A multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit and control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit, wherein the liquid inlet of a liquid reservoir is connected to the liquid outlet of an outdoor heat exchange device, the liquid outlet of the liquid reservoir is connected to the liquid inlet of a power pump, the return air port of the outdoor heat exchange device is connected to the return air pipe, and also comprises a first solenoid valve, a liquid replenishing compressor, a second solenoid valve, a pump system outlet pipe and a pump system electronic expansion valve, the liquid reservoir is provided with a liquid level sensor for detecting the internal liquid level thereof, the first solenoid valve is located on the return air pipe, the liquid replenishing compressor suction port is connected to an end of the first solenoid valve away from the outdoor heat exchange device, the liquid replenishing compressor exhaust port is connected to an end of the first solenoid valve close to the outdoor heat exchange device, the liquid outlet of the power pump is connected to the pump system outlet pipe through the second solenoid valve, the liquid outlet of the liquid reservoir is connected to the pump system outlet pipe through the pump system electronic expansion valve, and the controller is electrically connected to the solenoid valve, the compressor, the sensor, the power pump and the electronic expansion valve respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner, and in particular to an outdoor unit of the multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Existing multi-split power heat pipe air conditioners need to use a power pump to increase the pressure of the refrigerant during operation. However, when the power pump is started, if the liquid refrigerant supply is insufficient, the pressure difference before and after the pump cannot be established. At this time, the system will not be able to supplement the liquid refrigerant to the power pump through other measures, which will result in the terminal being unable to provide cooling capacity. Long-term operation with insufficient liquid supply may even cause pump cavitation and damage. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit and a control method to solve the problem of insufficient fluid supply of a power pump.

[0004] To this end, a multi-connected power heat pipe air-conditioning outdoor unit is provided, including an outdoor heat exchange device, a return air pipe, a power pump, a controller and a liquid reservoir, the liquid inlet of the liquid reservoir is connected to the liquid outlet of the outdoor heat exchange device, the liquid outlet of the liquid reservoir is connected to the liquid inlet of the power pump, the return air port of the outdoor heat exchange device is connected to the return air pipe, and also includes a first solenoid valve, a liquid replenishment compressor, a second solenoid valve, a pump system outlet pipe and a pump system electronic expansion valve, the liquid reservoir is provided with a liquid level sensor for detecting the internal liquid level thereof, the first solenoid valve is located on the return air pipe, the liquid replenishment compressor suction port is connected to an end of the first solenoid valve away from the outdoor heat exchange device, the liquid replenishment compressor exhaust port is connected to an end of the first solenoid valve close to the outdoor heat exchange device, the liquid outlet of the power pump is connected to the pump system outlet pipe through the second solenoid valve, the liquid outlet of the liquid reservoir is connected to the pump system outlet pipe through the pump system electronic expansion valve, and the controller is electrically connected to the first solenoid valve, the liquid replenishment compressor, the second solenoid valve, the liquid level sensor, the power pump and the pump system electronic expansion valve respectively.

[0005] Furthermore, there are multiple power pumps, and the liquid outlet of the liquid reservoir is respectively connected to the liquid inlet of each power pump, and the liquid outlet of each power pump is connected to the outlet pipe of the pump system via the second solenoid valve.

[0006] Furthermore, the power pump outlet is connected in series with a one-way valve with a conducting direction away from the power pump, the reservoir inlet is connected in series with a one-way valve with a conducting direction toward the reservoir, and the replenishment compressor outlet is connected in series with a one-way valve with a conducting direction away from the replenishment compressor.

[0007] Furthermore, it also includes a reserved air return pipe, a first reserved ball valve, a second reserved ball valve, and a reserved liquid return pipe. The reserved air return pipe is connected to the air return pipe via the second reserved ball valve, and the reserved liquid return pipe is connected to the liquid inlet of the liquid reservoir via the first reserved ball valve.

