Duct-type air conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional duct-type air conditioning systems with VAV control units are expensive and complex, requiring fine damper control and additional information feedback, making them unsuitable for widespread use in general houses.
Innovation Solution
A duct-type air conditioning system with a control device that calculates controlled air volume based on the opening ratio of outlets and temperature differences between target and measured temperatures, allowing for air volume adjustment without the need for complex damper control units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a VAV control unit is used to control air volume by adjusting damper opening degree, then air volume control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex VAV control units with simple binary dampers (open/closed states only). The control logic is shifted to a microcontroller that uses basic temperature sensing and simple calculation algorithms, eliminating the need for precision damper actuators and complex feedback control hardware. This substitution of simple, inexpensive components for complex, expensive ones resolves the contradiction between control precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical precision damper control systems with an electronic control system based on temperature sensing and microcontroller-based air volume calculation. Instead of mechanically adjusting damper positions for precise control, the system uses electronic temperature measurements and computational algorithms to determine required air volume, substituting mechanical precision mechanisms with electronic sensing and processing.
2Manufacturing precision
If fine damper control is implemented to adjust air volume, then air volume adjustment precision is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple binary dampers with only two states (open and closed) instead of expensive dampers with fine adjustment capabilities. The precision is achieved through the control algorithm that calculates required air volume based on temperature differences and outlet configurations, not through precision mechanical damper control. This dramatically reduces system cost while maintaining air volume adjustment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from continuous damper opening degree to discrete damper states (open/closed) combined with calculated air volume requirements. By changing from controlling damper position to controlling damper state combinations and air blower speed, the system achieves precision control without requiring expensive precision dampers, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
3Measurement precision
If multiple feedback parameters are collected for air conditioning control, then control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex feedback parameters such as static pressure measurements and damper opening degree feedback. The control system only requires temperature measurement and basic operational state information (which outlets are open). By removing unnecessary feedback sensors and signal processing pathways, the system maintains control accuracy through simplified temperature-based calculations while dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses readily available temperature data and simple outlet state information to calculate air volume requirements without requiring additional specialized sensors or complex feedback mechanisms. The microcontroller performs self-contained calculations based on basic inputs, eliminating the need for complex external feedback systems while maintaining control accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a duct-type air conditioning system including a plurality of dampers 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3 respectively provided in a plurality of duct bifurcation areas 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3, which are provided corresponding to a plurality air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 supplied with conditioned air from an air conditioner, to bring an air trunk in each of the duct bifurcation areas 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3 into an opened state or closed state individually, a plurality of outlets 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3, and a control device 4. The control device 4 includes a controlled air-volume calculation unit that calculates a controlled air volume 48a for controlling an air volume of an indoor unit 2, based on an opening ratio, which is a ratio of the sum of numbers or areas of opened outlets provided in the duct 7-1 or 7-2 having the damper 9-1 or 9-2 in an opened state with respect to the sum of numbers or areas of the outlets 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 respectively provided in the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3, and a temperature difference between a target temperature and a temperature measured in the air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and 10-2 where the opened outlet is present, when the air conditioner performs automatic air volume adjustment.