Multi-type air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
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 with a heat exchanger bypass pipe and a third expansion valve, controlled by a signal from a controller, allows selective expansion of refrigerant flow to maintain constant temperature dehumidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an indoor unit operates in dehumidifying mode, then dehumidification is achieved, but the discharged air temperature becomes lower than room temperature, making it impossible to maintain constant room temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dehumidification function into two separate indoor units: one dedicated to dehumidification and another to temperature maintenance. This segmentation allows each unit to optimize its operation for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between achieving dehumidification and maintaining constant temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the air conditioner system to perform multiple functions simultaneously through different indoor units - one unit handles dehumidification while another handles temperature control. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve both dehumidification and temperature maintenance at the same time, resolving the contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-type air conditioner connects multiple indoor units and outdoor units, then versatility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that automatically manages the complex coordination between multiple indoor units and outdoor units. The controller receives operational requests, determines the appropriate mode (dehumidification or temperature maintenance), and controls the corresponding units accordingly, thereby simplifying the user interface while enabling versatile multi-unit operation.
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 air conditioner can operate multiple indoor units while maintaining room temperature within a constant range by using a heat exchanger bypass pipe and a third expansion valve to manage refrigerant flow, ensuring consistent temperature during dehumidification.
Implementation Method 1
a third expansion valve disposed at the heat exchanger bypass pipe, wherein an opening amount of the third expansion valve is adjusted in response to an input signal from the controller to selectively expand a flowing refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger bypass pipe connecting the first liquid branch pipe and the second heat exchanger connecting pipe
Implementation Method 3
operate a first heat exchanger as a condenser and operate a second heat exchanger as an evaporator
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a multi-type air conditioner, including: an outdoor unit having a liquid pipe through which a liquid refrigerant flows, and a gas pipe through which a gas refrigerant flows; a plurality of indoor units comprising a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit each connected to the liquid pipe and the gas pipe to circulate a refrigerant; a gas pipe connecting tube connecting the gas pipe and the plurality of indoor units so that a gas refrigerant flows therethrough; and a liquid pipe connecting tube connecting the liquid pipe and the plurality of indoor units so that a liquid refrigerant flows therethrough. The first indoor unit may include: a first indoor heat exchanger comprising a first heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between indoor air and a refrigerant, and 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 liquid pipe connecting tube and the first heat exchanger so that a refrigerant flows therethrough; a first gas branch pipe connecting the gas pipe connecting tube and the second heat exchanger so that a refrigerant flows therethrough; a first heat exchanger connecting pipe connected to the first heat exchanger so that a refrigerant flows therethrough; a second heat exchanger connecting pipe connected to the second heat exchanger so that a refrigerant flows therethrough; a return pipe having one side connected to the first gas branch pipe and the other side connected to the first heat exchanger connecting pipe and the second heat exchanger connecting pipe; 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; and a first expansion valve disposed in the return pipe, wherein an opening amount of the first expansion valve is adjusted in response to an input signal from the controller to selectively expand a flowing refrigerant. 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 constantly operate the dehumidifying mode while maintaining a room temperature within a predetermined range.