Humidity control apparatus with dual heat exchangers and bypass passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing humidity control devices have limited adjustable range in humidity control capacity due to the restricted adjustment width of the compressor's operating capacity, making it difficult to broaden the humidity control capacity effectively.
Innovation Solution
A humidity control device with a refrigerant circuit and adsorption heat exchangers that includes a bypass passage and a flow path switching mechanism, allowing the device to switch between different humidity control operations to adjust the amount of air passing through the adsorption heat exchangers, thereby expanding the adjustable range of humidity control capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment width of the compressor's operating capacity is increased to broaden the humidity control capacity, then the humidity control capacity adjustment width is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is segmented into multiple channels: a first air flow passage through the adsorption heat exchanger and a second air flow passage (bypass) that circumvents it. This segmentation allows independent control of air flow distribution, enabling the system to achieve a broader humidity control capacity adjustment width without requiring the compressor to operate across its entire capacity range, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of air flow rate through the adsorption heat exchanger by adjusting the bypass air flow rate. By controlling the proportion of air that bypasses the heat exchanger, the system can achieve fine-grained adjustment of humidity control capacity without relying on large changes in compressor operating capacity, thereby maintaining simpler device architecture.
2Measurement precision
If the compressor operates at low capacity frequently to adjust humidity control capacity, then the humidity control precision is improved, but the compressor start-stop frequency increases causing reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass passage acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables humidity control adjustment without requiring frequent compressor cycling. By controlling the bypass air flow rate, the system can achieve precise humidity control while the compressor maintains stable operation, thus improving reliability while maintaining control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic control of air flow distribution through the bypass mechanism. The bypass air flow rate can be continuously adjusted to match varying humidity control demands, allowing the compressor to operate steadily at optimal capacity while the overall humidity control capacity is modulated through air flow management rather than compressor cycling.
3Productivity
If the air flow rate through the adsorption heat exchanger is increased to improve humidity control capacity, then the humidity control capacity is improved, but the risk of condensation and frequent operation switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by allowing only a portion of the total air flow to pass through the adsorption heat exchanger, with the remainder bypassing it. By controlling the bypass air flow rate to be greater than or equal to zero, the system achieves the necessary humidity control capacity while limiting the air flow through the heat exchanger to levels that prevent condensation, thus improving productivity without increasing condensation risk.
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 solution enables a broader adjustment width of the humidity control capacity by reducing or increasing the amount of air passing through the adsorption heat exchangers, preventing frequent switching and condensation issues, and reducing power consumption by minimizing compressor start-stop cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a first adsorption heat exchanger (51) and a second adsorption heat exchanger (52) which are respectively provided in the first and second humidity control chambers (37, 38)
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant circuit (50) including a compressor (53)
Data Source
AI summary
A controlling unit controls a refrigerant circuit and a flow path switching mechanism to perform a first humidity control operation or a second humidity control operation. In the first humidity control operation, a bypass passage is closed, and outside air is supplied into a room through one of first and second adsorption heat exchangers, and room air is exhausted to outside through the other of the first and second adsorption heat exchangers. In the second humidity control operation, the bypass passage is opened, and the outside air is supplied into the room through one of the first and second adsorption heat exchangers and the bypass passage, and room air is exhausted to outside through the other of the first and second adsorption heat exchangers.