Air Conditioner Condensing Unit Design for Low-Power Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners increase power consumption when dehumidifying outdoor air, and they struggle to discharge air with low temperature and humidity indoors while maintaining efficient heat exchanger ratios.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design with separate indoor suction and discharge ports, a heat pump cycle, and a condensing unit that uses dehumidified air for heat exchange with outdoor air to condense moisture, reducing power consumption and optimizing air discharge temperatures and humidity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If outdoor air is dehumidified through a refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant, then dehumidification is achieved, but power consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a condensing unit as an intermediary device that uses a condenser to dehumidify outdoor air through heat exchange, rather than directly using the refrigeration cycle. This mediator allows moisture removal while reducing the energy burden on the main refrigeration system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by introducing a separate condensing unit with its own heat exchange system. This allows the main refrigeration cycle to operate at optimized parameters while the condensing unit handles dehumidification, thereby reducing overall power consumption
2Ease of operation
If air is discharged indoors after passing through evaporator and condenser, then air conditioning is provided, but the discharged air temperature is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air discharge function into separate channels: a first indoor discharge port for cooled air from the evaporator and a second indoor discharge port for temperature-regulated air from the condenser. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of discharged air
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a condensing unit as an intermediary that receives air from the condenser, performs additional heat exchange, and discharges it through a separate port. This mediator lowers the temperature of condenser-discharged air before it enters the indoor space
3Ease of operation
If air is discharged indoors after passing through evaporator and condenser, then air conditioning is provided, but the discharged air humidity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air handling function into separate discharge ports: one for evaporator output and another for condenser output. This allows the condenser path to specifically handle dehumidification while the evaporator path handles cooling, preventing humid air from mixing with cooled air
Solution Approach 2:
The condensing unit acts as an intermediary that specifically targets moisture removal through its condenser. By processing air through this dedicated dehumidification path and discharging it separately, the system effectively reduces humidity levels in the discharged air
4Productivity
If the ratio in high and low pressure of first heat exchanger to second heat exchanger is high, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but condensed radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a condensing unit as an intermediary heat exchange system that operates in parallel with the main refrigeration cycle. This mediator provides an additional heat dissipation path, allowing the main heat exchangers to operate at more balanced pressure ratios, thereby reducing condensed radiation while maintaining overall heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heat exchange function into multiple independent units: the original first and second heat exchangers plus a separate condensing unit. This segmentation allows each unit to operate at optimized pressure ratios, preventing excessive pressure differentials that cause condensed radiation
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
The solution effectively dehumidifies outdoor air with low power consumption, discharges air with low temperature and humidity indoors, and reduces the pressure ratio between heat exchangers, minimizing condensed radiation and providing a more comfortable indoor environment.
Implementation Method 1
performing heat exchange between the regenerated air and a cooling fluid having a lower temperature than the regenerated air so as to condense moisture contained in the regenerated air
Implementation Method 2
condense moisture contained in the regenerated air
Implementation Method 3
the air conditioning unit being operated according to a heat pump cycle
Implementation Method 4
a first heat exchanger operating as one selected from between an evaporator and a condenser
Implementation Method 5
a second heat exchanger operating as the other selected from between the evaporator and the condenser
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner is disclosed. The air conditioner includes a case having a first and a second indoor suction port and a first and a second indoor discharge port, an air conditioning unit having a first and a second heat exchanger, a first indoor flow channel connected between the first indoor suction port and the first indoor discharge port, a second indoor flow channel connected between the second indoor suction port and the second indoor discharge port, and a condensing unit to receive regenerated air, heat-exchanged with the condenser, from one of the first indoor flow channel and the second indoor flow channel, and perform a heat exchange between the regenerated air and a cooling fluid having a lower temperature than the regenerated air.