air conditioning system

Abstract

This invention discloses an air conditioning system with a refrigerant circulation path, comprising a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a throttling unit, and an outdoor heat exchanger connected in sequence. The system is configured such that, in defrost mode, one of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area performs defrost, while the temperature of the upstream heat exchange area is higher than the temperature of the other of the first and second downstream heat exchange areas. By setting the defrost mode so that one of the first and second downstream heat exchange areas performs defrost, and the temperature of the other is lower than the temperature of the upstream heat exchange area, the air conditioning system achieves simultaneous operation of heating and defrosting modes, avoiding the impact of defrosting on heating performance. During the defrost phase, the amount of frost on the lower-temperature evaporation portion of the outdoor heat exchanger does not increase, ensuring heating performance and suppressing an increase in power consumption.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration, and more particularly to an air conditioning system. Background Technology

[0002] If the air conditioner is used for heating, depending on the outside air temperature, frost will adhere to the fins of the outdoor heat exchanger installed inside the outdoor unit and the surface of the refrigerant piping. The frost buildup narrows the gaps between the fins, increasing the pressure loss of the outside air passing through these gaps and reducing the fan's airflow. Therefore, the amount of heat the outdoor unit's heat exchanger can absorb from the outside air decreases, resulting in a reduction in heating capacity.

[0003] To avoid this problem, after operating in heating mode for a certain period of time, the heating mode is stopped, and then the refrigeration cycle is reversed. This kind of operation, which aims to defrost the heat exchanger, is called defrosting mode.

[0004] The relevant technology allows for simultaneous defrosting and heating operations by replacing the outdoor heat exchanger with two separate units. Half of the outdoor heat exchanger is used for defrosting, thus reducing the heat transfer area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger available for heating by half.

[0005] To maintain indoor heating capacity with only half the area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant's evaporation temperature needs to be lowered to increase the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the air, requiring a doubling of the difference. However, the decrease in refrigerant evaporation temperature leads to a reduction in refrigerant circulation and an increase in the compressor's compression ratio, thus increasing power consumption.

[0006] Furthermore, during defrosting, the evaporation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger used for heating will decrease, resulting in an increase in the amount of frost forming on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger used for heating. Therefore, the defrosting time of the heat exchanger will be longer when switching to defrosting. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes an air conditioning system in which, in a defrost mode, one of the first downstream heat exchange zone and the second downstream heat exchange zone performs defrosting, while the evaporation temperature of the other of the first and second downstream heat exchange zones is lower than the evaporation temperature of the upstream heat exchange zone. This allows for simultaneous operation of heating and defrosting modes, avoiding any impact on heating performance due to defrosting. Furthermore, during the defrosting phase, the amount of frost on the lower-temperature portion of the outdoor heat exchanger does not increase, ensuring heating performance, suppressing increased power consumption, and shortening defrosting time.

[0008] According to the air conditioning system of the present invention, the air conditioning system has a refrigerant circulation path, which includes a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a throttling unit, and an outdoor heat exchanger connected in sequence. The outdoor heat exchanger includes an upstream heat exchange region, a first downstream heat exchange region, and a second downstream heat exchange region. In the airflow direction, the upstream heat exchange region is located upstream of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region. When the air conditioning system is operating in heating mode or defrost mode, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger flows to the outdoor heat exchanger after passing through the throttling unit. When the air conditioning system is operating in defrost mode, one of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region is defrosted, and the temperature of the upstream heat exchange region is higher than the temperature of the other of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region.

[0009] According to the air conditioning system of the present invention, in the defrost mode, when defrosting one of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area, the evaporation temperature of the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area is lower than the evaporation temperature of the upstream heat exchange area. This allows for simultaneous operation of heating and defrosting modes, avoiding the impact of defrosting on the heating effect. Furthermore, during the defrost stage, the amount of frost on the lower evaporation temperature portion of the outdoor heat exchanger does not increase, ensuring the heating effect and suppressing the increase in power consumption.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outdoor heat exchanger further includes a third downstream heat exchange region, which is located downstream of the upstream heat exchange region in the airflow direction, and the upstream heat exchange region is connected to the compressor via the third downstream heat exchange region.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system further includes a four-way valve, wherein the compressor's exhaust port, the compressor's return port, the indoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger are all connected to the four-way valve. When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode, the four-way valve connects the compressor's exhaust port to the outdoor heat exchanger and connects the compressor's return port to the indoor heat exchanger, so that the refrigerant flowing from the compressor's exhaust port flows to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger flows to the compressor's return port. When the air conditioning system is operating in heating mode or defrosting mode, the four-way valve connects the compressor's exhaust port to the indoor heat exchanger and connects the compressor's return port to the outdoor heat exchanger, so that the refrigerant flowing from the compressor's exhaust port flows to the indoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flowing from the compressor's return port flows to the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system further includes a first switching valve, the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region are connected in parallel, the throttling unit is connected to the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region via the first switching valve, and the first switching valve is capable of switching such that a portion of the refrigerant flowing out of the throttling unit flows to the first downstream heat exchange region and / or the second downstream heat exchange region.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the throttling unit includes a first throttling element and a second throttling element, the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the upstream heat exchange area via the first throttling element, and the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the first switching valve via the second throttling element.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the first switching valve connects the throttling unit to the first downstream heat exchange area or the second downstream heat exchange area; when the air conditioning system is operating in the cooling mode or the heating mode, the first switching valve connects the throttling unit to the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first downstream heat exchange region is connected to the second downstream heat exchange region in sequence via a third throttling element and a fourth throttling element, the throttling unit is connected to the piping that connects the third throttling element and the fourth throttling element, the air conditioning system includes a first reversing unit, and the first downstream heat exchange region, the second downstream heat exchange region, the exhaust port of the compressor and the return port of the compressor are all connected to the first reversing unit.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the first reversing unit connects one of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, and connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor, so that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in series. When the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode, the first reversing unit connects both the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor, so that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel. When the air conditioning system is operating in the cooling mode, the first reversing unit connects both the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, so that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first reversing unit includes: a second switching valve, wherein the first downstream heat exchange region, the exhaust port of the compressor, and the return port of the compressor are all connected to the second switching valve; and a third switching valve, wherein the second downstream heat exchange region, the exhaust port of the compressor, and the return port of the compressor are all connected to the third switching valve.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the second switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, and the third switching valve connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor; or, the second switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor, and the third switching valve connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, such that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in series. When the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode, the second switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor, and the third switching valve connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor, such that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel. When the air conditioning system is operating in the cooling mode, the second switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, and the third switching valve connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, such that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the throttling unit includes a first throttling element and a second throttling element, the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the upstream heat exchange area via the first throttling element, and the indoor heat exchanger is connected to piping that connects the third throttling element and the fourth throttling element via the second throttling element.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first reversing unit is connected to the piping connecting the compressor and the indoor heat exchanger via an on / off valve. When the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the on / off valve connects the compressor's exhaust port to the first reversing unit; when the air conditioning system is operating in the cooling mode or the heating mode, the on / off valve does not connect the compressor to the first reversing unit.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system includes an ejector having a main inlet, an ejector inlet, and an outlet. When the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the main inlet is connected to the upstream heat exchange region, the ejector inlet is connected to the other of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region, and the outlet is connected to the return port of the compressor. Refrigerant flowing out from the upstream heat exchange region and refrigerant flowing out from the other of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region are combined in the ejector and discharged to the return port of the compressor.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system further includes a second switching unit, wherein at least one of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region, the upstream heat exchange region, the ejector inlet, the main inlet and the compressor are all connected to the second switching unit.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the second switching unit connects the upstream heat exchange area to the main inlet and connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the ejector inlet. When the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode, the second switching unit connects both the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor. When the air conditioning system is operating in the cooling mode, the second switching unit connects both the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second switching unit includes: a fourth switching valve, wherein at least one of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region, the ejector inlet and the compressor are all connected to the fourth switching valve; and a fifth switching valve, wherein the upstream heat exchange region, the main inlet and the compressor are all connected to the fifth switching valve.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the fourth switching valve connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the ejector inlet, and the fifth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the main inlet. When the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode, the fourth switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the compressor return port, and the fifth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the compressor return port. When the air conditioning system is operating in the cooling mode, the fourth switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the compressor exhaust port, and the fifth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the compressor exhaust port.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system further includes a fifth throttling element, through which the upstream heat exchange region is connected to the compressor.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system further includes a sixth switching valve, wherein the upstream heat exchange region, the fifth throttling element and the compressor are all connected to the sixth switching valve, and the upstream heat exchange region is connected to the fifth throttling element via the sixth switching valve.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the sixth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the fifth throttling element; when the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode, the sixth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor; and when the air conditioning system is operating in the cooling mode, the sixth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the temperature of the upstream heat exchange zone is below the dew point temperature but above the condensation temperature, and the temperature of the other of the first downstream heat exchange zone and the second downstream heat exchange zone is below the condensation temperature.

