Switching system for controlling refrigerant leakage and air conditioning equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to a switching system for controlling refrigerant leakage and air conditioning equipment. An inlet valve and an outlet valve for core components of first and second roof unit systems of the dual roof unit system are configured to open when both the core components operate normally. The switching system includes a plurality of switching bypasses communicating the fluid circuits of the first and second roof unit systems and provided with corresponding switching valves. The switching system is configured in the mode that when at least one of the core components breaks down, the broken-down core component is forbidden by closing the associated inlet valve and outlet valve so as to avoid continuous leakage of the refrigerant, and the corresponding switching valves in the multiple switching bypasses are selectively opened so as to communicate fluid loops of the first roof unit system and the second roof unit system. Therefore, the core part which does not fail is allowed to be shared for continuous operation, and the influence of maintenance operation is avoided. In this way, all parts of the first roof unit system and the second roof unit system can fully play the role, and it is ensured that the air conditioner equipment can still work normally.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of air conditioning, and in particular to a switching system and air conditioning equipment for controlling refrigerant leakage. Background Art

[0002] The refrigerant pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor condensers of air conditioners can break during use, leading to refrigerant leaks. When using flammable refrigerants, refrigerant leaks can cause serious losses to customers. Rooftop units are popular export products with complex usage scenarios and installation environments. Traditional large rooftop units feature a dual-system architecture, with two independent rooftop systems that can operate simultaneously or as backup systems, depending on actual needs. If a refrigerant leak occurs in the condenser of one rooftop unit, that unit will cease operation, while only the other unit will continue to operate (if both are operating simultaneously) or start up (if it is a backup system) to ensure the safety and reliability of the unit. The faulty rooftop unit can only resume operation after the faulty condenser is replaced or repaired, or the refrigerant pipe damage is repaired. In other words, while awaiting repair, the faulty rooftop unit is completely out of service.

[0003] Therefore, it is hoped that if a refrigerant leak occurs in a core component of one of the two rooftop units, the core component can be promptly deactivated to prevent further refrigerant leakage, while the remaining components of both rooftop units continue to operate normally. In other words, it is hoped that all components of the two rooftop units will fully function. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a switching system for controlling refrigerant leakage, so as to avoid continuous leakage of refrigerant, while the two piping systems can share relevant components and continue to operate without being affected by maintenance.

[0005] Specifically, in the event that a refrigerant leak occurs in the condenser or evaporator of one of the two rooftop unit systems, or in the event that a refrigerant leak occurs in the condenser of one of the two rooftop unit systems and a refrigerant leak occurs in the evaporator of the other, the valve associated with the faulty component can be closed in time to avoid continued refrigerant leakage. The corresponding switching valve in the switching bypass can also be adjusted so that the two rooftop unit systems can share relevant components and continue to operate normally.

[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a switching system for controlling refrigerant leakage. The switching system is provided to a dual rooftop system of an air-conditioning device. The dual rooftop system includes an identical first rooftop system and a second rooftop system. The first rooftop system and the second rooftop system each include at least a core component and an inlet valve and an outlet valve provided at the inlet end and the outlet end of the core component in its fluid circuit. The inlet valve and the outlet valve are configured to be open when both core components are operating normally. The switching system includes a plurality of switching bypasses that connect the fluid circuits of the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system and are provided with corresponding switching valves. The switching system is configured so that when at least one of the core components fails, the failed core component is disabled by closing the associated inlet valve and outlet valve, and the corresponding switching valves in the plurality of switching bypasses are selectively opened to connect the fluid circuits of the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system, thereby allowing the core component that has not failed to be shared to continue operation.

[0007] In this way, when at least one of the core components of the first rooftop unit system and the second rooftop unit system fails, continuous leakage of refrigerant is prevented and the core components that have not failed are allowed to continue to operate without being affected by maintenance operations.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the core components include a first condenser and a first evaporator of a first rooftop unit system, and a second condenser and a second evaporator of a second rooftop unit system. This ensures that persistent leaks do not occur in the condenser and evaporator, which are prone to failure, and that repairs to these components do not affect the continued operation of other components that are not at risk.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of switchable bypasses include a first switchable bypass connecting the first evaporator and the second evaporator at respective input ends. The first switchable bypass is provided with a first switchable valve. A first connection end of the first switchable bypass is connected to the input end of the first evaporator upstream of the inlet valve of the first evaporator, and a second connection end of the first switchable bypass is connected to the input end of the second evaporator upstream of the inlet valve of the second evaporator. In this way, a first switchable bypass is provided for connecting the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system to allow for coordination between them.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of switchable bypasses further include a second switchable bypass connecting the first and second evaporators at their respective output ends. The second switchable bypass is provided with a second switchable valve. A first connection end of the second switchable bypass is connected to the output end of the first evaporator downstream of the outlet valve of the first evaporator, and a second connection end of the second switchable bypass is connected to the output end of the second evaporator downstream of the outlet valve of the second evaporator. In this way, a second switchable bypass is provided for connecting the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system to allow for coordination.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of switchable bypasses further include a third switchable bypass connecting the first condenser and the second condenser at respective input ends. The third switchable bypass is provided with a third switchable valve. A first connection end of the third switchable bypass is connected to the input end of the first evaporator upstream of the inlet valve of the first condenser, and a second connection end of the third switchable bypass is connected to the input end of the second evaporator upstream of the inlet valve of the second condenser. In this way, a third switchable bypass is provided for connecting the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system to allow for coordination.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the switching system further includes a refrigerant leakage sensing device and a controller. The refrigerant leakage sensing device is disposed at the bottom of each condenser and evaporator of the first and second rooftop units to detect refrigerant leakage and transmit the detection information to the controller. The controller determines the leakage location based on the received information and switches the opening and closing of the relevant valves based on the leakage location determined by the controller. In this way, automatic control of the switching system can be achieved.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to, when the first evaporator, the second evaporator, the first condenser, and the second condenser are all operating correctly, open all inlet and outlet valves and close the first, second, and third switching valves to allow the first and second rooftop systems to operate independently of each other. In this way, when none of the core components are operating correctly, the first and second rooftop systems operate independently of each other.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to, if one of the first and second evaporators fails, close both the inlet and outlet valves of the failed evaporator, open the remaining inlet and outlet valves, and open the first and second switching valves to allow the first and second rooftop systems to share the other of the first and second evaporators. In this manner, only the fluid circuit involving the failed evaporator is disconnected to prevent refrigerant leakage and facilitate repair, while the first and second rooftop systems continue to operate by sharing the surviving evaporator with the corresponding switching valves opened.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to close both the inlet and outlet valves of the failed condenser and open the remaining inlet and outlet valves if one of the first and second condensers fails, and to open the first and third switching valves to allow the first and second rooftop systems to share the other of the first and second condensers. In this manner, only the fluid circuit involving the failed condenser is disconnected to prevent refrigerant leakage and facilitate repair, while the first and second rooftop systems continue to operate by sharing the surviving condenser with the corresponding switching valves opened.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to, if the evaporator of one of the first and second rooftop systems fails and the condenser of the other of the first and second rooftop systems fails, close the inlet and outlet valves of the failed evaporator and condenser, open the remaining inlet and outlet valves, and open the first and second switching valves to allow the first and second rooftop systems to use the surviving evaporator and condenser in combination. In this way, only the fluid circuits involving the failed evaporator and condenser are disconnected to prevent refrigerant leakage and facilitate repair, while the first and second rooftop systems can continue to operate by opening the corresponding switching valves to combine the surviving evaporator and condenser into a single rooftop system.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system each include at least a compressor, a four-way valve, the condenser, a filter, a heating and cooling assembly, a filter, the evaporator, and a gas-liquid separator in their respective fluid circuits. This provides a specific layout of the fluid circuits of the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the heating and cooling assembly includes a heating electronic expansion valve and a one-way valve parallel combination connected in series, a condensing and heat dissipating component, and a heating electronic expansion valve. Thus, a specific layout of the heating and cooling assembly is provided.

[0019] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an air conditioning system comprising a dual rooftop system and a switching system according to the present disclosure. Thus, the switching system according to the present disclosure allows the air conditioning system to continue to operate normally even if at least one of the core components of the dual rooftop system of the air conditioning system fails. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present disclosure will be more easily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements. The accompanying drawings are illustrative and non-limiting. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. For example, the elements may be enlarged for illustrative purposes or may be reduced in scale to keep the drawings clear and easy to understand. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the switching system for controlling refrigerant leakage according to the present disclosure is exemplarily shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A flowchart exemplarily illustrates a control method according to the present disclosure; and

[0023] Figure 3 The switching steps of the control method according to the present disclosure are exemplarily shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure of the present disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout the drawings.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the art to which this disclosure pertains. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. The terms "include" and "have" and any derivatives thereof in the specification and claims of this disclosure are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms "first," "second," etc. are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the quantity, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the meaning of "plurality" is more than two, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0027] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0028] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "and / or" is merely a description of an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms "distal", "proximal", "lateral", "longitudinal", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be configured and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; they may refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; they may refer to internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure based on specific circumstances.

