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

air conditioners include compressors, condensers, expansion devices, and evaporators and, by controlling such components, may drive refrigerant cycles by compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating refrigerants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20250137678A1Method of performing cooling according to cooling capacity and air conditioner according thereto

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are an air conditioner for performing a cooling operation according to a cooling capacity selected by a user, and a method of controlling the air conditioner. The air conditioner includes: a compressor, at least one memory storing one or more instructions, and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory and to: receive an input for selecting one of a plurality of cooling capacities of the air conditioner, as a maximum cooling capacity capable of being output by the air conditioner, obtain a frequency corresponding to the maximum cooling capacity, of the compressor, in response to a determination to output the cooling capacity of the air conditioner as the maximum cooling capacity, based on a desired temperature set in the air conditioner and an indoor temperature, and, based on the obtained frequency, control the compressor.