Single-package air conditioner and methods of operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-package air conditioner units face challenges in efficiently adjusting their operating cycles based on occupancy and power costs, leading to inefficient and costly operation, especially in multi-occupancy buildings, as existing control systems lack variability and often require separate external thermostats that are not compatible with various unit models.
Innovation Solution
A single-package air conditioner unit with a controller that receives demand response signals and determines occupancy to initiate a responsive conditioning cycle, adjusting compressor speed and dehumidification routines based on occupancy and power conditions, thereby optimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single-package air conditioner unit operates continuously to maintain temperature, then the indoor environment remains comfortable, but energy consumption increases during high power cost periods or unoccupied periods
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives occupancy signals from sensors (motion detectors, door contacts, or user input devices) and automatically adjusts the air conditioner's operation accordingly. When occupancy is detected, the system operates to maintain comfortable temperature; when unoccupied, it reduces operation, creating a feedback loop that adapts operation to actual needs and eliminates wasteful energy consumption during unoccupied periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes its operating state based on real-time occupancy conditions. The controller transitions between different operational modes (full operation, reduced operation, or standby) depending on whether occupancy is detected, allowing the air conditioner to adapt its behavior rather than operating statically, thus reducing energy consumption during unoccupied periods while maintaining comfort when needed
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air conditioner units are installed in a building, then each room can be individually controlled, but manual adjustment of each unit becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Each air conditioner unit is equipped with its own controller that automatically detects occupancy and adjusts operation without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using onboard sensors and controllers to make operational decisions, eliminating the need for building owners or occupants to manually adjust multiple units while still providing individualized temperature control for each room
3Ease of operation
If external thermostats are used to control air conditioner units, then remote temperature control is possible, but compatibility with various unit models is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is merged with the air conditioner unit itself, with the controller being an integral part of each unit rather than a separate external device. This integration ensures full compatibility across different unit models while maintaining remote control capabilities through user input devices that communicate with the unit's built-in controller, eliminating compatibility issues associated with external thermostats
4Use of energy by moving object
If air conditioner operation is reduced during unoccupied periods, then energy consumption decreases, but temperature control may be insufficient when occupancy occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains the air conditioner in a ready state with periodic monitoring even during unoccupied periods, and can quickly transition to full operation when occupancy is detected. This preliminary preparation ensures that when occupants arrive, the system can immediately begin providing temperature control, balancing energy savings during unoccupied periods with reliable comfort provision when needed
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
The solution enables more efficient and cost-effective operation by tailoring the air conditioner's output to real-time needs, reducing energy consumption during high power demands or when rooms are unoccupied, thereby benefiting building owners.
Implementation Method 1
The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The outdoor heat exchanger may be disposed in the outdoor portion and include an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger may be disposed in the indoor portion and include an indoor heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A single-package air conditioner unit, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, and a controller. The cabinet may define an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The outdoor heat exchanger may be disposed in the outdoor portion. The indoor heat exchanger may be disposed in the indoor portion. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant therebetween. The controller may be in operative communication with the compressor. The controller may be configured to initiate a conditioning operation. The conditioning operation may include receiving a demand response signal corresponding to electric power access, determining occupancy of an indoor environment, and initiating a responsive conditioning cycle in response to receiving the demand response signal, the responsive conditioning cycle being based on the determined occupancy.