[0030] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the second downstream heat exchange area is in a defrosting state;

[0033] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows an air conditioning system where the first downstream heat exchange area is in a defrosting state.

[0034] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows an air conditioning system in heating mode.

[0035] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows an air conditioning system in cooling mode.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the second downstream heat exchange area is in a defrosting state;

[0037] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The diagram shows an air conditioning system where the first downstream heat exchange area is in a defrosting state.

[0038] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The diagram shows an air conditioning system in heating mode.

[0039] Figure 8 for Figure 5 The diagram shows an air conditioning system in cooling mode.

[0040] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the second downstream heat exchange area is in a defrosting state;

[0041] Figure 10 for Figure 9 The diagram shows an air conditioning system where the first downstream heat exchange area is in a defrosting state.

[0042] Figure 11 for Figure 9 The diagram shows an air conditioning system in heating mode.

[0043] Figure 12 for Figure 9 The diagram shows an air conditioning system in cooling mode.

[0044] Figure 13 This is a graph showing the relationship between the injector and the boost rate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure label:

[0046] Air conditioning system 1000

[0047] Compressor 1, Indoor heat exchanger 2,

[0048] First throttling element 30, second throttling element 31

[0049] Outdoor heat exchanger 4, upstream heat exchange zone 40, first downstream heat exchange zone 41, second downstream heat exchange zone 42, third downstream heat exchange zone 43

[0050] Third throttling element 5

[0051] First switching valve 6, second switching valve 60, third switching valve 61

[0052] Second commutation unit 7

[0053] On / off valve 8

[0054] Fourth throttling element 9,

[0055] Ejector 10, main inlet 101, ejector inlet 102, outlet 103,

[0056] Second switching unit 12, fourth switching valve 120, fifth switching valve 121

[0057] Fifth three-way valve 131, fifth throttling element 132. Detailed Implementation

[0058] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0059] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0060] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0061] The following is for reference. Figures 1-13 An air conditioning system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein the air conditioning system 1000 has a heating mode and a defrosting mode, the air conditioning system 1000 includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit is installed in a room, the outdoor unit is installed outdoors, and the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected by a pipe.

[0062] like Figures 1-12 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioning system 1000 has a refrigerant circulation path, which includes a compressor 1, an indoor heat exchanger 2, a throttling unit, and an outdoor heat exchanger 4 connected in sequence. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 includes an upstream heat exchange area 40, a first downstream heat exchange area 41, and a second downstream heat exchange area 42. In the air flow direction, the upstream heat exchange area 40 is located upstream of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in heating mode or defrosting mode, the refrigerant flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 2 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 after passing through the throttling unit.

[0063] It should be noted that the connection between any two components refers to the connection achieved through piping or through the cooperation of piping with other components. The refrigerant can flow freely within the piping. However, the connection between any two components means that the refrigerant can flow from one component to another through piping or through the cooperation of piping with other components.

[0064] The air conditioning system 1000 is configured such that, in defrost mode, one of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 defrosts, and the temperature of the upstream heat exchange zone 40 is higher than the temperature of the other of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42. It should be noted that the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can have different temperatures in any way, such as by using different throttling elements in different heat exchange zones, adjusting the temperature of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 or the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 by adjusting the opening degree of the throttling elements, or by using different numbers of throttling elements, as long as it achieves different temperatures for the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

[0065] Specifically, compressor 1 is connected to indoor heat exchanger 2 and outdoor heat exchanger 4 respectively. A throttling unit is connected between indoor heat exchanger 2 and outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the throttling unit functions to reduce pressure and reduce airflow. When the air conditioning system 1000 is in heating mode, the refrigerant discharged from the exhaust port of compressor 1 flows to indoor heat exchanger 2 for condensation and heat dissipation. The refrigerant flowing out of indoor heat exchanger 2, after being throttled and depressurized by the throttling unit, flows to outdoor heat exchanger 4 for evaporation and heat absorption. The refrigerant flowing out of outdoor heat exchanger 4 flows back to compressor 1 and is compressed. Outdoor air flows through outdoor heat exchanger 4, and outdoor heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat with the outdoor air to absorb heat from it. Therefore, during heating, the temperature of outdoor heat exchanger 4 is maintained at a lower temperature than the outdoor air temperature.

[0066] Outdoor air contains a certain amount of moisture. The proportion of water actually contained in the air, relative to the saturation water vapor content at a given temperature, is called relative humidity.

