Outdoor Unit Inverter Reset for Automatic Compressor Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling outdoor units of air conditioners require manual operator intervention for restarting actuators after defects are detected and necessitate additional hardware, such as watchdog timers, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A control method that performs periodic communication checks to determine defective signals, resets the power supply to the drive circuit, and only restarts the actuator when communication is normal, eliminating the need for new hardware and reducing operator involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual restart is performed by operator after defect detection, then the system can be restarted, but operator workload increases and response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit automatically detects communication defects with actuators and performs self-restart without operator intervention. The control circuit monitors communication status and autonomously restarts the actuator when a defect is detected and resolved, making the system self-servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors communication between the control circuit and actuator, providing feedback on communication status. When communication is restored after a defect, the system receives feedback and automatically initiates restart procedures.
2Reliability
If watchdog timer hardware is added for periodic actuator checking, then automatic defect detection is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing control circuit performs multiple functions including communication with actuators, defect detection, and restart control. The control circuit is utilized for dual purposes: normal actuator control and defect monitoring, eliminating the need for dedicated watchdog timer hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The defect detection and restart control functions are merged into the existing control circuit rather than being implemented by separate hardware. The control circuit combines actuator control, communication monitoring, and automatic restart capabilities in a single integrated system.
3Productivity
If actuator is restarted immediately after defect, then operational continuity is improved, but system stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary checks to confirm communication defect status before initiating restart. It verifies that communication is actually defective and waits for communication restoration before restarting the actuator, ensuring premature restarts are avoided.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a buffering mechanism by monitoring communication status over time and confirming defect conditions before triggering restart. This cushioning approach prevents hasty restart decisions and ensures the system is ready for successful restart.
Data Source
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AI summary
When a defect is generated in an actuator of an outdoor unit, the actuator is automatically restarted. An outdoor unit (41) includes an outdoor unit control circuit (411), an inverter substrate (412) and a compressor (413). Periodic communication showing the operating condition of the inverter substrate (412) is set from the inverter substrate (412) to the outdoor unit control circuit (411). Thus, when the communication is performed normally, the drive of the compressor (413) is changed to a power saving process according to the necessity of the power consumption and the operating condition of the inverter substrate (412). When the communication is defective, the power-on reset is done to the inverter substrate (412).