Method of controlling a multi type air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing multi-type air conditioner systems require multiple distributors to connect multiple indoor units, leading to increased material and installation costs due to the need for additional pipe ports, which complicates the refrigerant flow management and control.

Innovation Solution

A method where two or more indoor units are connected to one or more pipe ports to form an indoor unit group, allowing for efficient operation by inputting an operation command and imitating a reference mode to manage the refrigerant flow, thereby reducing the need for additional distributors and simplifying the control system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple distributors are used to connect multiple indoor units, then the number of connected indoor units increases, but material costs and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of connected indoor unitsVSAvoidmaterial and installation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple indoor units are connected to a single pipe port through a distributor, merging multiple connections into one physical interface. This reduces the number of distributors needed and lowers material and installation costs while maintaining the ability to connect multiple indoor units to the air conditioner system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple distributors are used to connect multiple indoor units, then the number of connected indoor units increases, but the number of required pipe ports increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of connected indoor unitsVSAvoidnumber of pipe ports

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single pipe port is designed to serve multiple indoor units simultaneously through the distributor mechanism. The pipe port becomes a universal interface that can connect to any number of indoor units grouped together, reducing the total number of pipe ports required in the system while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple distributors are used, then more indoor units can be connected, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of connected indoor unitsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system manages multiple indoor units through a single distributor interface, merging multiple control paths into one. The controller sends commands to the distributor, which then distributes refrigerant to the appropriate grouped indoor units, simplifying the control architecture compared to managing each unit through separate distributors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2522919B1Method of controlling a multi type air conditioner

Publication Date: 2019.07.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

Provided is a method of controlling a multi type air conditioner, including: an outdoor unit; a distributor connected to the outdoor unit and including pipe ports; and a plurality of indoor units connected to the distributor, wherein two or more of the indoor units are connected to one or more of the pipe ports to constitute an indoor unit group of each pipe port, includes: inputting an operation command to one or more of the indoor units constituting the indoor unit group; checking a reference mode of the indoor unit group; and imitating the reference mode to operate the one or more indoor units.