Environment optimization system

Abstract

The present application relates to an environment optimization system, which is suitable for temperature and humidity adjustment of a predetermined space and comprises: an outdoor device comprising a compressor, the compressor being suitable for compressing a first working fluid to form a part of a first working fluid circuit; and indoor devices, at least two of which are connected in parallel with each other, the indoor devices being respectively arranged separately from the outdoor device, and the indoor devices comprising a first working fluid heat exchanger and a second working fluid heat exchanger, the first working fluid heat exchanger being associated with the compressor to also form a part of the first working fluid circuit, and the second working fluid heat exchanger forming a part of a second working fluid circuit. According to the environment optimization system of the present application, the load and noise can be reduced, the dehumidification efficiency and adjustment capacity can be improved, and the indoor device structure design is improved to improve the adjustment capacity of the unit and the load and expand the application range of the environment optimization system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of air conditioning and heating, and more particularly to an environment optimization system that makes improvements in temperature and humidity regulation of a predetermined space. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are environmental optimization systems for adjusting the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of air in a predetermined space (e.g., indoor space). The environmental optimization systems include, for example, air conditioning systems for cooling and / or heating, fresh air systems for providing fresh air, or a combination thereof.

[0003] First, current environmental optimization systems often only include air conditioning (cooling / heating) systems without a fresh air system. Consequently, they primarily focus on temperature control and fail to independently control temperature and humidity. This results in poor humidity regulation (either insufficient or excessive dehumidification). Furthermore, using the air conditioning system itself for dehumidification can cause indoor temperatures to drop, creating a chilly and uncomfortable feeling for users. Condensate from indoor dehumidification can also easily breed bacteria. Furthermore, the lack of a fresh air system can lead to poor indoor air quality and reduced oxygen levels.

[0004] Secondly, current environmental optimization systems have also proposed the use of fresh air systems in addition to air conditioning systems. For example, ceiling-mounted independent fresh air dehumidifiers are increasingly being used in HVAC systems. Traditional ceiling-mounted independent fresh air dehumidifiers are integrated structures that house both the refrigeration cycle and the fresh air supply mechanism within a single enclosure. Driven by the fan, fresh air and return air are mixed, first cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator, then reheated by the condenser before being delivered to the indoor rooms, achieving the goal of introducing fresh air and dehumidifying the indoor air. However, this traditional structure has some defects: poor economy, the integral structure increases the load, increases the power consumption of the refrigeration equipment, and reduces the overall energy efficiency of the entire system; limited dehumidification capacity, high evaporator inlet air temperature, and high evaporation temperature; poor comfort, poor system adjustment ability, and difficulty in controlling the air outlet state and indoor state; high noise, the compressor runs indoors, increasing the noise; single function, few achievable operating modes, cannot cooperate with heating and cooling equipment, and cannot meet more working conditions. In particular, under the general requirement of continuous fresh air, the system can only realize two functional modes: fresh air or fresh air + dehumidification + heating.

[0005] In summary, in this field, for environmental optimization systems, the integrated structure has high load, low dehumidification efficiency, poor adjustment ability, high noise, and few functional modes, so there is room and need for improvement.

[0006] The contents in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A general summary of the application is provided in this section, but it is not an extensive overview of the full scope or all the features of the application.

[0008] An object of the present application is to provide an environmental optimization system which reduces load and noise, improves dehumidification efficiency and adjustment capacity.

[0009] Another object of the present application is to provide an environmental optimization system which has a dual-source parallel structure and improves adjustment capacity of a unit and load by improving structure design of an indoor device to expand application range.

[0010] To achieve one or more of the above objects, according to the present application, there is provided an environmental optimization system which is adapted to perform temperature and humidity adjustment for a predetermined space and includes: an outdoor device including a compressor adapted to compress a first working fluid to form a part of a first working fluid circuit; and indoor devices which are at least two and connected in parallel to each other, the indoor devices being respectively provided separately from the outdoor device, the indoor devices including a first working fluid heat exchanger associated with the compressor to also form a part of the first working fluid circuit and a second working fluid heat exchanger forming a part of a second working fluid circuit.

[0011] Advantageously, the environmental optimization system is configured to selectively open one or both of the first working fluid heat exchanger and the second working fluid heat exchanger.

[0012] Advantageously, the environmental optimization system includes a four-way valve provided in the outdoor device, the first working fluid circuit being switchable between a cooling mode and a heating mode by switching the four-way valve; and / or the second working fluid circuit being configured to be switchable between cooling and heating of fresh air by the second working fluid heat exchanger.

