Control device, refrigeration cycle device comprising same, refrigeration cycle system comprising same, control method, and control program

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigeration cycle devices lack the ability to detect incorrect user input of freezing temperature settings, leading to potential operational failures due to changes in heat-exchange fluid concentration over time, necessitating regular maintenance checks.

Innovation Solution

A control device that includes units for acquiring setting and operating information, calculating freezing temperatures, and detecting erroneous inputs by comparing set and calculated freezing temperatures, as well as monitoring concentration changes through heat exchange amount differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the freezing temperature is set by user input, then the operation is simple and flexible, but errors in input cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input simplicityVSAvoidinput accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates the freezing temperature based on the heat-exchange fluid concentration and compares it with the user-input freezing temperature. This feedback mechanism detects discrepancies between the set value and the calculated value, alerting users to potential input errors while maintaining the simplicity of user input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the heat-exchange fluid concentration is monitored regularly, then the freezing temperature accuracy is maintained, but maintenance workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefreezing temperature accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors the heat-exchange fluid concentration and calculates the freezing temperature without requiring manual intervention. The control device performs self-diagnosis by comparing calculated values with set values, eliminating the need for regular manual maintenance checks while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the heat-exchange fluid concentration changes over time, then the system adapts to operational conditions, but the freezing temperature becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration adjustmentVSAvoidfreezing temperature accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors heat-exchange fluid concentration and recalculates the freezing temperature based on the current concentration. This feedback loop ensures that the calculated freezing temperature remains accurate even as the fluid concentration changes during operation, allowing the system to adapt while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 accurate detection of user errors in freezing temperature settings and concentration changes, ensuring proper operation and preventing failures by controlling device activation or operation based on correct fluid parameters.

Implementation Method 1

causing heat exchange between a refrigerant and the heat-exchange fluid in a heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4715285A1Control device, refrigeration cycle device comprising same, refrigeration cycle system comprising same, control method, and control program
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND THERMAL SYST
  • EP4715285A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4715285A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4715285A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a control device capable of detecting the erroneous input of a freezing temperature by a user, a refrigeration cycle device comprising the same, a refrigeration cycle system comprising the same, a control method, and a control program. This control device (5) is for a refrigeration cycle device (2) that supplies a heat-exchange fluid having a desired temperature by causing heat exchange between a refrigerant and the heat-exchange fluid in a heat exchanger HE. The control device comprises: a setting information acquisition unit (52) that acquires setting information, which includes the type and concentration of the heat-exchange fluid, and a set freezing temperature, which is a freezing temperature for the heat-exchange fluid that is set by the user; a freezing temperature calculation unit (58) that uses the setting information to calculate a calculated freezing temperature, which is the freezing temperature of the heat-exchange fluid; and an erroneous input detection unit (59a) that detects an erroneous input by the user by determining whether or not the difference between the set freezing temperature and the calculated freezing temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.