Heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems face time-consuming and cumbersome processes for determining correct wiring connections of shut-off valves during installation, particularly when dealing with multiple usage side units of varying capacities, leading to fluctuations in compressor load and system instability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where all usage side units and the compressor are continuously operated, with shut-off valves of the evaluated unit closed, allowing temperature-based evaluation of correct wiring connections using sensing devices, minimizing load variations and ensuring stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If usage side units are switched on and off one by one for erroneous wiring connection determination, then wiring connection correctness can be evaluated, but system stability deteriorates due to compressor load fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by closing the shut-off valves of the evaluated usage side unit before performing the wiring connection determination. This preparatory step isolates the refrigerant circuit of the evaluated unit, allowing accurate temperature measurement without affecting the operation of other units. The other usage side units remain operational throughout the determination process, maintaining system stability while enabling precise wiring verification for the specific unit being evaluated.
2Productivity
If compressor operating load is adapted to capacity variations when switching usage side units, then wiring determination can proceed, but time consumption increases due to system stabilization delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining the operation of all usage side units throughout the erroneous wiring connection determination process. Only the shut-off valves of the currently evaluated unit are closed, while other units continue to operate normally. This eliminates the need to switch units on and off, thereby avoiding repeated system stabilization periods and significantly reducing the total time required for wiring determination across all units.
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-closing the shut-off valves of the evaluated unit before starting the wiring determination, the system prepares the measurement condition in advance. This preliminary isolation ensures that temperature measurements reflect only the thermal state of the evaluated unit's refrigerant circuit, providing accurate wiring verification without requiring system shutdown or load adaptation.
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
Enables rapid and reliable determination of correct wiring connections without system stabilization delays, maintaining stable operation and reducing time and effort in the wiring connection process.
Implementation Method 1
evaluate whether the wiring connected to the first and second valves of the plurality of usage side units is connected to a correct port of the controller based on a temperature determined by a sensing device of the respective usage side unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a heat pump system comprising a heat source unit (110) comprising a heat source heat (13) exchanger and a compressor (11); a plurality of usage side units (120), each comprising a sub expansion valve (122) and a usage side heat exchanger (123); a refrigerant circuit containing a refrigerant and connecting the heat source heat exchanger (13), the compressor (11), the sub expansion valves (122) and the usage side heat exchangers (123), wherein the refrigerant circuit comprises a manifold device (201) for connecting the heat source unit (110) to the usage side units (120), respectively, the manifold device (201) comprises a liquid pipe (151) and a gas pipe (152) for each of the usage side units (120); wherein each of the usage side units (120) further comprises a sensing device (126) configured to determine the temperature of the refrigerant in the respective usage side unit (120); and first and second valves (153, 154) for shutting the respective usage side unit (120) off the liquid pipe (151) and the gas pipe (152), respectively and thereby from the remainder of the refrigerant circuit; wherein the heat pump system further comprises a controller (300) for controlling the heat pump system; wherein the controller (300) has a plurality of ports each port being associated with a respective one of the usage side units (120) and the first and second valves (153, 154) of the usage side units (120) are respectively connected to a common one of the ports of the controller (300) via a wiring (155, 156), wherein the controller (300) is configured to perform an erroneous wiring connection determination operation evaluating whether the wiring (155, 156) connected to the first and second valves (153, 154) of the respective usage side unit (120) is connected to the correct port of the controller (300) based on the temperature determined by the sensing device (126) of the respective usage side unit (120); wherein the controller (300) is configured to, in the erroneous wiring connection determination operation, continue operation of the usage side units (120) and of the compressor (11).