[0067] Because the amount of saturated water vapor changes with temperature, relative humidity will vary even if the air contains the same amount of water. In other words, even with the same amount of water in the air, warmer air has a higher saturated water content, resulting in lower relative humidity. Conversely, colder air has a lower saturated water content, resulting in higher relative humidity. Relative humidity should not exceed 100%; excess water vapor will condense into water. This phenomenon is called condensation.

[0068] The temperature at which condensation occurs is called the dew point. The dew point varies depending on air pressure, temperature, and relative humidity.

[0069] Just like the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in an air conditioning system at 1000 heating mode, if the surface temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 cools down to below the dew point temperature, condensation will form on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. If the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 drops further, cooling down to below the freezing point of water, the water formed by the condensation will freeze and turn into frost.

[0070] Because the outdoor unit's heat exchanger is cooled to a temperature lower than the outdoor air temperature, the evaporation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 will decrease as the outdoor air temperature drops, and frost will form below a certain temperature. According to the performance evaluation standard for household air conditioners JIS C9612, the outdoor air temperature range for frost formation is 5.5℃ to -7℃.

[0071] If heating is carried out under these conditions, frost will form on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The amount of frost will increase during heating. Therefore, after a certain period of time, defrosting will be performed to remove the frost.

[0072] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, when it is necessary to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the air conditioning system 1000 is switched to the defrost mode. In this defrost mode, the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 are switched for defrosting. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 2 for condensation and heat dissipation. That is, the indoor environment is still in the heating state at this time. After the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 2 passes through the throttling unit, part of the refrigerant flows to the upstream heat exchange area 40 for evaporation and heat absorption.

[0073] When defrosting occurs in one of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, a portion of the refrigerant flows to the other of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 for evaporation and heat absorption. The refrigerant flowing out from the other of the upstream heat exchange zone 40, the first downstream heat exchange zone 41, and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 flows to the compressor 1 for compression. It should be noted that when defrosting occurs in one of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, the refrigerant flowing out from the throttling unit will not enter the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 or the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 which is in a defrosting state.

[0074] The following explanation uses the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 in defrost mode as an example.

[0075] In defrost mode, a portion of the refrigerant flowing out of the throttling unit flows into the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 for evaporation and heat absorption. During airflow, the outdoor air first flows through the upstream heat exchange zone 40 for heat exchange before flowing to the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 for further heat exchange. Because the upstream heat exchange zone 40 is cooled by refrigerant below its dew point, condensation occurs on its surface.

[0076] After the outdoor air flows through the upstream heat exchange area 40 and exchanges heat with it, the temperature of the outdoor air will drop. At the same time, some water will be discharged as condensation, so it will flow to the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 with a decrease in relative humidity.

[0077] Since the refrigerant after being throttled and depressurized by the throttling unit is no longer supplied to the first downstream heat exchange zone 41, the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 stops evaporating and absorbing heat. At this time, since the temperature of the outdoor air is higher than that of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41, the outdoor air flows through the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and exchanges heat with the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 to heat the frost attached to the surface of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41, so that the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 is defrosted. The outdoor air is used to defrost the heat exchanger in the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 that has stopped absorbing heat.

[0078] Because the evaporation temperature of the upstream heat exchange area 40 is higher than that of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 in the defrost mode, the heat exchange capacity of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 will increase. Therefore, even if part of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is in the defrost state and is not used as a condenser, the overall heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 will not decrease or may even increase.

[0079] Furthermore, since the relative humidity of the outdoor air flowing through the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 decreases, the frosting situation in the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 will not increase, thereby avoiding a decrease in heat exchange efficiency due to severe frosting.

[0080] It should be noted that after defrosting the first downstream heat exchange zone 41, the process can be switched to defrost the second downstream heat exchange zone 42. At this time, the evaporation temperature of the upstream heat exchange zone 40 is higher than the evaporation temperature of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41.

[0081] As can be seen from the above analysis, in the defrosting mode, the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 are switched for defrosting, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 has two evaporation temperatures to ensure the heat exchange effect. Compared with related technologies, it is not necessary to increase the compression ratio of the compressor 1 by two times to reduce the evaporation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, which can suppress the increase in power consumption.

[0082] According to the air conditioning system 1000 of the present invention, in the defrost mode, when defrosting one of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42, the evaporation temperature of the other of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 is lower than the evaporation temperature of the upstream heat exchange area 40. This allows the heating and defrosting modes to operate simultaneously, avoiding the impact of defrosting on the heating effect. Furthermore, during the defrosting stage, the amount of frost on the lower evaporation temperature portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 will not increase, ensuring the heating effect and suppressing the increase in power consumption.

[0083] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1-12 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 also includes a third downstream heat exchange region 43. In the airflow direction, the third downstream heat exchange region 43 is located downstream of the upstream heat exchange region 40. The upstream heat exchange region 40 is connected to the compressor 1 via the third downstream heat exchange region 43. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the upstream heat exchange region 40 is discharged to the compressor 1 after condensation and heat dissipation in the third downstream heat exchange region 43.

[0084] Specifically, after exchanging heat with the upstream heat exchange area 40, the outdoor air flows to the third downstream heat exchange area 43 for further heat exchange. Since the third downstream heat exchange area 43 is connected to the upstream heat exchange area 40, the temperature difference between the outdoor air and the surface temperature of the third downstream heat exchange area 43 is smaller than the temperature difference between the outdoor air and the surface temperature of the upstream heat exchange area 40. Therefore, the amount of heat exchanged in the third downstream heat exchange area 43 is less than that in the upstream heat exchange area 40.

[0085] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioning system 1000 further includes a third downstream heat exchange region 43 in the outdoor heat exchanger 4, thereby increasing the heat exchange area and heat exchange effect of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, ensuring the heat exchange effect of the indoor heat exchanger 2, and the temperature difference between the third downstream heat exchange region 43 and the upstream heat exchange region 40 is small, making it less prone to frost formation. While increasing the heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the system can minimize the impact on the heating effect of the air conditioning system 1000 during the defrosting process.

[0086] In some embodiments of the present invention, the outdoor air conditioner includes an upstream heat exchange region 40, a first downstream heat exchange region 41, a second downstream heat exchange region 42, and a third downstream heat exchange region 43. The first downstream heat exchange region 41, the second downstream heat exchange region 42, and the third downstream heat exchange region 43 have the same volume, and the total volume of the first downstream heat exchange region 41, the second downstream heat exchange region 42, and the third downstream heat exchange region 43 is the same as the volume of the upstream heat exchange region 40. For example, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is a 32-segment heat exchanger with 32 heat exchange tubes installed in the height direction, and the first downstream heat exchange region 41, the second downstream heat exchange region 42, and the third downstream heat exchange region 43 are each provided with 8 heat exchange tubes.