[0031] In this article, the core components of a dual rooftop system are the condenser and evaporator. Core components can also include other components and even piping.

[0032] As previously mentioned, the first and second rooftop systems of conventional dual rooftop systems operate independently. If at least one core component in one of the first and second rooftop systems fails, the first or second rooftop system will be forced to shut down and become inoperable, rendering its remaining components incapable of fully functioning.

[0033] In view of the state of the prior art, the present disclosure provides a switching system for controlling refrigerant leakage. The basic concept of the present disclosure is that a dual rooftop system is configured so that a first rooftop system and a second rooftop system are connected to each other through multiple switching bypasses to operate in a collaborative manner. This ensures that after a core component of one of the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system fails, continued refrigerant leakage is avoided and the surviving core component is allowed to continue operating without being affected by maintenance operations. Specifically, the switching system is configured to ensure that the dual rooftop system can continue to operate after at least one core component fails by switching multiple valves in the fluid circuit of the dual rooftop system on and off.

[0034] The switching system for controlling refrigerant leakage according to the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a switching system according to the present disclosure is shown. The switching system is configured to switch the operation of dual rooftop systems to achieve coordinated operation. The dual rooftop systems of the air conditioning system 1 include identical first and second rooftop systems 10 and 20. Specifically, the components of the first and second rooftop systems 10 and 20 are identical in structure and layout. Each of the first and second rooftop systems 10 and 20 includes, at least in its fluid circuit, core components (i.e., a condenser and an evaporator) and inlet and outlet valves located at the inlet and outlet ends of the core components, from upstream to downstream. Specifically, the first condenser 13 and first evaporator 17 of the first rooftop system 10, and the second condenser 23 and second evaporator 27 of the second rooftop system 20, are each equipped with inlet and outlet valves at their inlet and outlet ends. These valves are open during normal operation and disabled by closing the associated inlet and outlet valves in the event of a fault, thereby preventing continued refrigerant leakage. The switching system also includes multiple switchable bypasses connecting the fluid circuits of the first and second rooftop systems 10 and 20, each equipped with corresponding switching valves. The plurality of switch bypasses are configured to selectively connect the fluid circuits of the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 according to actual needs, so as to allow sharing of the condenser and evaporator that have not failed, thereby ensuring that the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 continue to operate.

[0036] In this way, if a core component (i.e., the condenser or evaporator) of one of the first and second rooftop systems 10 and 20 fails, causing a refrigerant leak, the valve associated with the failed core component can be promptly closed to disable that core component, preventing continued refrigerant leakage. Furthermore, a bypass connection allows the first and second rooftop systems 10 and 20 to share the surviving core component and continue normal operation. In other words, each component of the first and second rooftop systems 10 and 20 can fully function.

[0037] The first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 each comprise a compressor, a four-way valve, a condenser, an upstream filter, a heating and cooling component, a downstream filter, an evaporator, and a gas-liquid separator, connected in series via piping. The fluid (i.e., the flammable refrigerant) flows from the compressor through the first and second ports of the four-way valve, through the condenser, the upstream filter, the heating and cooling component, the upstream filter, the evaporator, the third and fourth ports of the four-way valve, and back through the gas-liquid separator, thus forming a closed loop. The structure and function of these components are well known in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0038] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 The first rooftop unit system 10 may include a first compressor 11, a first four-way valve 12, a first condenser 13, a first upstream filter 14, a first heating and cooling assembly 15, a first downstream filter 16, a first evaporator 17, and a first gas-liquid separator 18 in its fluid circuit. The first rooftop unit system 10 also includes a first fan 19 positioned above the first condenser 13. Similarly, the second rooftop unit system 20 may include a second compressor 21, a second four-way valve 22, a second condenser 23, a second upstream filter 24, a second heating and cooling assembly 25, a second downstream filter 26, a second evaporator 27, and a second gas-liquid separator 28. The second rooftop unit system 20 also includes a second fan 29 positioned above the second condenser 23. An internal fan 30 is provided above both the first and second evaporators 17 and 27 and is shared by both. The first heating and cooling assembly 15 includes a first heating electronic expansion valve and a check valve in parallel combination 151, a first condensation and heat dissipation component 152, and a first heating electronic expansion valve 153 to achieve its condensation and heat dissipation functions. Similarly, the second heating and cooling assembly 25 includes a second heating electronic expansion valve and a check valve in parallel 251, a second condensing and heat dissipation component 252, and a second heating electronic expansion valve 253 to achieve its condensing and heat dissipation function. Refrigerant leakage sensors (not shown) are installed at the bottom of each condenser and evaporator to detect refrigerant leaks and transmit detection information to the switching system controller (not shown).