[0013] Advantageously, the first working fluid heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger connected in series.

[0014] Advantageously, a first expansion valve and a first stop valve are provided in parallel at a first end of the second heat exchanger and a second expansion valve and a second stop valve are provided in parallel at a second end of the second heat exchanger.

[0015] Advantageously, the indoor devices are configured to cause fresh air to sequentially flow through the second working fluid heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

[0016] Advantageously, the outdoor device includes an outdoor heat exchanger, and the environmental optimization system is configured to cause:

[0017] The outdoor heat exchanger is used as an upstream condenser, and the second heat exchanger is used as a downstream condenser to form a reheating section of the indoor device suitable for reheating fresh air, and the first heat exchanger is used as an evaporator to form a dehumidification section of the indoor device suitable for dehumidifying fresh air, thereby realizing the cooling, dehumidification and reheating mode of the environmental optimization system; or the outdoor heat exchanger is used as a condenser, and the second heat exchanger is used as an upstream evaporator to form a first dehumidification section of the indoor device suitable for dehumidifying fresh air, and the first heat exchanger is used as a downstream evaporator to form a second dehumidification section of the indoor device suitable for dehumidifying fresh air, thereby realizing the cooling depth dehumidification of the environmental optimization system. Wet mode; or the outdoor heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the first heat exchanger is used as an upstream condenser to constitute the first heating section of the indoor device for heating the fresh air, and the second heat exchanger is used as a downstream condenser to constitute the second heating section of the indoor device for heating the fresh air, thereby realizing the heating mode of the environmental optimization system; or the outdoor heat exchanger is used as a downstream evaporator, the first heat exchanger of the indoor device is used as a condenser to constitute the heating section of the indoor device for heating the fresh air, and the second heat exchanger is used as an upstream evaporator to constitute the drying section of the indoor device for dehumidifying the fresh air, thereby realizing the heating and drying mode of the environmental optimization system.

[0018] Advantageously, the outdoor device includes a fan for the outdoor heat exchanger, and the environmental optimization system is configured to adjust the amount of reheating of fresh air by the second heat exchanger when serving as the reheat section by adjusting the rotation speed of the fan.

[0019] Advantageously, the environmental optimization system is configured to adjust the amount of heating of fresh air by the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger when serving as the heating section by adjusting the rotation speed of the compressor.

[0020] Advantageously, the second working fluid circuit uses water as the working fluid and uses an air source, a ground source or a refrigerant circuit source as the heat / cold source.

[0021] Advantageously, the outdoor unit comprises an economizer suitable for supplementing the compressor.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: providing an environmental optimization system that reduces load and noise, improves dehumidification efficiency and regulation capability; and providing an environmental optimization system with a dual-source parallel structure and improved indoor device structural design to improve the regulation capability of the unit and load and expand the scope of application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become more readily understood through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 An environment optimization system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and is in no way intended to limit the present invention, its application or use.

[0026] First, refer to Figure 1 An environment optimization system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0027] The environmental optimization system 100 is suitable for regulating the temperature and humidity of a predetermined space (e.g., an indoor space), and includes: an outdoor unit 200, the outdoor unit 200 including a single compressor 201, the compressor 201 being suitable for compressing a first working fluid to form part of a first working fluid circuit; and two indoor units 310 and 320 connected in parallel with each other, and the two indoor units 310 and 320 are respectively arranged separately from the outdoor unit 200. In addition, one indoor unit 310 includes a first working fluid heat exchanger 311, 315, and a second working fluid heat exchanger 312, and the other indoor unit 320 includes a first working fluid heat exchanger 321, 325, and a second working fluid heat exchanger 322. It will be understood that the first working fluid heat exchanger and the second working fluid heat exchanger refer to heat exchangers using different working fluid sources. The first working fluid heat exchanger of each indoor unit is associated with a compressor, thereby also forming part of the first working fluid circuit, and the second working fluid heat exchanger of each indoor unit forms part of a second working fluid circuit (not shown). The first working fluid heat exchangers in the two indoor units are connected in parallel with respect to the compressor 201 of the outdoor unit 200 .

[0028] Compared to existing integrated environmental optimization systems, the present invention provides a split-type structure with multiple indoor units relative to a single outdoor unit with a single compressor, thereby reducing load and noise while improving dehumidification efficiency and regulation capacity. Furthermore, the indoor unit, comprising a dual working fluid source, a first working fluid heat exchanger, and a second working fluid heat exchanger, optimizes the indoor unit's structural design, thereby enhancing the unit's and load regulation capabilities and expanding its application range. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of indoor units connected in parallel can be adjusted as needed, for example, to more than two.

[0029] In one embodiment, the second working fluid heat exchangers 312 and 322 in the two indoor units 310 and 320 can be connected in parallel to further reduce unit load and noise. Furthermore, one or both of the first and second working fluid heat exchangers can be selectively activated to achieve a variety of operating modes, as described below.

[0030] See further Figure 1 The environmental optimization system 100 includes a four-way valve 202 disposed in the outdoor unit 200. Switching the four-way valve 202 enables the first working fluid circuit to switch between a cooling mode and a heating mode. Furthermore, / or alternatively, the second working fluid circuit is configured to switch between a cooling mode in which the second working fluid heat exchangers 312 and 322 are adapted to cool the fresh air, and a heating mode in which the second working fluid heat exchangers 312 and 322 are adapted to heat the fresh air.

[0031] Specifically, the first working fluid heat exchanger of the indoor device includes first heat exchangers 311, 321 and second heat exchangers 315, 325 connected in series. First expansion valves 313, 323 and first stop valves 314, 324 are connected in parallel at the first ends of the second heat exchangers 315, 325, and second expansion valves 316, 326 and second stop valves 317, 327 are connected in parallel at the second ends of the second heat exchangers 315, 325. This enables switching of the operating mode of the first working fluid heat exchanger.

[0032] In the fresh air supply path, the indoor units 310 and 320 are configured so that fresh air sequentially flows through the second working fluid heat exchangers 312 and 322, the first heat exchangers 311 and 321, and the second heat exchangers 315 and 325. Advantageously, the indoor units 310 and 320 can be configured so that the fresh air is first filtered through the filters 318 and 328. The outdoor unit 200 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 203 and a fan 206 for the outdoor heat exchanger 203. The following describes the various operating modes of the environmental optimization system of the present invention.

[0033] When the first working fluid circuit is in cooling mode, the first working fluid flows sequentially through the compressor 201, the outdoor heat exchanger 203, the second heat exchanger 315, 325 and the first heat exchanger 311, 321. By closing the first expansion valve 313, 323 and the second stop valve 317, 327 and opening the second expansion valve 316, 326 and the first stop valve 314, 324, the outdoor heat exchanger 203 is used as an upstream condenser, the second heat exchanger 315, 325 is used as a downstream condenser and the first heat exchanger 311, 321 is used as an evaporator.

[0034] The first heat exchangers 311 and 321 function as evaporators to dehumidify the mixed air, forming the indoor unit's dehumidification section suitable for dehumidifying fresh air. The second heat exchangers 315 and 325 function as downstream condensers to reheat the mixed air after it passes through the first heat exchangers 311 and 321, thereby forming the indoor unit's reheat section suitable for reheating fresh air. This prevents excessively cold fresh air from entering the indoor space and causing discomfort to users. Furthermore, because the second heat exchanger, acting as the reheat section, utilizes waste heat from condensation, it conserves reheating energy and increases system subcooling, enabling efficient operation of the dehumidification system. This achieves a cooling, dehumidification, and reheating mode for the environmentally optimized system, which is particularly suitable for hot and humid summers or transitional seasons with high dehumidification demand and low cooling / heating loads.

[0035] Advantageously, the amount of reheating of the fresh air by the second heat exchangers 315 and 325 when used as a reheating section can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation speed of the fan 206 of the outdoor heat exchanger 203 .

[0036] Furthermore, the working fluid in the first heat exchangers 311, 321 and the second heat exchangers 315, 325 of the first working fluid heat exchanger is a refrigerant. The second working fluid circuit uses water as the working fluid and uses an air source, ground source, or refrigerant circuit source as the heat / cold source. The working fluid source of the second working fluid heat exchangers 312, 322 can be cold water. The mixed air is first cooled by the second working fluid heat exchangers 312, 322 and then further dehumidified by the first heat exchangers 311, 321. Therefore, the second working fluid heat exchangers 312, 322 are combined with the first heat exchangers 311, 321 to achieve dual-cold-source dehumidification of the mixed air. This achieves a fresh air + deep dehumidification operating mode, which is particularly suitable for weather conditions or building needs with very high humidity loads. In addition, the fluid circuits of the water source heat exchanger and the refrigerant source heat exchanger coordinate and assist with each other to uniformly control temperature and humidity, which can also reduce overall energy consumption and equipment costs.

