New-type air conditioning terminal system for high and large spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning terminal systems for large spaces face challenges such as high initial investment, high energy consumption, poor thermal comfort, and poor air quality due to their high load and energy-intensive designs, particularly in buildings with high ceilings and large transparent envelopes.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning terminal system that combines radiant coils embedded in the ground with air supply devices on the floor, utilizing a liquid desiccant air conditioning unit and dry fan-coils to control temperature and humidity, reducing the need for high air volume and energy consumption by using water as a medium for heat transfer and handling latent heat loads separately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If an all-air mixed ventilation air conditioning system with high air outlets and high wind speed is used, then air conditioning load is reduced, but initial investment, energy consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair conditioning loadVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air conditioning system into two independent parts: a radiant floor system for temperature control and a separate air supply system for humidity and air quality control. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective air conditioning load management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines radiant floor heating/cooling with localized air supply devices at floor level to create an integrated terminal system. This merging allows the system to achieve both temperature control through radiation and fresh air distribution through convection, improving overall efficiency without increasing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of energy

If an all-air mixed ventilation air conditioning system with high air outlets is used, then air conditioning load is reduced, but initial investment and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair conditioning loadVSAvoidinitial investment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of delivering air from high outlets as in conventional systems, the patent inverts the approach by placing air supply devices at floor level and using radiant floors for thermal control. This inversion simplifies the overall system architecture, reducing initial investment while maintaining effective air conditioning load management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical high-velocity air distribution system with a combination of radiant floor thermal transfer and low-velocity floor-level air supply. This substitution reduces the complexity and cost of mechanical components while effectively managing air conditioning loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional air supply devices are used, then air conditioning function is provided, but thermal comfort and air quality are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair conditioning functionVSAvoidthermal comfort and air quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing air supply at floor level where occupants are located, rather than uniform high-level distribution. This creates localized zones of comfortable temperature and air quality near occupants, while the radiant floor provides supplementary thermal comfort, effectively addressing thermal comfort and air quality issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 system achieves reduced energy consumption and costs, improved thermal comfort, and enhanced air quality by minimizing air conditioning load, using natural cold sources efficiently, and eliminating wet surfaces that can harbor pollutants.

Implementation Method 1

A fluid medium output from the first air-conditioning device is circulated in the radiant coil, and energy of the low-temperature fluid medium is first transmitted to the ground, and then radiated through the ground to the large space, thereby adjusting temperature of the large space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a liquid desiccant air conditioning unit for treating fresh air outside the large space and delivering the fresh air into the large space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid desiccant: Desiccant Material

Implementation Method 3

air supply devices for conveying cold air or hot air into the large space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3842697B1New-type air conditioning terminal system for high and large spaces
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 CHINA NORTHWEST ARCHITECTURE DESIGN & RES INST CO LTD
  • EP3842697B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention discloses an air conditioning terminal system for a large space, including a first air conditioning device, a second air conditioning device, and an air conditioning terminal device. The air conditioning terminal device includes a radiant coil, air supply devices, and a plurality of dry fan coils; the radiant coil is buried inside the ground, a fluid medium circulates in the radiant coil, and energy of the fluid medium is transmitted to the floor. The air supply device is installed on the ground, and the dry fan-coil is installed near the side wall of the large space. Technologies of radiant coils, replacement-type air supply, fresh air liquid-desiccant, dry coil air conditioning, etc. are combined in the invention, so that initial investment, operating energy consumption and operating costs are greatly reduced, indoor thermal comfort and air quality are greatly improved.