Information processing device and air-conditioning system provided with same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning systems with multiple indoor units face inefficiencies in power consumption due to lack of consideration for individual unit heat loads, leading to increased maximum power usage.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that communicates with an air-conditioning management system to estimate thermal loads for each unit using learning data and models, determining optimal operating schedules for compressors to achieve set temperatures efficiently across multiple indoor units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single control strategy is applied to multiple indoor units without considering individual heat loads, then device complexity is reduced, but power consumption increases due to inefficient operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system by creating individual learning models for each indoor unit based on its specific heat load characteristics. The control apparatus divides the plurality of indoor units into different control groups, allowing each segment to be optimized independently rather than applying a uniform control strategy to all units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by tailoring the control strategy to each indoor unit's specific environment and heat load characteristics. Learning models are trained individually for each unit using its own operational data, enabling localized optimization of operating parameters such as compressor capacity and fan speed according to local conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If precooling or preheating operations are performed without accurate heat load forecasting, then target temperature can be reached at target time, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to excessive power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget temperature achievementVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by conducting precooling or preheating operations in advance of the target time, but the duration and intensity of these preliminary actions are precisely controlled based on heat load forecasts generated by trained learning models. This ensures that the target temperature is reached exactly at the target time without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the learning models are continuously trained using actual operational data from indoor units, including temperature changes, power consumption, and environmental conditions. This feedback loop improves the accuracy of heat load forecasts over time, enabling more efficient precooling and preheating operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If individualized control strategies are implemented for each indoor unit based on learning models, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by using a single control apparatus that can manage multiple indoor units with different heat load characteristics. The control apparatus performs multiple functions including data collection, learning model training, heat load forecasting, and real-time control optimization, all within one integrated system that serves the entire air conditioning network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If heat load forecasting accuracy is improved through learning and memorization, then temperature stability is enhanced, but computational requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by training the learning models in advance using historical operational data, so that when real-time control is needed, the models are already prepared and can provide quick heat load forecasts. This pre-training approach separates the computationally intensive learning phase from the real-time control phase, reducing processing time during actual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3862644B1Information processing device and air-conditioning system provided with same
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3862644B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3862644B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3862644B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

An information processing apparatus incudes a schedule determination unit configured to determine a schedule of an operating status for causing a temperature of an air-conditioned space of each of a plurality of load-side units to reach a specified set temperature at a specified set time, based on a learning model representing an input-output relationship between input data indicating an influencing factor of a thermal load of each of the load-side units and output data indicating the thermal load.