[0087] According to the air conditioning system 1000 of the present invention, in the defrost mode, the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 are switched to defrost. That is, instead of using half of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 for defrosting as in the related art, there is no need to reduce the compression ratio of the compressor 1. This can effectively suppress the increase in power consumption, and can ensure the heating and defrosting effects without prolonging the defrosting time.

[0088] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioning system 1000 further includes a four-way valve 7. The discharge port of the compressor 1, the return port of the compressor 1, the indoor heat exchanger 2, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 are all connected to the four-way valve 7. When the air conditioning system 1000 operates in cooling mode, the four-way valve 7 connects the discharge port of the compressor 1 to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the return port of the compressor 1 to the indoor heat exchanger 2, so that the refrigerant flowing from the discharge port of the compressor 1 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger 2 flows to the return port of the compressor 1. When the air conditioning system 1000 operates in heating mode or defrost mode, the four-way valve 7 connects the discharge port of the compressor 1 to the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the return port of the compressor 1 to the outdoor heat exchanger 4, so that the refrigerant flowing from the discharge port of the compressor 1 flows to the indoor heat exchanger 2, and the refrigerant flowing from the return port of the compressor 1 flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The four-way valve 7 is used to control the switching of the air conditioning system between heating mode and defrost mode. Figures 5-8 As shown, any two of the four ports of the four-way valve 7 can be connected. The four-way valve 7 is used to switch the flow direction of refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4. In heating mode, the second reversing unit 7 connects the discharge port of the compressor 1 to the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the return port of the compressor 1 to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. In cooling mode, the four-way valve 7 connects the discharge port of the compressor 1 to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the return port of the compressor 1 to the indoor heat exchanger 2. By setting the four-way valve 7, the switching between cooling and heating modes of the air conditioner can be achieved.

[0089] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1-8 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system 1000 further includes a first switching valve 6, a first downstream heat exchange region 41 and a second downstream heat exchange region 42 connected in parallel, and a throttling unit connected to the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 via the first switching valve 6. The first switching valve 6 can switch so that a portion of the refrigerant flowing out of the throttling unit flows to the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and / or the second downstream heat exchange region 42. Specifically, in defrost mode, the first switching valve causes the refrigerant after throttling and depressurization by the throttling unit to flow to one of the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42. In heating mode, the refrigerant after throttling and depressurization flowing out of the throttling unit flows to the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 respectively. Thus, by setting the first switching valve, the supply of throttled and depressurized refrigerant to the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 can be stopped in defrost mode, resulting in a simple and reliable structure.

[0090] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1-12As shown, the throttling unit includes a first throttling element 30 and a second throttling element 31. The indoor heat exchanger 2 is connected to the upstream heat exchange region 40 via the first throttling element 30, and the indoor heat exchanger 2 is connected to the first switching valve 6 via the second throttling element 31. The second throttling element 31 is connected to the piping that connects the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9. Specifically, in heating mode, a portion of the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 2 is throttled and depressurized by the first throttling element 30 and then flows to the upstream heat exchange region 40. A portion of the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 2 is throttled and depressurized by the second throttling element 31 and then flows to the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 via the first switching valve 6.

[0091] In some embodiments of the present invention, when the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the first switching valve 6 connects the throttling unit to the first downstream heat exchange area 41 or the second downstream heat exchange area 42; when the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in cooling mode or heating mode, the first switching valve 6 connects the throttling unit to the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42.

[0092] In defrost mode, a portion of the refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger 2 is throttled and depressurized by the first throttling element 30 before flowing to the upstream heat exchange zone 40. Another portion of the refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger 2 is throttled and depressurized by the second throttling element 31 before flowing through the first switching valve to one of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 or the second downstream heat exchange zone 42. The higher evaporation temperature of the upstream heat exchange zone 40 can be achieved by adjusting the opening degrees of the first throttling element 30 and the second throttling element 31. This simplifies the structure of the air conditioning system 1000.

[0093] Understandably, although the outdoor air temperature is higher than that of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, using outdoor air for defrosting may take a long time. Therefore, in order to shorten the defrosting time, such as... Figures 5-12 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, a third throttling element 5 and a fourth throttling element 9 are connected between the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42, and the throttling unit is connected to the piping that connects the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9.

[0094] The air conditioning system 1000 includes a first reversing unit. The first downstream heat exchange area 41, the second downstream heat exchange area 42, the exhaust port of the compressor 1, and the return port of the compressor 1 are all connected to the first reversing unit. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the first reversing unit switches so that one of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor 1, and the other of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area is connected to the return port of the compressor.

[0095] The following explanation uses the defrosting of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 as an example.

[0096] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, specifically, when the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the first reversing unit connects one of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor 1, and connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor 1, so that the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 are connected in series.

[0097] A portion of the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the exhaust port of compressor 1 flows to indoor heat exchanger 2, and another portion flows to the first downstream heat exchange area 41. That is, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is used to heat the first downstream heat exchange area 41, thereby increasing the defrosting speed and shortening the defrosting time.

[0098] like Figure 5 As shown, a portion of the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 2 and undergoing throttling and pressure reduction by the throttling unit merges with the refrigerant flowing out of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and undergoing throttling and pressure reduction by the third throttling element 5. The merged refrigerant then flows to the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 after being throttled and pressure reduced by the fourth throttling element 9, resulting in the refrigerant evaporation temperature in the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 being lower than the evaporation temperature in the upstream heat exchange zone 40. The refrigerant flowing from the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 and from the upstream heat exchange zone 40 flows to the return port of the compressor 1.

[0099] When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in heating mode, the first reversing unit connects the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the exhaust port of the compressor, so that the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 are connected in parallel.

[0100] It should be noted that when defrosting the second downstream heat exchange area 42, the first reversing unit operates to connect the exhaust port of compressor 1 with the second downstream heat exchange area 42 and the return port of compressor 1 with the first downstream heat exchange area 41.

[0101] Furthermore, such as Figures 5-12 As shown, the air conditioning system 1000 also includes a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path is connected to the exhaust port, and the second flow path is connected to the return air port.

[0102] The first reversing unit includes a second switching valve 60 and a third switching valve 61. The first downstream heat exchange area 41, the exhaust port of compressor 1, and the return port of compressor 1 are all connected to the second switching valve 60; and the second downstream heat exchange area 42, the exhaust port of compressor 1, and the return port of compressor 1 are all connected to the third switching valve 61. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the second switching valve 60 connects the first downstream heat exchange area 41 to the exhaust port of the compressor, and the third switching valve 61 connects the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the return port of compressor 1, or... The second switching valve 60 connects the first downstream heat exchange area 41 to the compressor's return port, and the third switching valve 61 connects the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the compressor's exhaust port, so that the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 are connected in series. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in heating mode, the second switching valve 60 connects the first downstream heat exchange area 41 to the compressor's return port, and the third switching valve 61 connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the compressor's return port, so that the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 are connected in parallel.

