Swash-Plate Compressor Control for Stable Evaporator Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling swash-plate type variable capacity compressors in air conditioners for vehicles face instability in evaporator temperature and system response due to fixed gain settings in proportional-integral control, leading to fluctuations and prolonged stabilization times.

Innovation Solution

The method involves variably setting control coefficients, such as proportional gain and integral gain, based on the temperature deviation between target and actual evaporator temperatures, with larger gains for significant deviations to quickly reach the target temperature and smaller gains for small deviations to ensure stable control without fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed gain values are used in proportional-integral control, then the control system is simple to implement, but the temperature convergence speed is slow and system stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system implementation simplicityVSAvoidtemperature control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed gain values to dynamically adjustable gain values in the proportional-integral control system. The gain values are adjusted in real-time based on the temperature deviation between the target and actual evaporator temperatures, allowing the system to adapt its control strength according to the current operational state. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining implementation simplicity while significantly improving temperature control stability and convergence speed through adaptive gain scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the control coefficients (proportional gain and integral gain) based on the temperature deviation magnitude. When the temperature deviation is large, larger gain values are applied to accelerate temperature convergence. When the deviation is small, smaller gain values are used to prevent overshoot and ensure stable settling. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between simple fixed-gain implementation and reliable temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If large gain values are used in proportional-integral control, then the response time is shortened, but system stability deteriorates due to excessive overshoot and undershoot

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature response timeVSAvoidtemperature control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the gain values dynamic rather than fixed. The control system continuously monitors the temperature deviation and adjusts the proportional and integral gain values accordingly. When the temperature deviation is large, larger gain values are applied to reduce response time and accelerate convergence. When the deviation becomes small, the gain values are reduced to prevent excessive overshoot and undershoot, thereby maintaining system stability. This dynamic adjustment strategy allows the system to achieve both fast response and stable temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the control coefficients based on the magnitude of temperature deviation. The proportional gain and integral gain are adjusted as functions of the temperature error, allowing the system to optimize its response characteristics for different operational phases. This resolves the contradiction between fast response (requiring large gains) and stability (requiring small gains) by adapting the parameter values to the current system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If small gain values are used in proportional-integral control, then temperature convergence is enhanced without overshoot, but the stabilization time becomes longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control stabilityVSAvoidstabilization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing dynamic gain adjustment based on temperature deviation. During the early stage when the temperature deviation is large, larger gain values are applied to accelerate the convergence process and reduce stabilization time. As the temperature approaches the target value and the deviation becomes small, the gain values are automatically reduced to ensure smooth settling without oscillations or overshoot. This time-varying gain strategy achieves both fast stabilization and stable temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by making the proportional and integral gain values dependent on the temperature error magnitude. This allows the control system to use aggressive control parameters when far from the target (reducing stabilization time) and conservative parameters when close to the target (ensuring stability without overshoot). The dynamic parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between fast convergence and stable settling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7594410B2Method of controlling air conditioner for vehicles
Publication Date: 2009.09.29 HANON SYST CO LTD
  • US7594410B2 patent drawing
  • US7594410B2 patent drawing
  • US7594410B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A vehicle air conditioner is controlled to a target control value that controls a swash-plate control value of a swash-plate variable capacity compressor. The variable control is based on temperature deviation between target evaporator temperature and actual evaporator temperature, to control compressor discharge capacity. A target evaporator temperature is set. Deviation between the target evaporator temperature and actual evaporator temperature is calculated. Control coefficients are variably set according to the magnitude of the temperature deviation. A target control value of a pressure control valve of the swash-plate variable capacity compressor is calculated using the control coefficients. The pressure control valve is controlled by the target control value.