Air conditioner and operation method of the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners face challenges in optimizing the refrigerant cycle due to the lack of control over the flow control valve, which is not adjusted based on outdoor unit pressure, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner regulates the opening degree of the variable flow valve based on the outdoor unit's pressure, using sensors to adjust the valve's operation, thereby optimizing the refrigerant cycle and reducing pump power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the variable flow valve is controlled based on compressor operating rate or water temperature, then the refrigerant cycle can be optimized, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using pressure sensors to detect outdoor unit pressure and continuously adjusting the variable flow valve opening degree based on the detected pressure values. This closed-loop control system automatically optimizes the refrigerant cycle without requiring complex temperature sensing or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure as an intermediary parameter to control the variable flow valve. Instead of directly sensing water temperature or compressor operating rate, the system uses pressure sensor readings as an intermediate indicator that correlates with system state, simplifying the control mechanism while maintaining effectiveness.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the variable flow valve opening degree is reduced to decrease pump power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the refrigerant cycle optimization may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the variable flow valve by continuously adjusting its opening degree based on real-time pressure sensor readings. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize pump power consumption while maintaining refrigerant cycle efficiency, as the valve opening is adaptively changed according to actual operating conditions rather than being fixed or based on delayed temperature feedback.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the reliability of the outdoor unit, optimizes the refrigerant cycle, and minimizes pump power consumption by adjusting the valve's opening degree according to pressure changes, ensuring efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a water-refrigerant heat exchanger for heat exchange between heat source water and a refrigerant, which is installed between a compressor and an expansion device to allow the refrigerant to be condensed or evaporated with water
Implementation Method 2
a plate-type heat exchanger in which a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows and a heat source water flow path through which heat source water flows are separated by a heat transfer plate
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An air conditioner includes: an indoor unit (1) having an indoor heat exchanger (30) to evaporate or condense a refrigerant by heat exchange with indoor air; an outdoor unit (0) having a variable capacity compression part (2) for sucking and compressing a refrigerant of a refrigerant intake passage (4) and discharging the refrigerant to a refrigerant discharge passage (5), a water-refrigerant heat exchanger (20) for condensing or evaporating a refrigerant by heat exchange with heat source water, and an outdoor expansion device (40)installed between the indoor heat exchanger (30) and the water-refrigerant heat exchanger (20); a heat source water flow path (80) connected to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger; a pump (90) installed on the heat source water flow path; and a variable flow valve (100) installed on the heat source water flow path and capable of regulating the opening degree. The opening degree of the variable flow valve is varied depending on the pressure of the refrigerant discharge passage during a cooling operation, and the opening degree of the variable flow valve is varied depending on the pressure of the refrigerant intake passage during a heating operation. Thus, the air conditioner can be operated while maximizing the cycle of the refrigerant, and the reliability of the outdoor unit can be improved.