Exterior Heat Exchanger Flow Switching for Heating and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration cycle devices face inefficiencies in heat exchange efficiency during both heating and cooling operations due to fixed refrigerant path configurations, which limit their ability to optimize refrigerant flow for varying operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle device with a refrigerant flow path switching unit that adjusts the refrigerant flow path based on operation mode, utilizing a core portion with multiple tube groups and decompression units to optimize refrigerant flow directions and tube counts for enhanced heat exchange efficiency in both heating and cooling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed refrigerant path configuration is used, then the system design is simplified, but the heat exchange efficiency deteriorates during varying operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic refrigerant path configuration where the refrigerant flow path is switched between heating and cooling operations. The exterior heat exchanger connects to different decompression units based on operation mode, allowing the system to adapt refrigerant flow paths dynamically rather than using a fixed configuration, thereby optimizing heat exchange efficiency for each operational condition.
2Loss of energy
If the refrigerant flow path is switched between heating and cooling operations, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior heat exchanger is designed to serve multiple functions by connecting to different decompression units based on operation mode. In heating operation, it connects to the first decompression unit to function as an evaporator, while in cooling operation, it connects to the second decompression unit. This multi-functional design allows a single component to optimize performance across different operational conditions without requiring entirely separate systems.
3Loss of energy
If multiple decompression units are used to optimize refrigerant flow, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different decompression units with different connection configurations optimized for specific operational modes. The first decompression unit is configured for heating operation connectivity, while the second decompression unit is configured for cooling operation connectivity. Each decompression unit has localized structural characteristics tailored to its specific operational purpose, allowing optimized refrigerant flow control for each mode without requiring complete system redesign.
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 allows for adjustable refrigerant paths and optimized flow directions, improving heat exchange efficiency and simplifying system design by enabling efficient heat exchange in both heating and cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to compress and discharge a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a heating unit configured to heat blown air to be sent to an air conditioning target space by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the blown air
Implementation Method 3
an exterior heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and outside air
Implementation Method 4
a first decompression unit configured to reduce pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the exterior heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
a second decompression unit configured to reduce pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the exterior heat exchanger
Implementation Method 6
an evaporator configured to cool the blown air before the heating unit heating the blown air, by performing heat exchange between the blown air and the refrigerant having a low pressure downstream of the second decompression unit
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle device includes an exterior heat exchanger that includes a core portion including a stack of a plurality of tubes. The core portion has a first core portion, a second core portion and a third core portion each of which includes a tube group of the plurality of tubes. A flow direction of a refrigerant flowing through the second core portion in a heating operation is opposite to that in a cooling operation. Flow directions of the refrigerant flowing through the first core portion and the third core portion in the heating operation are same as those in the cooling operation.