Multi-Path Liquid Temperature Control with Selective Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid temperature control apparatuses face high manufacturing and energy costs when supplying temperature-controlled liquids to multiple targets, as they often require multiple electric heaters and evaporators, which are not always necessary for all targets.
Innovation Solution
A liquid temperature control apparatus with a heat medium circulation unit and a liquid flow apparatus, where the heat medium is circulated through multiple cooling heat exchangers and a heating unit with a heating heat exchanger and adjustment valve, allowing for temperature control of liquids flowing through different paths, with some paths using heat exchange and others using electric heaters, optimizing energy usage and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple evaporators and circulation apparatuses are provided for multiple temperature control targets, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the manufacturing cost and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single evaporator is designed to serve multiple temperature control targets simultaneously by dividing the refrigerant flow into multiple paths, each path containing a three-way valve that can direct refrigerant to different evaporators based on demand. This allows one evaporator to fulfill the function of multiple evaporators, reducing manufacturing cost and installation space while maintaining adequate cooling capacity for multiple targets.
2Manufacturing precision
If electric heaters are provided in each circulation apparatus, then the temperature control accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost and energy cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Electric heaters are selectively installed only in circulation apparatuses serving temperature control targets that require high temperature control accuracy, rather than in all circulation apparatuses. The patent identifies specific locations where precise temperature control is necessary and places heating capabilities only there, while other circulation apparatuses rely on passive refrigerant-based temperature control. This localized approach maintains temperature control accuracy where needed while significantly reducing manufacturing cost and energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple circulation apparatuses are provided for multiple cooling apparatuses, then the temperature control versatility is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple circulation apparatuses are merged into a single integrated circulation system that serves multiple temperature control targets. The patent combines several separate circulation loops into one unified system with a common refrigerant circulation path, using three-way valves to distribute refrigerant to different evaporators as needed. This consolidation reduces the number of separate circulation apparatuses required, lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining the versatility to control temperatures at multiple different targets simultaneously.
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 enables efficient temperature control for multiple targets while reducing manufacturing and energy costs by utilizing heat medium heat and electric heating selectively, allowing for accurate temperature control where needed.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit in which a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 13, and a plurality of cooling heat exchangers 14 are connected by pipes in this order so as to circulate a heat medium
Implementation Method 2
a heating unit configured to allow a portion of the heat medium flowing out from the compressor to the condenser to be branched and return the heat medium so as to flow into the condenser on a downstream side of the compressor via a heating heat exchanger 21
Implementation Method 3
an electric heater 111 for heating the liquid allowed to flow is provided in the second liquid flow path 104B
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid temperature control apparatus including a heat medium circulation apparatus equipped with a cooling unit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and a plurality of cooling heat exchangers, and equipped with a heating unit configured to allow a portion of a heat medium flowing out from the compressor toward the condenser to be branched and return the portion of the heat medium to flow into the condenser on the downstream side of the compressor via a heating heat exchanger and a heating amount adjustment valve; and a liquid flow apparatus. A first liquid flow path of the liquid flow apparatus is connected to the first cooling heat exchanger and to the heating heat exchanger. A second liquid flow path is connected to the second cooling heat exchanger. Moreover, an electric heater for heating the liquid allowed to flow is provided in the second liquid flow path.