Multi-air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-air conditioners face issues with refrigerant and oil introduction, noise generation, and compatibility challenges in indoor units that have stopped operation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-air conditioner system with a header module and connection kit that includes regulating valves and bypass portions to control refrigerant flow, preventing its introduction into stopped indoor units, and a controller to manage valve operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If refrigerant is supplied to all indoor units through a shared header module, then system simplicity and cost are improved, but refrigerant and oil accumulation occurs in stopped indoor units causing noise and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant supply system into segmented zones by introducing a refrigerant partitioning valve at each indoor unit. This valve segments the continuous refrigerant flow from the header module, allowing independent control of refrigerant supply to each indoor unit based on its operational status, thereby preventing accumulation in stopped units while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant partitioning valve acts as an intermediary component between the header module and each indoor unit. It mediates the refrigerant flow by selectively opening or closing to prevent refrigerant from entering stopped indoor units, thus resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and preventing harmful accumulation.
2Reliability
If regulating valves are installed at each indoor unit to control refrigerant flow, then refrigerant management is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the refrigerant regulation function from the central header module and relocates it to individual indoor units through partitioning valves. This allows each indoor unit to independently control its own refrigerant flow, improving reliability of refrigerant management while distributing the complexity across multiple simple components rather than one complex central control system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each indoor unit becomes self-sufficient in managing its own refrigerant flow through the local partitioning valve. The valve automatically responds to the operational status of its associated indoor unit, eliminating the need for complex centralized regulation and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stopped indoor units remain connected to the refrigerant circuit, then installation flexibility is improved, but noise generation and oil accumulation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by equipping each indoor unit with a refrigerant partitioning valve that can be closed before the unit stops operating. This preliminary closure of the valve prevents refrigerant from entering the stopped unit, thereby preventing subsequent noise generation and oil accumulation while maintaining the unit's connected status for future use.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning valve serves as an intermediary that allows stopped indoor units to remain physically connected to the refrigerant circuit for installation flexibility, while simultaneously blocking refrigerant flow to prevent noise and oil accumulation. The valve mediates between the conflicting requirements of connectivity and isolation.
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
Prevents refrigerant and oil accumulation, reduces noise, and enhances compatibility by managing refrigerant flow, ensuring efficient operation of active units while maintaining stopped units.
Implementation Method 1
a bypass portion connecting the inlet pipe and the collection pipe and configured to bypass refrigerant introduced into the inlet pipe to the collection pipe
Implementation Method 2
connection regulating valves provided to the connection inlet pipe and the connection collection pipe and configured to suppress refrigerant from being supplied to the plurality of indoor units
Implementation Method 3
supply refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units
Implementation Method 4
collect refrigerant heat-exchanged from the plurality of indoor units to the outdoor unit
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-air conditioner may comprise: an outdoor unit; a plurality of indoor units; a header module including an inlet pipe, branching to supply a refrigerant compressed by the outdoor unit, and a collection pipe for heat-exchanging the refrigerant by the plurality of indoor units collected at the outdoor unit; and connection kits detachably coupled between the header module and the plurality of indoor units. The connection kit may include: a connection inlet pipe; a connection collection pipe; connection regulating valves provided at the connection inlet pipe and the connection collection pipe to suppress the refrigerant from being supplied to the plurality of indoor units; and a connection bypass portion connecting the connection inlet pipe and the connection collection pipe to bypass, to the connection collection pipe, the refrigerant flowing into the connection inlet pipe.