Dual Heat-Medium Air Conditioner Circuit for Pressure-Free Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioner systems require complex circuit configurations and control mechanisms to switch between heating and cooling modes, necessitating pressure adjustment valves and intricate control systems to maintain cycle balance.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner employs a high-temperature and low-temperature heat medium circuit system, where the flow of heat media is switched between different heat exchangers to enable mode switching without requiring pressure adjustments in the refrigerant circuit, simplifying the circuit configuration and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pressure adjustment valves and intricate control systems are used to maintain cycle balance during mode switching, then the air conditioner can switch between heating and cooling modes, but the circuit configuration becomes complex and control mechanisms become intricate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidcircuit configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heat medium circuit into separate high-temperature and low-temperature circuits, each with dedicated heat exchangers. This segmentation allows independent flow control in each circuit, eliminating the need for complex pressure adjustment valves and intricate control mechanisms while maintaining mode switching capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchangers are designed to serve multiple functions - the high-temperature heat medium-outside air heat exchanger and low-temperature heat medium-outside air heat exchanger can operate in different modes (heating/cooling) by simply switching the heat medium flow direction, providing universal functionality without requiring mode-specific components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the circuit into independent high-temperature and low-temperature loops with dedicated flow control, the control mechanism becomes straightforward - simply switch which circuit is active based on heating or cooling demand, eliminating intricate control requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single heat medium circuit is used for both heating and cooling modes, then the system configuration is simplified, but pressure adjustments are required during mode switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit configuration simplicityVSAvoidmode switching capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heat medium system into separate high-temperature and low-temperature circuits, allowing each to operate independently at its optimal temperature level without requiring pressure adjustments during mode transitions, thus maintaining both simplicity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter by creating separate high-temperature and low-temperature heat medium circuits, allowing the system to switch between heating and cooling modes by changing which temperature circuit is active rather than adjusting pressure in a single circuit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach allows for seamless switching between heating and cooling modes without the need for pressure adjustments, thereby simplifying the system and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a high-temperature heat medium circulates between a high-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger and a high-temperature heat medium-outside air heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the high-temperature heat medium circulates between the high-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger and an air-heating heat exchanger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11498391B2Air conditioner

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An air conditioner is configured to be switchable between a heating mode and a cooling mode. In the cooling mode, a high-temperature heat medium circulates between a high-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger and a high-temperature heat medium-outside air heat exchanger in a state where a refrigerant circulates in an air-cooling heat exchanger. In the heating mode, the high-temperature heat medium circulates between the high-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger and an air-heating heat exchanger, while a low-temperature heat medium circulates between a low-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger and a low-temperature heat medium-outside air heat exchanger, in a state where the refrigerant circulates in the low-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger.