System and method for switching a multiple-zone heat pump refrigerant system between cooling and heating modes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current multiple-zone heat pump refrigerant systems are limited to a single operational mode for the outdoor unit, forcing the entire system to remain in either heating or cooling mode until all indoor units change their mode, which can lead to inefficiencies and mismatched homeowner preferences during shoulder seasons.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that determines the operational mode of an outdoor air-conditioning unit by prioritizing indoor units, calculating standby and active durations, and using a master decision unit to systematically control the outdoor unit's mode based on temperature set points and request values, allowing for more flexible switching between heating and cooling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the outdoor heat pump unit maintains a single operational mode until all indoor units change mode, then system stability is maintained, but system efficiency and homeowner preference matching deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decision-making process into multiple components: individual indoor unit requests, priority-based weighting, standby duration tracking, and master decision unit aggregation. This segmentation allows the system to respond to individual zone needs rather than requiring unanimous agreement, improving efficiency while maintaining controlled stability through the structured decision process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements including time-based standby duration tracking, priority-weighted request evaluation, and adaptive mode switching. The outdoor unit's operational mode becomes dynamic rather than static, allowing it to transition based on accumulated standby durations and priority calculations, thereby improving responsiveness to changing conditions while maintaining system stability through controlled transition criteria.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outdoor heat pump unit switches mode when only one indoor unit requests a different mode, then responsiveness to individual zones improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master decision unit as an intermediary between individual indoor units and the outdoor heat pump unit. This intermediary aggregates requests, applies priority weighting, tracks standby durations, and makes centralized mode switching decisions. This intermediary structure enables responsive individual zone control while managing complexity through a single decision-making point rather than distributed complex logic in each unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters including introducing priority weights for different indoor units, standby duration thresholds, and minimum active duration requirements. These parameter changes enable the system to balance responsiveness to individual zones with overall system efficiency, allowing mode switching based on quantifiable criteria rather than simple one-unit-trigger mechanisms, thereby managing complexity through defined parameters.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the outdoor heat pump unit remains in cooling mode until all indoor units request cooling, then unanimous agreement is required for mode switching, but this causes excessive waiting time for zones needing heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having indoor units enter a standby state and accumulate standby duration before triggering a mode switch. Rather than requiring unanimous agreement, units that need mode change can prepare in advance, and the system triggers switching when their standby duration exceeds a threshold. This preliminary action mechanism reduces waiting time while maintaining controlled stability through the duration threshold criterion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the master decision unit continuously monitors standby durations, request patterns, and operational modes of all indoor units. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when sufficient standby duration has accumulated and when a mode switch is appropriate, reducing unnecessary waiting time while maintaining stability through data-driven decision-making rather than arbitrary thresholds.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of controlling an operational mode of an outdoor unit connected to a plurality of indoor units, the method including: determining an operational mode of an outdoor unit; determining, at a master decision unit, a target outdoor mode for the outdoor air-conditioning unit based on the priority, the current area mode, the current area temperature, and the set point for each of the indoor units, the maximum actual standby duration and the maximum allowable standby duration of each of the indoor units, and the minimum active duration and the current active duration for the outdoor unit; and systematically controlling the operational mode to become the target outdoor mode when the target outdoor mode is different from the operational mode.