Outdoor Control Cooling Circuit With One-Way Throttling in Air Conditioners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning technologies face challenges in high-temperature environments due to inefficient heat dissipation in outdoor electrical control systems, leading to reduced compressor operation frequency, compromised cooling effectiveness, and reliability issues such as condensation and temperature drops.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner incorporates a one-way throttle valve and throttling element between the outdoor and indoor heat exchangers, allowing for effective heat dissipation of the electrical control element, reducing condensation, and maintaining coolant temperature above environmental levels, thereby enhancing stability and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a metal cooling fin dissipates heat through air convection, then the heat dissipation structure is simple, but under outdoor high temperature environment the heat dissipation effect is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation effectVSAvoidcompressor operation frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coolant as an intermediary substance to transfer heat from the electrical control system. The coolant flows through a cooling channel, absorbing heat from the frequency conversion module and other electrical components, then dissipates this heat at the outdoor heat exchanger. This mediator approach overcomes the insufficient heat dissipation capability of air convection in high temperature environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a liquid coolant flowing through hydraulic channels to achieve heat dissipation. The cooling system uses fluid circulation (hydraulic principle) to continuously remove heat from the electrical control system, replacing the inadequate air convection method with a more effective liquid-based thermal management approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Temperature

If the operation frequency of the compressor is decreased to reduce heat production, then the electrical control system temperature is controlled, but the cooling effect of the air conditioner is greatly affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical control system temperatureVSAvoidcooling effect
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the heat dissipation function from the compressor operation control. By providing a dedicated cooling circuit with independent circulation, the electrical control system's temperature management is decoupled from the compressor's operating frequency. This allows the compressor to operate at high frequency for effective cooling while the separate cooling system maintains electrical component temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If a low temperature coolant is used for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but condensation water is produced and the temperature of the electrical control system drops too much

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoiduse reliability and safety
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic temperature control of the coolant through a throttling device. The coolant temperature and flow rate are adjusted in real-time based on operating conditions, preventing excessive cooling that would cause condensation or dangerous temperature drops. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal heat dissipation while ensuring system safety and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Temperature

If a refrigeration system design is used to cool the electrical control system, then cooling capability is achieved, but the product is hard to be formed due to complicated system design and high cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capabilityVSAvoidrefrigeration system design
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the cooling circuit into the existing refrigeration system, making the coolant serve dual purposes: cooling the electrical control system and functioning as the refrigerant for the air conditioning cycle. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for a separate, complex refrigeration system, reducing both structural complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining effective cooling capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 improves the working stability and performance of the air conditioner by reducing the electrical control element's temperature, minimizing condensation, and increasing compressor operation frequency, while simplifying the system and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

a one-way throttle valve including a first valve port and a second valve port, in which the first valve port is connected to the second end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the second valve port is connected to the heat dissipation assembly, in a flowing direction from the first valve port to the second valve port, the one-way throttle valve is fully turned on

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way flow control: Valve

Implementation Method 2

a throttling element in series connection between the heat dissipation subassembly and the second end of the indoor heat exchanger; wherein the throttling element provides throttling effect in a flowing direction from the heat dissipation subassembly to the second end of the indoor heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottling: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

a heat dissipation subassembly for heat dissipation of the electrical control element, in which the heat dissipation subassembly is in series connection between a second end of the indoor heat exchanger and a second end of the outdoor heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

a refrigerating circuit with a cooler to cool a heat generating component using refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerating circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat convection: Convection

Implementation Method 5

in a refrigeration circulation, a throttled part of a coolant may absorb heat of a power device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3214380B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 GD MIDEA AIR CONDITIONING EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3214380B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3214380B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An air conditioner (100), comprising a compressor (110), a reversing assembly (120), an outdoor heat exchanger (130), an indoor heat exchanger (140), an electric control heat sink assembly (150), a unidirectional throttle valve (160) and a throttle component (170). The unidirectional throttle valve (160) comprises a first valve port (161) and a second valve port (162), on the flow direction from the first valve port (161) to the second valve port (162), the unidirectional throttle valve (170) is fully turned on, and on the flow direction from the second valve port (162) to the first valve port (161), the unidirectional throttle valve (170) is a throttle valve.