[0039] Specifically, the first condenser 13 has an inlet valve B and an outlet valve A, respectively, disposed at its inlet and outlet ends. During normal operation, the inlet valve B and the outlet valve A are open. In the event of a malfunction in the first condenser 13, the first condenser 13 is disabled by closing the inlet valve B and the outlet valve A to prevent continued refrigerant leakage and facilitate maintenance operations on the first condenser 13. Similarly, the second condenser 23 has an inlet valve I and an outlet valve J, respectively, disposed at its inlet and outlet ends. During normal operation, the inlet valve I and the outlet valve J are open. In the event of a malfunction in the second condenser 23, the second condenser is disabled by closing the inlet valve I and the outlet valve J to prevent continued refrigerant leakage and facilitate maintenance operations on the second condenser 23. The first evaporator 17 has an inlet valve D and an outlet valve C, respectively, disposed at its inlet and outlet ends. During normal operation, the inlet valve D and the outlet valve C are open. In the event of a malfunction in the first evaporator 17, the first evaporator 17 is disabled by closing the inlet valve D and the outlet valve C to prevent continued refrigerant leakage and facilitate maintenance operations on the first evaporator 17. The second evaporator 27 has an inlet valve K and an outlet valve H located at its inlet and outlet ends, respectively. During normal operation, the inlet valve K and the outlet valve H are open. In the event of a malfunction in the second evaporator 27, the inlet valve K and the outlet valve H are disabled by closing the inlet valve K and the outlet valve H to prevent continued refrigerant leakage and facilitate maintenance operations on the second evaporator 27.

[0040] The plurality of switch bypasses may include a first switch bypass L1 , a second switch bypass L2 , and a third switch bypass L3 to selectively connect the fluid circuits of the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 .

[0041] The first switching bypass L1 communicates with the first evaporator 17 and the second evaporator 27 at respective input ends. The first switching bypass L1 is provided with a first switching valve E. A first connection end L11 of the first switching bypass L1 is connected to the input end of the first evaporator 17 upstream of the inlet valve D of the first evaporator 17 (at a location adjacent to the upstream position, specifically between the inlet valve D of the first evaporator 17 and the downstream filter 16). Furthermore, a second connection end L12 of the first switching bypass L1 is connected to the input end of the second evaporator 27 upstream of the inlet valve K of the second evaporator 27 (at a location adjacent to the upstream position, specifically between the upstream position of the inlet valve K of the second evaporator 27 and the downstream filter 26).

[0042] The second switching bypass L2 connects the first evaporator 17 and the second evaporator 27 at their respective output ends. The second switching bypass L2 is provided with a second switching valve F. A first connection end L21 of the second switching bypass L2 is connected to the output end of the first evaporator 17 downstream of the outlet valve C of the first evaporator 17 (at a location adjacent to the downstream, specifically, between the outlet valve C of the first evaporator 17 and the third port of the first four-way valve 12). Furthermore, a second connection end L22 of the second switching bypass L2 is connected to the output end of the second evaporator 27 downstream of the outlet valve H of the second evaporator 27 (at a location adjacent to the downstream, specifically, between the outlet valve H of the second evaporator 27 and the third port of the second four-way valve 22).

