Refrigerant circuit and refrigerant compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerant compressors lack a control unit capable of interacting with a wide variety of operating and condition monitoring units, leading to communication issues and limited functionality when additional modules are connected.

Innovation Solution

A control unit with a basic module containing a processor and memory, designed to execute both basic and additional functions, and additional modules that facilitate communication and signal processing, allowing seamless integration and adaptation to various operating and condition monitoring units through standardized communication channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a control unit is designed to interact with a wide variety of operating units and status detection units, then the functionality and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity and communication problems increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcommunication problems
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed with a universal interface that can interact with multiple types of operating units and status detection units through standardized electrical connections. The processor and program code are configured to handle various communication protocols and data formats, enabling a single control unit to manage diverse components without requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each unit type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the processor and the diverse operating units/status detection units. It provides signal processing and communication mediation through standardized interfaces, translating between different communication protocols and formats. This intermediary function resolves communication incompatibilities and enables seamless interaction between heterogeneous components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional modules are connected to the base module to execute additional functions, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditional functionsVSAvoidmodule connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is segmented into a base module and additional modules that can be independently connected. The base module contains the processor and core program code, while additional modules provide specialized functions. This segmentation allows the system to start with minimal complexity and add functionality incrementally, reducing the initial device complexity while maintaining the capability for future expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base module is designed with universal connection interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of additional modules. The processor and program code are configured to recognize and operate with various additional module types through standardized communication protocols. This universal design enables a single base module to work with diverse additional modules without requiring custom integration for each module type, thus improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4375509B1Refrigerant circuit and refrigerant compressor
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 BITZER KUEHLMASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP4375509B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4375509B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4375509B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to create a control unit that can interact with a wide variety of operating units and/or state detection units, it is proposed that the control unit comprise a basic module which has at least one processor and at least one memory for the required program code to operate the processor, as well as connections for operating units and/or state detection units that execute basic functions, and that the processor and the program code stored in the memory are designed in such a way that additional functions of an add-on module that can be connected to the basic module can also be executed with them.