Heat Pump Defrost Adjustment Based on Heating Cycle Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pumps face operational inefficiencies and mechanical issues due to frost accumulation on surfaces, which existing defrost operations may not adequately address, leading to increased user dissatisfaction and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system that adjusts defrost operation properties based on heating cycle time, allowing for incremental changes in termination temperature and time to optimize ice reduction while minimizing disruptions and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If defrost operations are performed frequently to remove frost accumulation, then frost removal effectiveness is improved, but heating operation efficiency deteriorates due to increased cycle interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of defrost operation properties based on heating cycle time. When heating cycle time falls within a predetermined range, the system allows adjustment of defrost termination temperature and time properties to optimize the balance between frost removal and heating efficiency, rather than using fixed defrost parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting defrost termination temperature and time based on the relationship between heating cycle time and predetermined thresholds. This parameter adaptation allows the defrost operation to be optimized according to actual operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between effective frost removal and maintaining heating efficiency
2Reliability
If defrost termination temperature is increased to ensure complete frost removal, then frost removal completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the defrost termination temperature parameter dynamically based on heating cycle time. When the heating cycle time is within the predetermined range, the system permits adjustment of termination temperature to achieve complete frost removal; otherwise, it restricts such adjustments to conserve energy, thus balancing frost removal completeness with energy consumption
3Reliability
If defrost operation time is extended to remove thick frost, then frost removal effectiveness is improved, but heating productivity deteriorates due to longer defrost duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts defrost operation time based on the heating cycle time. When heating cycle time is within the predetermined range, the system allows extension of defrost time for effective frost removal; otherwise, it restricts defrost time adjustments to preserve heating productivity, creating a dynamic balance between these two competing objectives
Data Source
AI summary
In various implementations, a heat pump may include heating operations and defrost operations. The heat pump may monitor cycle time(s) for one or more of the operations. Defrost operation(s) in the heat pump may be automatically adjusted based at least partially on cycle times.