HVAC Blower Timer Control for Stable Cooling Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems with multi-speed blowers experience frequent speed changes during cooling cycles, leading to annoying noise and reduced comfort due to rapid changes in airflow sound, which can be distracting for occupants.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a timer mechanism that prevents the multi-speed blower from changing speeds until the timer expires, ensuring that speed changes occur only at predefined intervals, thereby minimizing nuisance changes and maintaining consistent airflow noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the multi-speed blower changes speeds frequently to optimize cooling performance, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the noise disturbance and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a timer that prevents the blower from changing speeds until the timer expires. This creates regular intervals between speed changes, transforming frequent erratic adjustments into periodic controlled adjustments. The timer ensures that even when cooling optimization triggers a speed change, the blower will not change speed again until the predetermined time interval has elapsed, thereby reducing noise disturbance while maintaining cooling efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If the blower speed is adjusted frequently to respond to humidity changes, then the humidity control precision is improved, but the airflow sound consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The timer mechanism implements periodic action by allowing blower speed changes only at predetermined time intervals. This ensures that humidity control adjustments are made systematically rather than continuously, maintaining airflow sound consistency between adjustments while still achieving effective humidity control over time. The periodic nature of the timer creates a rhythm to speed changes that prevents erratic airflow variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The timer performs preliminary action by pre-determining when speed changes are permitted before actual humidity adjustments are made. This preliminary timing constraint ensures that even when humidity conditions warrant a speed change, the system waits for the appropriate time interval, thereby maintaining airflow consistency while still achieving humidity control precision through planned adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the blower allows continuous speed changes to optimize performance, then the system adaptability is improved, but the user comfort and noise levels worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The timer implements periodic action by creating regular intervals between permitted speed changes. This maintains system adaptability to changing conditions while imposing a rhythmic structure on adjustments that prevents continuous variation. Users experience more stable airflow and lower noise levels because the timer ensures that even when adaptability triggers a speed change, the system will not adjust again until the predetermined time has elapsed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of operating a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system are disclosed that may include starting a timer substantially concurrently with the HVAC system, entering a cooling cycle, and preventing a multi-speed blower in the HVAC system from changing speeds until the timer expires.