Method of controlling total and individual refrigerant flow rates in an air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners struggle to rapidly adapt to the changing state of indoor spaces, failing to maintain comfort levels and often require user intervention after discomfort is felt, and they lack individual control over multiple units, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system with an integrated controller that clusters indoor spaces based on environmental data, adjusts refrigerant flow and airflow through individual units, and uses PMV data to maintain comfort by predicting user needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing air conditioners perform follow-up control based on user input temperature and air direction, then the control system is simple to operate, but the system cannot rapidly adapt to changing indoor space conditions or maintain comfort levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary clustering of indoor spaces based on environmental data (temperature, humidity, occupancy) before discomfort occurs. By pre-categorizing spaces into clusters with similar characteristics, the system prepares control strategies in advance, enabling rapid adaptation when conditions change without requiring complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental data and compares actual conditions against cluster-based expectations. When deviations are detected, the system adjusts refrigerant flow and airflow dynamically. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing conditions automatically while maintaining manageable control complexity through standardized cluster responses.
2Loss of time
If existing air conditioners wait for user discomfort before responding, then the control logic is simple, but the response time is delayed and comfort is not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) data and environmental monitoring to predict user comfort needs before discomfort occurs. By continuously assessing conditions against comfort models and pre-establishing cluster-based control strategies, the system proactively adjusts refrigerant flow and airflow to prevent discomfort, reducing response time without requiring complex real-time user feedback processing.
3Productivity
If multiple indoor units are controlled based on group average characteristics, then the control system is simplified, but individual unit optimization and rapid comfort maintenance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments indoor units into distinct clusters based on their environmental characteristics (temperature, humidity, occupancy patterns) rather than treating them as a homogeneous group. Each cluster receives tailored control strategies optimized for its specific conditions. This segmentation enables both individual unit optimization and efficient group management, improving overall productivity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different control parameters and strategies to different clusters of indoor units based on their local environmental characteristics. Each cluster receives customized refrigerant flow rates and airflow settings appropriate to its specific conditions, rather than applying a uniform group average. This local quality approach optimizes each unit's performance for its specific operating context.
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
The system rapidly adjusts to indoor space conditions, maintaining comfort levels and optimizing operation of multiple units, ensuring user comfort without delay and improving overall efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
controlling an expansion valve, disposed in the respective indoor units, to regulate a flow rate of the refrigerant to the indoor unit
Implementation Method 2
an indoor unit... supplying heat-exchanged air or purified air to the space
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an air conditioner including collecting indoor unit data of each of a plurality of indoor units connected to an outdoor unit; controlling a total flow rate of refrigerant supplied to the plurality of indoor units based on a total load of the indoor units, which is determined based on the indoor unit data of the respective indoor units; and controlling an individual flow rate of refrigerant flowing to the respective indoor units based on clusters of the respective indoor units which are matched based on the indoor unit data of the respective indoor units.