Mobile air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile air conditioners face limitations due to thick connecting pipelines required for heat dissipation, which restrict their flexibility and convenience of use, and result in less efficient refrigeration performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a phase-change energy storage heat exchange device that absorbs heat from the second heat exchanger, eliminating the need for external heat dissipation through a thick pipeline, and utilizing communication and throttle branches to optimize refrigerant flow and temperature management for enhanced efficiency and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a thick connecting pipeline is used to discharge heat to the outside, then heat dissipation is achieved, but flexibility and convenience of use are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the traditional outdoor unit and relocates it to an indoor phase-change energy storage device. The thick connecting pipeline is eliminated by absorbing the heat directly within the indoor space using phase-change material, thereby maintaining energy dissipation effectiveness while dramatically improving flexibility and convenience of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a phase-change energy storage working medium as an intermediary between the refrigeration system and the surrounding environment. This intermediary absorbs heat through phase change (solid-liquid transition) instead of requiring direct heat dissipation through thick pipelines, enabling the system to maintain thermal management capability while eliminating the spatial constraints imposed by traditional heat dissipation structures.
2Loss of energy
If air-cooling heat exchange is used at the second heat exchanger, then heat is discharged to the outside, but indoor refrigeration efficiency is reduced and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the energy storage working medium (solid-liquid phase change) at the second heat exchanger to absorb heat. This phase-change heat absorption mechanism is more efficient than air-cooling heat exchange because it occurs at a constant temperature and provides higher heat transfer coefficients, thereby improving indoor refrigeration efficiency while maintaining effective heat management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heat generation during refrigeration into a beneficial effect by using the phase-change process to actively absorb and store this heat. Instead of allowing heat to accumulate in the indoor environment or requiring noisy air-cooling systems, the phase-change material absorbs heat during its phase transition, transforming the thermal challenge into an efficient heat storage opportunity that enhances overall refrigeration performance.
3Temperature
If refrigerant is throttled before entering the first heat exchanger, then refrigeration is achieved, but sharp refrigeration and discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cooling action by using the phase-change energy storage device to pre-cool the refrigerant or pre-chill the indoor environment before the main refrigeration cycle operates. This preliminary action reduces the temperature differential required during active refrigeration, allowing the system to achieve the desired temperature without aggressive throttling, thereby avoiding sharp refrigeration effects and improving comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the refrigeration process by utilizing the phase-change material's ability to absorb heat at a constant temperature. This dynamic heat absorption capability allows the system to modulate its cooling output smoothly, avoiding the abrupt temperature changes caused by traditional throttling mechanisms and maintaining more comfortable and stable indoor conditions.
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 enhances the flexibility and convenience of the mobile air conditioner, improves indoor refrigeration efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and provides a more comfortable cooling experience by stabilizing temperature and reducing condensation load, while allowing for efficient regeneration of the phase-change energy storage medium.
Implementation Method 1
a phase-change energy storage heat exchange device, including a second heat exchanger and a phase-change energy storage working medium, wherein the second heat exchanger and the phase-change energy storage working medium may exchange heat therebetween
Implementation Method 2
the second heat exchanger exchanges heat with the phase-change energy storage working medium
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile air conditioner, comprising: a first heat exchanger, having a first interface and a second interface for a refrigerant to enter and exit; a phase-change energy storage heat exchange device, including a second heat exchanger and a phase-change energy storage working medium, wherein the second heat exchanger and the phase-change energy storage working medium may exchange heat therebetween, and the second heat exchanger has a third interface and a fourth interface for the refrigerant to enter and exit; a first refrigerant pipeline, connected to the first interface and the third interface; and a second refrigerant pipeline, connected to the second interface and the fourth interface.