[0043] The third switching bypass L3 connects the first condenser 13 and the second condenser 23 at their respective input ends. The third switching bypass L3 is provided with a third switching valve G. A first connection end L31 of the third switching bypass L3 is connected to the input end of the first evaporator 13 upstream of the inlet valve B of the first condenser 13 (at a location adjacent to the upstream position, specifically between the inlet valve B of the first condenser 13 and the second port of the first four-way valve 12), and a second connection end L32 of the third switching bypass L3 is connected to the input end of the second evaporator 23 upstream of the inlet valve I of the second condenser 23 (at a location adjacent to the upstream position, specifically between the inlet valve I of the second condenser 23 and the second port of the second four-way valve 22).

[0044] The switching system also includes a refrigerant leak sensor (not shown) and a controller (not shown). The refrigerant leak sensor, installed at the bottom of each condenser and evaporator in the first and second rooftop units, detects refrigerant leaks and transmits this information to the controller. The controller determines the leak location based on this information and switches the relevant inlet valves, outlet valves, and switching valves open and closed based on the leak location determined by the controller.

[0045] Due to the construction of the switching system according to the present disclosure, the switching system can be configured to ensure that the dual rooftop unit system can continue to operate by being controlled by the controller to switch the opening and closing of the inlet valve, outlet valve and switching valve when the refrigerant leakage sensing device detects that at least one of the condenser and the evaporator has a fault.

[0046] The controller is configured to: when there is no failure in the first condenser 13, the first evaporator 17, the second condenser 23 and the second evaporator 27, all the inlet valves and outlet valves are closed and opened, and the first switching valve E, the second switching valve F and the third switching valve G are all closed, so that the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 can operate normally independently of each other.

[0047] The controller is configured such that, if one of the first and second evaporators 17, 27 fails, both the inlet and outlet valves of the failed evaporator are closed, while the remaining inlet and outlet valves are opened. Furthermore, the first switching valve E and the second switching valve F are opened, allowing the first and second rooftop unit systems 10, 20 to share the other of the first and second evaporators 17, 27. In this manner, only the fluid circuit involving the failed evaporator is disconnected to prevent refrigerant leakage and facilitate repairs, while the first and second rooftop unit systems 10, 20 continue operation by sharing the surviving evaporator with their corresponding switching valves opened.

[0048] Specifically, if the first evaporator 17 fails, the inlet valve D and outlet valve C of the first evaporator 17 are closed, while the remaining inlet valves and outlet valves are opened. Furthermore, the first switching valve E and the second switching valve F are opened, allowing the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 to continue operating by sharing the second evaporator 27. In other words, the first rooftop system 10 continues to operate by using the second evaporator 27 of the second rooftop system 20. In one example, the switching system is switched so that: the refrigerant of the first rooftop unit system 10 flows into the first switching bypass L1 at the first connection end L11 of the first switching bypass L1, and flows through the opened inlet valve K of the second evaporator 27 at the second connection end L12 of the first switching bypass L1 and flows into the second evaporator 27, then flows through the opened outlet valve H of the second evaporator 27 and flows into the second switching bypass L2 at the second connection end L22 of the second switching bypass L2, and then flows from the first connection end L21 of the second switching bypass L2 to the third port of the four-way valve 12 of the first rooftop unit system 10 and returns to the flow circuit of the first rooftop unit system 10.

[0049] Similarly, if a fault occurs in the second evaporator 27, the inlet valve K and outlet valve H of the second evaporator 27 are closed, while the remaining inlet valves and outlet valves are opened. Furthermore, the first switching valve E and the second switching valve F are opened, allowing the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 to share the first evaporator 17. In other words, the second rooftop unit system 20 continues to operate by using the first evaporator 17 of the first rooftop unit system 10. In one example, the switching system is switched so that: the refrigerant of the second rooftop unit system 10 flows into the first switching bypass L1 at the second connection end L12 of the first switching bypass L1, and flows through the opened inlet valve D of the first evaporator 17 at the first connection end L11 of the first switching bypass L1 and flows into the first evaporator 17, then flows through the opened outlet valve C of the first evaporator 17 and flows into the second switching bypass L2 at the first connection end L21 of the second switching bypass L2, and then flows from the second connection end L22 of the second switching bypass L2 to the third port of the four-way valve 22 of the second rooftop unit system 20 and returns to the flow loop of the second rooftop unit system 20.

[0050] The controller is configured to: in the event of a failure in one of the first condenser 13 and the second condenser 23, close the inlet valve and the outlet valve of the failed condenser and open the remaining inlet valves and the outlet valves, and open the first switching valve L1 and the third switching valve L3 to allow the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 to share the other of the first condenser 13 and the second condenser 23.

