Multi-Air-Conditioner Compressor Staging for Lower Power Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The energy consumption efficiency of existing air conditioning systems that use multiple integral air conditioners is not optimized, leading to redundant energy usage and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system adjusts the number of operational air conditioners and their compressor frequencies based on air conditioning capacity, allowing for the shutdown of compressors when capacity is within a predetermined range, and adjusts operating frequencies and states to minimize power consumption and temperature deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple air conditioners operate simultaneously to meet air conditioning load, then sufficient cooling capacity is provided, but power consumption increases due to redundant air conditioning capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the control device receives operational status and load information from multiple air conditioners, processes this information centrally, and issues control instructions back to individual units. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that air conditioning capacity is precisely matched to actual load requirements, preventing both insufficient cooling and excessive power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of air conditioners based on system needs, including adjusting operating capacity, switching between operational and standby states, and modifying runtime schedules. By dynamically changing these parameters rather than maintaining fixed operation, the system provides sufficient cooling capacity only when and where needed, reducing unnecessary power consumption.
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 improves overall energy consumption efficiency, reduces power consumption, and minimizes temperature deviations from set points, enhancing comfort and reducing uneven temperature distributions.
Implementation Method 1
a service-side heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between air of the air-conditioning-target space and refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a heat-source-side heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the air of the common space and the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a compressor configured to compress the refrigerant circulating through the service-side heat exchanger and the heat-source-side heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
In an air conditioning system which conditions air in one air-conditioning-target space with a plurality of air conditioners each including a compressor, the energy consumption efficiency as a whole is improved. The air conditioners (21 to 29) each include a service-side heat exchanger exchanging heat between air of a room which is the air-conditioning-target space and a refrigerant, a heat-source-side heat exchanger exchanging heat between air of a common space and the refrigerant, and a compressor (41 to 49) compressing the refrigerant circulating through the service-side heat exchanger and the heat-source-side heat exchanger. When an air conditioning capacity falls within a predetermined range for at least two of the plurality of air conditioners (21 to 29), part of the air conditioners whose compressors are in operation has its compressor stopped.