Multi-coupled heat pump air-conditioning system and method of controlling multi-coupled heat pump air-conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-connected heat pump air conditioner systems face challenges in efficiently controlling humidity, leading to high energy consumption and reduced refrigeration efficiency, particularly during rainy seasons, and require additional components like reheat heat exchangers or specialized electromagnetic valves, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a four-way reversing valve and electronic expansion valves in both outdoor and indoor machines, allowing for flexible operation modes where the heat exchangers function as condensers or evaporators based on the mode, eliminating the need for additional components like reheat heat exchangers or specialized dehumidification valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dehumidification and cooling are used to control humidity in the multi-connected heat pump air conditioner system, then the humidity can be controlled, but the supply air temperature is excessively reduced which increases energy consumption and reduces the energy efficiency ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The indoor heat exchanger is divided into two independent heat exchangers (first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger) with separate refrigerant flow paths. This segmentation allows the first heat exchanger to perform dehumidification while the second heat exchanger performs heating, enabling independent control of each function and avoiding excessive cooling during dehumidification operations
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system are assigned different thermal characteristics - the first heat exchanger is optimized for dehumidification with lower temperature operation, while the second heat exchanger is optimized for heating with higher temperature operation. This local quality differentiation allows each component to operate at its optimal efficiency point
2Reliability
If dehumidification and cooling are used to control humidity, then the humidity can be controlled, but the temperature of evaporation is reduced which reduces the energy efficiency ratio of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow path is segmented into two separate paths through the first and second heat exchangers. The first path handles dehumidification with appropriate evaporation temperature, while the second path handles heating with higher condensation temperature, preventing the overall system efficiency from deteriorating due to low temperature operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality by enabling the indoor heat exchanger group to perform both dehumidification and heating functions simultaneously through the two parallel heat exchangers, allowing the system to maintain high energy efficiency ratio while providing comprehensive climate control
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a reheat heat exchanger is added in the indoor machine to avoid cooling during dehumidification, then cooling can be avoided, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function that would traditionally require a separate reheat heat exchanger is merged into the existing indoor heat exchanger group by adding a second heat exchanger that operates in parallel with the first heat exchanger. This integration approach avoids the need for additional standalone reheat components while achieving the same functional outcome
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor heat exchanger group is designed with multi-functionality, where the first heat exchanger handles dehumidification and the second heat exchanger handles heating. This universal design allows a single heat exchanger group to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components, thereby reducing system cost
4Object-affected harmful factors
If specialized dehumidification electromagnetic valve or multiple electromagnetic valves are added to avoid cooling, then cooling can be avoided, but the difficulty in controlling the system increases and control accuracy cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented to independently control the first and second heat exchangers through separate refrigerant flow paths. This segmentation simplifies control logic by allowing each heat exchanger to be controlled independently based on simple temperature and humidity conditions, avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple electromagnetic valves
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex electromagnetic valve control mechanisms with a simpler refrigerant flow distribution approach using the four-way reversing valve and electronic expansion valves. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized dehumidification electromagnetic valves while maintaining precise control through the existing valve infrastructure
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 configuration reduces system costs, improves control accuracy, and allows for efficient refrigeration, heating, and dehumidification without refrigeration, enhancing operational flexibility and comfort while maintaining energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
determines a working condition of the multi-connected heat pump air conditioner system, and switches the refrigerant flow direction according to the working condition
Implementation Method 2
The indoor machine includes... a first electronic expansion valve... a second electronic expansion valve...
Implementation Method 3
The first heat exchanger in the first heat exchange component and second heat exchanger of the indoor machine to be both condensers...
Implementation Method 4
the first heat exchanger in the first heat exchange component to be condenser...
Implementation Method 5
the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger of the indoor machine both to be evaporators...
Implementation Method 6
a confluence component, a switching component... the confluence component is configured to output the refrigerant to the switching component after liquid-gas separating and compressing the refrigerant
Implementation Method 7
after liquid-gas separating and compressing the refrigerant output by the switching component
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Disclosed are a multi-coupled heat pump air-conditioning system and a method of controlling a multi-coupled heat pump air-conditioning system. The method comprises: after a convergence unit performs gas-liquid separation and compression of coolant outputted by a third end of a switching unit, outputting same to a first end of the switching unit; under the operating modes of cooling and dehumidifying without a temperature drop, driving refrigerant outputted by a second end of the switching unit to successively flow through a first heat exchange unit and a second electronic expansion valve (11), a second heat exchanger (13), a third electronic expansion valve (17), and a third heat exchanger (14), flow back into a fourth end of the switching unit via a first shutoff valve (8), and then be outputted from the third end; under the operating mode of heating, driving refrigerant outputted by the fourth end of the switching unit to successively flow through the third heat exchanger (14), the third electronic expansion valve (17), the second heat exchanger (13), and the second electronic expansion valve (11), flow back to the second end of the switching unit via a second shutoff valve (9) and a first heat exchange unit, and then be outputted from the third end. System costs can be lowered and the control precision of a multi-coupled heat pump air-conditioning system can be improved by applying the present invention.