Adaptive variable speed control method, adaptive variable speed controller and method for operating the same

Abstract

A variable speed control method, a variable speed controller and a method for operating the same are provided. The variable speed controller is preset with a first preset period of time. The method includes: receiving an on signal from a thermostat; driving a compressor at an initial system operation speed; monitoring a system operation time and monitoring an outdoor load; increasing the system operation speed if the system operation speed is less than a maximum system operation speed and the system operation time is greater than the first preset period of time; detecting a change in the outdoor load in an operation and regulating the system operation speed based on at least the change in the outdoor load; and determining whether an off signal from the thermostat is received, and turning off the compressor if the off signal is received. Therefore, the compressor can operate at variable speed.

1 . A method for operating a variable speed controller, wherein the variable speed controller is preset with a first preset period of time, and the method comprises:
 receiving an on signal from a thermostat;   driving a compressor at an initial system operation speed;   monitoring a system operation time and monitoring an outdoor load;   determining whether the system operation time is greater than the first preset period of time;   increasing the system operation speed if the system operation speed is less than a maximum system operation speed and determined that the system operation time is greater than the first preset period of time;   detecting a change in the outdoor load in an operation and regulating the system operation speed based on at least the change in the outdoor load; and   determining whether an off signal from the thermostat is received, and stopping the driving the compressor if the off signal is received.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the variable speed controller is further preset with a first preset condition and a second preset condition, and the regulating the system operation speed based on at least the change in the outdoor load comprises:
 determining whether the change in the outdoor load meets the first preset condition, and increasing the system operation speed if determined that the change meets the first preset condition; and   determining whether the change in the outdoor load meets the second preset condition, and decreasing the system operation speed if determined that the change meets the second preset condition, wherein the first preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is greater than a first preset value and the second preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is less than a second preset value when a temperature regulating system in which the variable speed controller is located operates in a cooling mode; and the first preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is less than a third preset value and the second preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is greater than a fourth preset value when the temperature regulating system in which the variable speed controller is located operates in a heating mode.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving another on signal from the thermostat;   driving the compressor at the initial system operation speed;   if there is a change in the system operation speed in a previous operation:
 determining whether a change in the outdoor load over an interval meets the first preset condition, determining the initial system operation speed in a present operation greater than a final system operation speed in the previous operation if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets the first preset condition, wherein the final system operation speed in the previous operation is smaller than the maximum system operation speed; 
 determining whether the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets the second preset condition, determining the initial system operation speed in the present operation less than the final system operation speed in the previous operation if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets the second preset condition, wherein the final system operation speed in the previous operation is greater than a minimum non-zero system operation speed; and 
 determining the final system operation speed in the previous operation as the initial system operation speed in the present operation, if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets neither the first preset condition nor the second preset condition. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the variable speed controller is further preset with a second preset period of time, and the first preset period of time is greater than the second preset period of time, and method comprises:
 receiving another on signal from the thermostat;   driving the compressor at the initial system operation speed;   if there is no change in the system operation speed in a previous operation:
 determining whether the system operation time of the previous operation is less than the second preset period of time; 
 determining the initial system operation speed in the present operation less than a final system operation speed in the previous operation if determined that the system operation time of the previous operation is less than the second preset period of time, wherein the final system operation speed in the previous operation is greater than a minimum non-zero system operation speed; and 
 determining the final system operation speed in the previous operation as the initial system operation speed in the present operation, if determined that the system operation time of the previous operation is not less than the second preset period of time. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the outdoor load is an outdoor ambient temperature, the first preset value is +n, the second preset value is −n, the third preset value is −m and the fourth preset value is +m, m and n are both positive numbers, and wherein the change in the outdoor load is detected by:
 recording an initial outdoor ambient temperature Toutstart at an instant when the variable speed controller is shut down or the system operation speed is changed; 
 measuring the outdoor ambient temperature Tout when the variable speed controller operates; and 
 determining the change in the outdoor load from dT=(Tout−Toutstart). 
 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the variable speed controller is preset with the initial system operation speed or a table showing the initial system operation speed, and the table is preset with a correspondence among a mode, a range of the outdoor load and the initial system operation speed; and   a system operation speed when the variable speed controller is powered on is determined as the initial system operation speed, or a system operation speed corresponding to a range of a current outdoor load in the corresponding mode is determined as the initial system operation speed.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the variable speed controller is preset with a third preset period of time and a table showing a variable speed, the table comprises M ranges of the outdoor load, the variable speed controller is provided with X gears for each of the M ranges, N system operation times are provided for each of the X gears, an average system operation time or a median system operation time or a weighted average system operation time calculated by the variable speed controller based on the N system operation times, M, X and N are positive integers and X is greater than or equal to 2, wherein the initial system operation speed is determined by:
 determining a range of the outdoor load from the M ranges;   comparing the third preset period of time with the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times within the determined range; and   determining a system operation speed corresponding to one of the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times that is closest to the third preset period of time as the initial system operation speed.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining whether the system operation time exceeds a median or average or weighted average of the N system operation times corresponding to the current gear in the determined range, if the system operation speed remains unchanged in the same operation;   replacing a minimum among the N system operation times with the system operation time, if determined that the system operation time exceeds the median or average or the weighted average; and   replacing a maximum among the N system operation times with the system operation time, if determined that the system operation time does not exceed the median or average or weighted average, wherein the third preset period of time is preset or is acquired by subtracting a preset difference from the first preset period of time, and the first preset period of time or the preset difference depends on energy efficiency and dehumidification.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the outdoor load changes into another range in the same operation, and the regulating the system operation speed comprises:
 comparing the third preset period of time with the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times within the range; and   determining a system operation speed corresponding to one of the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times that is closest to the third preset period of time as a latest system operation speed.   
     
