Indoor Heat Exchanger Flow Switching for Stable Air Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning apparatuses face complications in connecting heat medium pipes, leading to complex connections and temperature fluctuations when switching between cooling and heating operations, resulting in inconsistent air output temperatures across indoor units.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning system with a heat medium flow path switching device and a flow rate adjusting unit that allows each indoor unit to switch between operation modes while maintaining a single heat medium path, controlling the flow rate to suppress temperature changes and ensure consistent air output temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate heat medium pipes are connected to each indoor unit for individual cooling and heating operations, then each indoor unit can independently perform cooling and heating operations, but the pipe connection becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single heat medium pipe that serves multiple indoor units, allowing the same pipe infrastructure to support both cooling and heating operations across different units. The flow path switching device enables this single pipe to functionally serve multiple purposes and locations without requiring separate dedicated pipes for each unit and operation type.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path switching device acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the single heat medium pipe and multiple indoor units. It controls the direction and distribution of heat medium flow, enabling individual cooling and heating operations while maintaining a simplified single-pipe infrastructure. This intermediary device resolves the conflict between operational versatility and pipe connection simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a single heat medium path is used for multiple indoor units, then pipe connection is simplified, but temperature fluctuations occur when switching between cooling and heating operations
Solution Approach 1:
The flow rate adjusting unit performs preliminary action by pre-adjusting the heat medium flow rate before temperature fluctuations occur during mode switching. When an indoor unit switches between cooling and heating operations, the system anticipates potential temperature instability and proactively adjusts flow rates to maintain consistent air output temperatures, preventing rather than reacting to temperature problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the flow rate adjusting unit continuously monitors and adjusts heat medium flow rates based on operational conditions and temperature requirements. This feedback mechanism ensures that when mode switching occurs in one indoor unit, the flow rates are dynamically adjusted to compensate and maintain stable temperatures in other units, resolving the temperature consistency issue.
3Speed
If heat medium flow rate is increased for one indoor unit switching operations, then operational response is improved, but air output temperature of other indoor units changes
Solution Approach 1:
The flow rate adjusting unit applies local quality by independently controlling heat medium flow rates for different indoor units based on their specific operational needs. When one unit switches operations and requires increased flow rate for rapid response, the system locally adjusts only that unit's flow rate while maintaining appropriate flow rates for other units, ensuring each unit receives the appropriate flow characteristics for its current operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic flow rate control where the flow rate adjusting unit continuously adapts heat medium distribution based on real-time operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize operational response speed for units that need it while simultaneously maintaining temperature stability for other units, creating a flexible and responsive multi-unit system that can handle varying demands without compromising overall performance.
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
Enables simultaneous cooling and heating operations while minimizing changes in air output temperature across indoor units, improving operational efficiency and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger that heats or cools a heat medium (flowing medium) to be circulated in the indoor units (use side heat exchangers)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Use side heat exchangers 26, an intermediate heat exchanger 15a that heats a heat medium flowing to the use side heat exchangers 26, an intermediate heat exchanger 15b that cools the heat medium flowing to the use side heat exchangers 26, three-way valves 22 and 23 that switch between a flow path connecting the intermediate heat exchanger 15a to the use side heat exchangers 26 and a flow path connecting the intermediate heat exchanger 15b to the use side heat exchangers 26, and three-way valves 25 and bypasses 27 that control the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchangers 26 are included. When at least one of the use side heat exchangers 26 is switched from a stop state to an operation state or switched to another operation mode, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into this use side heat exchanger 26 is suppressed, and a change in air output temperature in the use side heat exchangers 26 other than this use side heat exchanger 26 is suppressed.