Air conditioner and fine-adjustment variable-volume liquid storage device

Abstract

The invention provides an air conditioner and a fine-adjustment variable-volume liquid storage device, and the air conditioner comprises a heat pump circulation system which comprises a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger and a throttling valve which are connected through a refrigerant pipeline, and the four-way valve is used for switching between a refrigeration mode and a heating mode; a fine-adjustment variable-volume liquid storage device comprises a liquid storage tank, a corrugated pipe and a temperature sensing bag, the liquid storage tank is communicated with a refrigerant pipeline, the corrugated pipe is arranged in the liquid storage tank and communicated to the temperature sensing bag through a temperature sensing pipeline, the temperature sensing bag is tightly attached to a heat exchange section of an outdoor heat exchanger, and the liquid storage tank and the refrigerant pipeline are each filled with a refrigerant. The corrugated pipe and the temperature sensing pipeline are filled with second refrigerants. According to the air conditioner, automatic thermal self-adaptive adjustment is achieved by finely adjusting the variable-volume liquid storage device, the refrigerant charging amount in the system can be adjusted in real time according to outdoor temperature changes, and the performance and efficiency of the air conditioner under various working conditions are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of electrical appliances, and in particular to an air conditioner and a fine-adjustable variable-volume liquid storage device. Background Art

[0002] The refrigerant charge amount will significantly affect the air conditioner system performance. Too little or too much charge will have an adverse effect on performance. Under a certain condition, there is an optimal charge amount range that maximizes the air conditioner's cooling capacity or COP. As outdoor conditions change, the refrigerant charge amount range that allows the air conditioner to achieve optimal performance will also change. However, the charge amount of the air conditioner when it leaves the factory is fixed, and it is charged according to the optimal charge amount for the rated refrigeration condition. Therefore, achieving adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant charge amount under variable conditions is an important way to improve the air conditioner's full operating performance and reduce emissions.

[0003] There are few existing technologies that can achieve refrigerant charge adjustment. There is a method of adjusting the charge amount when switching between cooling and heating through a liquid storage tank, but the adjustment ability is rough and cannot achieve adaptive adjustment following the changes in outdoor temperature conditions during cooling or heating. The high-pressure liquid storage tank in a large refrigeration system can equivalently achieve the effect of adjusting the refrigerant charge amount, but it is not suitable for room air conditioners. There is also a method of intelligently controlling the charge amount through machine learning of the refrigerant charge amount, operating efficiency and related operating parameters, but the electronic control adjustment requires the use of solenoid valves and motors, which is costly and inconsistent with the economy of the air conditioner. Therefore, there is a need for a thermally self-powered device that is low in cost, small in size, easy to assemble, has high adjustment accuracy and is suitable for air conditioners, so as to achieve adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant charge amount of the air conditioner when switching between cooling and heating and when the outdoor temperature changes under cooling or heating conditions. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides an air conditioner and a fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device to solve the defects in the prior art and achieve the following technical effects: automatic thermal adaptive regulation is achieved through the fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device, and the refrigerant filling amount in the system can be adjusted in real time according to changes in outdoor temperature, thereby significantly improving the performance and efficiency of the air conditioner under various working conditions.

[0005] An air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises: A heat pump circulation system, comprising a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger and a throttle valve connected by a refrigerant pipeline, wherein the four-way valve is used for switching between a cooling mode and a heating mode; The fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device comprises a liquid storage tank, a bellows and a temperature-sensitive bag, wherein the liquid storage tank is connected to the refrigerant pipeline, the bellows is arranged inside the liquid storage tank and is connected to the temperature-sensitive bag through the temperature-sensitive pipeline, the temperature-sensitive bag is closely attached to the heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the liquid storage tank and the refrigerant pipeline are both filled with a first refrigerant, and the bellows and the temperature-sensitive pipeline are both filled with a second refrigerant.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device also includes an elastic member, wherein one end of the bellows is fixed to an inner wall on one side of the liquid storage tank and is openly arranged, the other end of the bellows is connected to one end of the elastic member and is closed, and the other end of the elastic member is fixed to an inner wall on the other side of the liquid storage tank.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is a constant pressure spring.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the constant pressure spring is fixed to the top wall of the liquid storage tank, the lower end of the elastic member is fixed to the upper end of the bellows, and the lower end of the bellows is fixed to the bottom wall of the liquid storage tank.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first refrigerant is R410A, and the second refrigerant is R32.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bellows is a polytetrafluoroethylene bellows.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner further comprises: A coarse adjustment cecal device comprises a tank shell and an intermediate heat exchanger, wherein the intermediate heat exchanger is installed in the tank shell and is used for heat exchange with the tank shell, wherein both ends of the intermediate heat exchanger are respectively connected to the four-way valve and the indoor heat exchanger, and the tank shell is connected to a first point of the refrigerant pipeline through a cecal pipeline, and the first point is located between the outdoor heat exchanger and the four-way valve.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate heat exchanger is a coil heat exchanger.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a communication port is provided on the top of the tank shell, and the cecal duct is connected to the communication port.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sealing cover is provided on the top of the tank shell, the sealing cover is adapted to seal with the connecting port, and an adjustable valve assembly is provided on the sealing cover, and the valve assembly is used to control the flow state between the cecal duct and the inside of the tank shell.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first control valve is provided on the temperature sensing pipe, and a second control valve is provided at the outlet of the liquid storage tank.