[0051] In this way, only the fluid circuit involving the faulty condenser is disconnected to avoid refrigerant leakage and facilitate its maintenance, while the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 continue to operate by sharing the healthy condenser by opening the corresponding switching valve.

[0052] Specifically, if the first condenser 13 fails, the inlet valve B and outlet valve A of the first condenser 13 are closed, while the remaining inlet valves and outlet valves are opened. Furthermore, the first switching valve L1 and the third switching valve L3 are opened, allowing the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 to share the second condenser 23. In other words, the first rooftop system 10 continues to operate by using the second condenser 23 of the second rooftop system 20. In one example, the switching system is switched so that: the refrigerant of the first rooftop unit system 10 flows into the third switching bypass L3 at the first connection end L31 of the third switching bypass L3, and flows through the opened inlet valve I of the second condenser 23 at the second connection end L32 of the third switching bypass L3 and flows into the second condenser 23, then flows through the opened outlet valve J of the second condenser 23, continues to flow through the second upstream filter 24, the second heating and cooling group 25, and the second downstream filter 26, and then flows into the first switching bypass L1 at the second connection end L21 of the first switching bypass L1, and then flows from the first connection end L11 of the first switching bypass L1 through the inlet valve D of the first evaporator 17 to enter the first evaporator 17 and return to the flow circuit of the first rooftop unit system 10.

[0053] Similarly, if a failure occurs in the second condenser 23, the inlet valve I and outlet valve J of the second condenser 23 are closed, while the remaining inlet valves and outlet valves are opened. Furthermore, the first switching valve L1 and the third switching valve L3 are opened, allowing the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 to share the first condenser 13. In other words, the second rooftop system 20 continues to operate by using the first condenser 13 of the first rooftop system 10. In one example, the switching system is switched so that: the refrigerant of the second rooftop unit system 20 flows into the third switching bypass L3 at the second connection end L32 of the third switching bypass L3, and flows through the opened inlet valve B of the first condenser 13 at the first connection end L31 of the third switching bypass L3 and flows into the first condenser 13, then flows through the opened outlet valve A of the first condenser 13, continues to flow through the first upstream filter 14, the first heating and cooling group 15, and the first downstream filter 16, and then flows into the first switching bypass L1 at the first connection end L11 of the first switching bypass L1, and then flows through the inlet valve of the second evaporator 27 from the second connection end L21 of the first switching bypass L1 to enter the second evaporator 27 and return to the flow loop of the second rooftop unit system 20.

[0054] The controller is configured to, when the evaporator of one of the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 fails and the condenser of the other of the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 fails, close the inlet valve and outlet valve of the failed evaporator and condenser, open the remaining inlet valves and outlet valves, and open the first switching valve L1 and the second switching valve L2 to allow the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 to use the evaporator and condenser that have not failed in combination to continue operation.

[0055] In this way, only the fluid circuit involving the faulty evaporator and condenser is disconnected to avoid refrigerant leakage and facilitate maintenance thereof, while the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 can continue to operate by opening the corresponding switching valves to use the healthy evaporator and condenser to form a set of rooftop unit systems.

[0056] Specifically, if the first evaporator 17 of the first rooftop system 10 fails and the second condenser 23 of the second rooftop system 20 fails, the inlet valve D and outlet valve C of the first evaporator 17, as well as the inlet valve I and outlet valve J of the second condenser 23, are closed, while the remaining inlet and outlet valves are opened. Furthermore, the first switching valve L1 and the second switching valve L2 are opened, allowing the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 to continue operating using the surviving evaporator and condenser. In other words, the first condenser 13 of the first rooftop system 10 and the second evaporator 27 of the second rooftop system 20 are combined into a single rooftop system and continue operating; alternatively, the first rooftop system 10 can continue operating by utilizing the second evaporator 27 of the second rooftop system 20. In one example, the refrigerant of the first rooftop unit system 10 flows into the first switching bypass L1 at the first connection end L11 of the first switching bypass L1, and flows through the opened inlet valve K of the second evaporator 27 at the second connection end L12 of the first switching bypass L1 and flows into the second evaporator 27, then flows through the opened outlet valve H of the second evaporator 27 and flows into the second switching bypass L2 at the second connection end L22 of the second switching bypass L2, and then flows from the first connection end L21 of the second switching bypass L2 to the third port of the first four-way valve 12 and returns to the flow circuit of the first rooftop unit system 10.

