Outdoor Unit Bypass Circuit Layout for Bottom Plate Deicing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning apparatuses face challenges in suppressing ice growth on the bottom plate of outdoor units without using a separate heater, which increases the number of parts and complicates the refrigeration cycle.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning apparatus incorporates a bypass circuit that passes through the vicinity of the bottom plate below the blower and heat source-side heat exchanger, utilizing refrigerant flow to warm the area and prevent ice formation without a separate heat source, while also optimizing the heat exchange efficiency and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is provided on the bottom plate to prevent ice formation, then ice growth is suppressed, but the number of parts increases and the refrigeration cycle becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ice prevention function with the existing refrigeration cycle by routing the discharge refrigerant tube to pass below the bottom plate. The high-temperature discharge refrigerant naturally heats the bottom plate area, preventing ice formation without requiring a separate heater component. This combines the refrigeration cycle's waste heat with the ice prevention need.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own discharge refrigerant, which is already at high temperature, to prevent ice formation on the bottom plate. The refrigerant serves dual purposes: maintaining the refrigeration cycle and providing localized heating to prevent ice, eliminating the need for external heating components.
2Reliability
If a heater is added to warm the bottom plate, then ice growth is suppressed, but the refrigeration cycle configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ice prevention function with the existing refrigeration cycle by routing the discharge refrigerant tube to pass below the bottom plate. This merges two functions (refrigeration and ice prevention) into a single integrated system, avoiding additional heaters or control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge refrigerant tube serves multiple functions: it transports refrigerant as part of the refrigeration cycle and simultaneously provides thermal heating to the bottom plate area to prevent ice formation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ice prevention equipment.
3Reliability
If the bypass circuit passes below the blower and heat source-side heat exchanger, then the bottom plate area is warmed without additional components, but the refrigerant tube routing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the routing complexity by changing the spatial dimension of the refrigerant tube path. Instead of adding horizontal heating elements, the discharge refrigerant tube is routed vertically below the bottom plate, utilizing the vertical space and the natural thermal conduction from the high-temperature refrigerant to the bottom plate area.
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 solution effectively prevents ice growth on the bottom plate, ensuring the blower's operation and heat exchange efficiency are not hindered, while reducing the need for additional components and enhancing the apparatus's performance in cold environments.
Implementation Method 1
The bypass circuit bypasses a third refrigerant tube on the discharge side of the compression mechanism, and at least any one of a first refrigerant tube which extends from the usage-side heat exchanger to the expansion mechanism, and a second refrigerant tube which extends from the expansion mechanism to the heat source-side heat exchanger, the bypass circuit being disposed so as to pass below the blower and below the heat source-side heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus includes a compression mechanism, a heat source-side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, a usage-side heat exchanger, a blower, housings and a bypass circuit. The blower feeds an air flow to the heat source-side heat exchanger. The housings is configured to accommodate the heat source-side heat exchanger and the blower in a space above the bottom plate. The bypass circuit is disposed so as to pass below the blower and the heat source-side heat exchanger. The bypass circuit is configured to bypass a third refrigerant tube on a discharge side of the compression mechanism, and at least one of a first refrigerant tube and a second refrigerant tube. The first refrigerant tube extends from the usage-side heat exchanger to the expansion mechanism. The second refrigerant tube extends from the expansion mechanism to the heat source-side heat exchanger.