[0103] When the air conditioning system 1000 is running in cooling mode, the second switching valve 60 connects the first downstream heat exchange area 41 to the exhaust port of the compressor 1, and the third switching valve 61 connects the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the exhaust port of the compressor 1, so that the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 are connected in parallel.

[0104] The second switching valve 60 and the second switching valve 61 simplify the structure of the first reversing unit and facilitate the control of the refrigerant flow in the air conditioning system 1000.

[0105] Furthermore, the throttling unit includes a first throttling element 30 and a second throttling element 31. The indoor heat exchanger 2 is connected to the upstream heat exchange area 40 via the first throttling element 30, and the indoor heat exchanger 2 is connected to the piping that connects the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9 via the second throttling element 31.

[0106] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first reversing unit is connected to the piping connecting the compressor 1 and the indoor heat exchanger 2 via the on / off valve 8. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the on / off valve 8 connects the exhaust port of the compressor 1 to the first reversing unit; when the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in cooling mode or heating mode, the on / off valve 8 does not connect the compressor 1 to the first reversing unit. The on / off valve 8 can be selected to be open or closed to control the flow of refrigerant between the first reversing unit and the compressor 1. In the light defrost mode, the on / off valve is switched to open, meaning that the refrigerant passing through the compressor 1's exhaust port will not enter either the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 or the second downstream heat exchange zone 42. At the same time, it can cooperate with the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9 between the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 to control the flow of no high-temperature refrigerant through the first downstream heat exchange zone 41. The refrigerant after passing through the indoor heat exchanger 2 only enters the upstream heat exchange zone 40 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42. At this time, since there is no low-temperature refrigerant inside the first downstream heat exchange zone 41, the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 can no longer absorb heat from the outside. However, the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 can defrost under the action of outdoor air. This defrost mode does not increase the energy consumption of the compressor 1. In this defrost mode, the energy consumption of the air conditioning system 1000 is low.

[0107] like Figure 9-12 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system 1000 further includes a fifth throttling element 132, through which the upstream heat exchange region 40 is connected to the compressor 1. The fifth throttling element 132 may be configured to be located downstream of the third downstream heat exchange region 43. In defrost mode, by setting the fifth throttling element 132 to maintain the difference between the refrigerant pressure in the upstream heat exchange region 40 and the third downstream heat exchange region 43 and the refrigerant pressure in the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42, the temperature of the refrigerant in the upstream heat exchange region 40 and the third downstream heat exchange region 43 is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant in the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 when in cooling mode. This ensures that the temperature difference between the upstream heat exchange region and the first and second downstream heat exchange regions causes condensation to form in the outdoor air after passing through the upstream heat exchange region, thus significantly reducing the moisture content in the upstream heat exchange region. Furthermore, when the outdoor air passes through the first and second downstream heat exchange regions, the frost formation caused by condensate precipitation is reduced.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system 1000 includes an ejector 10, which has a main inlet 101, an ejector inlet 102, and an outlet 103. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the main inlet 101 is connected to the upstream heat exchange region 40, the ejector inlet 102 is connected to the other of the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42, and the outlet is connected to the return port of the compressor 1. The refrigerant flowing out from the upstream heat exchange region 40 and the refrigerant flowing out from the other of the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 are combined in the ejector 10 and discharged to the return port of the compressor 1.

[0109] The pressure difference between the injection port of the ejector 10 and the main inlet 101 can cause a pressure difference between the refrigerant in the upstream heat exchange zone 40 and the refrigerant in the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42. Since the saturation pressure of the refrigerant is related to its temperature, the higher the temperature, the higher the saturation pressure. Therefore, when the refrigerant temperature is higher than the dew point temperature, the pressure of the refrigerant in the upstream heat exchange zone 40 will be higher than the pressure of the refrigerant in the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, which are cooled to below the dew point.

[0110] like Figure 13 As shown, the refrigerant passing through the first or second downstream heat exchange zone, whose temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the air, is supplied to the intake inlet 102 of the injector 10. During its passage through the nozzle formed inside the injector 103, it is depressurized and accelerated to a high speed before being sent to the mixing section. Due to dynamic pressure loss, the static pressure of the high-speed gas decreases, thus drawing the high-speed gas refrigerant from the suction port. In the mixing section of the injector 10, the low-speed intake gas refrigerant drawn in from the inlet 102 is accelerated, while the accelerated high-speed gas refrigerant supplied from the main inlet 101 is mixed while decelerating, and then sent to the diffuser section.

[0111] In the diffuser section, the flow path area increases in the flow direction. During this expansion, the velocity of the gaseous refrigerant decreases and is converted into pressure, thus being released from outlet 103 at a pressure higher than the suction pressure and sent to compressor 1. This allows the air conditioning system 1000 according to the present invention to alternate between heating operations in the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, without needing to stop heating during defrosting operations, allowing for continuous heating. Furthermore, by cooling the upstream heat exchange zone 40 at a temperature higher than the dew point temperature, the upstream heat exchange zone, as well as the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, are prevented from being cooled to the same evaporation temperature as the upstream heat exchange zone, thus avoiding frost formation in the upstream heat exchange zone.

[0112] The pressure of the gaseous refrigerant drawn into the compressor 1 can be increased to a pressure higher than the saturation pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, thereby suppressing the increase in power consumption during continuous heating operation.

[0113] By configuring the ejector 10, temperature control can be achieved in both the upstream and downstream heat exchange zones. The upstream heat exchange zone 40 maintains a refrigerant temperature higher than its dew point, while the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 are cooled to below their dew point temperatures. This controls the frosting areas within the air conditioner and also improves the heat absorption capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in the air conditioning system 1000.

[0114] In some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioning system 1000 further includes a second switching unit 12, wherein at least one of the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42, the upstream heat exchange region 40, the ejector inlet 102, the main inlet 101 and the compressor 1 are all connected to the second switching unit 12.

[0115] When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the second switching unit 12 connects the upstream heat exchange area 40 to the main inlet 101, and connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the ejector inlet 102.

[0116] In some specific embodiments, when the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in heating mode, the second switching unit 12 connects both the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the return port of the compressor 1. The second switching unit 12 is in a first state at this time, in which the ejector 10 is disconnected from the compressor 1 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The second switching unit 12 can be configured as a three-way valve. In heating mode, the second switching unit 12 connects the heat exchanger in the third downstream heat exchange area 43 to the return port of the compressor 1. At this time, the high-pressure ejector 10 does not operate.

