Air conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems require manual prioritization of indoor units based on space conditions, which is inefficient and time-consuming, especially during insufficient capacity states where multiple indoor units exceed the outdoor unit's capacity.
Innovation Solution
The system includes surface temperature measuring devices and cameras in indoor units to automatically determine the heat capacity and occupancy of each space, allowing the controller to prioritize operations based on surface temperature changes and occupancy, ensuring optimal distribution of outdoor unit capacity among indoor units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual prioritization of indoor units is implemented, then operation control during insufficient capacity state is achieved, but user burden and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines space types and sets priorities without user intervention. The determination device autonomously identifies whether each space is a server room, living room, or bedroom based on environmental data, and the controller automatically distributes capacity according to these priorities, eliminating manual configuration burden
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of space types and priority settings before the insufficient capacity state occurs. By continuously monitoring space characteristics and pre-establishing priority relationships, the system is ready to automatically respond when capacity shortage happens, avoiding real-time manual intervention
2Ease of operation
If automatic prioritization based on space determination is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determination device divides space identification into distinct segments: server room determination (based on temperature and occupancy patterns), living room determination (based on occupancy and usage patterns), and bedroom determination (based on time-of-day patterns and occupancy). This modular segmentation manages complexity by handling each space type independently with specific criteria
Solution Approach 2:
The determination device serves multiple functions: it identifies different space types (server room, living room, bedroom), determines occupancy status, establishes priority relationships, and provides this information to the controller for capacity distribution. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated device
3Productivity
If capacity is distributed without prioritization, then all indoor units operate simultaneously, but outdoor unit capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The controller distributes outdoor unit capacity to specific indoor units based on local space characteristics and priority levels. High-priority spaces (server rooms) receive sufficient capacity to maintain required temperatures, while lower-priority spaces receive capacity proportional to available resources, ensuring critical functions are protected during capacity shortage
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors space temperatures, occupancy patterns, and outdoor unit performance, using this feedback to dynamically adjust capacity distribution. When insufficient capacity state is detected, the controller reallocates capacity based on current priority assessments and temperature deviations, ensuring reliable operation under constrained conditions
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 enables automatic and efficient operation of indoor units, prioritizing those in spaces with higher temperature changes or occupancy, thereby reducing the time to reach set room temperatures and enhancing comfort by optimizing capacity distribution.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of indoor units has a surface temperature measuring device configured to measure a surface temperature of an object in the respective target space
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioning system (100) includes: a plurality of indoor units (2) each configured to condition air in a target space; and an outdoor unit (1) connected to the plurality of indoor units (2). Each of the plurality of indoor units (2) has a surface temperature measuring device (24) configured to measure a surface temperature of an object in the target space. When a total of capacities requested by the plurality of indoor units (2) is larger than a capacity of the outdoor unit, each of the plurality of indoor units (2) performs a process corresponding to a change amount of the surface temperature per unit time.