Damper Module Control for Outside Air and Return Duct Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face issues with excessive energy consumption due to continuous outside air introduction, difficulty in controlling air volume, and inconvenience in installing air conditioning devices like humidifiers or dehumidifiers on ducts, which can lead to air leaks and increased load on the air handling unit.
Innovation Solution
A damper module is installed between the return duct and the outside air introduction duct, featuring a duct case with separate passages for ventilation and outside air, and a damper mechanism that adjusts the flow rate, allowing precise control of air introduction based on temperature, humidity, and pressure conditions, reducing energy consumption and optimizing air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If outside air is continuously introduced through an air damper for ventilation, then fresh air is supplied to the room, but excessive outside air introduction increases the load on the air handling unit and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the damper opening degree variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the opening degree of the air damper based on operating conditions (cooling, heating, ventilation modes) and environmental parameters (outdoor temperature, humidity). This allows the system to optimize the balance between ventilation requirements and energy consumption by introducing only the necessary amount of outside air, thereby reducing the load on the air handling unit while maintaining reliable ventilation function.
2Device complexity
If a sirocco fan is used in the air handling unit without a separate auxiliary fan, then device complexity is reduced, but differential pressure cannot be formed at damper ends and outside air introduction cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using a differential pressure sensor to detect the pressure difference across the air damper. The controller receives this feedback signal and automatically adjusts the damper opening degree to maintain the desired differential pressure. This closed-loop control system enables precise control of outside air introduction without requiring complex mechanical fan arrangements, as the electronic control compensates for the simpler fan configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If air conditioning devices are installed on the return duct, then humidity control is achieved, but on-site construction becomes inconvenient and air leaks occur when ducts are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the air handling unit as an intermediary device to implement humidity control functionality. Instead of installing humidifiers or dehumidifiers directly on the return duct (which causes installation difficulties and leakage risks), the control system utilizes the existing air handling unit's capabilities to condition the air. This intermediary approach achieves the same humidity control function while avoiding the installation and maintenance problems associated with duct-mounted devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include an air handling unit; a return duct connected to the air handling unit to supply ventilation air to the air handling unit; an outside air introduction duct connected to the air handling unit to introduce outdoor air into a room; a damper module installed at a position at which the return duct and the outside air introduction duct are connected to each other and including a damper that opens or closes the return duct and the outside air introduction duct; a detector installed in the damper module to detect a temperature, humidity, enthalpy, and air pressure of air flowing through the damper module; and a controller that selectively and variably controls an opening amount of the damper based on a measured value and a set value of the detector.