[0008] Furthermore, the outdoor heat exchange device includes a heat exchange compressor, a compressor condenser, a heat exchange electronic expansion valve, a heat exchanger, a third solenoid valve, a fourth solenoid valve, a natural cooling condenser and a temperature sensor for detecting the outdoor temperature. The return air pipe is connected to the third solenoid valve, and the interface between the third solenoid valve and the return air pipe serves as the return air port of the outdoor heat exchange device. The return air port of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the inlet of the heat cycle end of the heat exchanger via the third solenoid valve and the natural cooling condenser in sequence. The return air port is also connected to the inlet of the heat cycle end of the heat exchanger via the fourth solenoid valve in sequence. The outlet of the heat cycle end of the heat exchanger serves as the liquid outlet of the outdoor heat exchange device. The exhaust port of the heat exchange compressor is connected back to the intake port of the heat exchange compressor via the compressor condenser, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve and the cold cycle end of the heat exchanger in sequence. The controller is electrically connected to the heat exchange compressor, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve, the third solenoid valve, the fourth solenoid valve and the temperature sensor, respectively.

[0009] The control method of the outdoor unit of the multi-split power heat pipe air conditioner is to close the liquid replenishment compressor and the electronic expansion valve of the pump system under normal circumstances, open the power pump and the second solenoid valve, and when the liquid level sensor detects that the liquid level in the liquid reservoir is lower than the first preset value, close the first solenoid valve, the power pump and the second solenoid valve, and open the liquid replenishment compressor and the electronic expansion valve of the pump system.

[0010] Furthermore, when the liquid level sensor detects that the liquid level in the liquid reservoir is higher than a second preset value, the liquid replenishment compressor and the electronic expansion valve of the pump system are closed, and the first solenoid valve, the power pump and the second solenoid valve are opened.

[0011] Furthermore, under normal circumstances, the liquid replenishment compressor and the electronic expansion valve of the pump system are closed, and the power pump and the second solenoid valve are opened. When the liquid level sensor detects that the liquid level in the reservoir is lower than the first preset value, the first solenoid valve, the power pump and the second solenoid valve are closed, and the liquid replenishment compressor and the electronic expansion valve of the pump system are opened. When the temperature sensor detects that the outdoor temperature is lower than the first preset temperature, the heat exchange compressor, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve and the fourth solenoid valve are closed, and the third solenoid valve is opened.

[0012] Further, when the temperature sensor detects that the outdoor temperature is higher than a second preset temperature, the third solenoid valve is closed, and the heat exchange compressor, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve and the fourth solenoid valve are opened, and the second preset temperature is greater than the first preset temperature.

[0013] Further, when the temperature sensor detects that the outdoor temperature is lower than the second preset temperature and higher than the first preset temperature, the heat exchange compressor, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve and the third solenoid valve are opened, and the fourth solenoid valve is closed.

[0014] Beneficial effects:

[0015] When the liquid level in the liquid reservoir is detected to be low, the air conditioner can convert the gaseous refrigerant into liquid refrigerant to replenish the liquid reservoir, preventing the terminal from being unable to provide cooling due to insufficient liquid refrigerant supply, and avoiding pump cavitation and damage due to long-term insufficient liquid supply. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention. Moreover, the same reference symbols are used throughout the accompanying drawings to represent the same components. In the accompanying drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 It is a functional structure diagram of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a plurality of air-conditioning outdoor units connected in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0020] See Figure 1 The air conditioner outdoor unit of the present invention includes an outdoor heat exchange device, which includes a heat exchange compressor 5, a compressor condenser 32, a heat exchange electronic expansion valve 3, a heat exchanger 4, a third solenoid valve 6, a fourth solenoid valve 7, a natural cooling condenser 31, a return air pipe 21 and a liquid outlet pipe 22, wherein one end of the return air pipe 21 is connected to the return air port of the outdoor heat exchange device, and the other end is connected to the collective air outlet pipe of the air conditioner indoor unit, so as to obtain the uncooled refrigerant of the indoor unit. After the refrigerant enters the outdoor unit, it is divided into two paths, one of which is connected to the heat cycle end inlet of the heat exchanger 4 through the third solenoid valve 6 and the natural cooling condenser 31 in sequence, and the other is connected to the heat cycle end inlet of the heat exchanger 4 through the fourth solenoid valve 7. The heat cycle end outlet of the heat exchanger 4 is connected to the liquid outlet, and the liquid outlet pipe is connected to the liquid outlet, so that the cooled liquid refrigerant is input back to the indoor unit, and the exhaust port of the heat exchange compressor 5 is connected back to the air intake port of the heat exchange compressor 5 through the compressor condenser 32, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve 3, and the cold cycle end of the heat exchanger 4 in sequence.

