Method for operating a rotational-speed-variable refrigerant compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Simple refrigeration systems without an electronic control unit that can communicate with the refrigerant compressor face challenges in optimizing the speed behavior of variable-speed refrigerant compressors, leading to suboptimal energy consumption due to lack of feedback on operating status and cooling requirements.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an additional temperature measurement independent of the cooling volume temperature to adjust predefined parameters in the default speed control, allowing the electronic control device of the refrigerant compressor to adapt the speed behavior based on ambient conditions, thereby optimizing energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If variable-speed refrigerant compressors are used in simple refrigeration systems without electronic control units, then the purchase price is reduced, but the energy optimization and speed control capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurchase priceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant compressor's electronic control device autonomously adjusts its speed based on monitoring current cooling cycle parameters and comparing them with stored reference values, enabling self-optimization without external control units. The system serves itself by internally processing operating status data and automatically modifying speed behavior to achieve energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control device continuously monitors current operating parameters during cooling cycles, compares them with reference values stored in memory, and uses this feedback to adjust the speed behavior. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to actual operating conditions without requiring external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the refrigerant compressor speed behavior is controlled exclusively by programmed default speed control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidadaptability to operating conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic control device dynamically adjusts the speed behavior by storing multiple reference values corresponding to different operating conditions and selecting appropriate references based on monitored current parameters. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to varying cooling requirements, ambient temperatures, and load conditions while maintaining a relatively simple control structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different operating conditions by changing operational parameters - specifically by selecting different reference values from stored data based on the current operating state. This parameter-based adaptation enables the compressor to optimize its speed behavior for various conditions without requiring complex control logic or multiple hardware configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3400410B1Method for operating a rotational-speed-variable refrigerant compressor
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 SECOP GMBH
  • EP3400410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3400410B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3400410B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a rotational-speed-variable refrigerant compressor (2) for cooling a cooling volume (4) of a refrigeration system (1), which refrigeration system does not have its own control unit, wherein the refrigeration system (1) comprises at least one thermostat (3) for directly or indirectly monitoring a temperature state of the cooling volume (4) and wherein the rotational-speed behavior of the refrigerant compressor (2) during a cooling cycle is controlled by means of a specification rotational-speed control stored in an electronic control device (6) of the refrigerant compressor (2), on the basis of at least one predefined parameter, in that the at least one predefined parameter is monitored with respect to exceedance and/or undershooting by a current parameter of a current cooling cycle. The invention further relates to an electronic control device (6) for controlling the cyclical operation of a rotational-speed-variable refrigerant compressor. According to the invention, in order to enable adjustment of the specification rotational-speed control performed by the electronic control device (6) of the refrigerant compressor (2) to the refrigeration system and/or to environmental conditions, a further temperature independent of the temperature of the cooling volume (4) is measured and the at least one predefined parameter is changed in accordance with the further temperature.