Vrv operational status control method, system and heat pump vrv

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-split air conditioner control methods lack flexibility and user-centricity, often leading to user complaints in public places like office buildings due to mode conflicts and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine the target operation mode for each indoor unit based on user settings, perform statistics on heat exchange demands to identify a dominant mode, and adjust the outdoor unit's operation mode accordingly, with conflict resolution rules to ensure consistent operation or low-energy modes when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the operation mode of the outdoor unit is determined by a main indoor unit mode, then the control method is simple, but it lacks freedom and democracy and causes user complaints in public places

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol method complexityVSAvoiduser freedom and democracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system collects operation mode selections from all indoor units, performs statistics on heat exchange demands, and uses this feedback to determine the dominant operation mode for the outdoor unit. This feedback mechanism ensures that the control decision reflects actual user demands from multiple sources rather than relying on a single main indoor unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter used for determining outdoor unit operation mode from a simple main indoor unit mode selection to a statistically determined dominant mode based on heat exchange demands. This parameter change enables the system to consider inputs from all indoor units while maintaining a clear decision-making process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a preset preferential operation mode is used, then abnormal operation due to mode conflict is avoided, but it does not reflect the actual use demands of all users and still causes complaints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation stabilityVSAvoidresponse to actual user demands
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a fixed preset preferential mode, the system implements dynamic feedback by collecting operation mode selections from all indoor units, performing statistics on heat exchange demands, and determining the dominant mode accordingly. This ensures the outdoor unit operation mode adapts to actual user demands while maintaining operational stability through systematic conflict resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static preset preferential mode to a dynamic determination process where the outdoor unit operation mode changes based on real-time inputs from indoor units. The dominant operation mode is determined dynamically through statistical analysis of heat exchange demands, allowing the system to adapt to varying user needs while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the outdoor unit operates in a mode that conflicts with some indoor units, then the system can satisfy majority demands, but the conflicting indoor units cannot operate normally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidindoor unit operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary conflict resolution rule that mediates between the outdoor unit's dominant operation mode and individual indoor unit demands. When a conflict is detected, the intermediary mechanism determines the final operation state of the indoor unit based on the conflict resolution rule, ensuring that the system can satisfy majority demands while providing a structured approach to handle conflicting indoor units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If statistics on heat exchange demands are performed to determine dominant mode, then user preferences are quantitatively considered, but the control process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser preference considerationVSAvoidcontrol process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the approach from simple mode counting to statistical analysis of heat exchange demands. By using heat exchange demand as the parameter for determining the dominant operation mode, the system quantitatively considers user preferences in a more meaningful way that reflects actual thermal needs rather than just the number of indoor units selecting each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3640555B1Vrv operational status control method, system and heat pump vrv
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WUHAN
  • EP3640555B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling operation state of multi-split air conditioner and system, and a heat pump multi-split. The control method includes: determining a target operation mode of each indoor unit according to an operation mode set by a user for the indoor unit; performing statistics on heat exchange demands of the indoor units corresponding to different target operation modes, and determining a dominant operation mode among the target operation modes according to the heat exchange demands; and using the dominant operation mode as the operation mode of an outdoor unit. In this control method, when the operation mode of the outdoor unit is determined, the desired operation modes of users are quantitatively and comprehensively considered, so that the operation mode of the outdoor unit conforms to the actual indoor heat exchange demands of most users, in this way, the multi-split system is closer to the actual use demands of the most users, thereby improving the user experience, and being able to reduce user complaints when used in public places such as office buildings.