Remote Refrigeration Leak Detection Scheduling for Multi-Unit Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cooling device management systems require significant costs and resources for manual coolant leakage detection, especially as the number of cooling devices increases, as maintenance workers need to physically visit each location to perform the detection.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device management system that includes a transmission section, reception section, coolant leakage detection schedule setting section, schedule executing section, and display section, allowing for remote scheduling and execution of coolant leakage detection, prioritizing this function over normal schedules, and providing instructions for specific displays and operation restrictions to ensure accurate detection without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual coolant leakage detection is performed by maintenance workers visiting each location, then detection accuracy is ensured, but costs and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device performs self-diagnosis for coolant leakage detection automatically without requiring maintenance workers to visit each location. The detection unit within the device autonomously monitors coolant levels and detects leaks, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical inspection process is replaced with an automated electronic detection system. The detection unit uses sensors and control circuits to automatically monitor coolant status, substituting the mechanical approach of workers physically checking each device with an electronic automation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the number of cooling devices increases, then system capacity improves, but detection costs increase proportionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoiddetection costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The management server provides a universal platform that can manage and monitor multiple cooling devices simultaneously through a single system. Instead of requiring separate detection processes for each device, the server coordinates detection across the entire fleet, making the system scalable without proportionally increasing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple individual detection operations are merged into a single coordinated management process. The management server consolidates detection schedules, results, and notifications across all connected cooling devices, allowing the system to handle increased device counts without requiring proportional increases in detection resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If coolant leakage detection driving is performed periodically, then leakage detection reliability improves, but normal operation may be interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidoperation continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic coolant leakage detection at scheduled intervals rather than continuous monitoring or one-time checks. The management server can set up regular detection cycles that balance reliability needs with operational continuity, performing detections at optimal times when interruption impact is minimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection schedule is made dynamic and adjustable based on operational conditions. The system can adapt detection timing and frequency according to device usage patterns, prioritizing detections during periods of lower operational demand while ensuring adequate monitoring coverage maintains reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2857771B1Refrigeration device management system
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2857771B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2857771B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2857771B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The burden which relates to coolant leakage detection driving is reduced. A cooling device management system (100) is connected to a cooling device (10) and is provided with transmission sections (25e, 35), reception sections (25a, 35), coolant leakage detection schedule setting sections (23, 33), schedule executing sections (25b, 35), and display sections (22, 32). The cooling device has a function of carrying out coolant leakage detection driving. The coolant leakage detection driving is driving for detecting leaks of coolant in a coolant circuit to the outside. The transmission section transmits instructions to the cooling device. The reception section receives information from the cooling device. The coolant leakage detection schedule setting section receives inputting of settings for a coolant leakage detection schedule. The coolant leakage detection schedule is a schedule for carrying out the coolant leakage detection driving in the cooling device. The schedule executing section transmits instructions to carry out the coolant leakage detection driving from the transmission section to the cooling device based on the coolant leakage detection schedule which is received using the coolant leakage detection schedule setting section. The display section outputs the results of the coolant leakage detection driving.