Multi-Unit Air Conditioner Compressor Sequencing for Balanced Runtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-unit air conditioning systems experience uneven compressor lifespans due to sequential compressor control, leading to premature replacement of the outdoor unit and increased maintenance costs, as well as non-uniform indoor unit performance and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a multi-unit air conditioning system that involves varying the sequence of compressor re-operation and turn-on/turn-off to equalize operating times among compressors, including turning on compressors in different orders and preferentially shutting off the longest-operated ones, to distribute the operational load more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If compressors are controlled to operate sequentially starting from a particular compressor, then the control logic is simple, but the lifespan of the particular compressor is reduced and operating time becomes much longer than remaining compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic compressor selection by randomly determining which compressor operates first among multiple compressors, rather than using a fixed sequential order. This dynamic approach ensures that operating time is distributed more uniformly across all compressors, preventing any single compressor from bearing excessive operational load and extending overall system lifespan.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed sequence of compressor turn-on is used, then the control system is simple, but the lifespan difference between the first and last compressor to turn on becomes significant
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects the turn-on sequence of compressors using random determination rather than a fixed predetermined sequence. This allows the control system to remain relatively simple while ensuring that no single compressor consistently operates longer than others, thereby reducing lifespan differences between compressors.
3Productivity
If compressors are turned on and off based on room temperature satisfaction, then the cooling efficiency is optimized, but the operating times of compressors become non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic random selection of compressor operation order while maintaining the temperature-based control logic for turning compressors on and off. This ensures that cooling efficiency is optimized based on actual room temperature needs, while simultaneously distributing operating time uniformly across all compressors through randomized selection, preventing performance degradation from uneven usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a multi-unit air conditioning system adapted to cool or heat room spaces while passing a refrigerant in one direction or in a reverse direction is disclosed. In the method, which is applied to a multi-unit air conditioning system including at least three compressors, when a compressor re-operation is repeatedly carried out after all of the compressors have been turned off, to turn on again at least one of the compressors, repetition of the compressor re-operation is carried out for a predetermined number of different orders in such a manner that at least one of the compressors is turned on first in an associated order of the repeated compressor re-operation.