Air conditioner and pipe search method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner pipe search methods face accuracy issues and prolonged search times, especially when indoor units are operated in cooling mode with low indoor temperatures, making it difficult to distinguish pipe connections.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system with a controller that manages the flow of refrigerant or water at different temperatures through multiple ports, allowing high, low, and intermediate temperature fluids to flow to specific indoor units, enabling accurate port and pipe connection identification by distinguishing temperature differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pipe search is performed based on temperature change during cooling operation, then pipe search can be conducted, but search accuracy deteriorates when indoor temperature is low because pipe temperature becomes similar to indoor temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the fluid used for pipe search from cooling mode to heating mode. By using heated fluid (higher temperature than indoor ambient temperature), the system maintains measurable temperature differences even when indoor temperature is low, thereby resolving the accuracy deterioration issue in low temperature conditions.
2Measurement precision
If sequential operation of indoor units is used for pipe search, then pipe connections can be identified, but search time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid flow paths by controlling valves to direct heated fluid to specific indoor units in sequence. This segmentation allows systematic identification of pipe connections while maintaining efficiency through controlled sequential operation rather than simultaneous or random testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary device that heats the fluid before distribution to indoor units. This intermediary enables the pipe search operation to be performed with controlled temperature conditions, improving both accuracy and efficiency by ensuring the fluid temperature is consistently higher than indoor ambient temperature throughout the search process.
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 pipe search accuracy and reduces search time by grouping ports based on temperature differences, allowing for precise matching of ports with indoor units even at low indoor temperatures, thus improving the efficiency of the pipe search process.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to connect the outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units and exchange heat between the refrigerant and the water
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit for circulating refrigerant, a plurality of indoor units for circulating water, and a heat exchange device configured to connect the outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units and perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the water. The heat exchange device includes a plurality of ports to which the plurality of indoor units are connected. The air conditioner further includes a controller configured to control flow of the water between the heat exchange device and the plurality of indoor units, and to search pipes respectively connected to the plurality of ports. The controller can control the flow of water such that water at a first temperature flows to some of the plurality of ports and the water at a second temperature lower than the first temperature flows to other some of the plurality of ports.