Multi-Room Heat Pump Refrigerant Distribution by Priority Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-room air-conditioning systems, when the total capacity of indoor units exceeds the capacity of the outdoor unit, it is challenging to supply refrigerant at the required flow rates, leading to discomfort in some rooms and difficulty in adjusting heat quantities in response to changing demands.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system that allows users to prioritize refrigerant distribution to indoor units based on set priorities, using a control system to adjust the flow rate of refrigerant through expansion valves in accordance with user-defined priorities and actual refrigerant availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant is prioritized to the indoor unit requesting the largest quantity, then the maximum demand indoor unit receives sufficient refrigerant, but other indoor units receive smaller quantities leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different indoor units to have different priority levels (first priority, second priority, etc.). Instead of uniform refrigerant distribution, each indoor unit receives refrigerant according to its locally assigned priority, ensuring that critical rooms maintain comfort while distributing limited refrigerant resources efficiently across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-assigning priority levels to each indoor unit before refrigerant distribution begins. The control device determines the operating state of each indoor unit in advance and establishes the sequence of refrigerant supply, allowing proactive management of refrigerant allocation rather than reactive adjustment.
2Quantity of substance
If the outdoor unit capacity is smaller than the total capacity of indoor units, then system cost is reduced, but it becomes difficult to supply refrigerant at required flow rates to all indoor units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the refrigerant distribution system adaptable and changeable. The control device dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow rates to each indoor unit based on real-time operating states and priority levels. When total indoor unit capacity exceeds outdoor unit capacity, the system dynamically reallocates refrigerant flow according to priority, allowing the outdoor unit to effectively serve a larger total capacity than its fixed physical limit would suggest.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by adjusting refrigerant flow rate parameters and priority level parameters. By varying the refrigerant flow rate to each indoor unit based on its priority parameter and operating state, the system optimizes heat exchange capacity within the constraints of the outdoor unit's total refrigerant supply capability.
3Power
If multiple indoor units operate at full capacity simultaneously, then total heat exchange capacity is maximized, but refrigerant supply becomes insufficient when outdoor unit capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing only certain indoor units (those with higher priority) to operate at full capacity when refrigerant is limited, while other indoor units operate at reduced capacity. This selective partial operation ensures that the most critical rooms receive full refrigerant supply and maintain maximum heat exchange power, while accepting reduced performance in lower-priority rooms during periods of refrigerant scarcity.
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 approach ensures efficient temperature adjustment in each room without making users uncomfortable, even when the total capacity of indoor units exceeds the outdoor unit's capacity, by distributing refrigerant according to set priorities and operating indoor units at their rated capacity.
Implementation Method 1
an outdoor unit 20 having a compressor 21, a four-way valve 22, a heat exchanger 23, and expansion valves 32, 42
Implementation Method 2
an indoor unit 40 having a heat exchanger 41, an expansion valve 42
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The refrigerant discharged from a compressor (21) is distributed based on the priorities set by the user in advance and the remaining refrigerant is further distributed based on the priorities. Thus, setting the priorities for indoor units (30A to 30C, 40) according, for example, to the usage of work spaces and the like in an office building, the user can operate a heat pump system (10) efficiently in accordance with the intended use. Furthermore, the remaining capacity of the outdoor unit is distribute to the remaining indoor units according to their priorities so that the indoor units are operated efficiently within the range of the cooling capacity of the outdoor unit.