Dual-Source Heat Pump Switching for Stable Heating Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump devices face inefficiencies due to variations in outdoor air and underground temperatures, leading to insufficient heating capacity, especially when switching between single and simultaneous operations without accurate determination of heat source usage.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump device with a refrigerant circuit and a heat exchange medium circuit that includes both air and underground heat exchangers, equipped with a controller to determine and switch between single and simultaneous operations based on outlet temperature and heat source capacity, ensuring effective heat source utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If heat is collected simultaneously from both air heat exchanger and underground heat exchanger, then heating capacity is increased, but operation efficiency may be reduced when one heat source is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters by switching between single operation mode (using one heat source) and simultaneous operation mode (using both heat sources) based on detected temperatures and capacity requirements. The controller adjusts the refrigerant flow distribution to optimize efficiency in each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes that adapt to environmental conditions. The system transitions from static single-source operation to dynamic multi-source operation based on real-time temperature detection and capacity assessment, optimizing both efficiency and heating capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If only single operation mode is used, then operation efficiency is maintained, but heating capacity becomes insufficient when both heat sources are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both air heat exchanger and underground heat exchanger as interchangeable heat sources. The system can universally operate using either single heat source or both heat sources simultaneously, adapting to various environmental conditions and capacity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between single operation mode for efficiency and simultaneous operation mode for enhanced capacity. The controller detects when capacity is insufficient in single mode and transitions to simultaneous mode, providing adaptive heating capability.
3Power
If switching between single and simultaneous operation is implemented, then capacity insufficiency is compensated, but accurate determination of switching timing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from temperature detectors to determine when to switch between operation modes. By monitoring the outlet temperature of the use-side heat exchanger and comparing it with the target temperature, the system automatically decides whether to operate in single or simultaneous mode, simplifying the control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment of its heating capacity by detecting the outlet temperature and comparing it with the target temperature. This self-diagnosis enables automatic switching between operation modes without complex external control, reducing control complexity while maintaining accurate switching timing.
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 device accurately determines when to switch to simultaneous operation, enhancing heat collection capacity and preventing performance reduction by effectively using both air and underground heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat-source heat exchanger configured to use outdoor air serving as a first heat source as a heat source... a second heat-source heat exchanger configured to use underground water serving as a second heat source as a heat source
Implementation Method 2
a fan that blows the outdoor air toward the air heat-source heat exchanger... a geothermal heat pump that circulates the underground water through the underground heat-source heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a compressor; a refrigerant passage of a use-side heat exchanger... the compressor having a discharge side connected to a condenser
Implementation Method 4
a first pressure reducing device; a second pressure reducing device... the second circuit being connected in parallel to the first pressure reducing device and the first heat-source heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
a refrigerant passage of a use-side heat exchanger... the use side heat exchanger serves as the condenser... Heat is allowed to flow from a use-side medium passage of the condenser to the outside
Implementation Method 6
a heat exchange medium circuit including a heat exchange medium passage of the second heat-source heat exchanger, and configured to circulate therethrough a heat exchange medium serving as a second heat source
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump device that collects heat both air and geothermal heat sources, and a controller determines, by comparing the temperature of an additional heat source and the current refrigerant temperature, whether or not to switch to simultaneous operation when there is insufficient capacity during single operation. During heating operation, the operation is switched to simultaneous operation if the temperature of the additional heat source is greater than the current refrigerant temperature, and single operation is continued if the temperature of the additional heat source is no greater than the current refrigerant temperature. As another determination method for during heating operation, the refrigerant temperature after addition of geothermal heat source is estimated and the heat pump is switched to simultaneous operation if the estimated refrigerant temperature is greater than the current refrigerant temperature. Single operation is continued if the estimated refrigerant temperature is no greater than the current refrigerant temperature.