[0057] Similarly, if the second evaporator 27 of the second rooftop unit system 20 fails and the first condenser 13 of the first rooftop unit system 10 fails, the inlet valve K and outlet valve H of the second evaporator 27, as well as the inlet valve B and outlet valve A of the first condenser 13, are closed, while the remaining inlet and outlet valves are opened. Furthermore, the first switching valve L1 and the second switching valve L2 are opened, allowing the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 to continue operating using the surviving evaporator and condenser. In other words, the first evaporator 17 of the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second condenser 23 of the second rooftop unit system 20 are combined into one rooftop unit system and continue to operate, or the second rooftop unit system 20 continues to operate by utilizing the first evaporator 17 of the first rooftop unit system 10. In one example, the refrigerant of the second rooftop unit system 10 flows into the first switching bypass L1 at the second connection end L12 of the first switching bypass L1, and flows through the opened inlet valve D of the first evaporator 17 at the first connection end L11 of the first switching bypass L1 and flows into the first evaporator 17, then flows through the opened outlet valve C of the first evaporator 17 and flows into the second switching bypass L2 at the first connection end L21 of the second switching bypass L2, and then flows from the second connection end L22 of the second switching bypass L2 to the third port of the second four-way valve 22 and returns to the flow circuit of the second rooftop unit system 20.

[0058] The present disclosure also provides a control method for controlling the switching system according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 The control method may include at least a detection step S1, a determination step S2, and a switching step S3. The detection step S1 includes detecting whether a refrigerant leak exists using a refrigerant leakage sensing device (not shown) and transmitting the detection information to a controller (not shown). The determination step S2 includes the controller determining the location of the leak based on the received information. The switching step S3 includes switching the opening and closing of the relevant inlet valve, outlet valve, and switching valve accordingly based on the leak location determined by the controller.

[0059] Reference Figure 3 The switching step S3 may include multiple optional sub-steps to provide switching modes under different operating conditions.

[0060] Switching step S3 may include sub-step S31: if the controller determines that there are no leaks, all inlet and outlet valves of the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 are opened, while the first switching valve E, the second switching valve F, and the third switching valve G are closed. This provides a switching mode under the first operating condition.

[0061] The switching step S3 may further include a sub-step S32: if one of the first evaporator 17 and the second evaporator 27 fails, the inlet valve and the outlet valve of the failed evaporator are closed, while the remaining inlet valve and outlet valve are opened, and the first switching valve E and the second switching valve F are opened to allow the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 to share the other of the first evaporator 17 and the second evaporator 27. In this way, a switching mode under the second operating condition is provided.

[0062] The switching step S3 may further include a sub-step S33: if one of the first condenser 13 and the second condenser 23 fails, the inlet valve and the outlet valve of the failed condenser are closed, while the remaining inlet valves and outlet valves are opened, and the first switching valve E and the third switching valve G are opened to allow the first rooftop unit system 10 and the second rooftop unit system 20 to share the other of the first condenser 13 and the second condenser 23. In this way, a switching mode under a third operating condition is provided.

[0063] Switching step S3 may further include sub-step S34: if the evaporator of one of the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 fails and the condenser of the other of the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 fails, the inlet valve and outlet valve of the failed evaporator and condenser are closed, while the remaining inlet valves and outlet valves are opened, and the first switching valve E and the second switching valve F are opened, allowing the first rooftop system 10 and the second rooftop system 20 to continue operating as a combined rooftop system using the surviving evaporator and condenser. This provides a switching mode for a fourth operating condition.

[0064] The present disclosure also provides an air conditioning device 1. The air conditioning device 1 includes a dual rooftop system and a switching system according to the present disclosure. Thus, using the switching system according to the present disclosure, the air conditioning device can continue to operate normally even if certain core components of the dual rooftop system of the air conditioning device fail.

[0065] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and are not intended to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features therein may be replaced by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not deviate from the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and description of the present application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments may be combined in any manner.

