Integrated heat pump system and control method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current integrated heat pump systems have a low integration level, leading to inefficient use of space and limited application scope due to separate outdoor and indoor units with extensive pipeline connections, which hampers heat recovery and operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An integrated heat pump system with a shared outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units via pipelines, featuring parallel compressors for different evaporation temperatures, a mode switch valve assembly, and throttle valve assemblies to control flow paths and throttling degrees, allowing for various operating modes and improved heat utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate outdoor units and indoor units are provided with extensive pipeline connections to achieve heat recovery, then heat recovery capability is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple indoor units (air-conditioning indoor unit and display cabinet indoor unit) with different temperature requirements into a single integrated heat pump system that shares a common outdoor unit. The system integrates multiple evaporators with different evaporation temperatures and multiple condensers into one unified structure, enabling heat recovery between indoor units while reducing the number of separate outdoor units needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple indoor units with different temperature requirements simultaneously. The single-stage compressor can provide refrigerant to both the air-conditioning evaporator and display cabinet evaporator, and the outdoor heat exchanger can function as either evaporator or condenser depending on operating mode, enabling one outdoor unit to replace multiple specialized units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate outdoor units and indoor units are provided with extensive pipeline connections, then heat recovery is enabled, but the space occupied by units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated outdoor unit, including the compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, and piping systems. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate outdoor units and reduces the overall space required for installation while maintaining heat recovery functionality between different indoor units.
3Device complexity
If a single compressor is used to serve multiple indoor units with different temperature requirements, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide different evaporation temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms including electronic expansion valves and four-way valves that can dynamically adjust refrigerant flow distribution to the different evaporators. The system can switch between different operating modes (heating mode, cooling mode, heat recovery mode) and dynamically allocate refrigerant to meet different temperature requirements of air-conditioning and display cabinet units simultaneously using a single compressor.
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
The system enhances integration, reduces footprint, broadens application scope, and improves heat utilization by coordinating pipeline connections and operating modes, enabling efficient refrigeration and heating operations across different indoor units.
Implementation Method 1
an air-conditioning indoor unit having a first indoor heat exchanger set
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger set
Implementation Method 3
at least two compressors connected in parallel and configured to provide different evaporation temperatures respectively
Implementation Method 4
a first throttle valve assembly for controlling the on-off of flow paths and throttling degree
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application provides an integrated heat pump system and a control method therefor. The integrated heat pump system (100) comprises: an air-conditioning indoor unit (110) having a first indoor heat exchanger set (111a, 111b) and a first throttle valve assembly (112a, 112b); a display cabinet indoor unit (120) having a second indoor heat exchanger set (121a, 121b) and a second throttle valve assembly (122a, 122b); and an outdoor unit (130) connected to the air-conditioning indoor unit and the display cabinet indoor unit through pipelines. The outdoor unit comprises: at least two compressors (133a, 133b); an outdoor heat exchanger set (131); a third throttle valve assembly (132); and a mode switch valve assembly configured to switch at least one of the first indoor heat exchanger set and the outdoor heat exchanger set to be connected to the downstream of at least two compressors.