Multi-Unit Air Conditioner Evaporation Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners with multiple indoor units connected to a single outdoor unit face inefficiencies in energy consumption and comfort, as the compressor operates at excessive rotations due to constant evaporation temperature settings, leading to either wasteful energy use or excessive cooling in areas with lower required capacities.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system with a detection sensor and control apparatus that adjusts the target evaporation temperature and refrigerant state based on the highest required capacity among indoor units, reducing compressor rotations and cooling capacity when necessary, ensuring comfort by maintaining target temperatures across all units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the target evaporation temperature is set to a constant value to ensure comfort in all utilization units, then the cooling temperature can be maintained reliably, but the compressor operates at higher rotations than necessary when total cooling load is small, causing wasteful energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the target evaporation temperature variable rather than constant. The control apparatus dynamically adjusts the target evaporation temperature based on the total cooling load demand from all utilization units. When the total cooling load is small, the target evaporation temperature is raised to reduce compressor rotations and energy consumption. When the total cooling load is large, the target evaporation temperature is lowered to meet the cooling demand. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable cooling temperature and reducing wasteful energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of target evaporation temperature from a fixed constant value to a variable parameter that changes according to the total cooling load. The control apparatus calculates the total cooling load from all utilization units and adjusts the target evaporation temperature accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the balance between cooling reliability and energy efficiency by adapting the evaporation temperature to actual cooling demands.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor is operated at appropriate rotations to save energy by changing the target evaporation temperature, then energy consumption is reduced, but utilization units with small required capacity may experience excessive cooling and reduced comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each utilization unit to have independent control over its cooling output while sharing a common dynamic target evaporation temperature. The control apparatus adjusts the target evaporation temperature based on total cooling load, and each utilization unit's expansion valve independently regulates the refrigerant flow to match its specific cooling demand. This enables units with small required capacity to receive appropriate cooling without excessive cooling, while still benefiting from the energy-saving effect of the dynamically adjusted target temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into a central control apparatus that manages the target evaporation temperature based on total load, and individual utilization units that independently control their own refrigerant flow through expansion valves. This segmentation allows the system to optimize overall energy consumption while maintaining local comfort at each utilization unit by enabling independent refrigerant flow regulation at each unit.
3Productivity
If the target evaporation temperature is adjusted according to the highest required capacity among utilization units, then the compressor can operate efficiently, but other utilization units with lower required capacity may not receive sufficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the target evaporation temperature based on the real-time total cooling load from all utilization units, rather than fixing it according to the highest required capacity. The control apparatus calculates the total cooling load dynamically and adjusts the target evaporation temperature accordingly, ensuring that all utilization units receive sufficient cooling while maintaining efficient compressor operation. This dynamic approach prevents both excessive cooling and insufficient cooling at any utilization unit.
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 approach optimizes energy conservation by matching compressor operation with actual cooling loads and ensures comfort by preventing excessive cooling or heating, maintaining reliable temperature control across all units.
Implementation Method 1
performing a cooling operation using the heat source-side heat exchanger as a condenser
Implementation Method 2
the heat source-side heat exchanger as a condenser
Implementation Method 3
the utilization-side heat exchanger as an evaporator
Implementation Method 4
the utilization-side heat exchanger as an evaporator
Implementation Method 5
a heat source unit including a compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes: a heat source unit including a compressor and a heat source-side heat exchanger; and a plurality of utilization units each including a decompressing device and a utilization-side heat exchanger. The utilization units are connected in parallel to the heat source unit to form a refrigerant circuit. The air conditioner performs a cooling operation using the heat source-side heat exchanger as a condenser and the utilization-side heat exchanger as an evaporator. The air conditioner further includes: a detection sensor that detects a state of air related to a required capacity of each of the utilization units; and a control apparatus that acquires the required capacity of each of the utilization units based on a detection result of the detection sensor.