Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant used in air conditioners with non-azeotropic refrigerant mixtures is prone to leakage due to the low boiling temperature refrigerant vaporizing easily, leading to changes in composition ratios, which can result in inadequate air conditioning capacity and increased failure risk, and existing detection methods require costly pressure sensors.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner configuration that uses temperature differences across various heat exchangers to determine the ratio of low boiling temperature refrigerants without the need for pressure sensors, employing a bypass path system and temperature sensors to notify users of deviations from optimal ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is used to detect refrigerant composition ratio changes, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pressure sensor (mechanical measurement device) with a temperature-based detection system. By measuring temperature differences at various points in the refrigerant circuit and using these to calculate the composition ratio of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture, the system achieves detection functionality without requiring expensive pressure sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from pressure to temperature. Instead of directly measuring pressure to determine refrigerant composition, the system measures temperature differences at multiple points and uses thermal relationships to infer composition ratio, thereby avoiding the need for pressure sensors while maintaining detection capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture is used to reduce GWP, then environmental performance is improved, but refrigerant leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors temperature differences in the refrigerant circuit to detect changes in refrigerant composition ratio. When leakage or composition change is detected, the system can alert users or adjust operation, creating a closed-loop system that responds to the increased leakage risk inherent in non-azeotropic refrigerants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary detection of refrigerant composition changes before they lead to significant performance degradation or complete system failure. By continuously monitoring temperature differences and calculating composition ratios, the system can identify leakage trends early and prompt preventive maintenance.
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
Enables detection of changes in non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture composition ratios while reducing manufacturing costs by utilizing temperature differences, ensuring continued optimal air conditioning performance and preventing potential failures.
Implementation Method 1
a first decompressor and the second heat exchanger in this order
Implementation Method 2
The first bypass path branches from a first flow path connecting the second heat exchanger with the first expansion valve, and is connected to a second flow path connected to an inlet of the compressor via a first decompressor
Implementation Method 3
a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, and a third heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
The first temperature is a temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A notifier notifies a user of a warning when a ratio of first refrigerant is different from a suitable value, the ratio being determined from a first difference between a first temperature and a second temperature and from a second difference between a third temperature and a fourth temperature. The first temperature is a temperature of a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The second temperature is a temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture between the second heat exchanger and a first expansion valve. The third temperature is a temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture between a first decompressor and a first connecting point. The fourth temperature is a temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture between a second decompressor and the first connecting point.