Claims

1. A switching system for controlling refrigerant leakage, the switching system being provided to a dual rooftop system of an air conditioning system, the dual rooftop system comprising a first rooftop system and a second rooftop system, each of the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system comprising at least a core component and an inlet valve and an outlet valve disposed at an inlet end and an outlet end of the core component in its fluid circuit, the inlet valve and the outlet valve being configured to be open when both core components are operating normally. It is characterized by: The switching system includes a plurality of switching bypasses connected to the fluid circuit of the first rooftop unit system and the second rooftop unit system and provided with corresponding switching valves. Wherein, the switching system is configured such that when at least one of the core components fails, the failed core component is disabled by closing the associated inlet valve and outlet valve, and the corresponding switching valves in the multiple switching bypasses are selectively opened to connect the fluid circuits of the first rooftop machine system and the second rooftop machine system, thereby allowing the shared core component that has not failed to continue operation.

2. The switching system according to claim 1, wherein: The core components include a first condenser and a first evaporator of a first rooftop unit system and a second condenser and a second evaporator of a second rooftop unit system.

3. The switching system according to claim 2, wherein: The multiple switching bypasses include a first switching bypass connecting the first evaporator and the second evaporator at corresponding input ends, the first switching bypass is provided with a first switching valve, wherein the first connection end of the first switching bypass is connected to the input end of the first evaporator upstream of the inlet valve of the first evaporator, and the second connection end of the first switching bypass is connected to the input end of the second evaporator upstream of the inlet valve of the second evaporator.

4. The switching system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The multiple switching bypasses also include a second switching bypass connecting the first evaporator and the second evaporator at the corresponding output end, and the second switching bypass is provided with a second switching valve, wherein the first connection end of the second switching bypass is connected to the output end of the first evaporator downstream of the outlet valve of the first evaporator, and the second connection end of the second switching bypass is connected to the output end of the second evaporator downstream of the outlet valve of the second evaporator.

5. The switching system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The multiple switching bypasses also include a third switching bypass connecting the first condenser and the second condenser at corresponding input ends, and the third switching bypass is provided with a third switching valve, wherein the first connection end of the third switching bypass is connected to the input end of the first evaporator upstream of the inlet valve of the first condenser, and the second connection end of the third switching bypass is connected to the input end of the second evaporator upstream of the inlet valve of the second condenser.

6. The switching system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The switching system also includes a refrigerant leakage sensing device and a controller. The refrigerant leakage sensing device is arranged at the bottom of each condenser and evaporator of the first rooftop unit system and the second rooftop unit system to detect whether there is a refrigerant leakage, and sends the detection information to the controller. The controller determines the leakage location based on the received information and switches the opening and closing of the relevant valves according to the leakage location determined by the controller.

7. The switching system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The controller is configured to open all inlet valves and outlet valves and close the first switching valve, the second switching valve and the third switching valve when there is no failure in the first evaporator, the second evaporator, the first condenser and the second condenser, so as to allow the first rooftop system and the second rooftop system to operate independently of each other.

8. The switching system according to claim 6, wherein: The controller is configured to, in the event of a failure in one of the first and second evaporators, close both the inlet valve and the outlet valve of the failed evaporator and open both the remaining inlet valve and the outlet valve, and to open the first switching valve and the second switching valve to allow the first rooftop unit system and the second rooftop unit system to share the other of the first and second evaporators.

9. The switching system according to claim 6, wherein: The controller is configured to: in the event of a failure in one of the first condenser and the second condenser, close the inlet valve and the outlet valve of the failed condenser and open the remaining inlet valve and the outlet valve, and open the first switching valve and the third switching valve to allow the first rooftop machine system and the second rooftop machine system to share the other of the first condenser and the second condenser.

10. The switching system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The controller is configured to, when an evaporator of one of the first rooftop unit system and the second rooftop unit system fails and a condenser of the other of the first rooftop unit system and the second rooftop unit system fails, close the inlet valve and outlet valve of the failed evaporator and condenser and open the remaining inlet valves and outlet valves, and open the first switching valve and the second switching valve to allow the first rooftop unit system and the second rooftop unit system to use the evaporator and condenser that have not failed in combination.

11. The switching system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first rooftop unit system and the second rooftop unit system each include at least a compressor, a four-way valve, a condenser, a filter, a heating and cooling component, another filter, an evaporator and a gas-liquid separator in sequence in their fluid circuits.

12. The switching system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The heating and cooling assembly comprises a heating electronic expansion valve and a one-way valve parallel combination connected in series, a condensing and heat-dissipating component and a heating electronic expansion valve.

13. An air conditioning device, characterized in that: The air conditioning device includes a dual rooftop unit system and a switching system according to any one of claims 1-12.

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