[0117] When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in cooling mode, the second switching unit 12 connects both the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the exhaust port of the compressor 1. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the second switching unit 12 is in the second state and connects the heat exchanger in the third downstream heat exchange area 43 to the main inlet 101 of the high-pressure injector 10. The ejector inlet 102 is connected to one of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 through the first switching valve 6, so that the refrigerant passing through the third downstream heat exchange area 43, the refrigerant flowing through the first downstream heat exchange area 41, and the refrigerant flowing through the second downstream heat exchange area 42 all flow back to the return port of the compressor 1 through the high-pressure injector 10 to achieve circulation in defrost mode.

[0118] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second switching unit 12 includes a fourth switching valve 120 and a fifth switching valve 121. At least one of the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42, the ejector inlet 102 and the compressor 1 are all connected to the fourth switching valve 120. The fourth switching valve 120 is used to control whether the refrigerant passing through the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 passes through the ejector inlet 102 of the high-pressure injector 10. In the heating mode of the air conditioning system 1000, the refrigerant enters the indoor heat exchanger 2 from the exhaust port of the compressor 1. The refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 2 has two flow paths. One path flows to the upstream heat exchange region 40 and the third downstream heat exchange region 43. The other path flows to the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 and passes through the first switching valve 6 and then through the fourth switching valve 120 to the second reversing unit 7. The refrigerant then flows back to the return port of the compressor 1 through the second reversing unit.

[0119] The fourth switching valve 120 is activated such that at least one of the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 is connected to one of the ejector inlet 102 and the second reversing unit 7.

[0120] This can be understood as follows: one of the valve ports of the fourth switching valve 120 is connected to the first switching valve 6, and one of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 can be connected to this valve port. The other two valve ports of the fourth switching valve 120 are connected to the ejector inlet 102 and the second reversing unit 7, respectively. This allows the refrigerant passing through the first downstream heat exchange area 41 or the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to either enter the high-pressure ejector 10 or return to the compressor 1 through the second reversing unit 7.

[0121] It should be noted that when the air conditioning system 1000 is in heating mode, the second reversing unit 7 will control the refrigerant to flow back to the return port of the compressor 1; while in cooling mode, the refrigerant does not need to pass through the high-pressure injector 10 and the second reversing unit 7 connects the exhaust port of the compressor 1 with the fourth switching valve 120, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant enters the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42.

[0122] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second switching unit 12 further includes a fifth switching valve 121. The upstream heat exchange region 40, the main inlet 101, and the compressor 1 are all connected to the fifth switching valve 121. One port of the fifth switching valve 121 can be connected to the third downstream heat exchange region 43, another port can be connected to the main inlet 101 of the high-pressure injector 10, and yet another port can be connected to the second reversing unit 7. When the fifth switching valve 121 is activated, the upstream heat exchange region 40 is connected to one of the main inlet 101 and the second reversing unit 7. In heating mode... The refrigerant passing through the upstream heat exchange zone 40 enters the main inlet 101 of the high-pressure injector 10, thereby enabling pressure control of the refrigerant in the upstream heat exchange zone 40 and the third downstream heat exchange zone 43, and the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42. This ensures the temperature difference between the upstream heat exchange zone 40, the third downstream heat exchange zone 43, and the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 in both cooling and defrosting modes. In cooling mode, the fifth switching valve 121 can directly connect the refrigerant passing through the upstream heat exchange zone 40 and the third downstream heat exchange zone 43 to the exhaust port of the compressor 1 through the second reversing unit 7.

[0123] When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the fourth switching valve 120 connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the ejector inlet 102, and the fifth switching valve 121 connects the upstream heat exchange area 40 to the main inlet 101.

[0124] When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in heating mode, the fourth switching valve 120 connects the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the return port of the compressor 1, and the fifth switching valve 121 connects the upstream heat exchange area 40 to the return port of the compressor 1.

[0125] When the air conditioning system 1000 is running in cooling mode, the fourth switching valve 120 connects the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to the exhaust port of the compressor 1, and the fifth switching valve 121 connects the upstream heat exchange area 40 to the exhaust port of the compressor 1.

[0126] This application, by setting a fourth switching valve 120 and a fifth switching valve 121, determines whether the refrigerant needs to pass through the high-pressure injector 10 in cooling mode, heating mode, and defrost mode. The high-pressure injector 10 controls the temperature difference between the upstream heat exchange area 40, the third downstream heat exchange area 43, the first downstream heat exchange area 41, and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 in heating mode and defrost mode, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the air conditioner and reducing the energy consumption of the air conditioning system 1000 in defrost mode.

[0127] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioning system 1000 further includes a sixth switching valve 131, the upstream heat exchange region 40, the fifth throttling element 132 and the compressor 1 are all connected to the sixth switching valve 131, and the upstream heat exchange region 40 is connected to the fifth throttling element 132 via the sixth switching valve 131.

[0128] When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the sixth switching valve 131 connects the upstream heat exchange area 40 to the fifth throttling element 132. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in heating mode, the sixth switching valve 131 connects the upstream heat exchange area 40 to the return port of the compressor 1. When the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in cooling mode, the sixth switching valve 131 connects the upstream heat exchange area 40 to the exhaust port of the compressor 1. The sixth switching valve 131 can be used to control whether the refrigerant passing through the upstream heat exchange area 40 passes through the fifth throttling element 132 between heating and cooling modes, thereby controlling the state of the refrigerant entering the return port of the compressor 1.

[0129] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the air conditioning system 1000 is operating in defrost mode, the temperature of the upstream heat exchange zone 40 is below the dew point temperature but above the condensation temperature, and the temperature of the other of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 is below the condensation temperature.

[0130] The following is a brief description of some specific embodiments according to the present invention.

[0131] Example 1

[0132] like Figure 1-4As shown, the air conditioning system 1000 includes a compressor 1, an indoor heat exchanger 2, an upstream heat exchange area 40, a first downstream heat exchange area 41, a second downstream heat exchange area 42, and a third downstream heat exchange area 43. The exhaust port and return port of the compressor 1 are connected to a second reversing unit 7, which is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4, respectively, to control the air conditioning system 1000 to select either a cooling mode or a heating mode. A first throttling element 30 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the upstream heat exchange area 40, and a second throttling element 31 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42. A first switching valve is provided between the second throttling element 31 and the first upstream heat exchange area 40 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42. The first switching valve switches the refrigerant flowing from the second throttling element 31 to the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and / or the second downstream heat exchange area 42. The first switching valve can be used to control one of the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and / or the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 to enter defrost mode.

