Multi-Unit Air Conditioning Control for Excess Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air-conditioning systems that control evaporating temperatures for indoor units to achieve dehumidification often result in excessive cooling and dehumidification, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced comfort due to varying loads across indoor units and unnecessary operation of units without cooling demands.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning system with multiple indoor units connected to an outdoor unit, featuring a conveying fan and control means that adjust the target evaporating temperature based on temperature and humidity sensors, allowing for thermo-ON/thermo-OFF operations to optimize cooling and dehumidification according to specific space conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper limit evaporating temperature is set to achieve a predetermined amount of dehumidification, then dehumidification performance is improved, but excessive cooling and dehumidification occur leading to increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the upper limit evaporating temperature adjustable rather than fixed. The control means dynamically resets the upper limit evaporating temperature based on real-time detection of whether dehumidification is actually needed, allowing the system to adapt between dehumidification mode and energy-saving mode, thus preventing excessive cooling while maintaining reliable dehumidification when required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of evaporating temperature based on operational conditions. When dehumidification is determined to be unnecessary, the control means resets the upper limit evaporating temperature to a higher value, which reduces the cooling capacity and prevents excessive energy consumption while maintaining the ability to dehumidify when needed
2Reliability
If the upper limit evaporating temperature is set to achieve a predetermined amount of dehumidification, then dehumidification performance is improved, but comfort is deteriorated due to excessive dehumidification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the control means continuously monitors operational conditions and detects whether dehumidification is actually needed. Based on this feedback, the system resets the upper limit evaporating temperature appropriately, preventing excessive dehumidification that would harm comfort while ensuring sufficient dehumidification capability when actually required
3Reliability
If indoor units operate with fixed evaporating temperature settings, then dehumidification is ensured, but cooling becomes excessive when load varies greatly across units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the evaporating temperature control dynamic by allowing the control means to reset the upper limit evaporating temperature based on actual dehumidification needs. This dynamic adjustment prevents unnecessary cooling in units where dehumidification is not required, reducing energy waste while maintaining reliable dehumidification capability when needed
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 prevents excessive air-conditioning, reduces energy consumption, and enhances comfort by dynamically adjusting the air-conditioning capacity to match the specific needs of each space, ensuring efficient energy use and improved comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporating temperature of a refrigerant at an indoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger that condenses the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning system includes: an air-conditioning apparatus in which indoor units are connected to an outdoor unit; a conveying fan; and control means for controlling the air-conditioning apparatus and the conveying fan on the basis of a target evaporating temperature. The control means resets an upper limit of the target evaporating temperature when: a control determination temperature difference which is a difference between a set temperature and a temperature of an air-conditioned space is within a predetermined range; a humidity of the air-conditioned space is equal to or lower than a predetermined value; and a thermo-ON indoor unit and a thermo-OFF indoor unit are present together in the same air-conditioned space.