Indoor Heat Exchanger Preconditioning for Multi-Unit Air Conditioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems waste energy by cooling or heating a preheated/precooled heat medium through natural dissipation/absorption when multiple indoor units are scheduled to operate, and simultaneous heating and cooling operations lead to uncomfortable outlet air temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning apparatus with multiple use-side heat exchangers, an inter-heat-medium heat exchanger, and a controller that preheats or precools about half of the indoor units before they start operation, allowing the heated or cooled heat source to be distributed efficiently, thereby reducing energy waste and maintaining comfortable temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all indoor units are preheated or precooled before operation, then the comfort at start-up is improved, but energy is wasted when scheduled units do not operate or when simultaneous heating and cooling operations cause preheating/precooling of wrong units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively preheating or precooling only specific indoor units based on their scheduled operation status and the current heat medium temperature, rather than uniformly treating all indoor units. The controller determines which indoor units require preheating/precooling and directs the heat medium flow accordingly, ensuring energy is not wasted on units that will not operate or will operate in opposite modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by preheating or precooling indoor units in advance of their scheduled operation based on predictions made from historical data and current conditions. The controller calculates the optimal preheating/precooling timing and duration to ensure comfort at start-up while avoiding energy waste by stopping the preliminary action before it becomes unnecessary.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heat medium is preheated or precooled in advance, then the outlet air temperature stability is improved, but natural heat dissipation or heat absorption cools or heats the preheated/precooled heat medium wasting energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the heat medium in a preheated or precooled state through controlled circulation only when needed for upcoming operations. The system continuously monitors the heat medium temperature and schedules of indoor units, maintaining the temperature state only until it is needed, thereby avoiding energy waste from natural heat dissipation or absorption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by continuously detecting the heat medium temperature and comparing it with target temperatures and scheduled operation times. The controller adjusts the heat medium flow and preheating/precooling operations based on real-time temperature feedback and predictive scheduling, ensuring the heat medium maintains the desired temperature state only when necessary for upcoming operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If simultaneous heating and cooling operations are allowed, then the system versatility is improved, but the outlet air temperature becomes uncomfortable due to preheating or precooling of wrong units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different thermal treatments to different indoor units based on their operational requirements. When simultaneous heating and cooling operations are scheduled, the controller identifies which specific indoor units require preheating and which require precooling, directing the heat medium flow accordingly. This ensures each indoor unit receives the appropriate thermal treatment, maintaining outlet air temperature comfort despite simultaneous opposite operations.
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 solution enables efficient preheating/precooling of indoor units, reducing energy consumption and ensuring comfortable outlet air temperatures during simultaneous heating and cooling operations.
Implementation Method 1
an inter-heat-medium heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a heat medium circulated in the use-side heat exchanger and a heat source fluid fed from a heat source apparatus
Implementation Method 2
preheats about half of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers by driving the heat medium feeding unit connected to a heat medium circulating circuit thereof to perform heat-up operation of the heat medium
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a plurality of use-side heat exchangers, inter-heat-medium heat exchangers, heat medium flow path switching devices, which switch flow paths, and pumps, which feed heat media to these paths; the inter-heat-medium heat exchangers heat or cool a heat medium by exchanging heat between the heat medium and a heat source fluid fed from a heat source apparatus. About half of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers are preheated or precooled, and the remaining use-side heat exchangers which are not preheated or precooled exchange heat media with use-side heat exchangers that have been preheated or precooled and that are not yet started to operate, suppressing energy consumed for preheating or precooling.