Air-Conditioning Heat Medium Preconditioning for Leak-Safe Indoor Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems for buildings face issues such as refrigerant leakage into indoor spaces, high energy consumption due to long heat medium circulation paths, poor construction ease, noise, and cost due to multiple pipes and pumps, and inefficient heat exchange leading to uncomfortable temperature delivery.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning apparatus with a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit that includes intermediate heat exchangers, pumps, and heat medium passages, where the heat source side refrigerant is used to preheat or precool the heat medium to a predetermined temperature before it reaches the indoor units, reducing direct refrigerant circulation and optimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If refrigerant is circulated directly to indoor units, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but refrigerant leakage into indoor spaces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat medium (water or antifreeze solution) as an intermediary substance that carries thermal energy from the outdoor heat source unit to the indoor units. This heat medium circulates through a closed loop system, allowing heat transfer without direct refrigerant contact with indoor spaces, thereby eliminating refrigerant leakage risks while maintaining efficient heat transfer through the heat exchanger system
2Adaptability or versatility
If heat medium circulation path is made long to reach all indoor units, then heating/cooling coverage is improved, but energy consumption for conveyance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat medium circulation system into multiple independent circuits, each serving specific indoor units. The outdoor heat source unit functions as a central station that can independently control heat medium flow to different indoor units through separate circulation paths. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary circulation paths based on actual heating/cooling demands, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining comprehensive coverage
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pipes and pumps are installed for each indoor unit to enable free cooling/heating selection, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity and construction difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal heat medium circulation system where a single outdoor heat source unit serves multiple indoor units through a shared heat medium loop. The system uses universal components (heat exchangers, pumps, valves) that can operate in multiple modes: the outdoor unit can function as either a heat source or heat sink, and each indoor unit can independently select cooling or heating operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each indoor unit, thereby simplifying overall system complexity while maintaining operational flexibility
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, enhances safety by minimizing refrigerant leakage, and ensures comfortable indoor temperatures by allowing for efficient heat transfer and controlled operation mode switching.
Implementation Method 1
intermediate heat exchangers, which exchange heat between the heat source side refrigerant and a heat medium
Data Source
AI summary
Upon switching of an air-conditioning apparatus from an operation mode in which all of indoor units each including a use side heat exchanger are in non-operation to another operation mode in which at least one of the indoor units starts a cooling operation mode or a heating operation mode, a heat medium conveyed to the use side heat exchanger included in the indoor unit which has received a start instruction is cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature by a heat source side refrigerant, and after that, an air-sending device included in the indoor unit which starts the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode is actuated.