[0016] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device is applied to an air conditioner, and includes a liquid storage tank, a bellows and a temperature sensing bag. The liquid storage tank is used to be connected to the refrigerant pipeline of the air conditioner. The bellows is arranged inside the liquid storage tank and is connected to the temperature sensing bag through the temperature sensing pipeline. The temperature sensing bag is used to be close to the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner, and the liquid storage tank is filled with the same first refrigerant as the air conditioner, and the bellows and the temperature sensing pipeline are filled with the second refrigerant.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device also includes an elastic member, wherein one end of the bellows is fixed to an inner wall on one side of the liquid storage tank and the other end is connected to one end of the elastic member, and the other end of the elastic member is fixed to an inner wall on the other side of the liquid storage tank.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is a constant pressure spring, the upper end of which is fixed to the top wall of the liquid storage tank, the lower end of which is fixed to the upper end of the bellows, and the lower end of which is fixed to the bottom wall of the liquid storage tank.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first refrigerant is R410A, and the second refrigerant is R32; and the bellows is a polytetrafluoroethylene bellows.

[0020] The present invention provides an air conditioner which utilizes a fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device to automatically adjust the refrigerant charge in the system according to changes in outdoor temperature. Compared with the related art, it has at least the following advantages.

[0021] (1) Enhanced adaptive adjustment capability: Traditional refrigerant charge adjustment technology often relies on manual intervention or simple mechanical structures, with limited adjustment accuracy and response speed. The present invention realizes automatic thermal adaptive adjustment by fine-tuning the variable volume liquid storage device, and can adjust the refrigerant charge in the system in real time according to the change of outdoor temperature, significantly improving the performance and efficiency of the air conditioner under various working conditions.

[0022] (2) Cost-effectiveness: Although the previous electronic control scheme can realize intelligent control, it usually requires the configuration of electrical components such as solenoid valves and motors, which not only increases the equipment cost, but also may affect the economic efficiency of the air conditioner. The present invention adopts a thermal self-adjustment method, through a simple combination of bellows, constant pressure spring and temperature sensing package, without the need for additional electric drive, thus reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0023] (3) Small size and easy assembly: The fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device is compact in design, occupies little space, and is easy to install into the existing air-conditioning system. It will not significantly affect the overall size of the air conditioner, which is conducive to the lightweight and miniaturized design of the product.

[0024] (4) High regulation accuracy: Through the different working fluid characteristics of the second refrigerant (R32) and the first refrigerant (such as R410A), especially the sensitivity of R32 to temperature, it can accurately sense the change of outdoor temperature and achieve precise control of the refrigerant charge by fine-tuning the volume of the bellows. This mechanism is more sophisticated than the traditional rough regulation method and helps the system to operate in the optimal performance range.

[0025] (5) Improved environmental protection: The design of this system does not increase additional energy consumption, and the selection of refrigerants takes environmental factors into consideration, which meets the current requirements for the environmental protection of refrigerants and reduces the potential impact on the environment.

[0026] (6) Optimized performance under all operating conditions: The control device can work effectively in both cooling and heating modes, especially in environments with large outdoor temperature fluctuations. It can automatically adapt to reduce energy waste and improve user comfort. It also extends the service life of the air conditioner and reduces maintenance costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the air conditioner provided by the present invention in the cooling mode.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the air conditioner provided by the present invention in the heating mode.

[0030] Reference numerals: 1. Compressor; 2. Four-way valve; 3. Outdoor heat exchanger; 4. Indoor heat exchanger; 5. Throttle valve; 6. Tank shell; 7. Intermediate heat exchanger; 8. Liquid storage tank; 9. Bellows; 10. Constant pressure spring; 11. Temperature sensing package. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] The air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a heat pump circulation system and a fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the heat pump circulation system includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, an indoor heat exchanger 4 and a throttle valve 5 connected by a refrigerant pipeline. The four-way valve 2 is used for switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode.

[0034] The fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device comprises a liquid storage tank 8, a bellows 9 and a temperature sensing package 11. The liquid storage tank 8 is connected to the refrigerant pipeline. The bellows 9 is arranged inside the liquid storage tank 8 and is connected to the temperature sensing package 11 through the temperature sensing pipeline. The temperature sensing package 11 is closely attached to the heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The liquid storage tank 8 and the refrigerant pipeline are both filled with the first refrigerant, and the bellows 9 and the temperature sensing pipeline are both filled with the second refrigerant.

[0035] According to the air conditioner design of the embodiment of the invention, the system integrates a heat pump circulation system and a fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device to achieve adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant charge amount, thereby automatically optimizing the performance of the air conditioner under different working conditions.

[0036] Specifically, the heat pump circulation system is the core circulation part of the air conditioner, which includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3 (also called a condenser), an indoor heat exchanger 4 (evaporator) and a throttle valve 5 (expansion valve). They are connected through a refrigerant pipeline to form a closed loop. As a control element, the four-way valve 2 can switch the flow direction of the refrigerant as needed to achieve the conversion from cooling mode to heating mode.