[0037] In addition, when the above-mentioned first working fluid circuit is in the cooling mode, by opening the first expansion valve 313, 323 and the second stop valve 317, 327 and closing the second expansion valve 316, 326 and the first stop valve 314, 324, the outdoor heat exchanger 203 is used as a condenser, the second heat exchanger 315, 325 is used as an upstream evaporator to constitute the first dehumidification section of the indoor device suitable for dehumidifying the fresh air, and the first heat exchanger 311, 321 is used as a downstream evaporator to constitute the second dehumidification section of the indoor device suitable for dehumidifying the fresh air, so that the mixed air cooled and dehumidified by the first heat exchanger is cooled again by the second heat exchanger, thereby realizing the cooling deep dehumidification mode of the environmental optimization system.

[0038] When the first working fluid circuit is in heating mode, the first working fluid flows sequentially through the compressor 201, the first heat exchanger 311, 321, the second heat exchanger 315, 325 and the outdoor heat exchanger 203. By closing the second expansion valve 316, 326 and the first stop valve 314, 324 and opening the first expansion valve 313, 323 and the second stop valve 317, 327, the first heat exchanger 311, 321 is used as an upstream condenser to form the first heating section of the indoor device for heating the fresh air, the second heat exchanger 315, 325 is used as a downstream condenser to form the second heating section of the indoor device for heating the fresh air, and the outdoor heat exchanger 203 is used as an evaporator.

[0039] Among them, the main heat units 311, 321 and the secondary heat exchangers 315, 325, both of which are condensers, heat the mixed air to achieve a heating mode of the environmental optimization system, which is particularly suitable for transitional seasons with no dehumidification requirements and low heat load.

[0040] Advantageously, the compressor 201 is a variable frequency compressor. When the first working fluid circuit is in the heating mode, the environmental optimization system of the present invention adjusts the speed of the compressor 201 to adjust the heating amount of the first heat exchanger 311, 321 and the second heat exchanger 315, 325 when used as a heating section to heat the fresh air.

[0041] Furthermore, when the first working fluid circuit is in heating mode, by opening the second expansion valves 316, 326 and the first stop valves 314, 324 and closing the first expansion valves 313, 323 and the second stop valves 317, 327, the first heat exchangers 311, 321 function as condensers, thereby forming the indoor unit's heating section for heating the fresh air. The second heat exchangers 315, 325 function as upstream evaporators, thereby forming the indoor unit's drying section for dehumidifying the fresh air. The outdoor heat exchanger 203 functions as a downstream evaporator, thereby achieving a heating and drying mode for the environmental optimization system. In this heating mode, the mixed air heated by the first heat exchangers 311, 321 is appropriately cooled by the second heat exchangers 315, 325, thereby preventing overheated fresh air from entering the indoor space and causing discomfort to users, while also achieving appropriate dehumidification and drying effects.

[0042] In addition, the indoor units 310 and 320 may also include indoor fans 319 and 329. When only fresh air is required, the working fluid source of the second working fluid heat exchanger 312 and 322 is cold water or hot water to pre-cool or preheat the mixed air delivered by the indoor fans 319 and 329.

[0043] In one aspect of the embodiment, the outdoor unit 200 includes an economizer 205 adapted to supplement air to the compressor 201, thereby supplementing air to the compressor 201, which is suitable for heating in winter. Advantageously, the supplementary air can be opened by an expansion valve 204 connected in series with the economizer 205.

[0044] The present invention is susceptible to various possible variations.

[0045] The above description of the cooling-heating working fluid circuit illustrates that the indoor unit is equipped with a water source heat exchanger as a pre-cooling stage, a refrigerant source heat exchanger as a dehumidification stage, and a reheat heat exchanger as a reheat stage. However, it is contemplated that the heat exchange stages used to condition the temperature and humidity of the fresh air in the indoor unit may be appropriately modified. For example, the pre-cooling water source heat exchanger and / or the second reheat heat exchanger may be omitted.

