Compressor Motor Locked Energization for Low-Temperature Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face challenges in low-temperature environments where refrigerant stagnation occurs, leading to increased power consumption and potential compressor and electronic component failures, while using heaters or low-temperature components either increases cost or size.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system with a converter circuit, inverter circuit, and temperature detector that selectively employs AC or DC locked energization based on outside air temperature, using DC locked energization when temperatures are extremely low and AC locked energization when temperatures are lower than a set point to prevent refrigerant stagnation and maintain electronic component functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is attached to the electronic component, then the electronic component can operate at low temperatures, but the size of the air conditioner increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor serves itself by generating heat through locked energization control, eliminating the need for external heaters. The control unit applies locked energization to the motor winding, causing the motor to generate heat that warms both the motor and the electronic substrate, thereby protecting electronic components from low-temperature damage without adding external heating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor performs dual functions: compression drive and self-heating. By utilizing the motor's winding as a heating element through locked energization, the system combines the driving function and heating function into a single component, avoiding the need for separate heater devices and reducing overall system size.
2Temperature
If DC locked energization is used to heat the compressor, then sufficient heat is generated, but a large current is required and power efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between AC locked energization and DC locked energization based on temperature requirements. AC locked energization is used first for efficient preheating, and when the temperature reaches a predetermined level, the system transitions to DC locked energization for final heating, optimizing power efficiency throughout the heating process.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process is divided into periodic stages: first AC locked energization is applied periodically to generate heat efficiently, then when the temperature threshold is reached, the system periodically switches to DC locked energization. This periodic switching between different energization modes optimizes power efficiency while achieving the required heating effect.
3Use of energy by moving object
If AC locked energization is used to heat the compressor, then power efficiency is improved, but a long time is required to supply sufficient heat under extremely low temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the energization mode based on real-time temperature feedback. AC locked energization is used initially for efficient power consumption, and when the temperature reaches a predetermined level, the system dynamically switches to DC locked energization which generates more heat, thereby reducing the total heating time while maintaining power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
AC locked energization is applied as a preliminary heating stage to raise the temperature to a predetermined level before switching to DC locked energization. This preliminary action prepares the system for the final heating stage, ensuring that the overall process achieves both power efficiency and adequate heating speed.
4Productivity
If the compressor is operated in low temperature environment, then refrigerant circulation is maintained, but refrigerant stagnation occurs and compressor breakage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Before the compressor operates in low-temperature environments, the locked energization control unit performs preliminary heating of the compressor and electronic substrate by applying AC or DC locked energization. This preliminary action prevents refrigerant stagnation and ensures the compressor can start and operate reliably without breakage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies locked energization heating as a preliminary anti-action against the cold temperature conditions that would cause refrigerant stagnation. By pre-heating the compressor and surrounding components, the system counteracts the harmful effects of low temperature before the compression cycle begins, preventing stagnation and potential breakage.
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 reduces power consumption and cost without increasing the air conditioner's size, effectively preventing refrigerant stagnation and electronic component malfunctions in low-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
In the DC locked energization, heat is generated by a loss of a resistance component of a winding of a compressor electric motor
Implementation Method 2
In the AC locked energization, heat is generated by a loss of a reactance component of a winding of a compressor electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner including: a converter circuit that is on an electronic substrate and converts an alternating current to a direct current; an inverter circuit that is on the electronic substrate and converts a direct current converted by the converter circuit to an alternating current to operate a motor that drives a compressor; an inverter control circuit that is on the electronic substrate and drives the inverter circuit; and a temperature detector that detects an outside air temperature input to the inverter control circuit, wherein the inverter control circuit includes a locked energization control unit, and the locked energization control unit performs AC locked energization or DC locked energization on the motor in accordance with the outside air temperature detected by the temperature detector.