[0037] The fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device is one of the key innovations of the present invention, which is used to achieve fine-tuning of the refrigerant charge amount. It consists of a liquid storage tank 8, a bellows 9 and a temperature-sensing package 11. The liquid storage tank 8 is connected to the refrigerant pipeline, and the bellows 9 is placed inside the liquid storage tank 8 and connected to the temperature-sensing package 11 through a temperature-sensing pipeline. The temperature-sensing package 11 fits tightly to the heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 to directly sense changes in outdoor temperature. It is worth noting that the first refrigerant (such as R410A) filled in the liquid storage tank 8 and the refrigerant pipeline and the second refrigerant (such as R32) in the bellows 9 and the temperature-sensing pipeline are two different substances, and their saturation pressure characteristics are different.

[0038] Furthermore, the specific working principle and process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention are as follows.

[0039] In cooling mode: When the air conditioner is in cooling mode, the four-way valve 2 sets the refrigerant flow direction so that the low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 4 (evaporator) to absorb heat and then becomes gaseous, then enters the compressor 1 to be compressed into high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous, and then releases heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 3 (condenser) to become liquid. At this time, the temperature sensing package 11 is close to the heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 to sense the condensation temperature.

[0040] If the outdoor temperature rises, the condensing temperature also rises, and the saturated vapor pressure of the second refrigerant (such as R32) in the temperature-sensing package 11 increases due to the temperature increase, and the saturated vapor pressure of the first refrigerant (such as R410A) in the liquid storage tank 8 increases due to the temperature increase, and the increase in the saturated vapor pressure of the second refrigerant is greater than the increase in the saturated vapor pressure of the first refrigerant. This causes a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the bellows 9, the pressure volume of the bellows 9 increases, the length of the constant pressure spring 10 shortens, and the volume of the liquid storage tank 8 decreases, and then the liquid first refrigerant (such as R410A) in the liquid storage tank 8 is pushed into the refrigerant pipeline to participate in the circulation, thereby increasing the refrigerant charge in the system and optimizing the refrigeration effect.

[0041] On the contrary, if the outdoor temperature drops, the condensing temperature decreases, the saturated vapor pressure of the second refrigerant (such as R32) in the bellows 9 and the first refrigerant (such as R410A) in the liquid storage tank 8 decreases, and the decrease in the saturated vapor pressure of the second refrigerant is greater than the decrease in the saturated vapor pressure of the first refrigerant. The pressure difference causes the volume of the bellows 9 to decrease, the length of the constant pressure spring 10 to elongate, the volume of the liquid storage tank 8 to increase, and part of the liquid first refrigerant (R410A) flows into the liquid storage tank 8, and the refrigerant charge in the system is reduced, maintaining efficient refrigeration.

[0042] In the heating mode, although the liquid storage tank 8 does not play a big role, it maintains the maximum volume to ensure that the system can work stably in the heating cycle, and the main adjustment mechanism lies in the switching of the four-way valve 2 and the change of the refrigerant flow direction.

[0043] Therefore, through the above mechanism, the fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device can automatically adjust the refrigerant charge in the system according to the change of outdoor temperature, so that the air conditioner can maintain high efficiency and performance under different working conditions. This design does not require additional electronic control devices and relies on thermodynamic principles for adaptive adjustment, which is both economical and efficient.

[0044] In the related art, the refrigerant charge amount will significantly affect the system performance of the air conditioner. Too little or too much charge amount will have an adverse effect on the performance. Under a certain specific operating condition, there is an optimal charge amount range that maximizes the cooling capacity or COP of the air conditioner. As the outdoor operating conditions change, the refrigerant charge amount range that enables the air conditioner to achieve the best performance will also change. However, the charge amount of the air conditioner when it leaves the factory is fixed, and it is charged according to the optimal charge amount for the rated refrigeration condition. Therefore, achieving adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant charge amount under variable operating conditions is an important way to improve the performance of the air conditioner under all operating conditions and reduce emissions.

[0045] There are few existing technologies that can achieve refrigerant charge adjustment. There is a method of adjusting the charge when switching between cooling and heating through the liquid storage tank 8, but the adjustment ability is rough and cannot achieve adaptive adjustment following the changes in outdoor temperature conditions during cooling or heating. The high-pressure liquid storage tank in a large refrigeration system can equivalently achieve the effect of adjusting the refrigerant charge, but it is not suitable for room air conditioners. There is also a method of intelligently controlling the charge through machine learning of the refrigerant charge, operating efficiency and related operating parameters, but the electronic control adjustment requires the use of solenoid valves and motors, which is costly and inconsistent with the economy of the air conditioner. Therefore, there is a need for a thermally self-powered device that is low in cost, small in size, easy to assemble, has high adjustment accuracy and is suitable for air conditioners, so as to achieve adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant charge when the air conditioner switches between cooling and heating and when the outdoor temperature changes under cooling or heating conditions.

[0046] Therefore, in order to solve the technical defects existing in the above-mentioned related technologies, the present invention provides an air conditioner, which utilizes a fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device to automatically adjust the refrigerant filling amount in the system according to changes in outdoor temperature, and has at least the following advantages compared to the related technologies.

