Heat Pump Ice Sensor Using Temperature Slope Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pumps operating in cold temperatures face issues with ice accumulation on outdoor coils and other parts, leading to noise and functional inhibition, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
An ice sensor system is integrated with a heat pump, featuring an ice accumulation surface, heaters, and temperature sensors that detect ice by analyzing temperature changes over time, allowing or restricting defrost cycles based on determined temperatures and slopes, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ice sensors are used to detect ice accumulation on heat pump components, then ice detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (temperature measurement, ice detection, and control logic) into an integrated ice sensor assembly. The sensor unit merges temperature sensors, heating elements, and control circuitry into a single compact device that attaches to the heat pump outdoor coil, thereby improving measurement accuracy while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice sensor acts as an intermediary device between the heat pump system and the control system. It provides a dedicated interface for ice detection and defrost control, isolating the complexity of ice detection algorithms and sensor processing from the main heat pump control system, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If defrost cycles are frequently activated to remove ice, then heat pump functionality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice sensor implements a feedback-based control system that continuously monitors ice accumulation conditions and adjusts defrost cycle activation accordingly. The sensor measures temperature and ice presence, feeds this information to the control system, and only activates defrost cycles when ice detection thresholds are met, thereby maintaining heat pump reliability while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from frequent defrost operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously running defrost cycles or using excessive heating power, the system applies partial action by activating defrost only when and where ice is detected. The heating elements in the ice sensor and targeted areas of the outdoor coil provide just enough heat to melt accumulated ice, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining adequate heat pump functionality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ice accumulates on outdoor coils and fan, then noise increases and function is inhibited, but preventing ice accumulation requires additional heating components
Solution Approach 1:
The ice sensor system applies local quality by placing heating elements and temperature sensors only at specific locations where ice accumulation is most problematic (outdoor coil surfaces and fan areas). Rather than heating the entire heat pump assembly, the system targets only the local regions prone to ice formation, thereby reducing noise and functional inhibition caused by ice while adding minimal heating components to the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice sensor divides the ice protection function into segmented zones with dedicated heating elements and sensors for different areas (outdoor coil sections, fan housing). This segmentation allows the system to address ice accumulation in specific problem areas without requiring comprehensive heating of the entire heat pump, thereby reducing harmful effects of ice while limiting the addition of heating components to only where needed.
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
The ice sensor effectively detects ice accumulation, enabling timely defrost operations and preventing overheating, thus maintaining the heat pump's efficiency and safety by distinguishing ice presence through temperature analysis and slope determination.
Implementation Method 1
a heater(s) of the ice sensor may provide heat to the exposed ice accumulation surface
Implementation Method 2
one or more temperatures of the ice accumulation surface may be determined
Data Source
AI summary
In various implementations, an ice sensor may include heater(s), ice accumulation surface(s), and/or temperature sensor(s). During operation, heat from a heater may be provided to an ice accumulation surface and a temperature sensor(s) may determine temperature(s) of the ice accumulation surface. A determination of whether ice is present on the ice sensor may be based at least partially on the determined temperature(s).