Make-Up Air Module Control for Humidity-Treated Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner units lack communication between their dehumidification systems and main thermodynamic assemblies, leading to independent operations that can result in discomfort due to high humidity and temperature outdoor air being introduced through vent apertures.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner unit design that integrates a dehumidification system within the outdoor portion, including an evaporator, condenser, auxiliary compressor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and a controller to coordinate the operation of both the main and auxiliary compressors, ensuring synchronized operation with the thermodynamic assembly to manage air quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a dehumidification system is added to treat outdoor air through vent apertures, then air quality and user comfort are improved, but device complexity increases due to separate independent operation of dehumidification apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dehumidification apparatus control with the main thermodynamic assembly control by integrating a single sensor system that communicates with both systems. The sensor is positioned to detect outdoor air conditions and the controller coordinates both the thermodynamic assembly and dehumidification apparatus based on this shared information, eliminating the need for separate independent sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: it detects outdoor air temperature and humidity conditions for both the main thermodynamic assembly operation and the dehumidification apparatus operation. This multi-functional sensing approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective control of both subsystems.
2Ease of operation
If vent apertures are provided in the bulkhead to allow outdoor air flow, then make-up air supply is improved, but harmful factors increase when outdoor air has high humidity and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The dehumidification apparatus operates in advance or concurrently with the main thermodynamic assembly to pre-treat outdoor air before it enters the living space. The system detects outdoor air conditions and activates the dehumidification apparatus to remove excess humidity and adjust temperature, ensuring that air entering through vent apertures is already conditioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The dehumidification apparatus acts as an intermediary between the outdoor environment and the indoor living space. It processes outdoor air that passes through vent apertures, removing harmful high humidity and temperature conditions, and delivers treated air to the interior, thus mediating the harmful effects of direct outdoor air intake.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate sensors are used for dehumidification apparatus and main thermodynamic assembly, then independent operation is achieved, but loss of information occurs due to lack of communication between systems
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback from the sensor system and uses this information to coordinate the operation of both the main thermodynamic assembly and the dehumidification apparatus. The sensor continuously monitors outdoor air conditions and feeds this information back to the controller, which adjusts both systems accordingly, ensuring they work in harmony rather than independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves as an intermediary that receives sensor information and distributes appropriate control signals to both the thermodynamic assembly and dehumidification apparatus. This central coordination mechanism eliminates information loss between systems while maintaining the ability of each subsystem to operate independently when conditions warrant.
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
This integrated design enhances user comfort by effectively treating outdoor air for humidity and temperature, improving the efficiency and coordination between dehumidification and thermodynamic operations, thus providing better indoor air quality.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator configured for removing heat from outdoor air flowing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a condenser configured for adding heat to outdoor air flowing therethrough
Implementation Method 3
an auxiliary compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser
Implementation Method 4
an outdoor heat exchanger connected to the compressor is disposed, and facing the outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan for cooling the outdoor heat exchanger is provided
Data Source
AI summary
Air conditioner units are provided. A unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, and a compressor. The unit further includes a bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The unit further includes a vent aperture defined in the bulkhead. The unit further includes a dehumidification system disposed at least partially within the outdoor portion, the dehumidification system including an evaporator configured for removing heat from outdoor air flowing therethrough, a condenser configured for adding heat to outdoor air flowing therethrough, and an auxiliary compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser. The unit further includes a temperature sensor disposed within the outdoor portion, a humidity sensor disposed within the outdoor portion, and a controller in communication with the compressor, the auxiliary compressor, the temperature sensor, and the humidity sensor, the controller configured to operate the compressor and the auxiliary compressor.