[0047] (1) Enhanced adaptive adjustment capability: Traditional refrigerant charge adjustment technology often relies on manual intervention or simple mechanical structures, with limited adjustment accuracy and response speed. The present invention realizes automatic thermal adaptive adjustment by fine-tuning the variable volume liquid storage device, and can adjust the refrigerant charge in the system in real time according to the change of outdoor temperature, significantly improving the performance and efficiency of the air conditioner under various working conditions.

[0048] (2) Cost-effectiveness: Although the previous electronic control scheme can realize intelligent control, it usually needs to be equipped with electrical components such as solenoid valves and motors, which not only increases the equipment cost, but also may affect the economic efficiency of the air conditioner. The present invention adopts a thermal self-adjustment method, through a simple combination of a bellows 9, a constant pressure spring 10 and a temperature sensing package 11, without the need for additional electric drive, thereby reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0049] (3) Small size and easy assembly: The fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device is compact in design, occupies little space, and is easy to install into the existing air-conditioning system. It will not significantly affect the overall size of the air conditioner, which is conducive to the lightweight and miniaturized design of the product.

[0050] (4) High regulation accuracy: Through the different working fluid characteristics of the second refrigerant (R32) and the first refrigerant (such as R410A), especially the sensitivity of R32 to temperature, it can accurately sense the change of outdoor temperature, and achieve precise control of the refrigerant charge by fine-tuning the volume of the bellows 9. This mechanism is more sophisticated than the traditional rough regulation method and helps the system to operate in the optimal performance range.

[0051] (5) Improved environmental protection: The design of this system does not increase additional energy consumption, and the selection of refrigerants takes environmental factors into consideration, which meets the current requirements for the environmental protection of refrigerants and reduces the potential impact on the environment.

[0052] (6) Optimized performance under all operating conditions: The control device can work effectively in both cooling and heating modes, especially in environments with large outdoor temperature fluctuations. It can automatically adapt to reduce energy waste and improve user comfort. It also extends the service life of the air conditioner and reduces maintenance costs.

[0053] In summary, the air conditioner of the embodiment of the present invention demonstrates significant superiority in the adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant charge amount, which not only improves the flexibility and efficiency of the system, but also combines economy, environmental protection and reliability.

[0054] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device also includes an elastic member, wherein one end of the bellows 9 is fixed to an inner wall on one side of the liquid storage tank 8 and the other end is connected to one end of the elastic member, and the other end of the elastic member is fixed to an inner wall on the other side of the liquid storage tank 8.

[0055] It can be understood that the addition of the elastic member supports and guides the movement of the bellows 9, one end of which is fixed to the inner wall of one side of the liquid storage tank 8, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the other side of the liquid storage tank 8 through the elastic member. Such a layout makes the expansion and contraction movement of the bellows 9 more orderly and enhances the stability of the entire system.

[0056] At the same time, the bellows 9 is affected by temperature changes (sensed by the temperature sensing package 11), and the saturated vapor pressure of the second refrigerant (such as R32) inside it changes, and the volume of the bellows 9 changes accordingly. The elastic member plays an important role in this process. It can buffer the movement of the bellows 9 and convert its pressure changes into effective displacement, thereby affecting the volume of the liquid storage tank 8 through the volume change of the bellows 9, and realizing fine adjustment of the refrigerant charge. The presence of the elastic member makes this adjustment smoother and more precise.

[0057] Since the elastic member can provide a stable restoring force, even under small temperature fluctuations, the movement of the bellows 9 can be effectively converted into adjustment of the refrigerant charge amount, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of the system's response to changes in ambient temperature.

[0058] In addition, the use of the elastic member can also absorb part of the impact force caused by the pressure change, protecting the bellows 9 and the liquid storage tank 8 from damage due to excessive stress, thereby extending the service life of the device.

[0059] In this way, by introducing the fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device of elastic parts, not only the sensitivity and accuracy of the refrigerant filling amount adjustment are improved, but also the physical structure of the system is strengthened, making it more adaptable to long-term stable operation and facing complex and changeable external environmental conditions. In actual application, the performance of the air conditioner can be adjusted more efficiently, achieving the purpose of energy saving and emission reduction and improving user comfort.

[0060] For example Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the elastic member is a constant pressure spring 10. Further, the upper end of the constant pressure spring 10 is fixed to the top wall of the liquid storage tank 8, the lower end of the elastic member is fixed to the upper end of the bellows 9, and the lower end of the bellows 9 is fixed to the bottom wall of the liquid storage tank 8.

[0061] It can be understood that the constant pressure spring 10 is installed in the liquid storage tank 8 as an elastic member, one end of which is connected to the bellows 9, and the other end is fixed to the inner wall opposite to the liquid storage tank 8. In the cooling mode, when the outdoor temperature changes, the second refrigerant (such as R32) in the temperature sensing package 11 changes its saturated vapor pressure due to the increase or decrease in temperature. This pressure change is transmitted to the bellows 9 through the temperature sensing pipe, and the pressure in the bellows 9 changes accordingly, thereby compressing or stretching the constant pressure spring 10. The deformation of the constant pressure spring 10 will generate a reverse force, pushing the volume of the bellows 9 to change, and this volume change causes the internal volume of the liquid storage tank 8 to be adjusted accordingly. In this way, the amount of refrigerant circulating in the system (i.e., the first refrigerant, such as R410A) can be automatically adjusted to adapt to the external temperature and ensure that the air conditioner operates at the optimal refrigerant charge.

