Heat Medium Flow Distribution for Multi-Unit Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning apparatuses struggle to control the flow rates of multiple use-side heat exchangers connected to a single heat medium cycle circuit, making it difficult to match heat loads appropriately, leading to inefficient heating or cooling operations.
Innovation Solution
The air-conditioning apparatus incorporates a refrigerant cycle circuit with a heat medium distribution device that allows for the control of flow rates of multiple use-side heat exchangers by connecting them to intermediate heat exchangers through a heat medium cycle circuit, using a heat medium distribution device to optimize the flow of heat medium to each exchanger based on its specific load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple use-side heat exchangers are connected to a single heat medium cycle circuit, then the system can serve multiple indoor units, but the flow rate control for each heat exchanger becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heat medium cycle circuit is divided into multiple independent circuits, with each circuit serving a specific use-side heat exchanger. This segmentation enables independent flow rate control for each heat exchanger while maintaining the ability to serve multiple indoor units simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Flow control valves are introduced into each heat medium cycle circuit to dynamically adjust the flow rate according to the specific heat load requirements of each use-side heat exchanger. This dynamic control capability resolves the contradiction by allowing flexible adaptation to different operating conditions.
2Device complexity
If a single heat medium cycle circuit serves multiple use-side heat exchangers, then the system structure is simplified, but the heat load matching efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple heat medium cycle circuits, each with dedicated flow control capability. This segmentation improves heat load matching efficiency by allowing precise control of heat medium flow to each use-side heat exchanger according to its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate parameter of heat medium is independently adjustable in each circuit through flow control valves. This parameter change capability enables optimal heat load matching for each use-side heat exchanger, resolving the contradiction between system complexity and matching efficiency.
3Productivity
If flow control valves are added to each heat medium cycle circuit for independent flow rate control, then the heat load matching improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent heat medium cycle circuits, with each circuit containing a flow control valve. This segmentation approach improves heat load matching efficiency while keeping the complexity localized to each circuit rather than requiring a complex centralized control system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heat medium cycle circuit is designed with universal components including flow control valves that can be applied across multiple circuits. This multi-functionality allows the same control mechanism to serve multiple purposes, improving heat load matching without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 enables the air-conditioning apparatus to convey heat medium at appropriate flow rates to each use-side heat exchanger, enhancing the efficiency of heating or cooling operations by matching heat loads effectively, thereby improving energy utilization and reducing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
a heat medium distribution device provided in one of the plurality of heat medium cycle circuits to which a plurality of the use-side heat exchangers are connected, the heat medium distribution device being configured to control flow rates of the heat medium of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers connected to the one of the heat medium cycle circuits
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant is disposed near each indoor unit
Data Source
AI summary
The air-conditioning apparatus includes: a refrigerant cycle circuit through which a heat source side refrigerant circulates; a plurality of heat medium cycle circuits through which a heat medium circulates, the plurality of heat medium cycle circuits including a plurality of use-side heat exchangers, the heat medium exchanging heat with the heat source side refrigerant of the refrigerant cycle circuit in intermediate heat exchangers; and a heat medium distribution device provided in one of the plurality of heat medium cycle circuits to which a plurality of the use-side heat exchangers are connected, the heat medium distribution device controlling flow rates of the heat medium of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers connected to the heat medium cycle circuit.