Control device for air conditioning apparatus, air conditioning system, control method for air conditioning apparatus, and program

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems take a long time to converge wall and floor temperatures to target levels, leading to discomfort and increased power consumption, as they rely on decreasing air conditioning capacity as room temperature approaches set values, rather than efficiently managing thermal storage in building frames.

Innovation Solution

A control device that includes a mobile terminal and air conditioning apparatus, utilizing a refrigerant circuit with a four-way switching valve to perform preliminary heating or cooling operations, adjusting compressor and fan speeds to quickly reach target temperatures for both indoor air and surface temperatures, even when the user is not present, by calculating optimal execution times based on past data and outdoor air temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air conditioning capacity is decreased as room temperature approaches set values, then room temperature converges to set temperature, but wall and floor temperatures take a long time to reach target levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroom temperatureVSAvoidtime for wall and floor temperature convergence
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary heating or cooling operations based on predicted user arrival time. It calculates required execution time in advance and starts operation before the user arrives, ensuring that both air temperature and surface temperatures (wall, floor) reach target levels by the time the user enters the room, thereby eliminating the delay experienced with conventional gradual convergence methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If preliminary operation is performed to process heat stored in building frame, then thermal comfort is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal discomfort from radiationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the air conditioning capacity during preliminary operation based on real-time feedback from temperature sensors. It monitors both air temperature and surface temperatures (wall, floor) and modulates compressor and fan speeds to achieve target temperatures efficiently, avoiding excessive power consumption while ensuring thermal comfort when the user arrives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor air temperature, wall temperature, and floor temperature. The control device compares actual temperatures with target values and adjusts operation intensity accordingly, optimizing power consumption by maintaining operation only as long as necessary to achieve thermal comfort conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If air conditioning operation is extended until room temperature exceeds set temperature, then wall temperature convergence is achieved, but operation time and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall temperatureVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending operation until room temperature exceeds set values, the system performs preliminary operation calculated to reach both air and surface target temperatures by the user's arrival time. The control device computes the precise execution time needed based on thermal mass characteristics and outdoor temperature conditions, stopping operation exactly when targets are achieved, thereby minimizing operation time while ensuring wall temperature convergence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for rapid convergence of both indoor and surface temperatures to target values at specified times, reducing discomfort and power consumption by optimizing heating and cooling operations based on real-time data and historical trends.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerant circuit with a four-way switching valve to perform preliminary heating or cooling operations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

adjusting compressor and fan speeds to quickly reach target temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

adjusting compressor and fan speeds to quickly reach target temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3985319B1Control device for air conditioning apparatus, air conditioning system, control method for air conditioning apparatus, and program
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3985319B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3985319B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3985319B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device (70) causes an air conditioning apparatus (20) to execute a temperature adjustment operation of causing a first temperature (F) to approach a first target temperature (Fs) at a target time point (tg) and causing a second temperature (T) to approach a second target temperature (Ts) at the target time point (tg). The first temperature (F) is a surface temperature of a partition portion (101) including at least one of a floor, a wall, and a ceiling facing a target space (100). The second temperature (T) is an indoor temperature of the target space (100) .