Compressor Heating Control for Refrigerant Migration During Standby
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant accumulation in compressors during operation stop of refrigerating apparatuses leads to unnecessary heating and energy consumption, as existing methods fail to accurately determine if refrigerant accumulates in the compressor or heat exchanger, causing inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerating apparatus with outdoor and indoor circuits, including a compressor and heat exchanger, equipped with temperature detection means and control logic that determines if refrigerant accumulates in the compressor or heat exchanger based on temperature differences, thereby deciding whether to heat the compressor, reducing energy consumption by preventing unnecessary heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor is heated during operation stop to prevent refrigerant accumulation, then compressor protection is improved, but energy consumption increases due to unnecessary heating when refrigerant accumulates in heat exchanger instead
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors outdoor air temperature and compares it with stored temperature data to detect temperature increases. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust heating control based on actual temperature conditions, enabling the compressor to be heated only when refrigerant accumulation is likely, thereby preventing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining compressor protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating control system transitions from a static approach (continuous heating or fixed-time heating) to a dynamic approach where heating is activated or deactivated based on real-time temperature monitoring. The control unit adjusts the heating state dynamically according to detected temperature changes, optimizing the balance between compressor protection and energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If heating is continuously applied during operation stop, then refrigerant accumulation is prevented, but energy is wasted when outdoor temperature is already increasing
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stores outdoor air temperature data in advance and uses this preliminary information to predict potential refrigerant accumulation conditions. By comparing current temperature with stored temperature, the system proactively determines whether heating is needed before refrigerant accumulation becomes problematic, avoiding both over-heating and under-protection scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces continuous mechanical heating with an intelligent control system that uses temperature sensing and logical decision-making. Instead of relying on continuous thermal input, the system substitutes a control mechanism that activates heating only when temperature conditions indicate refrigerant accumulation risk, significantly reducing standby energy loss.
3Temperature
If the electric heater is used to heat the compressor, then heating effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit utilizes existing system resources (outdoor air temperature sensors already present in the refrigerating apparatus) to determine heating requirements. The system serves itself by using available temperature data without requiring additional complex sensing mechanisms, thereby maintaining heating effectiveness while minimizing device complexity.
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 solution effectively reduces energy consumption by accurately determining refrigerant accumulation sites, preventing compressor heating when less refrigerant accumulates in the compressor, thus minimizing standby energy usage in refrigerating apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heater is mounted at the compressor to heat the compressor through conduction of the electric heater
Implementation Method 2
low voltage at high frequency is applied to the coil of an electric motor provided at the compressor to cause the coil to generate Joule heat for heating the compressor without causing rotation of the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner (10) composed of a refrigerating apparatus includes a controller (90). A heating control section (91) of the controller (90) feeds electric current in an open phase state to an electric motor (62) of a compressor (30) to heat the compressor (30) in operation stop of the air conditioner (10). The heating control section (91) monitors the detection value of an outdoor air temperature sensor (72) during the operation stop of the air conditioner (10) and keeps on stopping feeding the electric current to the electric motor (62) during the time when the detection value decreases.