[0062] In this way, the stability and reset ability of the constant pressure spring 10 ensure the continuity and smoothness of the adjustment process, reduce the impact and wear inside the system, and extend the service life of the equipment. In addition, compared with the electronic control adjustment method, the pure mechanical adjustment method using the constant pressure spring 10 has a simple structure, reduces failure points, reduces maintenance costs, is not limited by power supply, and is applicable to more scenarios.

[0063] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first refrigerant is R410A, and the second refrigerant is R32.

[0064] As for the first refrigerant (R410A), its chemical composition is as follows: R410A is a mixed refrigerant, mainly composed of R32 (difluoromethane) and R125 (pentafluoroethane) in a certain proportion. It is a chlorine-free, environmentally friendly refrigerant, often used in modern air-conditioning systems to replace R22, which is harmful to the ozone layer.

[0065] The physical properties of R410A are: R410A is a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature, with high refrigeration efficiency and pressure, and requires a specially designed high-pressure system to adapt to its high-pressure characteristics.

[0066] Therefore, the role of the above-mentioned first refrigerant R410A in the system is: in the air-conditioning system of the present invention, R410A, as the main refrigerant, participates in the cooling and heating process of the entire heat pump cycle, and completes heat transfer through compression, condensation, expansion, evaporation and other stages.

[0067] As for the second refrigerant (R32), its chemical composition is introduced as follows: R32, also known as difluoromethane, is a single-component refrigerant. Compared with R410A, it is a purer compound.

[0068] The physical properties of R32 are: The saturated vapor pressure of R32 is more sensitive to temperature changes, which means that even with a slight change in temperature, it can produce a large pressure change. This feature makes it very suitable for use as a temperature sensing medium.

[0069] Therefore, the role of the second refrigerant R32 in the system is as follows: in the fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device, R32 is encapsulated in the bellows 9 and the temperature-sensing package 11 as the second refrigerant, and does not directly participate in the refrigeration cycle, but serves as a medium for pressure regulation. Through the temperature-sensing package 11 close to the heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger 3, R32 can directly sense the change of outdoor temperature, and affect the volume of the bellows 9 through the change of saturated vapor pressure, and then adjust the volume of the liquid storage tank 8 through the volume change of the constant pressure spring 10 and the bellows 9, and indirectly control the charge amount of the refrigerant (R410A).

[0070] In summary, the combined use of the first refrigerant (R410A) and the second refrigerant (R32) realizes the thermodynamic adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant charge. The cleverness of this design lies in that it utilizes the different saturated vapor pressure characteristics of the two refrigerants R32 and R410A, converts the temperature signal into pressure changes, and then adjusts the refrigerant circulation volume by mechanical means (interaction between the bellows 9 and the spring). In this way, the air-conditioning system can automatically adjust the refrigerant charge to the optimal level under different working conditions, especially when the outdoor temperature fluctuates, to ensure efficient and stable operation of the system while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. This mechanism does not require complex electronic control, has low cost, and the adjustment process is adaptive, which improves the adaptability and energy efficiency of the air conditioner under variable working conditions.

[0071] In addition, as an environmentally friendly refrigerant, R410A meets the current requirements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the ozone layer, while the use of R32 alone is also a trend in the development of future refrigerants because it has a lower global warming potential (GWP).

[0072] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the bellows 9 is a polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9.

[0073] It should be pointed out that polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a high-performance fluoroplastic material with extremely strong chemical inertness and corrosion resistance, and is almost not corroded by any known solvents, including strong acids, strong alkalis, organic solvents, etc. This allows the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 to remain stable for a long time and not be corroded when facing refrigerants (such as R410A, R32) and mixtures of lubricating oil, water, etc. that they may contain, thus extending the service life.

[0074] Thus, the PTFE bellows 9 can withstand a wide temperature range, with good stability from low to high temperatures, which is essential for the alternating hot and cold conditions that may be experienced in air conditioning systems. Whether it is low temperatures during cooling or high temperatures during heating, PTFE can maintain its physical properties unchanged, ensuring the reliable operation of the regulation mechanism.

[0075] Furthermore, PTFE has a very low friction coefficient, which means that when the refrigerant flows through the bellows 9, the resistance is small and no additional energy loss is generated due to friction, which is beneficial to improving the energy efficiency of the system.

[0076] In addition, the design of the bellows 9 is to adapt to volume changes and pressure changes, and the flexibility and elasticity of the polytetrafluoroethylene material can meet this requirement. Under the action of the constant pressure spring 10, it can freely expand and contract according to the pressure change and accurately adjust the refrigerant charge. At the same time, the surface properties of PTFE make it difficult to adhere to other substances, which helps to reduce the deposition of impurities in the refrigerant, keep the pipeline clean, and ensure smooth flow of refrigerant.

[0077] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the air conditioner further comprises a coarse adjustment caecum device.

[0078] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the coarse-adjustment cecal device includes a tank shell 6 and an intermediate heat exchanger 7. The intermediate heat exchanger 7 is installed in the tank shell 6 and is used to exchange heat with the tank shell 6. The two ends of the intermediate heat exchanger 7 are respectively connected to the four-way valve 2 and the indoor heat exchanger 4. The tank shell 6 is connected to the first point of the refrigerant pipeline through the cecal pipeline, and the first point is located between the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the four-way valve 2.