[0133] The air conditioning system 1000 also includes a high-pressure injector 10, a fourth switching valve 120, and a fifth switching valve 121. The fourth switching valve 120 is connected to the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and / or the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, the injection port of the high-pressure injector 10, and the second reversing unit 7. The fifth switching valve 121 connects the third downstream heat exchange zone 43, the main inlet 101 of the high-pressure injector 10, and the second reversing unit 7. The fourth switching valve 120 and the fifth switching valve 121 are used to control whether the refrigerant flows through the high-pressure injector 10 in cooling mode and heating mode.

[0134] Example 2

[0135] like Figure 5-8 As shown, the air conditioning system 1000 includes a compressor 1, an indoor heat exchanger 2, an upstream heat exchange area 40, a first downstream heat exchange area 41, a second downstream heat exchange area 42, and a third downstream heat exchange area 43. The exhaust port and return port of the compressor 1 are connected to a second reversing unit 7, which is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4, respectively, to control the air conditioning system 1000 to select either a cooling mode or a heating mode. A first throttling element 30 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the upstream heat exchange area 40, and a second throttling element 31 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42.

[0136] The first downstream heat exchange region 41 is connected to the second downstream heat exchange region 42 via the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9 in sequence. The second throttling element 31 is connected between the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9. The throttling unit is connected to the piping that connects the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9. This can be understood as the throttling unit being connected to the piping between the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9, thereby allowing the throttling element to be connected to the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9 respectively.

[0137] The air conditioning system also includes a first reversing unit. The first downstream heat exchange area 41, the second downstream heat exchange area 42, the exhaust port of the compressor 1, and the return port of the compressor 1 are all connected to the first reversing unit. The first reversing unit is used to control the switching of the air conditioning system between cooling mode and heating mode.

[0138] In some embodiments, the air conditioning system is provided with a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor 1 through a second reversing unit 7, and the second flow path is connected to the return port of the compressor 1 through a second reversing unit 7. A second switching valve 60 is connected to the first downstream heat exchange area 41, the first flow path, and the second flow path respectively to control the flow direction of the refrigerant in the first upstream heat exchange area 40. A third switching valve 61 is connected to the second downstream heat exchange area 42, the first flow path, and the second flow path respectively to further control the flow direction of the refrigerant in the second heat exchange area. In defrost mode, the second switching valve 60 and the third switching valve 61 operate to connect the first downstream heat exchange area 41 with one of the first flow path and the second flow path, and the second downstream heat exchange area 42 with the other of the first flow path and the second flow path. A shut-off valve 8 is installed on the first flow path to control the first downstream heat exchange area 41 or the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to perform heating defrosting or circuit-breaking defrosting in defrosting mode. Here, circuit breaking means that no refrigerant passes through the heat exchange area being defrosted, and only outdoor air is used to exchange heat with the heat exchange area for defrosting.

[0139] The air conditioning system 1000 also includes a high-pressure injector 10, a fourth switching valve 120, and a fifth switching valve 121. The fourth switching valve 120 is connected to the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and / or the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, the injection port of the high-pressure injector 10, and the second reversing unit 7. The fifth switching valve 121 connects the third downstream heat exchange zone 43, the main inlet 101 of the high-pressure injector 10, and the second reversing unit 7. The fourth switching valve 120 and the fifth switching valve 121 are used to control whether the refrigerant flows through the high-pressure injector 10 in cooling mode and heating mode.

[0140] Example 3

[0141] like Figure 9-12As shown, the air conditioning system 1000 includes a compressor 1, an indoor heat exchanger 2, an upstream heat exchange area 40, a first downstream heat exchange area 41, a second downstream heat exchange area 42, and a third downstream heat exchange area 43. The exhaust port and return port of the compressor 1 are connected to a second reversing unit 7, which is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4, respectively, to control the air conditioning system 1000 to select either a cooling mode or a heating mode. A first throttling element 30 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the upstream heat exchange area 40, and a second throttling element 31 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 2 and the first downstream heat exchange area 41 and the second downstream heat exchange area 42.

[0142] A third throttling element 5 and a fourth throttling element 9 are connected between the first downstream heat exchange region 41 and the second downstream heat exchange region 42. A second throttling element 31 is connected between the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9. A first flow path and a second flow path are defined. The first flow path is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor 1 via a second reversing unit 7, and the second flow path is connected to the return port of the compressor 1 via the second reversing unit 7. A second switching valve 60 is connected to the first downstream heat exchange region 41, the first flow path, and the second flow path to control the flow direction of the refrigerant in the first upstream heat exchange region 40. A third switching valve 61 is connected to the second downstream heat exchange region 42, the first flow path, and the second flow path to further control the flow direction of the refrigerant in the second heat exchange region. In defrost mode, the operation of the second switching valve 60 and the third switching valve 61 connects the first downstream heat exchange region 41 to one of the first and second flow paths, and the second downstream heat exchange region 42 to the other of the first and second flow paths. A shut-off valve 8 is installed on the first flow path to control the first downstream heat exchange area 41 or the second downstream heat exchange area 42 to perform heating defrosting or circuit-breaking defrosting in defrosting mode. Here, circuit breaking means that no refrigerant passes through the heat exchange area being defrosted, and only outdoor air is used to exchange heat with the heat exchange area for defrosting.

[0143] The third embodiment also includes a fifth three-way valve 131 and a fifth throttling element 132. The fifth three-way valve 131 and the fifth throttling element 132 are disposed between the third downstream heat exchange region 43 and the second reversing unit 7. The fifth three-way valve 131 is connected to the third downstream heat exchange region 43, the second reversing unit 7 and the fifth throttling element 132 respectively. The fifth throttling element 132 is connected to the fifth three-way valve 131 and the second reversing unit 7 respectively. The fifth three-way valve 131 is adapted to guide the refrigerant after passing through the third downstream heat exchange zone 43 to the fifth throttling element 132 in defrost mode, so as to control the pressure difference of the refrigerant in the upstream heat exchange zone 40, the third downstream heat exchange zone 43 and the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42, so as to ensure that the temperature of the refrigerant in the upstream heat exchange zone 40 and the third downstream heat exchange zone 43 is higher than the temperature of the refrigerant in the first downstream heat exchange zone 41 and the second downstream heat exchange zone 42. The fifth three-way valve 131 is also adapted to control the third downstream heat exchange zone 43 to be connected to the second reversing unit 7 in cooling mode and heating mode, so that the refrigerant no longer passes through the fifth throttling element 132. In heating mode, the third throttling element 5 and the fourth throttling element 9 are used to achieve the temperature difference of the refrigerant in the first downstream heat exchange zone 41, the second downstream heat exchange zone 42 and the upstream heat exchange zone 40 and the third downstream heat exchange zone 43.

