Multi-type air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-type air conditioners struggle to maintain indoor air temperature at a constant level during dehumidification, as one indoor unit operating in dehumidifying mode discharges air at a temperature lower than the room temperature.
Innovation Solution
A multi-type air conditioner system with a configuration that includes an outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units through liquid and gas pipelines, featuring adjustable expansion valves and heat exchangers to manage refrigerant flow, allowing for dehumidification while maintaining a constant indoor temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an indoor unit operates in dehumidifying mode, then dehumidification is achieved, but the discharged air temperature becomes lower than room temperature, causing temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dehumidification process into two separate functional segments: a first heat exchanger dedicated to condensation and dehumidification, and a second heat exchanger dedicated to temperature maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between achieving dehumidification and maintaining constant temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the indoor unit can simultaneously perform dehumidification and temperature maintenance functions through the coordinated operation of two heat exchangers. The system universally handles both humidity control and temperature stabilization, eliminating the need to choose between these conflicting objectives.
2Productivity
If refrigerant flow is increased for dehumidification, then dehumidification efficiency improves, but temperature control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant flow paths to separate dehumidification and temperature control functions. The first heat exchanger handles high-volume refrigerant flow for efficient condensation, while the second heat exchanger manages refrigerant flow specifically for temperature maintenance, allowing both productivity and temperature stability to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different heat exchanger configurations and refrigerant flow characteristics in different parts of the system. The first heat exchanger is optimized for high heat transfer capacity to maximize dehumidification productivity, while the second heat exchanger is optimized for precise temperature control, creating localized functional zones that resolve the overall contradiction.
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
The system effectively maintains indoor air temperature within a constant range by optimizing refrigerant flow and expansion valve adjustments, enabling dehumidification without significant temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a first indoor heat exchanger comprising a first heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and a refrigerant, a second heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first indoor expansion valve disposed at the second heat exchanger connecting pipe, wherein an opening amount of the first indoor expansion valve is adjusted in response to an input signal from a controller to selectively expand a flowing refrigerant
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a multi-type air conditioner, including: an outdoor unit comprising a liquid pipe through which liquid refrigerant flows and a gas pipe through which gas refrigerant flows; a plurality of indoor units comprising a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit each connected to the liquid and gas pipelines to circulate a refrigerant; a gas pipe connecting tube connecting the gas pipe and a plurality of indoor units so that a gas refrigerant flows therethrough; a first gas branch pipe connecting the first indoor unit and the gas pipe connecting tube so that a gas refrigerant flows therethrough; a second gas branch pipe connecting the second indoor unit and the gas pipe connecting tube so that a gas refrigerant flows therethrough; an indoor heat exchanger connecting pipe connecting the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit so that a liquid refrigerant flows therethrough; and a liquid pipe connecting tube connecting the first indoor unit and the liquid pipe so that a liquid refrigerant flows therethrough. The first indoor unit may include: a first heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and a refrigerant, a second heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and a refrigerant and arranged in a stacked fashion with the first heat exchanger; a first indoor fan configured to blow air to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; a first liquid branch pipe connecting the indoor heat exchanger connecting pipe and the first indoor heat exchanger; a first heat exchanger connecting pipe connecting the first liquid branch pipe and the first heat exchanger of the first indoor heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger connecting pipe connecting the first liquid branch pipe and a second heat exchanger of the first indoor heat exchanger; and a first indoor expansion valve disposed at the second heat exchanger connecting pipe, wherein an opening amount of the first indoor expansion valve is adjusted in response to an input signal from the controller to selectively expand a flowing refrigerant. The liquid pipe connecting tube may connect the first heat exchanger and a liquid pipe, and he first gas branch pipe may connect the second heat exchanger and the gas pipe. Since the multi-type air conditioner according to the present disclosure can operate the first heat exchanger as a condenser and the second heat exchanger as an evaporator among the indoor heat exchangers, it is possible to continuously drive the dehumidification mode while maintaining the room temperature within a certain range There are advantages.