Air conditioning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner technologies inefficiently prevent refrigerant collection in compressors during standby, leading to increased standby power consumption and compressor failure, due to reliance on time-based or temperature-based control methods that may not accurately detect refrigerant accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A controller that detects compressor shell temperature and outside air temperature to determine when to operate the compressor heating device, using hysteresis conditions to prevent refrigerant collection efficiently, and optionally incorporates a check valve on the discharge side to further reduce refrigerant accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor heating device is operated based on predetermined temperature or time-based control, then refrigerant collection in the compressor is prevented, but standby power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the actual temperature of the compressor shell and compares it with the ambient temperature. The heating device is activated only when the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, creating a feedback-based control system that adjusts heating operation based on real-time conditions rather than fixed time or temperature schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameter from fixed time-based or single-temperature-based control to dynamic temperature difference control. By monitoring the differential between compressor shell temperature and ambient temperature, the system adapts heating operation to actual thermal conditions, activating heating only when the temperature differential indicates refrigerant collection risk.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors and complex control factors are used to detect refrigerant collection, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential temperature measurement needed for refrigerant collection detection - the compressor shell temperature - and compares it with ambient temperature. This eliminates the need for multiple temperature sensors placed at various locations within the compressor, simplifying the detection system while maintaining adequate measurement precision for the specific purpose of detecting refrigerant accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of measuring multiple temperatures within the compressor to detect refrigerant collection, the invention inverts the approach by measuring the compressor shell temperature and comparing it with the ambient temperature. This indirect measurement method simplifies the sensor configuration while effectively detecting the thermal conditions that indicate refrigerant collection.
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
This approach effectively prevents refrigerant collection in the compressor, reducing standby power consumption and compressor failure risk while minimizing energy usage and extending compressor life.
Implementation Method 1
supplying electricity to a device for heating a shell (heater) or a motor in the compressor so as to heat the compressor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In a compressor shell built in an outdoor unit 10 of an air conditioner, a compressor shell thermistor 21 that detects a temperature of the shell is installed. Also, an outside air temperature thermistor 22 that detects an outside air temperature is installed in an outdoor unit. The outside air temperature is compared with the compressor shell temperature, and if the shell temperature is higher than the outside air temperature, a compressor heating device is invalidated. If the shell temperature is lower than the outside air temperature, it is determined as a refrigerant collection condition, and the compressor heating device is operated. Also, if the shell temperature is higher than the outside air temperature by a certain temperature or more, the operation of the compressor heating device is stopped so that wasteful standby power is reduced, and energy of the apparatus is saved.