Air Conditioner Refrigerant Charge Detection and Auto Top-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioner systems require manual and indirect methods to determine refrigerant levels, which are inconvenient for users and often result in unnecessary re-charging, causing time and cost inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An automated refrigerant charging method that allows the air-conditioner to switch between operation modes to determine and adjust refrigerant levels, using temperature sensors and pre-set conditions to accurately assess and top up refrigerant levels without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual refrigerant charging method using pressure gauge is used, then refrigerant level can be determined, but user convenience deteriorates and time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant level determination accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioner system automatically determines refrigerant levels and performs charging operations without requiring user intervention. The controller autonomously monitors refrigerant conditions, switches operation modes for accurate measurement, and executes charging when refrigerant is insufficient, eliminating the need for manual pressure gauge measurements by users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pressure gauge measurement method with an automated electronic sensing and control system. The controller uses electronic sensors and programmed logic to determine refrigerant levels and control the charging process, substituting the mechanical manual operation with an automated electromechanical system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual refrigerant re-charging is performed, then refrigerant level can be restored, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant level restorationVSAvoidrefrigerant charging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when refrigerant levels are insufficient and initiates the charging process without requiring user action. The controller autonomously manages the entire charging operation, significantly reducing the time users would otherwise spend on this maintenance task while ensuring reliable refrigerant level restoration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors refrigerant levels and uses this feedback information to automatically initiate charging when levels become insufficient. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures timely refrigerant replenishment, preventing system performance degradation and eliminating the need for scheduled manual maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual refrigerant charging method is used, then refrigerant level can be checked, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to indirect determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidrefrigerant level measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces indirect mechanical pressure-based measurement with direct electronic sensing and automated analysis. The controller uses electronic sensors to directly monitor refrigerant conditions and applies sophisticated algorithms to accurately determine refrigerant levels, providing both operational simplicity and measurement reliability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables users to easily check and automatically charge refrigerant levels, reducing time and costs by eliminating the need for complete refrigerant removal and re-charging, thereby enhancing user convenience and system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The air-conditioner may further include a liquid pipe temperature sensor installed at the liquid pipe, and if the temperature of the liquid pipe detected by the liquid pipe temperature sensor is higher than a pre-set liquid pipe temperature, it may be determined that the refrigerant charged in the air-conditioner is insufficient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentUS9027357B2Method for determining if refrigerant charge is sufficient and charging refrigerant

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An air-conditioner and the refrigerant charging method of the air-conditioner are disclosed. When a refrigerant amount determining mode is requested to be performed, whether or not the refrigerant amount in the air-conditioner is proper is automatically determined and a shortage amount of refrigerant can be charged. Thus, a user can easily check whether or not the refrigerant charged in the air-conditioner is sufficient or insufficient, and if the refrigerant is not sufficient, the user can automatically charge the refrigerant without having to entirely remove the refrigerant from the air-conditioner, thus increasing the user convenience and reducing time and costs.