[0079] It can be understood that the coarse-adjustment cecal device is used for a one-time large-scale adjustment of the filling amount when switching between cooling and heating modes. The temperature change difference caused by the reversing of the four-way valve 2 causes the refrigerant to undergo a phase change in a bypass cecal tube, thereby realizing the storage of liquid refrigerant or the discharge of gaseous refrigerant, causing the total refrigerant filling amount circulating in the system to change.

[0080] The specific working process of the rough adjustment caecum device is described as follows: When the cooling mode is started, the air conditioner starts the cooling mode, the compressor 1 works, and the refrigerant is compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and then enters the outdoor heat exchanger 3 (condenser). Here, the refrigerant releases heat to the external environment and turns into a high-pressure liquid. A part of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant is guided by the four-way valve 2 and introduced into the caecum tube. The caecum tube is essentially a bypass pipe, one end of which is connected to the refrigerant pipe (located after the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and before the four-way valve 2), and the other end leads to the intermediate heat exchanger 7 inside the tank shell 6.

[0081] The liquid refrigerant entering the tank shell 6 exchanges heat with the tank shell 6 environment in the intermediate heat exchanger 7. Since the temperature inside the tank shell 6 is lower than the saturation temperature of the refrigerant, the refrigerant will condense. The unevaporated liquid refrigerant is stored in the tank shell 6, thereby reducing the amount of refrigerant flowing in the main cycle, achieving a rough adjustment of the refrigerant charge amount in the refrigeration mode, and optimizing the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

[0082] In the process of switching from cooling to heating mode, the state of the four-way valve 2 is switched from the c and d ends connected in the cooling mode to the c and s ends connected, and the d and e ends connected at the same time. This change changes the flow direction of the refrigerant in the system, preparing for the heating mode.

[0083] With the switching of the four-way valve 2, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant no longer flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 (condenser), but is redirected to enter the coil heat exchanger. At this time, the liquid refrigerant originally stored in the cecum tube evaporates into gas due to the increase in temperature, and is then sucked into the system cycle from the inlet at a to participate in the heating cycle. This process increases the amount of refrigerant in the system cycle and provides the necessary refrigerant charge for the heating mode.

[0084] The R32 temperature sensing package 11 is close to the evaporation section of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 to sense changes in ambient temperature. Since it is at the initial stage of mode switching, the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 is less affected by temperature and basically remains in a compressed state without significant adjustment. While the refrigerant flow direction changes, the liquid storage tank 8 maintains the maximum volume, ready to receive the low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant returned from the system, ensuring a smooth transition of the system cycle and avoiding excessive or insufficient refrigerant.

[0085] In summary, the coarse-adjustment cecal device, through its special structural design, utilizes the refrigerant phase change and the heat exchange effect of the intermediate heat exchanger 7 to quickly and massively adjust the refrigerant charge in the system between cooling and heating modes to adapt to the optimal charge requirements in different modes, thereby optimizing the performance and efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0086] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the intermediate heat exchanger 7 is a coil heat exchanger.

[0087] In this way, the coil heat exchanger increases the heat exchange area through its unique coil structure, so that the refrigerant flowing through it can exchange heat more fully with the environment (or specific fluid) in the tank shell 6. This design improves the heat exchange efficiency and ensures that the change of the refrigerant state can be completed in a short time. It is suitable for system requirements that require rapid response, such as the adjustment of the refrigerant charge when switching between cooling and heating modes. In addition, the coil structure is compact and occupies little space, which is convenient for installation inside the tank shell 6, and does not affect the layout and appearance design of the entire air conditioner.

[0088] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, a communication port is provided on the top of the tank shell 6, and the cecal duct is connected to the communication port.

[0089] In this way, the setting of the communication port enables the cecum pipe to be directly connected to the inside of the tank shell 6. This design facilitates the flow of refrigerant between the inside and outside of the tank shell 6 and provides a direct channel for rapid filling or discharge of refrigerant. When the system needs to quickly adjust the refrigerant filling amount (such as switching between cooling and heating modes), this structure can respond quickly and improve the adjustment speed and efficiency.

[0090] Furthermore, a sealing cover is provided on the top of the tank shell 6, the sealing cover is adapted to seal with the connecting port, and an adjustable valve assembly is provided on the sealing cover, and the valve assembly is used to control the flow state between the cecal pipeline and the inside of the tank shell 6.

[0091] It can be understood that the introduction of the valve assembly makes the control of the flow state between the cecal pipeline and the tank shell 6 more accurate and flexible. The operator can finely adjust the valve opening according to the current operating state of the system, external environmental conditions or maintenance requirements, effectively control the inlet and outlet flow of the refrigerant, and further optimize the refrigerant charge adjustment process.

[0092] Moreover, as a control element, the valve assembly can be closed when the system is abnormal or under maintenance to avoid accidental leakage of refrigerant and protect the safety of the environment and operators. At the same time, it can also quickly release the internal pressure of the system when necessary to avoid potential risks caused by excessive pressure.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first control valve (not shown in the figure) is provided on the temperature sensing pipe, and a second control valve (not shown in the figure) is provided at the outlet of the liquid storage tank 8 .