[0021] The natural cooling condenser 31 and the compressor condenser 32 are the same main body and share a fan for heat exchange. The natural cooling condenser 31 and the compressor condenser 32 are stacked on each other to form a V-shape, wherein the natural cooling condenser 31 is located on the outside of the V-shape and the compressor condenser 32 is located on the inside of the V-shape. The fan 1 located at the opening of the V-shaped main body is used to dissipate heat for the natural cooling condenser 31 and the compressor condenser 32 at the same time.

[0022] See Figure 1 The air conditioning system of the present invention further comprises a controller 20 and a temperature sensor 30 , wherein the controller 20 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 30 , the heat exchange compressor 5 , the heat exchange electronic expansion valve 3 , the third solenoid valve 6 and the fourth solenoid valve 7 . During operation, if the temperature sensor 30 detects that the outdoor temperature is greater than 20°C, the mechanical refrigeration mode is operated, the third solenoid valve 6 is closed, the heat exchange compressor 5, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve 3 and the fourth solenoid valve 7 are opened, and the heat exchange compressor 5 discharges the high-temperature and high-pressure gas to the compressor condenser 32 for cooling, and then the gas is reduced in pressure through the heat exchange electronic expansion valve 3 to the heat exchanger 4 to cool the refrigerant; when the outdoor temperature is detected to be less than 10°C, the natural cooling mode is operated, the heat exchange compressor 5, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve 3 and the fourth solenoid valve 7 are closed, the third solenoid valve 6 is opened, and the refrigerant flows into the natural cooling condenser 31 through the third solenoid valve 6 for cooling, and then flows out through the heat exchanger 4 after cooling; when it is detected that 10°C is less than the outdoor temperature and less than 20°C, the mixed refrigeration mode is operated, the heat exchange compressor 5, the heat exchange electronic expansion valve 3 and the third solenoid valve 6 are opened, the fourth solenoid valve 7 is closed, and the refrigerant flows into the natural cooling condenser 31 through the third solenoid valve 6 for cooling, and then is sent to the heat exchanger 4 after cooling, and is cooled by the heat exchange compressor 5 for secondary cooling.

[0023] See Figure 1 The main unit of the outdoor unit of the present invention is also provided with a pump system component, which includes a pump system return pipe 23, a liquid replenishment compressor 10, a liquid reservoir 12, a first power pump 14, a second power pump 15, a pump system liquid outlet pipe 24, a first solenoid valve 8, a pump system electronic expansion valve 18 and a second solenoid valve 19, wherein the first solenoid valve 8 is located on the pipeline of the return pipe 21, the two ends of the liquid replenishment compressor 10 are connected to the two ends of the first solenoid valve 8, and the liquid inlet of the liquid reservoir 12 is connected to the liquid outlet of the outdoor unit through the pump system return pipe 23. The pipe 22 is connected to transport the liquid refrigerant cooled by the outdoor unit to the accumulator 12, and the liquid outlet of the accumulator 12 is respectively connected to the liquid inlet ends of the first power pump 14 and the second power pump 15 and one end of the pump system electronic expansion valve 18. The liquid outlet ends of the first power pump 14 and the second power pump 15 are connected to one end of the second solenoid valve 19 after merging, and the other end of the pump system electronic expansion valve 18 and the second solenoid valve 19 away from the accumulator 12 is connected to the collective liquid inlet pipe of the indoor unit through the pump system liquid outlet pipe 24.

[0024] A liquid level sensor 13 is provided in the liquid reservoir 12 to detect the refrigerant liquid level in the liquid reservoir 12. The controller 20 is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor 13, the first power pump 14, the second power pump 15, the liquid replenishment compressor 10, the first solenoid valve 8, the pump system electronic expansion valve 18 and the second solenoid valve 19 respectively. During normal operation, the liquid replenishment compressor 10 and the pump system electronic expansion valve 18 are closed, and the first power pump 14 or the second power pump 15, the first solenoid valve 8 and the second solenoid valve 19 are opened. The first power pump 14 and the second power pump 15 operate alternately. When one of them fails, the other power pump is automatically started to operate to improve the reliability of the system. When it is detected that the liquid level in the liquid reservoir 12 is lower than When the first preset value is reached, the refill mode is operated, the first solenoid valve 8, the first power pump 14, the second power pump 15 and the second solenoid valve 19 are closed, the refill compressor 10 and the pump system electronic expansion valve 18 are opened, and the outdoor unit is operated in the natural cooling mode. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the refill compressor 10 is condensed into liquid refrigerant by the natural cooling condenser 31 and the intermediate heat exchanger 4, and flows into the liquid reservoir 12. While raising the internal liquid level of the liquid reservoir 12, part of the cooling capacity is provided to the indoor unit to ensure uninterrupted cooling of the indoor unit. When the liquid level sensor 13 detects that the liquid level in the liquid reservoir 12 is greater than the second preset value, the pump system is restored to normal mode operation, so that the indoor unit can operate at full load.

