Outdoor AC Power Path Switching for Noise-Resistant Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning apparatuses face issues with external noise from the commercial AC power supply causing malfunctions and failures in the outdoor-device control unit during standby periods, leading to inefficiencies and reliability concerns.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning apparatus incorporates a configuration with noise reduction units, relays, and surge-current suppression components to isolate the outdoor device from external noise, ensuring power efficiency and reliability by controlling power supply paths and using noise reduction units with inductive and capacitive reactance to manage inrush and surge currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is supplied to the outdoor device during standby period, then the outdoor-device control unit can operate and respond quickly, but external noise from the commercial AC power supply causes malfunctions and failures
Solution Approach 1:
A noise filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the commercial AC power supply and the outdoor-device control unit. The noise filter blocks external noise from reaching the control unit while allowing power to pass through, thus protecting the control unit from malfunctions and failures during standby operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful external noise is extracted and separated from the power supply path by using a noise filter. This allows the power supply to continue functioning while the noise component is removed, preventing it from causing malfunctions in the control unit.
2Reliability
If power is supplied to the outdoor device during standby period, then the control unit can operate, but reactive power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply to the outdoor-device control unit is made dynamic rather than static. During standby, power is supplied only when necessary (when indoor devices are operating), and the supply is interrupted when not needed. This dynamic control reduces reactive power consumption while maintaining operation readiness when required.
Solution Approach 2:
Power supply to the control unit is implemented in a periodic manner rather than continuously. The power is supplied during periods when indoor devices are operating and interrupted during periods when they are not, reducing overall reactive power consumption while ensuring the control unit is available 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 configuration results in a power-efficient and highly resistant air conditioning system that minimizes standby power and reactive power consumption while preventing failures from external noise, ensuring reliable operation and reduced part failure rates.
Implementation Method 1
an air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 is provided
Implementation Method 2
using noise reduction units with inductive and capacitive reactance to manage inrush and surge currents
Implementation Method 3
using noise reduction units with inductive and capacitive reactance to manage inrush and surge currents
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In order to provide an air conditioning apparatus that is power efficient, and is highly resistant to external noise, the air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor device (2) that is connected to an AC power supply (1), and indoor devices (3A) and (3B) that are connected to the AC power supply (1) through the outdoor device(2), wherein the outdoor device (2) includes a first current path, through which AC power is supplied from the AC power supply (1) to a control-power-supply generation unit (33) through any one of the indoor devices (3A) and (3B), a first outdoor power-feed switching relay (13B), and a second inrush-current suppression resistor (13A), and a second current path, through which AC power is supplied from the AC power supply 1 to the control-power-supply generation unit (33) through a first noise reduction unit (11), a second outdoor power-feed switching relay (13D), and a surge-current suppression resistor (13E), and when there is a possibility for an inrush current to the control-power-supply generation unit (33) to be generated, the outdoor device (2) supplies AC power of the AC power supply (1) to the control-power-supply generation unit (33) through the first current path, and when there is not a possibility for an inrush current to the control-power-supply generation unit (33) to be generated, the outdoor device (2) supplies AC power of the AC power supply (1) to the control-power-supply generation unit (33) through the second current path.