Apparatus and method for controlling air conditioning system for automotive body painting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning systems for automotive body painting consume excessive energy by supplying air of constant temperature and humidity regardless of outside conditions, leading to inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that regulate the temperature and humidity of supply air in a paint booth based on the enthalpy difference between outside and supply air, using sensors and a controller to adjust conditions within specific reference ranges, thereby optimizing energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air conditioning system supplies air of constant temperature and humidity regardless of outside conditions, then the temperature and humidity in the paint booth are maintained stably, but excessive energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature and humidity stability in paint boothVSAvoidenergy consumption of air conditioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the air conditioning system by continuously monitoring outside air conditions and adjusting supply air parameters accordingly. The controller dynamically modifies temperature and humidity setpoints based on real-time environmental data, transitioning from static constant-parameter control to adaptive dynamic control that responds to changing outside conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (temperature and humidity of supply air) based on outside air conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed values, the system achieves energy savings while still meeting paint booth requirements through controlled parameter variation within acceptable ranges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the air conditioning system operates continuously to maintain constant temperature and humidity, then the painting quality is ensured, but energy waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepainting qualityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback control by continuously measuring outside air temperature and humidity, comparing these conditions against desired paint booth parameters, and adjusting the air conditioning system accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures painting quality is maintained while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption when outside conditions are already favorable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial control action by not continuously operating at full capacity. Instead, it adjusts the degree of air conditioning based on actual needs, using only the necessary amount of cooling or heating to maintain painting quality, thereby reducing energy waste from excessive operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3335803B1Apparatus and method for controlling air conditioning system for automotive body painting
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3335803B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3335803B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3335803B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and a method are used for controlling an air conditioning system for automotive body painting to regulate temperature and humidity in a paint booth based on difference between enthalpy of outside air and enthalpy of supply air. The apparatus includes a first temperature sensor measuring temperature of outside air, a first humidity sensor measuring humidity of outside air, a second temperature sensor measuring temperature of supply air, a second humidity sensor measuring humidity of supply air, and a controller calculating first enthalpy based on the temperature and humidity of the outside air, calculating second enthalpy based on the temperature and humidity of the supply air, and controlling the air conditioning system to regulate the temperature and humidity of the supply air when difference between the first enthalpy and the second enthalpy is below or exceeds a reference enthalpy range.