[0094] In this way, the first control valve and the second control valve can be used to automatically adjust the refrigerant filling amount, and a manual operation method is added, thereby providing a greater degree of adjustment freedom for the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0095] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device according to the second aspect of the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an air conditioner, and includes a liquid storage tank 8, a bellows 9 and a temperature sensing package 11. The liquid storage tank 8 is used to be connected to the refrigerant pipeline of the air conditioner. The bellows 9 is arranged inside the liquid storage tank 8 and is connected to the temperature sensing package 11 through the temperature sensing pipeline. The temperature sensing package 11 is used to be close to the outdoor heat exchanger 3 of the air conditioner, and the liquid storage tank 8 is filled with the same first refrigerant as that of the air conditioner, and the bellows 9 and the temperature sensing pipeline are filled with the second refrigerant.

[0096] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device also includes an elastic member, wherein one end of the bellows 9 is fixed to an inner wall on one side of the liquid storage tank 8 and the other end is connected to one end of the elastic member, and the other end of the elastic member is fixed to an inner wall on the other side of the liquid storage tank 8.

[0097] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is a constant pressure spring 10, the upper end of the constant pressure spring 10 is fixed on the top wall of the liquid storage tank 8, the lower end of the elastic member is fixed on the upper end of the bellows 9, and the lower end of the bellows 9 is fixed on the bottom wall of the liquid storage tank 8.

[0098] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first refrigerant is R410A, and the second refrigerant is R32; and the bellows 9 is a polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9. A specific embodiment of the air conditioner of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0099] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 The invention discloses an air conditioner, namely a thermodynamic adaptive regulating device and system for the refrigerant charge amount of the air conditioner, comprising a coarse adjustment blind device, a fine adjustment variable volume liquid storage device and a heat pump circulation system.

[0100] The heat pump circulation system also includes a compressor 1, a four-way reversing valve, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, an indoor heat exchanger 4, and a throttle valve 5 connected by pipelines; the four-way reversing valve is used to realize the switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode.

[0101] The coarse-adjusting cecal device also includes a tank shell 6 and an intermediate heat exchanger 7; the tank shell 6 is connected to a of the heat pump circulation system through a cecal pipeline.

[0102] The fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device also includes a liquid storage tank 8, a polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9, a constant pressure spring 10 and an R32 temperature sensing package 11; the R32 temperature sensing package 11 is closely attached to the heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger 3, and the liquid storage tank 8 is connected to the heat pump circulation system.

[0103] Refrigeration mode: At this time, the c and d ends of the four-way valve 2 are connected, and the s and e ends are connected. The low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the intermediate heat exchanger 7, and the liquid refrigerant fills the tank shell 6. The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant fills the liquid storage tank 8, and the R32 temperature sensing package 11 senses the condensation temperature at the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The R32 saturated steam in the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 is in pressure balance with the liquid refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 8 and the constant pressure spring 10. If the outdoor temperature rises, the condensation temperature rises accordingly, the saturated steam pressure of R32 in the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 increases, the liquid pressure of R410A in the liquid storage tank 8 increases, the pressurization of R32 saturated steam is greater, the compression of the constant pressure spring 10 increases, the volume of the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 increases, the volume of the liquid storage tank 8 decreases, and the refrigerant charge participating in the circulation in the system increases. If the outdoor temperature decreases, the condensing temperature decreases accordingly, the saturated vapor pressure of R32 in the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 decreases, the liquid pressure of R410A in the liquid storage tank 8 decreases, the decompression of the saturated vapor of R32 is greater, the compression amount of the constant pressure spring 10 decreases, the volume of the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 decreases, the volume of the liquid storage tank 8 increases, and the amount of refrigerant circulating in the system decreases.

[0104] Cooling switching heating mode: At this time, the four-way valve 2 is switched from the c and d ends to the s and e ends, and then switched to the c and s ends to the d and e ends. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the intermediate heat exchanger 7, and the liquid refrigerant in the tank shell 6 evaporates into gas and enters the system from a. The R32 temperature sensing package 11 senses the evaporation temperature at the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 is compressed to the shortest, the liquid storage tank 8 maintains the maximum volume, and the low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank 8.

[0105] Heating mode: At this time, the c and s ends of the four-way valve 2 are connected, and the d and e ends are connected. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the intermediate heat exchanger 7, and the tank shell 6 is filled with gaseous refrigerant. The R32 temperature sensing package 11 senses the evaporation temperature at the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the polytetrafluoroethylene bellows 9 is compressed to the shortest, the liquid storage tank 8 maintains the maximum volume, and the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant fills the liquid storage tank 8.

[0106] Heating switch cooling mode: At this time, the four-way valve 2 is switched from c and s ends connected, d and e ends connected, to c and d ends connected, s and e ends connected. The low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the intermediate heat exchanger 7, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows from a into the tank shell 6 to condense. The R32 temperature sensing package 11 senses the condensing temperature at the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0107] It can be understood that the operating mode of the present invention is to use the coil heat exchange blind device to greatly adjust the refrigerant filling amount when switching between cooling and heating modes, and to use the self-powered refrigerant filling amount adjustment device with different working fluids to slightly adjust the refrigerant filling amount according to the outdoor temperature in the cooling mode.

