Outdoor Heat Exchanger Pass Control for Multi-Split Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioners face inefficiencies in both heating and cooling operations due to limitations in refrigerant flow management and heat exchange efficiency, particularly in multi-type systems where multiple indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner employs a dual heat exchanger system with separate heat exchange parts and a four-way valve to control refrigerant flow, allowing for parallel or sequential operation depending on the mode, and includes variable capacity compressors and electronic expansion valves to optimize refrigerant distribution and pressure for enhanced heat exchange performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single outdoor unit serves multiple indoor units in a multi-type air conditioner system, then the system provides the effect of multiple air conditioners and increases versatility, but the refrigerant flow management becomes complex and heat exchange efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent heat exchange parts, each capable of independent refrigerant flow control. This segmentation allows optimized refrigerant distribution to multiple indoor units while maintaining high heat exchange efficiency in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic refrigerant flow control through four-way valves and electronic expansion valves that can adjust refrigerant distribution in real-time based on operational mode (heating/cooling) and demand from different indoor units, optimizing heat exchange efficiency dynamically.
2Duration of action of moving object
If refrigerant flows through multiple heat exchange parts in series, then heat exchange time increases, but the refrigerant flow rate decreases and overall heat exchange efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into multiple independent parts with separate refrigerant flow paths. This allows refrigerant to flow through multiple heat exchange parts simultaneously in parallel rather than sequentially, increasing heat exchange efficiency while maintaining adequate heat exchange time through optimized flow distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heat exchange part is designed to function independently and can operate in parallel, allowing the system to provide multiple heat exchange functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality enables efficient heat exchange across multiple indoor units without sacrificing heat exchange time in any single path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a four-way valve is used to control refrigerant flow direction for heating and cooling modes, then the system achieves versatility in both heating and cooling operations, but the refrigerant flow distribution and pressure control become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow control system is segmented into multiple four-way valves, with each valve controlling refrigerant distribution to specific heat exchange parts. This segmentation simplifies the control complexity by localizing flow control functions rather than using a single complex valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
Electronic expansion valves are introduced as intermediary devices between the four-way valves and heat exchange parts, providing precise refrigerant flow distribution and pressure control. These intermediaries simplify the overall control system by handling fine-tuned flow regulation separately from the main direction control function of the four-way valves.
4Use of energy by moving object
If variable capacity compressors are used to optimize refrigerant compression for different operational demands, then energy efficiency improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression system is segmented into multiple independent variable capacity compressors, each serving specific indoor units or heat exchange parts. This segmentation allows each compressor to be optimized for specific operational ranges and demands, improving overall energy efficiency while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable capacity compressors incorporate dynamic capacity adjustment mechanisms that can change compression output in real-time based on system demands. This dynamic capability optimizes energy efficiency across varying operational conditions while the modular architecture manages complexity through standardized dynamic components.
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 improves heating and cooling performance by optimizing refrigerant flow and pressure, increasing heat exchange time and area, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and performance in both heating and cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a four-way valve to control refrigerant flow
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger (130) including a first heat exchange part (131) and a second heat exchange part (132)
Implementation Method 3
an outdoor device (10) including a compressing unit (110) for compressing refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
electronic expansion valves to optimize refrigerant distribution and pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is an air conditioner, which includes an indoor device and an outdoor device connected to the indoor device. The outdoor device includes an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor expansion mechanism communicating with the outdoor heat exchanger, a pass variable tube for varying refrigerant flow in the outdoor heat exchanger, and a pass variable valve provided to the pass variable tube. The heat exchange parts include a first heat exchange part and a second heat exchanger part. The first heat exchange part is connected to a first manifold and a second manifold to distribute refrigerant flow. The second manifold is connected to capillaries. The pass variable tube is connected to the second manifold.