Hybrid Outdoor Unit Layout for Parallel Compressor Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid outdoor units for air conditioners face challenges in layout design due to the need to accommodate both power-supply and non-power-supply driving compressors, leading to space constraints and increased manufacturing costs, as well as inefficiencies in operation when handling varying loads.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit design features a power-supply driving compressor in the heat exchanger room and a non-power-supply driving compressor in the machine room, connected in parallel, allowing for easy integration without altering the existing layout, and includes features like vent holes and oil separators to optimize airflow and refrigeration oil flow, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the power-supply driving compressor is disposed in the machine room (first floor) as with other components, then the hybrid outdoor unit can be formed by adding components to the existing gas heat pump, but the existing component layout needs to be considerably changed because there is not enough space in the machine room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by moving the power-supply driving compressor from the traditional machine room (first floor) to the heat exchanger room (second floor), utilizing the vertical space dimension. This resolves the space constraint in the machine room while maintaining the hybrid operation capability, as the compressor is integrated into the heat exchanger room where space is available and refrigerant flow paths can be efficiently configured.
2Power
If the displacement of the non-power-supply driving compressor is made larger than the power-supply driving compressor, then the gas engine can handle high loads efficiently, but components characteristic of gas heat pumps (exhaust mufflers, cooling water pumps) need to be installed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the outdoor unit to operate in three modes: gas heat pump mode (using the non-power-supply driving compressor for high load), electric heat pump mode (using only the power-supply driving compressor for low load), and hybrid mode (using both compressors together). This universal design allows the system to adapt to different load conditions and eliminates the need for additional gas-specific components like exhaust mufflers and cooling water pumps, as the power-supply driving compressor can independently handle all operating conditions.
3Productivity
If both compressors are connected in parallel, then the system can operate efficiently across varying loads, but the layout of compressors inside the body housing becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical space by placing the power-supply driving compressor in the heat exchanger room (second floor) and the non-power-supply driving compressor in the machine room (first floor), connected in parallel through vertically arranged refrigerant pipes. This three-dimensional arrangement achieves efficient parallel operation across varying loads while maintaining a compact and organized internal layout, avoiding the complexity of horizontal arrangement.
Data Source
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AI summary
An outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes a power-supply driving compressor and a non-power-supply driving compressor that are connected in parallel, the power-supply driving compressor being driven by an electric power, the non-power-supply driving compressor being driven by a driving source other than the electric power, and a body housing divided into an upper portion and a lower portion by a partition plate. In the outdoor unit, a heat exchanger room is provided at the upper portion, and a machine room is provided at the lower potion, and the power-supply driving compressor is provided at the heat exchanger room, and the non-power-supply driving compressor is provided at the machine room.