[0046] In addition, it should be noted that, unless they are technically incompatible, the technical features of the various embodiments and their variations described above can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and shown in detail herein, and that various changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An environment optimization system (100), the environment optimization system (100) being suitable for regulating the temperature and humidity of a predetermined space and comprising: An outdoor device (200), the outdoor device (200) comprising a compressor (201), the compressor (201) being adapted to compress a first working fluid to form a part of a first working fluid circuit; and an indoor device (310; 320), The invention is characterized in that there are at least two indoor devices (310; 320) and they are connected in parallel with each other, the indoor devices (310; 320) are respectively arranged separately relative to the outdoor device (200), the indoor devices include a first working fluid heat exchanger (311, 315; 321, 325) and a second working fluid heat exchanger (312; 322), the first working fluid heat exchanger (311, 315; 321, 325) is associated with the compressor (201) and thus also forms a part of the first working fluid circuit, the second working fluid heat exchanger (312; 322) forms a part of the second working fluid circuit, in: The first working fluid heat exchanger (311, 315; 321, 325) comprises a first heat exchanger (311; 321) and a second heat exchanger (315; 325) connected in series, A first expansion valve (313; 323) and a first stop valve (314; 324) are provided in parallel at the first end of the second heat exchanger (315; 325), and a second expansion valve (316; 326) and a second stop valve (317; 327) are provided in parallel at the second end of the second heat exchanger (315; 325). One end of the first heat exchanger (311; 321) can be connected to the four-way valve in the outdoor device (200), the other end of the first heat exchanger can be connected to the second end of the second heat exchanger (315; 325) through the second expansion valve and the second stop valve, and the first end of the second heat exchanger can be connected to the outdoor heat exchanger in the outdoor device (200) through the first expansion valve and the first stop valve. The indoor device (310; 320) is configured such that fresh air flows sequentially through the second working fluid heat exchanger (312; 322), the first heat exchanger (311; 321), and the second heat exchanger (315; 325).

2. The environment optimization system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The environmental optimization system (100) is configured to selectively open one or both of the first working fluid heat exchanger (311, 315; 321, 325) and the second working fluid heat exchanger (312; 322).

3. The environment optimization system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The environmental optimization system (100) comprises a four-way valve (202) provided in the outdoor device (200), and the first working fluid circuit can be switched between a cooling mode and a heating mode by switching the four-way valve (202); and / or The second working fluid circuit is configured to be switchable between cooling and heating the fresh air in the second working fluid heat exchanger (312; 322).

4. The environment optimization system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The outdoor device (200) includes an outdoor heat exchanger (203), and The environmental optimization system (100) is configured such that: The outdoor heat exchanger (203) is used as an upstream condenser, the second heat exchanger (315; 325) is used as a downstream condenser to form a reheating section of the indoor device suitable for reheating fresh air, and the first heat exchanger (311; 321) is used as an evaporator to form a dehumidification section of the indoor device suitable for dehumidifying fresh air, thereby realizing a cooling, dehumidification and reheating mode of the environmental optimization system; or The outdoor heat exchanger (203) is used as a condenser, the second heat exchanger (315; 325) is used as an upstream evaporator to form a first dehumidification section of the indoor device suitable for dehumidifying fresh air, and the first heat exchanger (311; 321) is used as a downstream evaporator to form a second dehumidification section of the indoor device suitable for dehumidifying fresh air, thereby realizing a cooling deep dehumidification mode of the environmental optimization system; or The outdoor heat exchanger (203) is used as an evaporator, the first heat exchanger (311; 321) is used as an upstream condenser to form a first heating section of the indoor device for heating fresh air, and the second heat exchanger (315; 325) is used as a downstream condenser to form a second heating section of the indoor device for heating fresh air, thereby realizing a heating mode of the environmental optimization system; or The outdoor heat exchanger (203) is used as a downstream evaporator, the first heat exchanger (311; 321) of the indoor device (310; 320) is used as a condenser to form a heating section of the indoor device for heating fresh air, and the second heat exchanger (315; 325) is used as an upstream evaporator to form a drying section of the indoor device for dehumidifying fresh air, thereby realizing a heating and drying mode of the environmental optimization system.

5. The environment optimization system (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The outdoor device (200) includes a fan (206) for the outdoor heat exchanger (203), and the environmental optimization system is configured to adjust the reheat amount of the second heat exchanger (315; 325) used to reheat fresh air when used as the reheat section by adjusting the rotation speed of the fan (206).

6. The environment optimization system (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The environmental optimization system is configured to adjust the heating amount of the first heat exchanger (311; 321) and the second heat exchanger (315; 325) used to heat the fresh air when used as the heating section by adjusting the rotation speed of the compressor (201).

7. The environment optimization system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second working fluid circuit uses water as the working fluid and uses an air source, a ground source or a refrigerant circuit source as the heat / cold source.

8. The environment optimization system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The outdoor device (200) includes an economizer (205) suitable for replenishing air to the compressor (201).

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