[0025] It is worth noting that the mixed refrigeration mode can also be operated during the liquid replenishment, and the heat exchange compressor 5 performs secondary cooling after natural cooling to improve the liquid replenishment efficiency.

[0026] In order to avoid the problem of liquid backflow that may be caused when the pump system switches modes, in the present system, the liquid outlet of the compressor 10, the liquid outlet of the first power pump 14, the liquid outlet of the second power pump 15, and the liquid inlet of the liquid reservoir 12 are respectively provided with one-way valves, wherein the first one-way valve 9 at the liquid outlet of the compressor 10 conducts in the direction away from the liquid replenishment compressor 10, the second one-way valve 17 at the liquid outlet of the first power pump 14 conducts in the direction away from the first power pump 14, the third one-way valve 16 at the liquid outlet of the second power pump 15 conducts in the direction away from the second power pump 15, and the fourth one-way valve 11 at the liquid inlet of the liquid reservoir 12 conducts in the direction toward the liquid reservoir 12. By setting the one-way valves, the problem of liquid hammer caused by liquid backflow is avoided.

[0027] See Figure 1 The liquid outlet pipe 22 of the outdoor unit is connected to the reserved liquid return pipe 28 through the first reserved ball valve 27, and the return air pipe 21 is connected to the reserved return air pipe 26 through the second reserved ball valve 25. When a new outdoor unit needs to be installed, the return air pipe of the outdoor slave unit without a pump system is connected to the reserved return air pipe 26, the liquid outlet pipe 22 of the outdoor slave unit is connected to the reserved liquid return pipe 28, and the first reserved ball valve 27 and the second reserved ball valve 25 are opened to complete the connection between the outdoor slave unit and the outdoor host.

[0028] See Figure 2 After the new air conditioner outdoor slave unit is connected to the original outdoor slave unit, a new first reserved ball valve 27, a reserved liquid return pipe 28, a second reserved ball valve 25 and a reserved air return pipe 26 are left for the connection of the third outdoor slave unit. Similarly, the reserved ball valve and reserved pipe left by the third outdoor slave unit are for the connection of the fourth outdoor slave unit. The liquid outlet pipes of multiple outdoor slave units are aggregated and transported to the indoor unit through the outlet pipe of the pump system. The return air pipes are aggregated and connected to the aggregated air outlet pipe of the indoor unit to obtain the uncooled refrigerant of the indoor unit.

[0029] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention rather than to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present invention can be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit, comprising an outdoor heat exchange device, a return air pipe (21), a power pump, a controller (20) and a liquid reservoir (12), wherein the liquid inlet of the liquid reservoir (12) is connected to the liquid outlet of the outdoor heat exchange device, the liquid outlet of the liquid reservoir (12) is connected to the liquid inlet of the power pump, and the return air port of the outdoor heat exchange device is connected to the return air pipe (21), characterized in that: The invention also comprises a first solenoid valve (8), a liquid replenishment compressor (10), a second solenoid valve (19), a pump system outlet pipe (24) and a pump system electronic expansion valve (18); the liquid reservoir (12) is provided with a liquid level sensor (13) for detecting the liquid level therein; the first solenoid valve (8) is located on the return air pipe (21); the air intake of the liquid replenishment compressor (10) is connected to an end of the first solenoid valve (8) away from the outdoor heat exchange device; the air exhaust of the liquid replenishment compressor (10) is connected to an end of the first solenoid valve close to the outdoor heat exchange device; the liquid outlet of the power pump is connected to the pump system outlet pipe (24) through the second solenoid valve (19); the liquid outlet of the liquid reservoir (12) is connected to the pump system outlet pipe (24) through the pump system electronic expansion valve (18); and the controller (20) is electrically connected to the first solenoid valve (8), the liquid replenishment compressor (10), the second solenoid valve (19), the liquid level sensor (13), the power pump and the pump system electronic expansion valve (18) respectively.

