Indoor Unit Airflow Control to Contain Conditioned Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large open spaces with multiple air conditioner indoor units, conditioned air often diffuses into adjacent areas where it is not needed, leading to inefficiency and increased energy consumption, and the use of air curtain generating devices to mitigate this is hindered by installation challenges and high costs, as well as uncertainty about the separation space location.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning control device that collectively controls a group of indoor units by specifying an operating unit for the target area and an adjacent unit to perform air flow generating operations, inhibiting conditioned air from diffusing into unwanted spaces through air blowing, thermo-off, mild cooling/heating, or air curtain formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only the indoor unit arranged for the space of the portion is caused to perform air conditioning operation, then air conditioning is provided to the target space, but air conditioned by the indoor unit diffuses into nearby space where air conditioning is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the indoor units into different functional groups: operating units that perform air conditioning operations in target spaces, and adjacent units that generate air flows to prevent conditioned air diffusion. This segmentation allows precise control of air conditioning effects to specific areas while preventing energy waste in non-target spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Adjacent units act as intermediary devices that generate air flows to serve as barriers between target spaces and non-target spaces. These intermediary air flows prevent direct diffusion of conditioned air from operating units to areas where air conditioning is not needed, thereby reducing energy loss.
2Productivity
If an air curtain generating device is introduced to separate the space to be targeted by air conditioning operation from other spaces, then air conditioning operational efficiency is improved, but installation space becomes difficult to secure and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes existing indoor units for multiple functions: operating units perform air conditioning operations while adjacent units generate air flows for space separation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air curtain generating devices, reducing installation complexity and cost while maintaining improved air conditioning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor units themselves provide the air flow generation function that would otherwise require separate air curtain devices. By enabling adjacent units to generate air flows, the system makes the existing infrastructure self-sufficient for space separation, avoiding additional installation requirements.
3Productivity
If an air curtain generating device is introduced to separate spaces, then air conditioning efficiency is improved, but the location for device introduction cannot be determined in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The control device receives operation information from multiple indoor units and determines which units are operating units and which are adjacent units based on this feedback. This dynamic determination allows the system to adapt to different operational scenarios and automatically identify appropriate locations for air flow generation without requiring pre-planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns roles (operating unit or adjacent unit) to indoor units based on real-time operation information rather than fixed pre-determined locations. This dynamic approach allows flexible adaptation to changing operational requirements and simplifies installation by eliminating the need for predetermined device locations.
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
Improves air conditioning efficiency and energy conservation by preventing conditioned air from spreading to unnecessary areas, while allowing for manual or automatic unit specification and optimizing air flow direction to enhance comfort and energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
The adjacent-unit control unit causes the adjacent unit to perform an air flow generating operation. The air flow generating operation is an operation to generate an air flow that inhibits air conditioned by the air conditioning operation of the operating unit from diffusing from the air conditioning target space.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning control device includes an operating-unit specifying unit, an adjacent-unit specifying unit and an adjacent-unit control unit, and collectively controls the operation of an indoor unit group. The operating-unit specifying unit specifies an operating unit to perform an air conditioning operation from the indoor units included in the indoor unit group. The adjacent-unit specifying unit specifies an adjacent unit adjacent to the operating unit from the indoor units included in the indoor unit group. The adjacent-unit control unit causes the adjacent unit to perform an air flow generating operation. This air flow inhibits air conditioned by the air conditioning operation of the operating unit from diffusing from an air conditioning target space.