Dual-Heat-Source HVAC Switching for Lower CO2 Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems with gas furnace and heat pump units lack efficient control logic for variable operating capacity adjustments, leading to increased environmental loads due to CO2 emissions.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a controller that switches between the gas furnace unit and heat pump unit based on predicted environmental load increases, using capacity commands and load factors to optimize the operating capacity and reduce CO2 emissions by selecting the unit with lower environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the heat source unit is switched based on simple predetermined conditions, then the control logic is simple, but the environmental load increases due to inadequate consideration of variable operating capacities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a capacity command parameter that represents the operating capacity level required by the air conditioning system. The controller varies the operating capacity of the heat source unit based on this parameter and switches between heat pump and gas furnace units according to the capacity requirements and environmental load characteristics of each unit type, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple control logic and environmental load reduction.
2Ease of operation
If the operating capacity of the heat source unit is fixed, then the control is simple, but the adaptability to varying environmental conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the operating capacity of the heat source unit dynamic by introducing a capacity command that can be varied according to environmental conditions. The controller adjusts the operating capacity level of the heat source unit in real-time based on the capacity command and switches between unit types adaptively, achieving both ease of operation through automated control and high adaptability to varying conditions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If frequent switching between heat source units is allowed, then the environmental load is reduced by selecting the optimal unit, but the system stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a switch prevention mechanism that prevents frequent switching between heat source units by checking whether switching is permitted before executing a switch. This preliminary action filters out unnecessary or premature switching operations, thereby maintaining system stability while still allowing beneficial switches that reduce environmental load.
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 system effectively reduces environmental loads by switching between units based on operational conditions, ensuring that the unit with lower CO2 emissions is used, thereby minimizing energy consumption and emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pump unit (40) includes a radiator (42) for a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
The heating section (31) heats passing air
Implementation Method 3
The heating section (31) heats passing air
Implementation Method 4
The blower (20) generates an air flow (AF1) that passes through the radiator (42) and the heating section (31)
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system includes a heat pump unit including a radiator usable with a refrigerant, a gas furnace unit including a heating section arranged to heat passing air, a blower arranged to generate an air flow that passes through the radiator and the heating section, and a controller configured to control each action of the heat pump unit, the gas furnace unit, and the blower. The controller operates either the heat pump unit or the gas furnace unit as a heat source unit, generates a capacity command used to variably adjust operating capacity of the heat source unit, and executes switch control in order to switch the heat source unit from either one of the heat pump unit or the gas furnace unit to the other when an operating capacity level designated in the capacity command is within a predetermined numerical range for a predetermined time.