Heat Pump Mode Switching Flow Path to Prevent Refrigeration Cold Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump systems face inefficiency in refrigeration mode due to refrigeration medium flowing through the reservoir, leading to cold loss, but removing the reservoir affects other operational modes, making it desirable to prevent medium flow through the reservoir in refrigeration mode while allowing it in other modes.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system design with a mode switching flow path and throttling element, where the refrigeration medium flow direction is controlled through different paths to bypass the reservoir in refrigeration mode and utilize it in other modes, using solenoid valves and one-way valves to manage flow paths and store refrigeration medium as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reservoir is arranged in the heat pump system to regulate refrigeration medium for heating and hot water production modes, then the system reliability in these modes is improved, but cooling capacity is attenuated in refrigeration mode due to refrigeration medium flowing through the reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow path configuration changeable through mode switching valves. The system dynamically reconfigures which flow paths are active based on operational mode, allowing the reservoir to be included in heating modes and excluded from refrigeration mode, thus optimizing performance for each specific mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow paths into multiple independent controllable paths (first flow path, second flow path, third flow path, fourth flow path) with separate control mechanisms. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific paths based on operational requirements, enabling the reservoir to be bypassed in refrigeration mode while remaining functional in other modes.
2Productivity
If the reservoir is removed to improve refrigeration mode performance, then cooling capacity is improved, but system reliability in heating and hot water production modes is influenced negatively
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than permanently removing the reservoir, the system dynamically controls its inclusion or exclusion from the flow path using mode switching valves. This allows the reservoir to be present in the system but effectively bypassed during refrigeration mode while being actively utilized in heating and hot water production modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir is designed to serve multiple functions across different operational modes. It acts as a refrigeration medium storage and regulation device in heating and hot water production modes, while being bypassed in refrigeration mode. The multi-functionality is achieved through controllable flow path switching that adapts the reservoir's role based on system requirements.
3Productivity
If mode switching valves and multiple flow paths are added to prevent refrigeration medium flow through reservoir in refrigeration mode, then cooling capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mode switching valves and multiple flow paths serve multiple purposes: they enable refrigeration mode optimization by bypassing the reservoir, while simultaneously enabling proper refrigeration medium regulation in heating and hot water production modes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing superior performance across all operational modes compared to a simpler single-path system.
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 design prevents cold loss in refrigeration mode while maintaining system reliability in other modes by ensuring refrigeration medium does not flow through the reservoir during refrigeration, thereby improving overall efficiency and performance across all functional modes.
Implementation Method 1
a throttling element arranged on a flow path between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
in a refrigeration mode, a refrigeration medium circulating flow direction is from a gas outlet of the compressor to a gas suction port of the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system comprises a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a mode switching valve, a throttling element and a reservoir, wherein the throttling element is arranged on a flow path between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and which further comprises a mode switching flow path in which a first flow path and a second flow path are arranged, the reservoir is arranged on the second flow path and each flow path is controllably opened or closed to realize different functional modes.