Modular Air-Conditioning Layout for Shared Compressor Piping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems are costly when multiple spaces need independent cooling or heating, as each space requires a separate unit, leading to high installation expenses.
Innovation Solution
A modular air-conditioning system with a shared refrigerant compressor and integrated heat exchangers that can switch between cooling and heating modes using a four-way valve, allowing each air-conditioner to perform both functions independently while sharing refrigerant piping, thus reducing the number of refrigerant pipes and installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an all-inclusive air-conditioner unit is used, then design and installation simplicity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air-conditioning system into modular components: a shared refrigerant compressor unit and multiple independent air-conditioner units. Each air-conditioner unit contains only the components needed for that space (heat exchangers, fans, controls), while the compressor is shared across all units through common refrigerant piping. This segmentation reduces the cost and complexity of each individual unit while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared refrigerant compressor serves multiple air-conditioner units simultaneously, acting as a universal component for the entire system. The refrigerant piping network distributes refrigerant to all units, enabling one compressor to fulfill the cooling/heating needs of multiple spaces, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining design simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate air-conditioners are installed for each space, then independent temperature control is achieved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each air-conditioner unit is designed as an independent module with its own heat exchangers, fans, and control systems, allowing each space to be controlled separately. However, the refrigerant compressor function is segmented out and shared across all units, reducing redundancy and installation cost while preserving independent temperature control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant compressors of multiple air-conditioner units are merged into a single shared compressor through common refrigerant piping. This combining eliminates the need for multiple compressors, reducing installation cost and space requirements while each air-conditioner unit retains its independent heat exchangers and controls for separate temperature management.
3Quantity of substance
If a shared refrigerant compressor is used, then system cost is reduced, but complexity of refrigerant piping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shared refrigerant compressor connects to multiple air-conditioner units through a universal refrigerant piping network. This piping system serves all units simultaneously, distributing refrigerant efficiently. The standardized connection interfaces and modular unit design keep the piping complexity manageable despite serving multiple spaces.
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 is compact, easy to design and maintain, and allows for independent temperature control of multiple spaces at a lower cost by simplifying refrigerant piping and sharing the compressor, making it more economical and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger disposed in the first main air channel to cause a heat-exchange between refrigerant flowing therein and air passing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
to cause a heat-exchange between refrigerant flowing therein and air passing therethrough
Implementation Method 3
air passing therethrough
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is an air-conditioning system (100), comprising a refrigerant compressor (411), a high-pressure gas refrigerant pipe (430), a low-pressure gas refrigerant pipe (440), and a plurality of air-conditioners (300). Each air-conditioner has a first heat exchanger (341); a second heat exchanger (342, 343); a housing (301); and a pipe connecting mechanism (370). The pipe connecting mechanism is configured to connect each of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to a refrigerant compressor (411), via the high-pressure gas refrigerant pipe and the low-pressure gas refrigerant pipe (440), such that the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger and the refrigerant compressor form a heat pump circuit, and includes a switching mechanism configured to switch the state of the air-conditioner between a cooling mode connection state and a heating mode connection state.