Spraying device and method of controlling the same for improving thermal efficiency of air conditioner
Solution Overview
Problem
The cooling efficiency of outdoor air conditioning devices is reduced due to insufficient heat exchange capacity, leading to increased carbon dioxide production and accelerated global warming.
Innovation Solution
A spraying device is integrated with the outdoor air conditioning device to spray water onto the heat exchanger, utilizing the heat of vaporization to enhance cooling efficiency. The device includes a water tank, sensors to monitor water levels, and a processor to control the spraying based on water levels and supply current values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is sprayed continuously onto the outdoor device, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but water waste increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spraying device operates periodically rather than continuously, spraying water onto the outdoor heat exchanger only when heat exchange efficiency drops below a threshold. The controller monitors temperature differences and activates the spray intermittently to maintain efficiency while minimizing water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the heat exchanger temperature and feed this information back to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller determines when spraying is necessary and adjusts the spray duration and intensity to optimize both heat exchange efficiency and water usage.
2Reliability
If water is sprayed continuously onto the outdoor device, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spraying device is designed to be self-regulating, using the outdoor device's own operational parameters (temperature, current) to trigger spraying automatically. The system monitors its own performance and activates cooling spray only when needed, eliminating the need for complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in operational parameters such as supply current and temperature differential. When these parameters indicate degraded heat exchange performance, the controller changes the state from non-spraying to spraying, dynamically adjusting system behavior based on real-time parameter changes.
3Loss of substance
If spraying is activated based on water level detection, then water waste is reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-filling the water tank and monitoring water levels in advance before spraying is needed. Water level sensors detect the current level and trigger refilling or drainage operations beforehand, ensuring water is available when needed without requiring extremely precise real-time measurement during spraying.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a water tank with capacity greater than the minimum required, allowing the spray to operate for extended periods without refilling. This excessive capacity approach reduces the frequency of refilling operations and relaxes the precision requirements for water level detection, as the system can tolerate larger measurement variations.
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 spraying device improves the thermal efficiency of air conditioning systems by enhancing heat exchange, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
spraying device integrated with the outdoor air conditioning device to spray water onto the heat exchanger, utilizing the heat of vaporization to enhance cooling efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A spraying device, for spraying water onto an outdoor device of an air conditioner, including a water tank to store water, a first water level sensor to detect the water at a first water level, a second water level sensor to detect the water at a second water level, a nozzle to spray the water onto the outdoor device, and at least one processor configured to perform control to: with the stored water not being sprayed: start spraying the water onto the outdoor device, based on the water being detected at the first water level by the first water level sensor and the water being detected at the second water level by the second water level sensor, and with the stored water being sprayed: stop spraying the water onto the outdoor device, based on the water not being detected at the second water level by the second water level sensor.