Air-source heat pump air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-source heat pump systems with two refrigeration cycles connected to outdoor units have unequal operating times, leading to high life-cycle costs and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An air-source heat pump system with two refrigeration cycles, each comprising an air-conditioning heat exchanger, a heat-source heat exchanger, a compressor, and a circulating refrigerant, controlled by an air conditioner control device to adjust the operating time of each cycle based on load conditions, allowing for balanced operation and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If two separate refrigeration cycles are used for outside air and return air heat exchange, then temperature and humidity controlling effect is improved, but operating time imbalance between outdoor units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two separate refrigeration cycles into a shared system where both outside air and return air heat exchange can be performed using a single outdoor unit and refrigeration cycle. The air conditioner includes a mixed air passage that combines outside air and return air, then passes the mixed air through a single heat exchanger controlled by one refrigeration cycle, eliminating the operating time imbalance between separate outdoor units while maintaining temperature and humidity control capabilities.
2Temperature
If two separate refrigeration cycles are used for outside air and return air heat exchange, then temperature and humidity controlling effect is improved, but life-cycle cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces life-cycle cost by merging two separate outdoor units into a single integrated system. Instead of requiring two independent outdoor units with separate refrigeration cycles, the invention uses one outdoor unit that serves both outside air and return air heat exchange functions through a shared refrigeration cycle and mixed air passage system, thereby reducing equipment cost, maintenance cost, and operational complexity.
3Temperature
If two separate refrigeration cycles are used for outside air and return air heat exchange, then cooling and dehumidifying performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces energy consumption by merging two separate refrigeration cycles into a single shared system. The mixed air passage combines outside air and return air before passing them through a single heat exchanger, allowing the single refrigeration cycle to serve both functions simultaneously. This eliminates the energy waste of running two separate compressors and refrigeration systems, while maintaining the cooling and dehumidifying performance through optimized heat exchange of the mixed air stream.
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 reduces life-cycle costs and energy consumption by allowing for flexible operation of the refrigeration cycles, optimizing energy use based on load conditions and minimizing unnecessary operation of both cycles.
Implementation Method 1
outside air, return air, and other air that exchange heat with the first circulating refrigerant and the second circulating refrigerant in the first air-conditioning heat exchanger and the second air-conditioning heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first compressor, and a first circulating refrigerant flowing between and through the first air-conditioning heat exchanger, the first heat-source heat exchanger, and the first compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An air-source heat pump air conditioner includes a first heat pump including a first refrigeration cycle that is formed by a first air-conditioning heat exchanger, a first heat-source heat exchanger, a first compressor, and first refrigerant flowing therethrough; a second heat pump including a second refrigeration cycle that is formed by a second air-conditioning heat exchanger, a second heat-source heat exchanger, a second compressor, and second refrigerant flowing therethrough; and an air conditioner control device configured to control the first heat pump and the second heat pump to operate at least one of the first refrigeration cycle and the second refrigeration cycle for a space to be air conditioned, the air-conditioning air containing outside air, return air, and other air that exchange heat with the first circulating refrigerant and the second circulating refrigerant in the first air-conditioning heat exchanger and the second air-conditioning heat exchanger.