     
         10 . A variable speed controller, applied to a temperature regulating system, wherein the temperature regulating system comprises at least a thermostat, an outdoor load detection unit and a compressor, the variable speed controller comprises an input unit, an inverter unit and a main control unit, an output end of the input unit is electrically connected to the inverter unit, the main control unit comprises at least an on-off signal interface, an outdoor load interface, a processor and a memory;
 the on-off signal interface is configured to be electrically connected to the thermostat, to receive an on or off signal sent by the thermostat;   the outdoor load interface is configured to be electrically connected to the outdoor load detection unit;   the memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions, the computer-readable instructions comprise a first preset period of time; and   the processor is configured to invoke the computer-readable instructions to instruct the variable speed controller to:   receive an on signal from the thermostat;   drive the compressor at an initial system operation speed;   monitor a system operation time and an outdoor load;   increase the system operation speed if the system operation speed is less than a maximum system operation speed and the system operation time is greater than the first preset period of time;   detect a change in the outdoor load in an operation and regulate the system operation speed based on at least the change in the outdoor load; and   determine whether an off signal from the thermostat is received, and stop driving the compressor if the off signal is received.   
     
     
         11 . The variable speed controller according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the computer-readable instructions comprise a first preset condition and a second preset condition, and the processor is configured to invoke the computer-readable instructions to instruct the variable speed controller to regulate the system operation speed based on at least the change in the outdoor load by:
 determining whether the change in the outdoor load meets the first preset condition, and increasing the system operation speed if determined that the change meets the first preset condition; and 
 determining whether the change in the outdoor load meets the second preset condition, and decreasing the system operation speed if determined that the change meets the second preset condition, wherein the first preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is greater than a first preset value and the second preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is less than a second preset value when the temperature regulating system operates in a cooling mode; and the first preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is less than a third preset value and the second preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is greater than a fourth preset value when the temperature regulating system operates in a heating mode; and 
   the processor is further configured to invoke the computer-readable instructions to instruct the variable speed controller to:   receive another on signal from the thermostat;   drive the compressor at the initial system operation speed;   if there is a change in the system operation speed in a previous operation:
 determine whether a change in the outdoor load over an interval meets the first preset condition, determine the initial system operation speed in a present operation greater than a final system operation speed in the previous operation if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets the first preset condition, wherein the final system operation speed in the previous operation is smaller than the maximum system operation speed; 
 determine whether the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets the second preset condition, determine the initial system operation speed in the present operation less than the final system operation speed in the previous operation if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets the second preset condition, wherein the final system operation speed in the previous operation is greater than a minimum non-zero system operation speed; and 
 determine the final system operation speed in the previous operation as the initial system operation speed in the present operation, if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets neither the first preset condition nor the second preset condition. 
   
