Hybrid Heating Control Using Indoor Temperature Difference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems with gas furnace and heat pump units face challenges in achieving excellent amenity and energy efficiency due to reliance on outdoor air temperature for selecting the heat source unit, which can lead to suboptimal performance in maintaining indoor temperature.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system comprising a heat pump unit, a gas furnace unit, a blower, and a controller that determines the operation of either unit based on the difference between indoor and set temperatures, switching between them to optimize temperature control and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the heat source unit is selected based on outdoor air temperature, then the system structure is simple, but the air conditioning amenity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from outdoor air temperature to the difference value between set temperature and actual indoor temperature. This parameter change enables more accurate reflection of the heating requirement and achieves better air conditioning amenity by selecting the appropriate heat source unit based on actual temperature needs rather than external conditions.
2Speed
If the gas furnace unit is used when temperature difference is large, then the heating speed is fast, but the energy efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection of heat source units based on the temperature difference value. When the temperature difference is large, the gas furnace unit is selected for fast heating; when the temperature difference is small, the heat pump unit is selected for energy-efficient maintenance. This dynamic switching strategy optimizes both heating speed and energy efficiency according to actual conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the heat pump unit is used when temperature difference is small, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the heating capability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between heat pump unit and gas furnace unit based on the temperature difference value. The heat pump unit operates when temperature difference is small for energy efficiency, while the gas furnace unit is activated when temperature difference is large to provide sufficient heating capability, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and heating power.
4Device complexity
If outdoor air temperature is used as selection criterion, then the control logic is simple, but the temperature control precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from outdoor air temperature to the difference value between set temperature and actual indoor temperature. This parameter directly reflects the temperature control requirement, enabling precise temperature control by selecting the appropriate heat source unit based on actual temperature deviation rather than external ambient conditions.
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 ensures excellent amenity by quickly adjusting the heat source unit based on temperature differences and enhances energy efficiency by prioritizing the gas furnace unit in low outdoor temperatures, resulting in improved indoor temperature management and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The heating section heats passing air
Implementation Method 2
The blower generates an air flow which passes through the radiator and the heating section
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, a first temperature sensor provided in a room, and a controller configured to control each action of the heat pump unit, the gas furnace unit, and the blower. The temperature sensor detects an indoor temperature in the room. The controller causes the gas furnace unit to operate as a heat source unit when a difference value obtained by subtracting the indoor temperature from a set temperature is equal to or greater than a first threshold at startup, and causes the heat pump unit to operate as a heat source unit when the difference value is less than the first threshold at startup.