Damper Motor Half-Bridge Sharing for Compact Air Conditioner Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air-conditioner control systems for vehicles require complex circuit compositions due to the use of multiple H-bridged circuits for driving direct-current motors, leading to increased size and reduced space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of three half-bridged circuits that share one circuit to control actuators for switching air passages, allowing for simplified circuit composition and reduced number of circuits, while maintaining equivalent control functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If four H-bridged circuits are used to drive four direct-current motors for controlling dampers, then each motor can be independently controlled, but the circuit composition becomes complicated and space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines four separate H-bridged circuits into a single three-phase inverter circuit. This merging approach reduces circuit complexity and improves space efficiency while maintaining the ability to independently control multiple direct-current motors through pulse width modulation (PWM) signals generated by the control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-phase inverter circuit serves multiple functions by controlling four different direct-current motors that drive various dampers (inside/outside air switch damper, air mix dampers, blow-off mode switch damper). This universal circuit design eliminates the need for separate H-bridged circuits for each motor, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If four H-bridged circuits are used to drive direct-current motors, then full control functionality is achieved, but the control system size increases and space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple circuit functions into a single three-phase inverter, significantly reducing the volume of the control system. This integrated approach maintains full control functionality over all dampers while minimizing the space required for the control circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional H-bridged circuit architecture with a three-phase inverter system controlled by PWM signals. This substitution enables more efficient space utilization while preserving the ability to independently control motor rotation directions and speeds for damper actuation.
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 reduces the number of half-bridged circuits required, resulting in a more compact and efficient control system that can simultaneously control multiple actuators, improving space efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a direct-current motor which rotates an inside/outside air switch damper (4) to switch an inside air mode and an outside air mode
Implementation Method 2
a direct-current motor which rotates an air mix damper (11a, 11b) to air-condition a driver seat or a passenger seat
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure simplifies the H-bridge circuit of the direct current motor for driving the damper (door) that switches the air passages in the indoor unit of an air conditioning device. The control device for an air conditioner that takes in inside or outside air and conditions the air inside an air conditioning unit using an evaporator and a heater core is provided with: a first actuator and a second actuator that drive the multiple dampers installed inside the air conditioning unit for switching the air passages; and three half-bridge circuits that control the first actuator and the second actuator sharing one of the half-bridge circuits. Of the multiple dampers, the first actuator is connected to the inside/outside air switching damper. Of the multiple dampers, the second actuator is connected to at least one air mix damper.