2. A multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple power pumps, and the liquid outlet of the liquid reservoir (12) is respectively connected to the liquid inlet of each power pump, and the liquid outlet of each power pump is connected to the pump system outlet pipe (24) via the second solenoid valve (19).

3. A multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power pump liquid outlet is connected in series with a one-way valve with a conducting direction away from the power pump, the liquid inlet of the liquid reservoir (12) is connected in series with a one-way valve with a conducting direction toward the liquid reservoir (12), and the liquid outlet of the liquid replenishment compressor (10) is connected in series with a one-way valve with a conducting direction away from the liquid replenishment compressor (10).

4. A multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a reserved air return pipe (26), a first reserved ball valve (27), a second reserved ball valve (25), and a reserved liquid return pipe (28), wherein the reserved air return pipe (26) is connected to the air return pipe (21) via the second reserved ball valve (25), and the reserved liquid return pipe (28) is connected to the liquid inlet of the liquid reservoir (12) via the first reserved ball valve (27).

5. A multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outdoor heat exchange device comprises a heat exchange compressor (5), a compressor condenser (32), a heat exchange electronic expansion valve (3), a heat exchanger (4), a third solenoid valve (6), a fourth solenoid valve (7), a natural cooling condenser (31) and a temperature sensor (30) for detecting the outdoor temperature. The return air pipe (21) is connected to the third solenoid valve (6). The interface connecting the third solenoid valve (6) and the return air pipe (21) serves as the return air port of the outdoor heat exchange device. The return air port of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the return air pipe (21) through the third solenoid valve (6), the natural cooling condenser (31) and the return air port of the outdoor heat exchanger. The heat exchanger (4) is connected to the heat cycle end inlet of the heat exchanger (4), and the return air port is also connected to the heat cycle end inlet of the heat exchanger (4) through the fourth solenoid valve (7). The heat cycle end outlet of the heat exchanger (4) serves as the liquid outlet of the outdoor heat exchange device. The exhaust port of the heat exchange compressor (5) is connected back to the air intake port of the heat exchange compressor (5) through the compressor condenser (32), the heat exchange electronic expansion valve (3), and the cold cycle end of the heat exchanger (4). The controller (20) is electrically connected to the heat exchange compressor (5), the heat exchange electronic expansion valve (3), the third solenoid valve (6), the fourth solenoid valve (7) and the temperature sensor (30) respectively.

6. The control method of the multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Under normal conditions, the liquid replenishment compressor (10) and the pump system electronic expansion valve (18) are closed, and the power pump and the second solenoid valve (19) are opened. When the liquid level sensor (13) detects that the liquid level in the liquid reservoir (12) is lower than a first preset value, the first solenoid valve (8), the power pump and the second solenoid valve (19) are closed, and the liquid replenishment compressor (10) and the pump system electronic expansion valve (18) are opened.

7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the liquid level sensor (13) detects that the liquid level in the liquid storage tank (12) is higher than a second preset value, the liquid replenishing compressor (10) and the pump system electronic expansion valve (18) are closed, and the first solenoid valve (8), the power pump and the second solenoid valve (19) are opened.

8. The control method of the multi-connected power heat pipe air conditioner outdoor unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: Under normal conditions, the liquid replenishment compressor (10) and the pump system electronic expansion valve (18) are closed, and the power pump and the second solenoid valve (19) are opened. When the liquid level sensor (13) detects that the liquid level in the liquid reservoir (12) is lower than a first preset value, the first solenoid valve (8), the power pump and the second solenoid valve (19) are closed, and the liquid replenishment compressor (10) and the pump system electronic expansion valve (18) are opened. When the temperature sensor (30) detects that the outdoor temperature is lower than a first preset temperature, the heat exchange compressor (5), the heat exchange electronic expansion valve (3) and the fourth solenoid valve (7) are closed, and the third solenoid valve (6) is opened.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the temperature sensor (30) detects that the outdoor temperature is higher than a second preset temperature, the third solenoid valve (6) is closed, and the heat exchange compressor (5), the heat exchange electronic expansion valve (3) and the fourth solenoid valve (7) are opened, and the second preset temperature is greater than the first preset temperature.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the temperature sensor (30) detects that the outdoor temperature is lower than the second preset temperature and higher than the first preset temperature, the heat exchange compressor (5), the heat exchange electronic expansion valve (3) and the third solenoid valve (6) are opened, and the fourth solenoid valve (7) is closed.

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