Air-conditioning system and refrigerant-amount setting method for the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air-conditioning systems serving multiple target spaces with a single refrigerant circuit, refrigerant leakage can lead to increased refrigerant concentration in individual spaces, posing a risk due to the potential flammability of the refrigerant.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a refrigerant circuit with a heat exchange unit connected to multiple target spaces via air supply passages, featuring a refrigerant detection device and independent opening/closing devices that open when leakage is detected, ensuring the refrigerant amount is set below the lower flammability limit, thereby diffusing leakage refrigerant across all spaces to prevent concentration increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single refrigerant circuit is used to air-condition multiple target spaces, then the system complexity is reduced, but the refrigerant concentration in individual spaces increases when leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air supply system into multiple independent zones by providing separate air supply passages and opening/closing devices for each target space. When refrigerant leakage is detected, only the opening/closing device in the affected space closes to isolate the leak, while other spaces remain unaffected. This segmentation prevents refrigerant concentration buildup in non-leaking spaces while maintaining the simplicity of a single refrigerant circuit.
2Productivity
If refrigerant amount is increased to meet the total volume of multiple spaces, then the cooling/heating capacity is improved, but the flammability risk increases upon leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-sets the refrigerant amount based on the total volume of all target spaces connected to the heat exchange unit. Additionally, opening/closing devices are pre-positioned in each air supply passage to enable rapid isolation upon leakage detection. This preliminary preparation ensures that when leakage occurs, the system can immediately contain the refrigerant within the total volume calculation framework, preventing concentration from exceeding the lower flammability limit in any individual space.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If opening/closing devices are closed upon leakage detection to contain refrigerant, then refrigerant concentration control is improved, but the ability to diffuse refrigerant across spaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements localized control by providing independent opening/closing devices in each air supply passage leading to individual target spaces. When refrigerant leakage is detected, only the opening/closing device corresponding to the leaking space closes to contain the refrigerant locally. Other opening/closing devices remain open, allowing normal air circulation and refrigerant diffusion in non-affected spaces. This local quality approach maintains system adaptability while achieving concentration control.
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 effectively diffuses leakage refrigerant across all target spaces, preventing concentration increases and ensuring the refrigerant concentration remains below the flammability limit, enhancing safety by minimizing the risk of flammable conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant detection device that detects leakage of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of opening/closing devices are all opened... diffuse leakage refrigerant into target spaces for air-conditioning
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning system includes a refrigerant circuit that circulates refrigerant, a heat exchange unit that houses a load-side heat exchanger provided in the refrigerant circuit and is connected with a plurality of air-conditioned spaces by a plurality of air supply passages for use in the supply of air that passes through the load-side heat exchanger, a refrigerant detection device that detects leakage of the refrigerant and a plurality of opening/closing devices that are each provided in an associated one of the plurality of air supply passages and opened/closed independently of each other. When the refrigerant detection device detects leakage of the refrigerant, the plurality of opening/closing devices are all opened.