     
     
         12 . The variable speed controller according to  claim 11 , wherein the outdoor load is an outdoor ambient temperature, the first preset value is +n, the second preset value is −n, the third preset value is −m and the fourth preset value is +m, m and n are both positive numbers, and wherein the processor is further configured to invoke the computer-readable instructions to instruct the variable speed controller to:
 record an initial outdoor ambient temperature Toutstart at an instant when the variable speed controller is shut down or the system operation speed is changed; 
 measuring the outdoor ambient temperature Tout when the variable speed controller operates; and 
 determining the change in the outdoor load from dT=(Tout−Toutstart). 
 
     
     
         13 . The variable speed controller according to  claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions comprise the initial system operation speed or a table showing the initial system operation speed, and the table is preset with a correspondence among a mode, a range of the outdoor load and the initial system operation speed; and
 the processor is further configured to invoke the computer-readable instructions to instruct the variable speed controller to:
 determine a system operation speed when the variable speed controller is powered on as the initial system operation speed; or 
 determine a system operation speed corresponding to a range of a current outdoor load in the corresponding mode as the initial system operation speed. 
   
     
     
         14 . The variable speed controller according to  claim 10 , wherein the computer-readable instructions comprise a table showing a variable speed and a third preset period of time, the table comprises M ranges of the outdoor load, the variable speed controller is provided with X gears for each of the M ranges, N system operation times are provided for each of the X gears, M, X and N are positive integers and X is greater than or equal to 2, wherein the processor is further configured to invoke the computer-readable instructions to instruct the variable speed controller to:
 calculate a median or average or weighted average system operation time based on the N system operation times;   determine a range of the outdoor load from the M ranges;   compare the third preset period of time with the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times within the determined range; and   determine a system operation speed corresponding to one of the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times that is closest to the third preset period of time as the initial system operation speed.   
     