[0108] The technical principle of the present invention is to utilize the different phase states of refrigerant in the cooling and heating modes at the same position of the air-conditioning system to realize the condensation storage and evaporation release of the refrigerant; utilize the difference in the saturation properties of R32 and R410A, use the bellows 9 and the constant pressure spring 10, convert the temperature signal into a pressure driving force, and then convert it into a volume change, so that the refrigerant filling amount changes with the outdoor temperature.

[0109] In summary, the present invention aims at the problem of adaptive adjustment of the refrigerant charge of an air conditioner under variable working conditions, and designs a thermal adaptive adjustment device for the refrigerant charge of an air conditioner, including a coarse adjustment caecal device and a fine adjustment variable volume liquid storage device. The coarse adjustment caecal device is used for a one-time large-scale adjustment of the charge when the cooling and heating modes are switched. The temperature change difference caused by the reversal of the four-way valve 2 causes the refrigerant to undergo a phase change in a bypass caecal pipe, thereby realizing the storage of liquid refrigerant or the discharge of gaseous refrigerant, so that the total refrigerant charge circulating in the system changes. The fine adjustment variable volume liquid storage device utilizes the change of the condensation temperature under different working conditions, transmits the saturated pressure signal through the temperature, generates a pressure difference to promote the volume change of the bellows 9, thereby causing a part of the refrigerant to migrate between the refrigerant pipe and the liquid storage tank 8, and realizes the overall refrigerant charge adjustment of the system cycle. By utilizing the state changes of each working condition cycle, the automatic adjustment of the amount of refrigerant participating in the cycle in the air conditioner is cleverly realized, and its charge is calibrated to near the optimal amount.

[0110] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that: include: A heat pump circulation system, comprising a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger and a throttle valve connected by a refrigerant pipeline, wherein the four-way valve is used for switching between a cooling mode and a heating mode; The fine-tuning variable volume liquid storage device comprises a liquid storage tank, a bellows and a temperature-sensitive bag, wherein the liquid storage tank is connected to the refrigerant pipeline, the bellows is arranged inside the liquid storage tank and is connected to the temperature-sensitive bag through the temperature-sensitive pipeline, the temperature-sensitive bag is closely attached to the heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the liquid storage tank and the refrigerant pipeline are both filled with a first refrigerant, and the bellows and the temperature-sensitive pipeline are both filled with a second refrigerant.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device also includes an elastic member, wherein one end of the bellows is fixed to an inner wall on one side of the liquid storage tank and is openly arranged, the other end of the bellows is connected to one end of the elastic member and is closed, and the other end of the elastic member is fixed to an inner wall on the other side of the liquid storage tank.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic member is a constant pressure spring.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper end of the constant pressure spring is fixed on the top wall of the liquid storage tank, the lower end of the elastic member is fixed on the upper end of the bellows, and the lower end of the bellows is fixed on the bottom wall of the liquid storage tank.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first refrigerant is R410A, and the second refrigerant is R32.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bellows is a polytetrafluoroethylene bellows.

7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Also includes: A coarse adjustment cecal device comprises a tank shell and an intermediate heat exchanger, wherein the intermediate heat exchanger is installed in the tank shell and is used for heat exchange with the tank shell, wherein both ends of the intermediate heat exchanger are respectively connected to the four-way valve and the indoor heat exchanger, and the tank shell is connected to a first point of the refrigerant pipeline through a cecal pipeline, and the first point is located between the outdoor heat exchanger and the four-way valve.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that: The intermediate heat exchanger is a coil heat exchanger.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that: A communication port is provided on the top of the tank shell, and the cecal duct is communicated with the communication port.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, characterized in that: A sealing cover is provided on the top of the tank shell, the sealing cover is adapted to seal with the connecting port, and an adjustable valve assembly is provided on the sealing cover, and the valve assembly is used to control the flow state between the cecal pipeline and the inside of the tank shell.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that: The temperature sensing pipe is provided with a first control valve, and the outlet of the liquid storage tank is provided with a second control valve.

12. A fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device, characterized in that: Applied to an air conditioner, the device comprises a liquid storage tank, a bellows and a temperature sensing package, wherein the liquid storage tank is used to be connected to a refrigerant pipeline of the air conditioner, the bellows is arranged inside the liquid storage tank and is connected to the temperature sensing package through a temperature sensing pipeline, the temperature sensing package is used to be closely attached to an outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner, and the liquid storage tank is filled with a first refrigerant which is the same as that of the air conditioner, and the bellows and the temperature sensing pipeline are filled with a second refrigerant.

13. The fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device also includes an elastic member, wherein one end of the bellows is fixed to an inner wall on one side of the liquid storage tank and the other end is connected to one end of the elastic member, and the other end of the elastic member is fixed to the inner wall on the other side of the liquid storage tank.

14. The fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The elastic member is a constant pressure spring, the upper end of which is fixed on the top wall of the liquid storage tank, the lower end of which is fixed on the upper end of the bellows, and the lower end of which is fixed on the bottom wall of the liquid storage tank.

15. The fine-adjustable variable volume liquid storage device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The first refrigerant is R410A, and the second refrigerant is R32; and the bellows is a polytetrafluoroethylene bellows.

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