[0144] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0145] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system, characterized in that, The air conditioning system has a refrigerant circulation path, which includes a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a throttling unit, and an outdoor heat exchanger connected in sequence. The outdoor heat exchanger includes an upstream heat exchange region, a first downstream heat exchange region, and a second downstream heat exchange region. In the airflow direction, the upstream heat exchange region is located upstream of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region. When the air conditioning system is operating in heating mode or defrosting mode, the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger flows to the outdoor heat exchanger after passing through the throttling unit. When the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, one of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area is defrosted, and the temperature of the upstream heat exchange area is higher than the temperature of the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area. The air conditioning system includes a first reversing unit, and the first downstream heat exchange area, the second downstream heat exchange area, the exhaust port of the compressor, and the return port of the compressor are all connected to the first reversing unit. When the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the first reversing unit connects one of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, and connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor, so that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in series.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outdoor heat exchanger also includes a third downstream heat exchange region, which is located downstream of the upstream heat exchange region in the airflow direction. The upstream heat exchange region is connected to the compressor via the third downstream heat exchange region.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a four-way valve, to which the compressor's exhaust port, compressor return port, indoor heat exchanger, and outdoor heat exchanger are all connected. When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode, the four-way valve connects the compressor's exhaust port to the outdoor heat exchanger and the compressor's return port to the indoor heat exchanger, so that the refrigerant flowing from the compressor's exhaust port flows to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger flows to the compressor's return port. When the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode or the defrosting mode, the four-way valve connects the compressor's exhaust port to the indoor heat exchanger and the compressor's return port to the outdoor heat exchanger, so that the refrigerant flowing from the compressor's exhaust port flows to the indoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flowing from the compressor's return port flows to the outdoor heat exchanger.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air conditioning system further includes a first switching valve, the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel, the throttling unit is connected to the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area via the first switching valve, and the first switching valve can switch so that a portion of the refrigerant flowing out of the throttling unit flows to the first downstream heat exchange area and / or the second downstream heat exchange area.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The throttling unit includes a first throttling element and a second throttling element. The indoor heat exchanger is connected to the upstream heat exchange area via the first throttling element, and the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the first switching valve via the second throttling element.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, When the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the first switching valve connects the throttling unit to the first downstream heat exchange area or the second downstream heat exchange area. When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode or heating mode, the first switching valve connects the throttling unit to the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first downstream heat exchange region is connected to the second downstream heat exchange region via a third throttling element and a fourth throttling element in sequence, and the throttling unit is connected to the piping that connects the third throttling element and the fourth throttling element.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode, the first reversing unit connects both the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor, so that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel. When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode, the first reversing unit connects both the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, so that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel.

9. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first commutation unit includes: The second switching valve is connected to the first downstream heat exchange area, the compressor's exhaust port, and the compressor's return port; and The third switching valve is connected to the second downstream heat exchange area, the compressor's exhaust port, and the compressor's return port.

10. The air conditioning system according to claim 9, characterized in that, When the air conditioning system is operating in defrost mode, the second switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area to the compressor's exhaust port, and the third switching valve connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the compressor's return port; alternatively, the second switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area to the compressor's return port, and the third switching valve connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the compressor's exhaust port, thus connecting the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area in series. When the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode, the second switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area to the compressor's return port, and the third switching valve connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the compressor's return port, so that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel. When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode, the second switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, and the third switching valve connects the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, so that the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are connected in parallel.

11. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The throttling unit includes a first throttling element and a second throttling element. The indoor heat exchanger is connected to the upstream heat exchange area via the first throttling element, and the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the piping that connects the third throttling element and the fourth throttling element via the second throttling element.

12. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first reversing unit is connected to the piping that connects the compressor and the indoor heat exchanger via an on / off valve. When the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the on / off valve connects the compressor's exhaust port to the first reversing unit; When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode or heating mode, the on / off valve does not connect the compressor to the first reversing unit.

13. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1-5, 7-12, characterized in that, The air conditioning system includes an ejector, which has a main inlet, an ejector inlet, and an outlet. When the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the main inlet is connected to the upstream heat exchange area, the ejector inlet is connected to the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area, and the outlet is connected to the return port of the compressor. The refrigerant flowing out from the upstream heat exchange area and the refrigerant flowing out from the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area are combined in the ejector and discharged to the return port of the compressor.

14. The air conditioning system according to claim 13, characterized in that, It also includes a second switching unit, wherein at least one of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region, the upstream heat exchange region, the ejector inlet, the main inlet and the compressor are all connected to the second switching unit.

15. The air conditioning system according to claim 14, characterized in that, When the air conditioning system is operating in defrost mode, the second switching unit connects the upstream heat exchange area to the main inlet, and connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the ejector inlet. When the air conditioning system is operating in the heating mode, the second switching unit connects both the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the return port of the compressor. When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode, the second switching unit connects both the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor.

16. The air conditioning system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The second switching unit includes: A fourth switching valve, wherein at least one of the first downstream heat exchange region and the second downstream heat exchange region, the ejector inlet and the compressor are both connected to the fourth switching valve; and The fifth switching valve is connected to the upstream heat exchange area, the main inlet, and the compressor.

17. The air conditioning system according to claim 16, characterized in that, When the air conditioning system is operating in defrost mode, the fourth switching valve connects the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the ejector inlet, and the fifth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the main inlet. When the air conditioning system is operating in heating mode, the fourth switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the compressor's return port, and the fifth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the compressor's return port. When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode, the fourth switching valve connects the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor, and the fifth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the exhaust port of the compressor.

18. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 7-12, characterized in that, It also includes a fifth throttling element, through which the upstream heat exchange region is connected to the compressor.

19. The air conditioning system according to claim 18, characterized in that, It also includes a sixth switching valve, to which the upstream heat exchange region, the fifth throttling element and the compressor are all connected, and the upstream heat exchange region is connected to the fifth throttling element via the sixth switching valve.

20. The air conditioning system according to claim 19, characterized in that, When the air conditioning system is operating in defrost mode, the sixth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area with the fifth throttling element. When the air conditioning system is operating in heating mode, the sixth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area to the compressor's return port. When the air conditioning system is operating in cooling mode, the sixth switching valve connects the upstream heat exchange area with the exhaust port of the compressor.

21. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the air conditioning system is operating in the defrost mode, the temperature of the upstream heat exchange area is below the dew point temperature but above the condensation temperature, and the temperature of the other of the first downstream heat exchange area and the second downstream heat exchange area is below the condensation temperature.

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