     
         15 . The variable speed controller according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a jumper or dip switch, whose position corresponds to one of the M maximum system operation times and wherein the processor is further configured to invoke the computer-readable instructions to instruct the variable speed controller to:   determine whether system operation speed is changed in the same operation;   determine whether the system operation time exceeds a median or average of the N system operation times corresponding to the current gear in the determined range, if determined that the system operation speed remains unchanged in the same operation; replace a minimum among the N system operation times with the system operation time, if determined that the system operation time exceeds the median or average; and replace a maximum among the N system operation times with the system operation time, if determined that the system operation time does not exceed the median or average;   determine whether the outdoor load changes into another range in the same operation; and compare the third preset period of time with the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times within the range and determine a system operation speed corresponding to one of the X average operations that is closest to the third preset period of time as a latest system operation speed, if determined that the outdoor load has changed into another range; wherein the third preset period of time is preset or is acquired by subtracting a preset difference from the first preset period of time, the first preset period of time or the preset difference depends on a state of the jumper or dip switch, and the state of the jumper or dip switch indicates at least one of energy efficiency and dehumidification.   
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling a temperature regulating system, wherein the temperature regulating system comprises at least a thermostat, a variable speed controller, an outdoor load detection unit and a compressor; the thermostat is electrically connected to the variable speed controller and is configured to send an on or off signal to the variable speed controller; the variable speed controller is electrically connected to the compressor for applying a system operation speed to the compressor; the outdoor load detection unit is electrically connected to the variable speed controller for sending an outdoor load status to the variable speed controller; and the method comprises:
 sending an on signal to the variable speed controller, by the thermostat;   receiving the on signal and driving the compressor at an initial system operation speed, by the thermostat;   monitoring a system operation time and an outdoor load, by the variable speed controller;   increasing the system operation speed applied to the compressor by the variable speed controller, if the system operation speed is less than a maximum system operation speed and the system operation time is greater than the first preset period of time;   detecting a change in the outdoor load in an operation and regulating the system operation speed based on at least the change in the outdoor load;   determining whether an indoor temperature reaches a set temperature by the thermostat and sending an off signal to the variable speed controller by the thermostat if determined that the indoor temperature has reached the set temperature; and   stopping applying the system operation speed to the compressor by the variable speed controller in receipt of the off signal.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the variable speed controller is further preset with a first preset condition and a second preset condition; the system operation speed applied to the compressor is increased by the variable speed controller if determined that the change in the outdoor meets the first preset condition, and is decreased by the variable speed controller if determined that the change in the outdoor meets the second preset condition; the temperature regulating system is provided with a cooling mode and a heating mode; in the cooling mode, the first preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is greater than a first preset value and the second preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is less than a second preset value; in the heating mode, the first preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is less than a third preset value and the second preset condition is that the change in the outdoor load is greater than a fourth preset value, and the method further comprises:
 sending another on signal to the variable speed controller by the thermostat;   receiving the on signal and driving the compressor at the initial system operation speed, by the variable speed controller;   detecting whether there is a change in the system operation speed in a previous operation by the variable speed controller, and if the change in the system operation speed is detected in the previous operation,
 determining whether a change in the outdoor load over an interval meets the first preset condition or the second preset condition, 
 determining whether a final system operation speed in the previous operation is smaller than the maximum system operation speed if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets the first preset condition; and determining the initial system operation speed in the present operation greater than the final system operation speed in the previous operation if determined that the final system operation speed in the previous operation is smaller than the maximum system operation speed; 
 determining whether a final system operation speed in the previous operation is greater than a minimum non-zero system operation speed if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets the second preset condition; and determining the initial system operation speed in the present operation less than the final system operation speed in the previous operation if determined that the final system operation speed in the previous operation is greater than the maximum system operation speed; and 
 determining the final system operation speed in the previous operation as the initial system operation speed in the present operation, if determined that the change in the outdoor load over the interval meets neither the first preset condition nor the second preset condition. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 sending another on signal to the variable speed controller by the thermostat;   receiving the on signal and driving the compressor at the initial system operation speed, by the variable speed controller;   determining whether the system operation speed has changed in the previous operation by the variable speed controller,
 determining whether the system operation time of the previous operation is less than a second preset period of time if determined that system operation speed remains unchanged in the previous operation; 
 determining the initial system operation speed in the present operation less than the final system operation speed in the previous operation if determined that the system operation time of the previous operation is less than the second preset period of time, wherein the final system operation speed in the previous operation is greater than the minimum non-zero system operation speed; and 
 determining the final system operation speed in the previous operation as the initial system operation speed in the present operation if determined that the system operation time of the previous operation is not less than the second preset period of time, wherein the first preset period of time is greater than the second preset period of time. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein
 the variable speed controller is preset with the initial system operation speed or a table showing the initial system operation speed, and the table is preset with a correspondence among a mode, a range of the outdoor load and the initial system operation speed;   a system operation speed when the variable speed controller is powered on is determined as the initial system operation speed, or a system operation speed corresponding to a range of a current outdoor load in the corresponding mode is determined as the initial system operation speed;   the variable speed controller is preset with a third preset period of time and a table showing a variable speed, the table comprises M ranges of the outdoor load, the variable speed controller is provided with X gears for each of the M ranges, N system operation times are provided for each of the X gears, a weighted average or median or average system operation time is calculated by the variable speed controller based on the N system operation times, M, X and N are positive integers and X is greater than or equal to 2, wherein the initial system operation speed is determined by:
 determining a range of the outdoor load from the M ranges; 
 comparing the third preset period of time with the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times within the determined range; 
 determining a system operation speed corresponding to one of the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times that is closest to the third preset period of time as the initial system operation speed; and 
   the regulating the system operation speed comprises: comparing the third preset period of time with the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times within the range and determining a system operation speed corresponding to one of the X average system operation times or median system operation times or weighted average system operation times that is closest to the third preset period of time as a latest system operation speed, if the outdoor load changes into another range.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the on or off signal is a digital signal, and the detecting the change in the outdoor load comprises:
 measuring an outdoor ambient temperature, an outdoor coil temperature, or an outdoor refrigerant pipe pressure of the temperature regulating system.