Multi-split type air-conditioning device and connection determination method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-split type air-conditioning devices struggle to accurately determine connections between outdoor and indoor units, especially when both indoor hot water units and indoor air units are present, leading to potential installation errors.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a multi-split type air-conditioning device with an outdoor unit that includes branch ports with pressure reduction mechanisms and an outdoor unit-control unit. This unit executes an indoor hot water unit-determination process by causing the refrigerant circuit to perform a heating operation and determining the branch port connected to the indoor hot water unit, followed by an indoor air unit-determination process that performs a cooling operation to determine the connection relationship between branch ports and indoor air units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If connection determination is performed during cooling operation, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when only heating-capable indoor units are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection determination accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to heating-only systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the connection determination method adaptive to different operational contexts. The system dynamically selects between cooling-based determination (for air-conditioning units) and heating-based determination (for hot water units) based on the type of indoor units present in the system, thereby achieving both high measurement precision and broad adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If manual connection of refrigerant pipes and transmission signal lines is performed, then installation flexibility is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to mismatch connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidconnection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by establishing a verification mechanism where the outdoor unit transmits test signals through the transmission signal lines and receives responses from indoor units. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically verify whether the connections between refrigerant pipes and transmission signal lines are correct, thereby maintaining installation flexibility while significantly improving connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If pressure reduction mechanism is fully closed in cooling operation, then refrigerant retention is avoided, but determination accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant retentionVSAvoidcorresponding relationship determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing connection determination during the cooling operation, which is executed before the heating operation begins. During this preliminary cooling phase, the pressure reduction mechanism remains in its closed state (optimized for cooling), allowing accurate determination of corresponding relationships. This preliminary determination is then used to guide the subsequent heating operation, ensuring both energy efficiency and determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach allows for accurate determination of connections between outdoor and indoor units, even when both indoor hot water and air units are included, thereby reducing installation errors and improving installation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

branch ports beside which pressure reduction mechanisms are disposed after a branch of a refrigerant circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 2

causing the refrigerant circuit to perform a heating operation, and determining the branch port to which the indoor hot water unit is connected and, an indoor air unit-determination process of causing the refrigerant circuit to perform a cooling operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS12264847B2Multi-split type air-conditioning device and connection determination method

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A multi-split type air-conditioning device includes an indoor hot water unit, an indoor air unit, and an outdoor unit to which the indoor hot water unit and the indoor air unit are connected. The outdoor unit includes an outdoor unit-control unit configured to control a refrigerant circuit and transmits control commands for the indoor hot water unit and the indoor air unit via transmission signal lines. The outdoor unit-control unit executes an indoor hot water unit-determination process of causing the refrigerant circuit to perform a heating operation, and determining the branch port to which the indoor hot water unit is connected and an indoor air unit-determination process of causing the refrigerant circuit to perform a cooling operation, and determining a connection relationship between the branch port to which the indoor air unit is connected and the indoor air unit.