Dual-Compression Air Conditioner Capacity Control Without Inverters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners face challenges in varying capacity according to indoor temperature changes while minimizing fabrication costs, as existing solutions with inverter motors are expensive, increasing energy consumption and environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner comprising a first and second compression unit connected in series or parallel, with a refrigerant guiding means to control refrigerant flow, using a constant speed motor to adjust refrigerant discharge based on preset conditions, allowing for efficient capacity variation without the need for expensive inverter motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an inverter motor is used to control refrigerant discharge amount, then the air conditioner can vary capacity according to indoor temperature, but the fabrication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor is divided into multiple compression units (first compression unit and second compression unit) that can operate independently or in combination. This segmentation allows the system to vary capacity by controlling which units operate, replacing the need for an expensive inverter motor while maintaining adaptability to different cooling loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different compression unit configurations (series or parallel connection) based on cooling demand. The refrigerant guiding means dynamically redirects refrigerant flow to activate specific compression units, enabling capacity variation without using variable speed motor control.
2Reliability
If the air conditioner is driven at full capacity to maintain preset temperature, then temperature control reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of always operating at full capacity, the system applies partial action by activating only the necessary number of compression units based on the cooling load. When full cooling capacity is not needed, only one compression unit operates, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient temperature control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between series and parallel connection modes of the compression units. This parameter change allows the system to adapt its capacity output to match the actual cooling demand, preventing excessive energy consumption while maintaining reliable temperature control.
3Productivity
If multiple compression units are connected in parallel, then the cooling capacity is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant guiding means serves multiple functions: it directs refrigerant flow to different compression units, connects units in series or parallel, and controls which units operate. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve variable capacity and high cooling power without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second compression units share common components including the refrigerant guiding means, condenser, and evaporator. This merging of components allows the system to increase cooling capacity through parallel unit operation while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through shared infrastructure.
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 allows for effective capacity adjustment according to temperature changes, reducing energy consumption and fabrication costs, enhancing user satisfaction and price competitiveness while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a first compression unit C1 and a second compression unit C2, for respectively compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger provided at an outdoor unit and connected to the first compression unit and the second compression unit
Implementation Method 3
an indoor heat exchanger provided at an indoor unit and connected to the first compression unit, the second compression unit, and the outdoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a refrigerant guiding means for controlling a refrigerant flow by connecting the first compression unit and the second compression unit in series or in parallel
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner comprises: a first compression unit (C1) and a second compression unit (C2) for respectively compressing a refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger (200) provided at an outdoor unit and connected via the secondcontrol valve (400) to the first compression unit (C1) and the second compression unit (C2); and indoor heat exchanger (100) provided at an indoor unit is connected via the secondcontrol valve (400) to the first compression unit (C1) and the second compression unit (C2) and via the expansion valve (700) to the outdoor heat exchanger; and a first control valve (500) for controlling a refrigerant flow by selectively connecting the first compression unit (C1) and the second compression unit (C2) in series or in parallel. As the first compression unit (C1) and the second compression unit (C2) are selectively connected to each other in series or in parallel, a capacity of the air conditioner is varied according to a change of an indoor temperature and fabrication cost is minimized.