Multi-Unit Air Conditioning Load Control for Precise Refrigerant Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The multi-type air conditioning apparatus lacks the ability to accurately adjust evaporation and condensation temperatures in each indoor unit, leading to inefficient operation and energy consumption when units with different capacities are combined.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning apparatus includes a heat source unit and two utilization units connected by a refrigerant communication pipe, with each unit having compressors and expansion mechanisms that can be controlled independently by a control section to match operation loads, allowing for precise control of evaporation temperature and refrigerant pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple indoor units with different operation capacities are combined in a multi-type air conditioning apparatus, then the apparatus can conduct air conditioning on a floor-to-floor basis and a space-to-space basis, but the apparatus is not capable of accurately changing evaporation temperature or condensation temperature in each indoor unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant circulation system into multiple independent loops, with each indoor unit having its own expansion mechanism and temperature control system. This segmentation allows each indoor unit to independently control its evaporation temperature and condensation temperature according to its specific operation load, while still being part of the multi-type air conditioning apparatus.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the latter indoor unit sets degree of superheating of an outlet of an evaporator to be large in a cooling operation, then the unit can operate with operation capacity less than the maximum capacity, but operational efficiency of the multi-type air conditioning apparatus may be worse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable expansion mechanisms in each indoor unit that can dynamically adjust expansion parameters based on the specific operation load. This allows the system to operate efficiently at both full capacity and partial capacity by optimizing the degree of superheating and subcooling according to actual demand, rather than using fixed large superheating settings that waste energy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the latter indoor unit sets degree of subcooling of a condenser to be large in a heating operation, then the unit can operate with operation capacity less than the maximum capacity, but operational efficiency of the multi-type air conditioning apparatus may be worse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses controllable expansion mechanisms in each indoor unit that can adjust subcooling parameters dynamically. During heating operation, each unit can optimize its degree of subcooling based on its specific operation load, enabling efficient operation at both full and partial capacities without requiring excessively large subcooling settings that would reduce operational efficiency.
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 accurate control of each unit's operation capacity, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing energy consumption by allowing each indoor unit to adjust its evaporation temperature and refrigerant pressure according to its specific load.
Implementation Method 1
The heat source side compressor is configured to compress the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
The heat source side heat exchanger is configured to conduct heat exchange of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
The first utilization side heat exchanger is configured to conducting heat exchange of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus includes a heat source unit, a first utilization unit, a second utilization unit, a refrigerant communication pipe and a control section. The heat source unit includes a heat source side compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger and a heat source side expansion mechanism. The first utilization unit includes a first utilization side compressor, a first utilization side heat exchanger and a first utilization side expansion mechanism. The second utilization unit includes a second utilization side compressor, a second utilization side heat exchanger and a second utilization side expansion mechanism. The control section is configured to control the first utilization side compressor and the first utilization side expansion mechanism in accordance with operation load of the first utilization unit, and to control the second utilization side compressor and the second utilization side expansion mechanism in accordance with operation load of the second utilization unit.