Air Conditioner Refrigerant State Detection Using Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of air conditioning system installations and varying operating conditions make it difficult to accurately determine the refrigerant state, which is crucial for assessing system operation and detecting leaks.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adjusting first operating parameters such as compressor frequency, wind speed, and electronic expansion valve opening, collecting second operating parameters like outdoor temperature and compressor parameters, and determining refrigerant state based on these, using calculations to derive heat exchanger inlet and outlet temperatures and saturation temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If refrigerant state determination is performed based on complex installation conditions and varying operating conditions, then the detection accuracy may improve, but the system complexity and difficulty of measurement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant state detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting operating parameters (compressor frequency, electronic expansion valve opening degree, wind speed) to create optimal detection conditions. The system changes the operational state of the air conditioning system to stabilize refrigerant flow and temperature characteristics, making refrigerant state determination more accurate without adding complex hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct physical measurement of refrigerant state with indirect calculation methods. Instead of using complex sensors and measurement devices to directly detect refrigerant conditions, the system uses temperature and pressure data from existing sensors combined with mathematical models to determine refrigerant state, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If refrigerant state determination is performed based on complex installation conditions and varying operating conditions, then the detection accuracy may improve, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant state detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting operating parameters before refrigerant state determination. The system pre-adjusts compressor frequency, electronic expansion valve opening, and wind speed to create stable detection conditions, ensuring that refrigerant flow and temperature characteristics are optimal for accurate state determination before actual measurement occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses temperature and pressure data as intermediary parameters to indirectly determine refrigerant state. Instead of directly measuring complex refrigerant properties, the system measures easily obtainable temperature and pressure values and uses these as intermediaries in calculations to infer refrigerant state, thereby reducing measurement difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If operating parameters are adjusted to stabilize system operation for detection, then the detection accuracy improves, but the loss of time for parameter adjustment and collection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant state detection accuracyVSAvoidparameter adjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by adjusting only the necessary operating parameters to the extent required for accurate detection. The system selectively adjusts compressor frequency, electronic expansion valve opening, and wind speed to just the degree needed to stabilize refrigerant characteristics for determination, rather than over-adjusting all system parameters, thereby minimizing time loss while achieving sufficient detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4261471B1Method for detecting a refrigerant state, associated apparatus, and computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIP CO LTD

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AI summary

An air conditioning system (200) and a refrigerant state detection method and apparatus thereof. By adjusting first operating parameters of the air conditioning system (200), where the first operating parameters include a frequency of a compressor (204), a wind speed setting, and an opening degree of an electronic expansion valve (206); collecting second operating parameters of the air conditioning system (200) at a preset time after the first operating parameters have been adjusted, where the second operating parameters include an outdoor environment temperature and operating parameters of the compressor (204); and determining a refrigerant state of the air conditioning system (200) according to the second operating parameters, it is possible to accurately obtain the refrigerant state of the air conditioning system (200) according to the operating parameters of the air conditioning system (200), and improve the safety and reliability of the air conditioning system (200) during use.