Air Conditoning system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioning systems face the risk of compressor damage due to liquid refrigerant compression, which occurs when liquid refrigerant is injected into the compressor, leading to performance issues and instability.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning system that includes a condenser, evaporator, compressor, and a control unit to detect and prevent liquid refrigerant injection, using sensors and valves to manage refrigerant flow and temperature, ensuring only gaseous refrigerant is compressed, thereby preventing liquid compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If refrigerant injection is performed to improve compressor performance, then cooling capacity and efficiency are improved, but liquid refrigerant may be injected into the compressor causing liquid compression damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidcompressor reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary detection of liquid refrigerant in the injection line before compressor injection occurs. By detecting liquid presence in advance and preventing injection when liquid is detected, the system improves cooling capacity through refrigerant injection while protecting the compressor from liquid compression damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If refrigerant injection is performed to improve system performance, then energy efficiency is improved, but system stability deteriorates due to liquid compression risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the injection line for liquid refrigerant presence and uses this feedback to control the injection valve. When liquid is detected, the system automatically stops injection, providing real-time feedback control that maintains energy efficiency while preventing liquid compression and ensuring system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If liquid refrigerant detection and prevention systems are added, then compressor protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical liquid separation systems with a simpler detection-based control system. Instead of using mechanical means to separate liquid from gas, the system uses a control unit to detect liquid presence and electronically control the injection valve, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining compressor protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively prevents liquid refrigerant from being injected into the compressor, reducing the risk of damage and improving performance and reliability by ensuring only gaseous refrigerant is compressed, thus enhancing the compressor's longevity and operational stability.

Implementation Method 1

a condenser for condensing a refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant passed through the condenser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2075519B1Air Conditoning system
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2075519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2075519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2075519B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control unit judges whether a liquid refrigerant is included in a refrigerant injected into a compressor. Accordingly, the risk of liquid compression of the compressor is greatly reduced, thereby decreasing the possibility of damage to the compressor and improving reliability and performance.