Heat Transfer Medium Circuit Layout for Low-Leakage Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning apparatuses for buildings face challenges such as refrigerant leakage risks, high energy consumption due to long circulation paths, costly and noisy secondary medium circulation systems, and inefficient energy use, particularly in systems with multiple indoor units connected through extensive piping.
Innovation Solution
The air-conditioning apparatus incorporates a refrigerant circuit and a heat transfer medium circuit with a heat source side refrigerant and a heat transfer medium that exchange heat in heat exchangers, utilizing a heat transfer medium flow control device, a heat transfer medium flow switching device, and a backflow prevention device to shorten circulation paths and reduce piping, thereby enhancing safety, energy efficiency, and construction ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the refrigerant is circulated to indoor units, then heating or cooling can be provided directly, but refrigerant leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer medium (water or antifreeze solution) as an intermediary substance that carries thermal energy from the outdoor heat source unit to the indoor units without requiring refrigerant circulation through indoor units. This mediator enables heat transfer functionality while eliminating refrigerant leakage risks in indoor spaces.
2Ease of operation
If the circulation path of heat transfer medium is made long to connect outdoor unit to indoor units, then heating or cooling can be provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the heat transfer function into two separate circuits: a refrigerant circuit in the outdoor unit that generates cooling or heating energy, and a heat transfer medium circuit that distributes this energy to indoor units. This segmentation allows optimized pump selection and control for the heat transfer medium circulation, reducing overall energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If four water pipes are arranged to connect outdoor unit to indoor units for simultaneous cooling and heating, then flexibility is improved, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a two-pipe configuration where the same heat transfer medium pipes serve dual functions for both cooling and heating operations. By using flow direction control and heat exchanger configuration, the system achieves multi-functionality with reduced piping complexity compared to dedicated four-pipe systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If secondary medium circulating device is provided for each indoor unit, then independent heat transfer control is achieved, but system cost and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat transfer medium circulation function into a centralized system where a single pump in the outdoor unit circulates the heat transfer medium through all indoor units. This merging approach maintains independent heat transfer control capability while significantly reducing the number of pumps and associated complexity compared to having separate circulation devices at each indoor unit.
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 reduces energy consumption, minimizes refrigerant leakage risks, and simplifies construction by shortening heat transfer medium circulation paths, while ensuring safety and efficient energy use across multiple indoor units.
Implementation Method 1
the heat source side refrigerant and the heat transfer medium exchanges heat in the heat exchangers related to heat transfer medium
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning apparatus includes at least a use side heat medium flow control device and a heat medium flow switching device disposed in an outlet side of the heat medium passage of a use side heat exchanger, and a heat medium backflow prevention device disposed in an inlet side of the heat medium passage of a use side heat exchanger.