Multi-Indoor Air Conditioner Dehumidification With Temperature Hold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-type air conditioners struggle to maintain a constant indoor air temperature during dehumidification operations, as indoor units operating in dehumidifying mode discharge air at a temperature lower than the room temperature when other units are in cooling mode.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner design includes a configuration with multiple indoor units connected via liquid and gas pipes, featuring adjustable expansion valves and heat exchangers that allow for simultaneous dehumidification and temperature maintenance by controlling the phase of the refrigerant flow between heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an indoor unit operates in dehumidifying mode while other indoor units operate in cooling mode, then dehumidification is achieved, but the room temperature cannot be maintained at a constant level due to discharge of cold air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat exchanger into two independent units: a first heat exchanger dedicated to dehumidification and a second heat exchanger dedicated to temperature maintenance. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its specific function independently, with the first heat exchanger removing moisture from air and the second heat exchanger heating the discharged air to maintain room temperature, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving dehumidification and maintaining temperature stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional indoor unit that can simultaneously perform dehumidification and temperature maintenance functions through the dual heat exchanger configuration. The system universally handles both moisture removal and temperature control in a single unit, allowing it to operate effectively in dehumidifying mode while maintaining constant room temperature, thus resolving the contradiction between dehumidification performance and temperature stability
2Device complexity
If a single heat exchanger is used for both dehumidification and cooling, then device complexity is reduced, but it is not possible to maintain constant room temperature during dehumidification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchanger system into two separate heat exchangers (first and second heat exchangers) with distinct functions. The first heat exchanger handles dehumidification by condensing moisture from air, while the second heat exchanger handles temperature maintenance by heating the processed air. This segmentation enables independent control of each function, allowing the system to maintain constant room temperature during dehumidification operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control through multiple expansion valves (first expansion valve, second expansion valve, and third expansion valve) that can independently regulate refrigerant flow to each heat exchanger. This dynamic regulation allows the system to adjust the operation of each heat exchanger based on real-time conditions, enabling simultaneous dehumidification and temperature maintenance while managing the complexity of the dual heat exchanger configuration
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 configuration enables the air conditioner to operate in a constant temperature dehumidification mode, maintaining room temperature within a predetermined range while dehumidifying, by effectively managing refrigerant flow and phase changes between heat exchangers.
Implementation Method 1
a first indoor heat exchanger comprising a first heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and a refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first indoor expansion valve disposed at the second heat exchanger connecting pipe, wherein an opening amount of the first indoor expansion valve is adjusted in response to an input signal from a controller to selectively expand a flowing refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor unit having a liquid pipe through which a liquid refrigerant flows, and a gas pipe through which a gas refrigerant flows
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-type air conditioner is provided that includes an outdoor unit having a liquid pipe through which a liquid refrigerant flows, and a gas pipe through which a gas refrigerant flows; a plurality of indoor units including a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit each connected to the liquid pipe and the gas pipe to circulate a refrigerant; a gas pipe connecting tube connecting the gas pipe and the plurality of indoor units so that a gas refrigerant flows therethrough; and a liquid pipe connecting tube connecting the liquid pipe and the plurality of indoor units so that a liquid refrigerant flows therethrough.