Multi-Split Air Conditioner Refrigerant Evaporation for Height Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-type air conditioners, the height difference between indoor and outdoor units leads to insufficient return pressure of refrigerant, causing refrigerant accumulation at the low pressure side, which results in refrigerant deficiency at the high pressure side and potential compressor damage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-stay preventing device is introduced, comprising an evaporation accelerating unit and an operation unit that includes a tank body, heat exchange part, and control mechanisms to evaporate and manage the liquefied refrigerant, preventing accumulation at the low pressure side by heating and evaporating the refrigerant using heat exchange parts and controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the outdoor unit is installed on the top of a building and indoor units are installed in each room and on each floor, then the air conditioner can cool or heat each space independently, but the height difference causes insufficient return pressure of liquefied refrigerant to the outdoor unit
Solution Approach 1:
A receiver is introduced as an intermediary component between the indoor units and outdoor unit. The receiver accumulates liquefied refrigerant from multiple indoor units and provides a centralized location for refrigerant phase change and pressure equalization, enabling reliable refrigerant return to the outdoor unit despite height differences
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure and phase parameters of refrigerant by providing a receiver where refrigerant can accumulate and undergo phase change. This parameter transformation allows the refrigerant to overcome the pressure loss caused by height difference and return smoothly to the outdoor unit
2Length of stationary object
If the connection pipe length increases due to height difference, then the air conditioner can serve multiple floors and rooms, but the refrigerant accumulates in indoor units and connection pipes causing refrigerant deficiency at high pressure side
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver acts as an intermediary that collects refrigerant from the extended connection pipes and indoor units. By providing this intermediate storage and phase change location, the system prevents refrigerant accumulation in the pipes while ensuring proper refrigerant quantity is maintained at the high pressure side
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver performs preliminary phase change and accumulation of refrigerant before it returns to the outdoor unit. This preliminary action ensures that refrigerant is properly prepared and positioned, preventing both accumulation in pipes and deficiency at the high pressure side
3Reliability
If liquefied refrigerant accumulates in indoor units and connection pipes, then the return pressure becomes insufficient, but this accumulation can be introduced to the compressor and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver serves as a protective intermediary that intercepts and holds liquefied refrigerant, preventing it from entering the compressor. By providing this intermediate buffer zone, the system eliminates the harmful effect of liquid refrigerant damage to the compressor while maintaining reliable cooling operation
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver provides beforehand cushioning by accumulating and holding refrigerant in a controlled environment before it returns to the outdoor unit. This prior cushioning prevents the harmful effect of refrigerant accumulation and potential compressor damage, ensuring safe and reliable operation
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 solution ensures smooth passage of refrigerant through the low pressure side, improving cooling operation efficiency and preventing compressor damage by addressing refrigerant deficiency and accumulation issues, regardless of the height difference between units.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid-stay preventing device heating and evaporating a liquefied refrigerant so as to prevent the liquefied refrigerant circulating between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit from being accumulated at a low pressure side including the indoor unit
Implementation Method 2
a liquid-stay preventing device heating and evaporating a liquefied refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
an evaporation accelerating unit and an operation unit that includes a tank body, heat exchange part, and control mechanisms to evaporate and manage the liquefied refrigerant, preventing accumulation at the low pressure side by heating and evaporating the refrigerant using heat exchange parts and controllers
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-type air conditioner includes an outdoor unit, one or more indoor units communicating with the outdoor unit, and a liquid-stay preventing device heating and evaporating a liquefied refrigerant so as to prevent the liquefied refrigerant circulating between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit from being accumulated at a low pressure side including the indoor unit. Accordingly, a liquefied refrigerant is not accumulated in an indoor unit and a connection pipe, which are a low pressure side where the pressure is relatively low, but smoothly passes therethrough regardless of a height difference between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. Therefore, the efficiency of the multi-type air conditioner is improved. Also, because the refrigerant deficiency is prevented from occurring at a high pressure side, the reliability of the cooling operation is improved, and the liquefied refrigerant accumulated at the low pressure side is introduced into a compressor of the outdoor unit, thereby preventing damage to the compressor.